Cosmos Hub explores diversified security strategies to promote Blockchain ecological innovation

As competition in the blockchain security field intensifies, Cosmos Hub is actively exploring diversified security models to meet different needs and enhance the value of its ecosystem. Recently, the product head of Informal Systems proposed a new solution regarding consumer link-in at the Cosmos Hub forum, sparking widespread discussion.

Currently, the "Replication Security" mode introduced by the V9 Lambda upgrade of Cosmos Hub has allowed it to lease security to consumer chains. However, this mode requires each validator to run all consumer chains, which can lead to increased costs and reduced efficiency in certain cases.

To address this issue, two new consumer chain joining solutions have been proposed:

1. Completely Permissionless Solution:

   • Developers can initiate a consumer chain by submitting a transaction to Cosmos Hub.
   • Validators choose whether to join the new Blockchain.
   • The advantage is its simplicity and openness, but it requires active communication between developers and validators.

2. Lightweight Permissioned Solution:

   • Developers need to submit governance proposals to launch a new chain.
   • Validators decide whether to join through voting
   • Utilize the existing governance mechanism, but raise the technical threshold.

In addition, a "Top-N" scheme is being discussed, in which the top n% of the validator set will be obligated to run the consumer chain, while other validators can choose to join or exit.

These new solutions seek a balance between security and flexibility compared to existing replication security. Replication security offers the strongest protection but at a higher cost, while solutions such as selective joining and mesh security provide more flexibility but may face challenges with security fluctuations.

Cosmos Hub is actively exploring various security solutions to meet different needs. Future consumer chains may adopt multiple forms, including replicated security consistent with Cosmos Hub, permissionless joining options, and other lightweight permissioned or Top-N solutions. This diversification strategy not only meets different security requirements but also aims to provide more value capture opportunities for ATOM tokens.

With the continuous development of blockchain technology, these explorations of Cosmos Hub will bring new possibilities to the entire ecosystem, promoting innovation and progress in the field of blockchain security.