Initia: A New Chapter in the Web3 Full-Chain Rollup Ecosystem

With the rise of modular public chains, the number of blockchain networks has seen explosive growth. Currently, there are 53 second-layer public chains in the market, with another 42 in development. Although these public chains are designed for different scenarios and can meet diverse needs, they also bring issues such as system complexity and fragmentation.

Against this backdrop, the modular project Initia launched by the Cosmos ecosystem has attracted widespread attention. Inspired by Apple's design philosophy, Initia transforms blockchain into a form that is as user-friendly and integrated as iPhone apps, providing users with an intuitive and interconnected blockchain application experience. The product suite of Initia includes multi-chain browsers, wallet tools, cross-chain bridges, centralized application platforms, and on-chain identity systems, aiming to build a unified and user-friendly blockchain ecosystem.

Currently, the Initia testnet has been launched, and the first round of incentive programs has started, rewarding early ecosystem contributors. It is expected that after the testing is completed, Initia will officially launch its mainnet in the third quarter of this year. Its innovative design and complete ecosystem are expected to reshape the blockchain landscape in the Web3 era.

Initia: A Full-Chain Rollup Ecosystem for Web3

The founding team of Initia consists of seasoned crypto experts Zon and Stan Liu, and the team has now grown to 20 members. These founders and researchers have extensive experience in building high-value applications across ecosystems such as Cosmos, Terra, and Ethereum. Zon has served as the chief architect and chief technology officer of a blockchain company, while Stan Liu is an experienced developer in the Ethereum ecosystem, having participated in the development of several well-known DeFi projects.

In October 2023, Initia completed a round of pre-seed financing and established partnerships with projects under its investors, laying a solid foundation for future development. In February 2024, Initia secured another $7.5 million in seed funding, led by a well-known investment institution, with participation from several industry-renowned figures. This funding will drive the development of Initia's infrastructure and the expansion of product tools, as well as nurture key application layer projects, further promoting the development of the Initia ecosystem.

Initia aims to provide users with a clear and unified full-chain Rollup ecosystem by integrating modular Layer 1 and dedicated Layer 2 solutions. It brings together the advantages of multiple mainstream public chains, creating a scalable and efficient application ecosystem for developers and users. Developers can quickly build cross-chain applications using the infrastructure provided by Initia; users can seamlessly enjoy a range of services in DeFi, GameFi, Social, and more without having to switch back and forth between different public chains.

To simplify the experience for users and developers, Initia also provides a complete stack of technology and user products, including:

• InitiaScan: This is a user-centric interactive platform for navigation and building across multiple InitiaRollups, providing valuable insights and tools for developers and users alike.
• Wallet Widget: As the front-end entry for the Initia wallet solution, it provides users with the convenience of cross-chain wallet signing through an innovative social login method.
• Bridget: As a front-end bridge/entry aggregator, Bridget is directly integrated into various Rollup application layers within the Initia ecosystem, providing seamless cross-chain asset and deposit services for these Rollups.
• Initia Application: This is a centralized platform that integrates various resources and services within the Initia ecosystem, such as the Initia wallet, Initia username system, Bridget cross-chain bridge, etc., providing users with a one-stop Initia ecosystem experience.
• Initia Username: The Initia username system provides a simple, convenient, and easy-to-read way to access the account address of each Rollup on the Initia platform.
• Initia Wallet: The Initia Wallet offers unparalleled convenience as a unified hub for navigating the Initia ecosystem. With features like social login, cross-chain swapping, and automatic routing, users can seamlessly manage their assets across multiple Rollups.

The Initia platform provides a complete set of product-ready Rollup solutions, enabling teams to build scalable sovereign systems while eliminating the user experience complexities faced when interacting with a modular multichain universe. Users can freely explore various DApps and services within the Initia ecosystem as if they were using a smartphone, enjoying a seamless crypto world without worrying about the differences in underlying public chains.

Initia Layered Architecture: A Flexible and Scalable Multi-Chain Ecosystem

Initia adopts a layered modular design architecture, integrating innovative L1 with interwoven application-specific L2 infrastructure systems, reconstructing the entire technology stack, including components such as the InitiaScan browser, Wallet Widget wallet tool, Bridget cross-chain bridge, and Initia applications. At the same time, with the layered modular architecture, developers can easily launch application-specific blockchains as Initia L2 without needing to understand complex chain-level infrastructure or operate a validator set.

The Initia architecture is mainly divided into 4 modules, specifically:

Initia Orchestration Layer (Layer 1): Initia has a main chain network known as L1, which plays a key role in orchestrating and coordinating the entire ecosystem. The L1 layer is responsible for ensuring foundational functions such as security, liquidity, routing, and cross-chain interoperability across the system. Unlike traditional single main chains, Initia's L1 network adopts a more flexible and scalable design, laying a solid foundation for the development of upper-layer applications.

The L1 main chain uses an innovative consensus mechanism that combines the advantages of Proof of Stake (PoS) and Proof of Authority (PoA). This not only ensures the security and decentralization of the entire network but also guarantees efficient confirmation and finality of transactions. At the same time, Initia has implemented a mechanism for dynamically adjusting block intervals and the number of validators to meet performance demands in different scenarios. This adaptive design allows the L1 main chain to provide reliable performance guarantees while maintaining a high degree of decentralization.

Initia Rollups (Layer 2): Another key component of the Initia platform is the independent Layer 2 network 'Minitia'. Each Minitia focuses on specific application scenarios, such as financial services, gaming, or social networks, and can operate independently while maintaining a close connection with Layer 1. This design not only enhances the overall flexibility and scalability of the system but also allows Initia to better meet the needs of different application scenarios.

Minitias is a fully functional CosmosSDK chain that integrates advanced aggregation features and utilizes standard CosmosSDK modules (such as AuthZ and Feegrant) as well as custom modules (such as POB in Skip Protocol). Minitias boasts impressive technical specifications and a rich feature set:

1. High throughput of over 10,000 TPS and a block time of 500 milliseconds
2. IBC is used for Cosmos interoperability and Omnitia shared security.
3. Supports Celestia data availability, MoveVM, WasmVM, and EVM
4. Various native functions, such as the vested interest program, token cashback, and the Omnitia messaging module.
5. Advanced tools, including InitiaSDK, WalletSDK, and 1-ClickDeposit Widget
6. Integration with third-party services and oracles to enhance functionality and user experience

OPinit Stack: OPinit Stack is an OR framework built by Initia in CosmosSDK. This framework utilizes Celestia's data availability layer to support secure scaling across different virtual machines such as EVM, MoveVM, and WebAssembly. This means developers can freely choose the most suitable virtual machine based on the needs of their applications without having to focus too much on complex chain-level infrastructure.

OPinit Stack features fraud proof and rollback capabilities, ensuring complete interoperability between various aggregation networks built on top of it. This innovation brings unprecedented flexibility and scalability to Initia, enabling developers to quickly build product-ready, interoperable applications.

Interoperability/Bridge Middleware: Interoperability/Bridge Middleware is another key component of the Initia platform, including blockchain communication (IBC) protocol and TBA Bridge Provider. IBC supports instant communication and transfer between different blockchains through simple cross-chain messaging, which can help Initia achieve seamless asset and data transfer between different blockchain networks.

TBA Bridge Provider is another high-performance and secure cross-chain bridging solution that connects Initia's Layer 1 network with the Layer 2 Minitia network. Additionally, this protocol integrates efficient aggregation technology, which significantly enhances the throughput and performance of cross-chain interactions.

Initia's layered design gives it scalability and flexibility. The L1 main chain is responsible for core consensus and settlement, while Minitias focuses on performance-intensive applications, with both deeply integrated through the OPinit Stack. At the same time, interoperability/bridging middleware enables cross-layer asset and data interaction for Initia across different blockchain networks and within the ecosystem. This layered design not only addresses the complexity and fragmentation issues of multi-chain ecosystems but also greatly enhances the user experience, laying a solid foundation for the development of a modular multi-chain universe.

Overview of Popular Ecological Projects

The Initia testnet has been launched, and the incentive airdrop has also started. As a project committed to becoming the "Apple system" in the blockchain field, Initia has attracted significant attention from the investment community. Some institutions predict that Initia may launch a new round of financing before the official release of the mainnet in the third quarter of this year. At that time, some popular projects within the Initia ecosystem will undoubtedly receive great attention.

Currently, the projects worth paying attention to in the Initia ecosystem are:

Blackwing

Blackwing is a modular blockchain that enables non-liquidation leveraged trading of long-tail assets through an "infinite pool." Utilizing Initia as the foundation, Blackwing allows traders to transact assets on any modular application chain without the need to transfer funds across networks, significantly saving costs and enhancing security.

Blackwing completed a financing of $4.5 million in March this year. The testnet Tomcat-1 was successfully launched in May, and the TVL has now surpassed $50 million.

Tucana

Tucana is a multi-functional L2 network centered around intent within the Initia ecosystem. Its core goal is to unify and optimize the trading experience across various modular networks. The underlying architecture of Tucana is supported by the intertwined Rollups technology of Initia and Celestia, enabling compatibility.