The Skale Network is a multi-chain blockchain platform that aims to address the limitations of traditional blockchain systems, especially in terms of scalability, cost, and user experience. It operates as Ethereum's Layer 2 solution, enhancing the mainnet with high-throughput, low-latency transactions and zero gas fees for end users. The network supports a large number of decentralized applications (dApps), enabling developers to efficiently deploy and manage dApps by providing a scalable infrastructure.

Development history

The concept of Skale is to solve the trilemma of scalability, balancing speed, security, and decentralization issues in Ethereum. During peak periods, Ethereum often struggles to achieve this balance, resulting in high transaction fees and slow processing times. To address these issues, Skale is designed to provide a scalable and efficient blockchain environment while maintaining interoperability.

The design of the network combines the hybrid architecture of Layer 1 and Layer 2, combining the security advantages of Ethereum with the performance advantages of dedicated blockchains, ensuring fast and secure processing of transactions and providing the scalability needed for modern decentralized applications (dApps).

The mainnet went live in 2020 and currently supports over 150 nodes operated by more than 45 independent validation institutions, enabling Skale to handle a large number of transactions while maintaining high security.

Project Purpose

The main purpose of the network is to enable developers to build and deploy decentralized applications (dApps) as easily and flexibly as traditional cloud services, with the added benefits of blockchain technology. By providing a scalable, high-performance environment, Skale enables developers to create more complex and interactive dApps to meet growing user demands.

Core goal

Scalability is Skale's primary goal. By enabling horizontally scalable elastic sidechains, it achieves performance of processing thousands of transactions per second (TPS) and supports high block gas limits, enabling efficient execution of complex transactions and smart contracts.

Another goal of the Skale network is zero transaction fees, aimed at making the platform more user-friendly and affordable for developers and end users. By eliminating transaction costs, Skale reduces the cost of operating and interacting with dApps, making it a more attractive choice for wider applications. This model also simplifies the user experience, as users do not need to worry about managing transaction fees.

Interoperability with Ethereum is also an important aspect of Skale's design. The network allows the transfer of assets and data between the Skale Chain and the Ethereum mainnet using an Interchain Messaging Agent (IMA), ensuring that developers can take advantage of both platforms to create dApps that can interact with a broad ecosystem of blockchain applications and services. The platform uses a proof-of-stake (PoS) model, where validators secure the network. They rotate regularly and monitor their performance to maintain the security and decentralization of the network. This ensures a high level of fault tolerance and reduces the risk of collusion between validators.

The network also provides app-chains and hub-chains, allowing developers to tailor the blockchain environment to their specific needs. This includes configuring resources, setting custom rate limits, and implementing different levels of decentralization and governance structures that enable developers to optimize the performance, security, and user experience of their dApps.

Skale's features

The architecture of the Skale network provides a range of features that support scalable and efficient dApp development. These features include elastic sidechains, high performance, native bridging and oracles, developer tools, and sFUEL tokens for trading.

The Skale chain aims to provide a flexible and scalable blockchain environment. Each chain is run by a group of 16 nodes, which dynamically allocate to balance the load and ensure high performance. They can achieve a baseline of 400 TPS, with peaks reaching 700 TPS, this high throughput is complemented by instant finality, meaning that transactions can be confirmed as soon as they are included in a block. This level of performance makes Skale suitable for a variety of high-demand applications.

The Skale Network includes native bridging for cross-chain communication and decentralized oracles for accessing off-chain data. These components help integrate Skale with other blockchain networks and real-world data sources, enabling more complex and feature-rich dApps.

In terms of developer tools and compatibility, Skale is compatible with existing Ethereum developer tools such as Truffle, Metamask, and Remix, making it easier for developers to migrate their applications without major modifications, leveraging their existing knowledge and toolset.

Skale uses a non-economic value token called sFUEL to process transactions on its chain. This design abstracts the concept of gas fees away from the end user, simplifying the user experience and lowering the cost barrier to interact with dApps. Users can interact with the network without having to manage gas fees, making it more accessible and user-friendly.

Highlights

• The Skale Network solves the scalability, cost, and user experience problems of traditional blockchains.
• It was launched in 2020 and currently supports more than 150 nodes managed by more than 45 validators.
• Its core objectives include scalability, zero gas fees, interoperability with Ethereum, security, and customization.
• It features elastic sidechains, high throughput, native bridging, decentralized oracles, and compatibility with Ethereum tools.
• Use sFUEL for transactions to relieve users from the burden of Gas fees.