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Metis Lianchuang: "How" can Rollup achieve the goal of decentralization?

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This article introduces Metis’ strategic blueprint for decentralization

Original Title: "Metis: Leading the Way to Decentralization"

Original Author: Kevin Liu

Original Translation: Block unicorn

Produced by Liu Kaiwen (Kevin Liu), co-founder of Metis and CEO of ZKM.

In the constantly evolving field of blockchain technology, the concept of decentralization has become a guiding principle, especially for Ethereum. Decentralization is a key differentiating factor and advantage compared to other blockchain ecosystems. However, the question still remains since Ethereum's inception: how do we achieve decentralization?

As described in this article, Vitalik proposed the milestones that Ethereum Rollup needs to achieve in order to achieve full functionality and true decentralization. By going through these stages, Rollup will say goodbye to its initial development stage and meet the most challenging aspect of the blockchain trilemma.

Vitalik's proposal nicely summarizes "how": Rollups should become fully functional and achieve decentralization on a technical level. However, decentralization is not just a technical issue, it is a complex architectural system that we need to build. So, "how" can we achieve this elusive goal of decentralization with Rollups?

As a co-founder of Metis, I subsequently led a project (ZKM) dedicated to building infrastructure to achieve hybrid Rollup technology. It is this "how" that kept me up at night, tossing and turning.

Decentralization Phase: Strategic Blueprint

The journey towards full decentralization is divided into four stages:

Phase 0: Cold Start - Laying the Foundation for Decentralization Phase 0, also known as the "cold start," initiates the blockchain project and focuses on establishing a robust infrastructure. Similar to a heavy construction phase, the core team plays a central role in development and management. Despite encouraging participation from the entire community, maintaining control remains a challenge during this intensive construction phase.

In the complexity of Phase 0, community participation is crucial. While the core team leads the heavy construction, the project encourages community participation through activities such as voting and token delegation. However, the problem is that these activities are only within limited parameter ranges, providing a superficial sense of decentralization.

In order to truly promote decentralization, strategic community participation is crucial. In addition to token-based voting, it is equally important to cultivate true community ownership through transparent communication, education, and collaboration. Establishing a community that is truly committed to the success of the project lays the foundation for meaningful decentralization.

Summary of Phase 0:

1. Goal: Lay the foundation for business.

2. Focus on: Establishing a solid foundation for future development and decentralization efforts.

3. Method: By building a team, focusing on improving efficiency and execution, and creating a sense of ownership within the community for the project, even if it is not literal ownership.

Phase 1: Decentralizing Infrastructure - Harnessing the Power of Utility Tokens

Utility tokens play a dual role in Phase 1. 1) In addition to serving as a trading tool, they also serve as tools for network security and decentralization. 2) True contributors use utility tokens for staking, mining, voting, and governance, actively shaping the project's development trajectory.

Empowering True Contributors: Collaborative Construction Approach

Phase 1 declared an era where the construction and operation of infrastructure is no longer the exclusive domain of central authorities. Real contributors who actively promote network growth have gained access to tools and incentives for critical processes. This democratization aligns with the principle of decentralization and fosters collective ownership.

It is crucial to recognize the importance of decentralized infrastructure. As network infrastructure becomes more decentralized, it becomes more resilient, adaptable, and able to withstand the challenges that may arise in the dynamic field of blockchain technology.

By eliminating a single control point and leveraging the power of utility tokens, blockchain projects empower true contributors and lay the foundation for a stronger and more participatory ecosystem. This evolution is not an isolated achievement, but a strategic stepping stone towards a decentralized future.

Summary of Phase 1:

1. Goal: Eliminate technical single points of control.

2. Focus on: decentralizing control and ownership of key components, using utility tokens to protect the network.

3. Method: Empower true contributors to participate in infrastructure construction and operation, cultivate a more resilient and censorship-resistant network.

Phase 2: Income Sharing - Coordinating Interests for Sustainable Growth

Many blockchain projects and ecosystems are struggling with balancing the different goals of short-term token holders and long-term stakeholders such as core teams and major contributors. Short-term token holders prioritize immediate price fluctuations and seek quick returns, while long-term stakeholders hope to build a sustainable future.

Change of mindset: From airdrop mining to ecosystem participation

The key to resolving these conflicts lies in changing the mindset of community members. To go beyond the tendency to join the ecosystem solely for the purpose of airdrop mining, participants must embrace a more proactive role in contributing to the growth of the ecosystem. This shift means understanding that rewards are earned through active participation rather than passive speculation.

Metis: Decentralizing Sequencers through Revenue Sharing