The DoubleZero protocol, a novel approach to blockchain communication, has officially launched its mainnet-beta. This launch signifies a move towards dedicated infrastructure for crypto networks, moving away from the constraints of the public internet.

What is DoubleZero?

DoubleZero is a decentralized connectivity network designed to enhance communication between blockchains and distributed systems. It distinguishes itself as an "N1" base layer, offering a new foundation for decentralized systems, rather than operating as a traditional Layer 1 or Layer 2 blockchain. The protocol aims to create high-performance, permissionless networks optimized for distributed systems like blockchain. It combines individually contributed fiber links into a synchronized network that filters spam, increases bandwidth, lowers latency, and removes jitter from communication.

Key Features and Benefits:

• Dedicated Bandwidth: DoubleZero provides dedicated bandwidth using fiber-optic links, offering more predictable and consistent connections compared to the public internet. Dedicated fiber networks for blockchain can reduce latency by up to 50% compared to public internet connections.
• Edge Filtration: Data is filtered at the network's edge as it passes through DoubleZero. The outer ring handles the direction of data flow in and out of a network and interfaces with the public internet, connecting to DoubleZero's high-performance hardware.
• High-Speed Infrastructure: DoubleZero utilizes a high-speed network of fiber-optic connections to serve high-throughput blockchain traffic. The network now hosts over 70 direct high-speed links between 25 geographic locations to route blockchain traffic directly between source and destination, reducing communication latency and maximizing speed. At launch, DoubleZero’s dedicated routing infrastructure spans five continents and 30 cities.
• Decentralization: The protocol is designed to decentralize high-performance networking beyond traditional high-frequency trading firms and big tech companies.
• Smart Contract Defined Network: The DoubleZero protocol uses verified data stored in on-chain smart contracts. This information is used to reach consensus on data routing and prioritization for the network.
• Two-Ring Architecture: DoubleZero's architecture separates functions: an outer ring filters spam and verifies signatures using FPGA devices, while an inner ring provides low-latency paths for consensus traffic.

The Need for a Dedicated Crypto Communication Network:

The public internet, designed for general-purpose traffic like gaming and media streaming, presents a bottleneck for crypto. DoubleZero founder Austin Federa noted that the public internet was not built for high-performance systems or distributed consensus protocols. By creating a dedicated network, DoubleZero addresses the limitations of legacy internet infrastructure, which was not designed for blockchain's data-intensive requirements.

Mainnet-Beta Launch Details:

The mainnet-beta launch allows real-world testing of the network's core features in a live environment before full deployment. The testnet has been deployed across seven cities, including Singapore, Tokyo, Los Angeles, and London, with a focus on Solana validators and Remote Procedure Calls (RPCs). The project has already signed on 386 Solana validators, representing more than 20% of network stake, to route data over its private backbone.

Tokenomics and Funding:

2Z is the native token of the DoubleZero protocol, issued on the Solana blockchain as an SPL token. It's used within the ecosystem for network access and rewarding providers. DoubleZero has secured $28 million in funding, co-led by Multicoin Capital and Dragonfly Capital, valuing the project at $400 million.

Impact and Future Applications:

DoubleZero's infrastructure is blockchain-agnostic, supporting networks such as Solana, Celestia, Sui, Aptos, and Avalanche. By optimizing data flows, DoubleZero aims to improve the performance of blockchains and all decentralized distributed systems by advancing reliability and scalability. The protocol envisions a permissionless network powered by independent contributors, leveraging dedicated fiber-optic and subsea cables. DoubleZero offers advantages in various blockchain contexts, including state synchronization, indexers, multiple leaders, and network extensions.