Metis Andromeda Network Update: DA Migration & Fraud Proofs
Dear Metis Community,
We would like to provide an update on two key upgrades to the Metis Andromeda network: Fraud Proofs and Data Availability (DA) migration to Ethereum 4844 blobs. These upgrades are now live on the Metis Sepolia testnet and are undergoing testing. Pending successful evaluation, we plan to deploy them to Andromeda Mainnet after the Ethereum Pectra upgrade on March 27th.
These upgrades enhance network security, decentralization, and trustlessness by providing a permissionless mechanism to challenge invalid transactions and ensuring that all transaction data is available on Ethereum for independent verification.
Key Changes
1. Data Availability (DA) Migration to Ethereum L1 4844 Blobs
Background
Data availability is a fundamental requirement for rollups, ensuring that all transaction data is accessible for verification by network participants. When transactions are processed on Metis, their data must be stored in a way that allows anyone to reconstruct the network state independently.
Previously, Metis used MEMO Labs as its DA provider, offering an off-chain storage solution that reduced costs while maintaining scalability. However, with the introduction of Ethereum EIP-4844 blobs, we now have the opportunity to migrate our DA layer to Ethereum L1 and inherit its security guarantees.
Why Migrate to Ethereum 4844 Blobs?
The primary reason for this migration is to inherit Ethereum’s security model, ensuring that Metis transactions remain verifiable and immutable within Ethereum’s consensus framework. While the cost of using Ethereum blobs is slightly higher than using MEMO Labs, the difference is negligible and will not impact transaction fees on Metis.
By migrating to Ethereum’s native DA storage, Metis strengthens the integrity and auditability of its transactions without introducing significant overhead costs. This move also formally designates Metis as a Stage 0 Rollup, ensuring that all transaction data is published on Ethereum for maximum transparency and reliability.
2. Fraud Proofs & Enhanced Security Mechanisms
Introduction to Fraud Proofs
Fraud proofs introduce a verification mechanism that enables anyone to challenge invalid state transitions on the network. This ensures that only valid transactions are finalized, removing the need to trust any single entity.
How Fraud Proofs Work
Fraud proofs allow network participants to challenge invalid state roots submitted by sequencers. The process works as follows:
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State Submission: Sequencers submit state updates to Ethereum, assuming they are correct unless proven otherwise.
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Challenge Window: A dispute period allows anyone to challenge an invalid state.
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Dispute Resolution: If a challenge is raised, the network verifies whether the state transition was correct. If the challenge is successful, the invalid state submission is rejected, and the responsible sequencer is penalized.
This system ensures that fraudulent transactions cannot be finalized, maintaining the integrity of the rollup without requiring centralized oversight.
How This Enhances Trustlessness
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Permissionless Challenges: Any participant can dispute an invalid state, ensuring that only valid transactions are finalized.
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Independent Withdrawal Verification: Users can withdraw funds without needing to trust the operator, as transactions are independently verifiable on Ethereum.
This upgrade brings Metis closer to a Stage 1 Rollup, further reducing trust assumptions and enhancing the network’s decentralization.
3. Sequencer Slashing & Security Enhancements
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Slashing & Removal: If a sequencer submits an invalid state (e.g., incorrect transaction data or an invalid state root), they will be slashed and removed from the sequencer pool. This discourages malicious behavior and reinforces the integrity of the system.
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Self-Sequencing Plans: Future upgrades will introduce self-sequencing, allowing users to propose their own transactions. This ensures that users retain control over their transactions, even in cases of sequencer failure or network congestion.
Next Steps & Timeline
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Mainnet Deployment: These upgrades will be rolled out to Andromeda Mainnet after Ethereum’s Pectra upgrade on March 27th.
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Ongoing Security & Decentralization Improvements: Additional enhancements will continue to improve Metis’ security, scalability, and trustless execution environment.
These upgrades mark an important step in improving Metis’ security and decentralization, providing users with a more robust, verifiable, and independent Layer 2 experience.