In the rapid evolution of Web3 protocols and distributed infrastructure, the interplay between scalability and security guides technological advancements. This interplay is pivotal in determining whether the application ecosystem can flourish. The Web3MQ team is set to launch the innovative Nomos Network, presenting new perspectives on implementing L3 and application chains for L2 scalability.

Paradigm Shift in Architecture

Since the inception of blockchain, the "impossible triangle" has been an unavoidable issue. In theory and in practice, breaking the constraints of security, decentralization, and scalability has seemed unachievable. The concept of application chains garnered significant attention during the Polkadot era, allowing multiple chains to interoperate. It achieved scalability by reducing the transaction load on each chain without compromising security or decentralization. However, by 2020, discussions around L2, especially rollups, emerged as a preferred solution for achieving scalability while maintaining security and decentralization. Despite this, developers inclined towards application chains believed that they could create new value propositions. MEV (Miner Extractable Value) could more effectively enhance economic efficiency in pricing transaction states, and customized development experiences could enhance user satisfaction.

Why Application Chains Are Necessary

Developers have several reasons to build application chains (or L3 layers) on this foundation:

Scalability and Throughput

Developers face significant challenges regarding scalability in the existing blockchain infrastructure. The core of scalability lies in high speed and low costs. By reducing costs at each layer, developers can significantly decrease the overall cost from L1 to L3, possibly up to a million-fold. Throughput isn't affected by third-party application activities since applications have dedicated blockchains, ensuring consistent and smooth user experiences without resource contention.

Modularity and Customization

While general-purpose chains like Starknet and Ethereum cater to universal usage, they impose environmental restrictions. Through application chains, developers can fine-tune various aspects of their applications and infrastructure, creating customized solutions. If dissatisfied with a feature in Cairo VM, developers can eliminate it from their application chain.

Governance Security and Upgradability

The customizable nature of application chains allows developers to utilize functionalities that might be unavailable or risky in current environments like Starknet. Empowering teams with autonomy allows them to freely write and authorize any necessary code, unlocking various use cases, such as implementing on-chain KYC (Know Your Customer) without revealing private information.

Is It Just Application Chains?

In our focus on the mainstream Starknet L2 ecosystem, we considered the optimal integration of L2 and application chains (or L3). Given the differing scalability approaches of L2 and application chains, how can we better serve application developers?

The issue of coupling in distributed infrastructure has been a challenge in achieving seamless compatibility and interoperability. In recent explorations, we realized that smooth application development shouldn’t be determined by infrastructure characteristics but should match corresponding infrastructure based on different scenarios and demands. Most of the current public chain ecosystems—L1/L2, including some open-source engines—don’t directly serve developers. There’s a need for a more modular framework adaptable to different application categories. How can we enable developers to easily customize a usable application chain on an L2 network providing rollups to meet diverse development needs?

As we navigate the Web3 era, adapting applications for mass-scale user scenarios will be pivotal in the next phase of infrastructure development. Success won’t solely stem from adhering to frameworks but from meeting unique user demands. Therefore, the next generation of infrastructure needs to address not only performance issues like rapid response, low latency, and scalability but also cater to developers’ flexibility and customization needs.

Evolution of Web3MQ

The first generation of Web3MQ emerged as a powerful and scalable relay and transmission protocol. Presently, Web3MQ has undergone in-depth design enhancements based on the success of the previous generation, seamlessly integrating into a modular stack. While Web3MQ focuses on infrastructure, it also endeavors to support various application protocols. Our vision is clear—to establish an ecosystem oriented toward serving developers' needs aligned with large-scale user demands, encompassing infrastructure and node networks to support different segmented applications. Thus, Nomos Network was born.

Nomos Network is a next-generation modular application chain framework based on the Starknet Madara platform. The first application chain, Ethos chain, constructed using this framework and tailored for social applications, has successfully deployed on the testnet. Currently developed applications on Ethos chain include Swapchat, Tastu, ZK-wolf, Realms connect, among others. Realms connect is a communication app customized for on-chain gaming, presently integrated into the Loot ecosystem's core game, Eternum. Recently, it won an official Grants reward from Realms in a new round of community voting. ZK-wolf is a werewolf game developed based on MUD (Multi-User Dungeon), while Swapchat and Tastu are group chat and photo wall applications cross-chain. The Web3MQ client is already available as one of the initial applications on Meta Mask Snap.