Aleo is a privacy-focused blockchain network whose unique working principles and ecosystem are attracting more and more developers and users. This article will analyze Aleo’s infrastructure in detail, explore the roles of its network participants, and how Aleo Credits inspire the community to work together to build a more secure network.
How the Aleo network works
The strength of the Aleo network lies in the joint efforts of its participants who are committed to providing users with safer applications. The network is based on a novel consensus algorithm that utilizes zero-knowledge proof (ZKP) technology to ensure that users have greater control over their data and access rights.
Developers can leverage ZKP to build privacy-preserving applications on the Aleo blockchain while meeting local laws and regulations. This means that users can enjoy privacy protection while ensuring the compliance of their applications.
The role of network participants
The Aleo network is composed of three main participants: stakers, provers, and verifiers. Each role has its own unique functions and contributions to ensure the security and efficient operation of the network.
Stakers A staker is any individual or organization who locks up their Aleo points for a pre-agreed period of time to support the security of the network. Stakeholders only need to stake 1 Aleo Point to participate in the network, but will not start receiving staking rewards until they have staked at least 10 Aleo Points.
The role of stakers is similar to that of stakers in other decentralized networks. They delegate part of their Aleo points to validators and contribute corresponding weights to participate in the consensus in the process. The rewards for stakers are proportional to the number of points they stake. This mechanism not only motivates participants, but also enhances the security of the network.
Provers
Provers, also known as ZK miners or ZK provers, are a unique class of infrastructure that contributes to the Aleo network. They compete using dedicated GPUs and CPUs to solve the Aleo Coinbase puzzle by generating SNARK proofs.
The more efficient a prover is and the more capable they are at generating solutions, the greater their chances of receiving Aleo Coinbase rewards. Multiple provers can earn a percentage of Coinbase rewards based on the number of valid solutions submitted, a mechanism that encourages more participation and competition.
Validators
Validators are infrastructure service providers that secure the network through AleoBFT (a consensus mechanism based on proof of stake). AleoBFT utilizes the latest consensus research Bullshark and the Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) style Narwhal memory pool to ensure the efficiency and security of the network.
Validators use SnarkOS software to verify and confirm transaction blocks and participate in Aleo's consensus mechanism. They can include proofs from provers when creating blocks and receive rewards and fees for their work in securing the network. In order to become a validator, users must have at least 1 million Aleo points, which ensures the investment and participation of validators.
Incentive mechanism of Aleo Credits
Aleo Credits are an important incentive mechanism in the Aleo network, designed to reward participants who contribute to network security and privacy protection. Through this incentive mechanism, the network can attract more stakers, provers, and verifiers, thus forming a virtuous cycle.
Rewards for stakers: Stakers who support network security by locking up Aleo points are rewarded with Aleo Credits proportional to the number of points they stake. This mechanism encourages more users to participate in staking, thereby enhancing the stability of the network.
Prover’s rewards: Provers receive Coinbase rewards by generating valid SNARK proofs, and their contributions directly affect the security and efficiency of the network. As more provers are added, the network's processing power and security increase.
Rewards for validators: Validators receive rewards by participating in the consensus mechanism and verifying transaction blocks to ensure the normal operation of the network. Efficient validators can receive higher rewards, further incentivizing their participation.
future outlook
Although the Aleo Network will initially be built by Aleo Systems, over time it will transform into an open source, independent, and fully decentralized network, similar to other decentralized blockchains such as Ethereum. This transformation will further drive community participation and developer innovation, ensuring the Aleo Network's leadership in privacy protection and security.
in conclusion
The Aleo network has attracted the participation of many developers and users through its unique consensus mechanism and incentive structure. Stakeholders, provers, and verifiers have different roles in the network, but together they form the cornerstone of this ecosystem. As the Aleo network continues to develop, we have reason to believe that it will bring more innovations and applications in privacy protection and security.
I hope that through the introduction of this article, you will have a deeper understanding of the Aleo token and its network architecture. Whether as a participant or an observer, Aleo offers us a future worth watching.