Initia: Building a Full-Chain Rollup Ecosystem for the Web3 Era

With the rise of modular public chains, the blockchain ecosystem is experiencing explosive growth. Data shows that there are currently 53 L2 public chains in operation in the market, and another 42 are under construction. While these public chains, designed for different scenarios, can meet diverse needs, they also bring issues such as complexity and fragmentation.

Against this backdrop, the newly launched modular project Initia in the Cosmos ecosystem has garnered widespread attention. Initia draws inspiration from Apple's design philosophy, aiming to make blockchain applications as user-friendly and integrated as iPhone apps, providing users with an intuitive and interconnected blockchain experience. The product suite of Initia includes multi-chain browsers, wallet tools, cross-chain bridges, 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 airdrop plans has started to reward early ecological 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

Initia was founded by experienced crypto experts Zon and Stan Liu, and the team has grown to a size of 20 people. These founders and researchers have accumulated rich experience in building high-value applications in ecosystems such as Cosmos, Terra, and Ethereum. Zon previously served as the chief architect and chief technology officer of a well-known blockchain company, while Stan Liu is a seasoned developer in the Ethereum ecosystem and has participated in the development of several well-known DeFi projects.

In October 2023, Initia completed a pre-seed funding round and established partnerships with projects under its investors. In February 2024, Initia secured another $7.5 million in seed funding, led by a well-known investment institution, with participation from several renowned angel investors in the industry. This funding will be used to promote the development of Initia's infrastructure, expand product tools, and incubate key application layer projects, further facilitating the growth 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 variety of services such as DeFi, GameFi, and Social without switching 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 construction across multiple InitiaRollups, providing valuable insights and tools for developers and users alike.
• Wallet Widget: Serving as the front-end entry point 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 these Rollups with seamless cross-chain asset transfers and deposit services.
• 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 experience of the Initia ecosystem.
• Initia Username: The Initia username system provides a simple, convenient, and easy-to-read way to access the account addresses 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 offers 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 multi-chain universe. Users can freely explore various DApps and services within the Initia ecosystem, enjoying a seamless crypto experience without having to worry about the differences in underlying public chains, just like using a smartphone.

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 tech stack, including components like 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 validator sets.

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 the security, liquidity, routing, and cross-chain interoperability of the entire 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 employs 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 networking, 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 uses standard CosmosSDK modules (such as AuthZ and Feegrant) as well as custom modules (such as POB). Minitias boasts impressive technical specifications and a rich set of features:

1. High throughput of over 10,000 TPS and a block time of 500 milliseconds

2. IBC is used for interoperability in Cosmos and shared security in Omnitia.

3. Support for data availability, MoveVM, WasmVM, and EVM

4. Various native features, such as the vested interest program, token rebates, and Omnitia messaging module.

5. Advanced tools, including InitiaSDK, WalletSDK, and 1-Click Deposit 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 leverages the data availability layer to support secure scaling across different virtual machines such as EVM, MoveVM, and WebAssembly. This means that developers can freely choose the most suitable virtual machine according to the needs of their applications, without having to overly focus on complex chain-level infrastructure.

OPinit Stack has 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 transfers between different blockchains through simple cross-chain messaging, helping 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, the protocol integrates efficient aggregation technology, which significantly enhances the throughput and performance of cross-chain interactions.

The layered design of Initia provides it with scalability and flexibility. The L1 main chain is responsible for core consensus and settlement, while Minitias focuses on performance-intensive applications, both deeply integrated through the OPinit Stack. At the same time, interoperability/bridging middleware enables cross-layer asset and data interaction of Initia across different blockchain networks and ecosystems. 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 is now live, and the incentive airdrop has also begun. As a project dedicated 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 its 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 leveraged trading of long-tail assets without liquidation 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 $4.5 million funding round in March this year. The testnet Tomcat-1 was successfully launched in May, and the TVL has now surpassed $50 million.

Tucana

Tucana is an intent-focused multifunctional L2 network 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 Initia and interwoven Rollups technology, enabling it to be compatible with and integrate the trading needs across different modular networks.

Through Tucana's liquidity layer, users can seamlessly access thousands of modular networks, including limit orders, market orders, and perpetual contracts, enabling seamless trading of multi-chain assets. Tucana is seen as a one-stop shop for the future of modular trading.

Controrg

Controrg is an innovative project in the Initia ecosystem aimed at reshaping trading infrastructure. It attempts to build a brand new trading platform - GLOB Chain through disruptive technological means.

The GLOB chain adopts a progressive "order flow" execution mechanism, discarding traditional