Editing Nomos/Requirements

<span id="software-requirements-specification"></span>
= Software Requirements Specification =

for Nomos: A Privacy-Preserving Multi-Chain Heterogeneous Blockchain Network

Version 1.0 Prepared by Jarrad Hope 29-12-24

<span id="introduction"></span>
== 1. Introduction ==

<span id="purpose"></span>
=== 1.1 Purpose ===

This Software Requirements Specification (SRS) document provides a detailed description of the Nomos blockchain network. It outlines the functional and non-functional requirements for a privacy-preserving multi-chain heterogeneous blockchain network designed to serve as infrastructure for Network States.

As such the sovereignty of the system is paramount, requiring privacy through all layers of a typical Blockchain network - network level privacy, validator &amp; consensus privacy, mempool privacy, transaction privacy, bridging/intent privacy, etc.

Consequentially, the network participants create a decentralised authority - a digital parliamentary sovereign, and become ‘Subject-Individuals’ who are bestowed Civil Liberties.

<span id="document-conventions"></span>
=== 1.2 Document Conventions ===

This document uses the following conventions:
* MUST/REQUIRED - Indicates mandatory requirements for MVP
* SHOULD/RECOMMENDED - Indicates requirements for subsequent releases
* MAY/OPTIONAL - Indicates optional features

Terms in ''italics'' are defined in the glossary.

<span id="intended-audience-and-reading-suggestions"></span>
=== 1.3 Intended Audience and Reading Suggestions ===

This document is intended for:
* Developers implementing the Nomos protocol
* Validators and node operators
* Network State builders and application developers
* Security auditors and researchers

Readers should start with Section 1 for an overview, then:
* Developers should focus on Sections 3 and 4
* Node operators should focus on Sections 2.4 and 5
* Application developers should focus on Sections 2.2 and 4.3
* Security auditors should focus on Sections 4.4 and 5.2

<span id="product-scope"></span>
=== 1.4 Product Scope ===

The Nomos module is a blockchain network designed to serve as foundational infrastructure for Network States. Its key objectives are:

* Enable privacy-preserving blockchain transactions and computations
* Support multiple sovereign execution environments (Zones)
* Provide censorship resistance through network-level privacy
* Ensure high network resilience through decentralization
* Enable trust-minimized communication between Zones
* Support light client verification

The system aims to overcome limitations of existing blockchain networks by providing comprehensive privacy at every layer:
* Network level: Private P2P communication through libp2p-mix
* Consensus level: Private Proof of Stake through Blend Network &amp; Cryptarchia
* Mempool level: Private transaction propagation
* Execution level: Privacy-preserving computation in Zones
* Cross-zone level: Private cross-zone communication (bridging and intent matching)
* Light client level: Private verification capabilities

This is achieved through:
* Modular architecture separating consensus, execution, and data availability
* Sovereign zones with flexible configurations
* Multiple specialized privacy systems working together

<span id="references"></span>
=== 1.5 References ===

* Nomos Darkpaper v0.6
* Nomos Blend Network Documentation
* Cryptarchia Protocol Specification
* Native Zones Documentation
* IEEE 830-1998 Recommended Practice for Software Requirements Specifications

<span id="overall-description"></span>
== 2. Overall Description ==

<span id="product-perspective"></span>
=== 2.1 Product Perspective ===

Nomos is a novel blockchain system composed of three main layers:

# Base Layer (BL)
* Provides data availability and consensus
* Implements Private Proof of Stake
* Focuses on network resilience and censorship resistance
* Scales through sharding and data availability sampling

# Coordination Layer (CL)
* Enables state transition verification through zero-knowledge proofs
* Provides intent matching and proof aggregation
* Handles cross-zone communication
* Manages special operations like zone creation

# Zones
* Independent execution environments
* Can be configured as ZK-rollups or virtual sidechains
* Share data availability and consensus from Base Layer
* Support arbitrary execution models and privacy requirements

The system is verified by a network of Light Nodes that provide additional security and decentralization.

<span id="product-functions"></span>
=== 2.2 Product Functions ===

The major functions of Nomos include:

Base Layer MUST:
* Execute Private Proof of Stake consensus through Blend Network &amp; Cryptarchia
* Provide data availability guarantees
* Enable network-level privacy through the libp2p-mix module
* Support sharding for scalability
* Process and order data blobs

Coordination Layer MUST:
* Verify zero-knowledge proofs
* Enable cross-zone communication
* Manage zone lifecycle operations
* Support intent matching and aggregation
* Process special operations

Zones MUST:
* Support independent state execution
* Enable flexible security/performance tradeoffs
* Allow arbitrary execution models
* Support privacy-preserving computation
* Enable data availability sampling

<span id="user-classes-and-characteristics"></span>
=== 2.3 User Classes and Characteristics ===

The system serves the following user classes, who collectively participate in network governance:

# Validators
* Operate nodes in the Base Layer and Coordination Layer
* Require technical knowledge to run nodes
* Need to stake tokens as security deposit
* Participate in consensus and verification
* Contribute to network security and decentralization

# Zone Operators
* Deploy and manage sovereign execution environments
* Require deep technical knowledge
* Need to ensure zone security and performance
* May implement custom privacy features
* Enable sovereign community governance

# Application Developers
* Build applications on zones
* Need to understand zone capabilities
* Implement corruption-resistant institutions
* Interact with cross-zone communication
* Create tools for community coordination

# End Users
* Interact with applications built on zones
* Run light nodes for verification
* Require privacy protections
* Need simple interfaces
* Participate in network validation and governance

<span id="operating-environment"></span>
=== 2.4 Operating Environment ===

The Base Layer MUST:
* Support commodity hardware for validators
* Operate on standard Linux/Unix systems
* Support home internet connections
* Handle intermittent connectivity

The Coordination Layer MUST:
* Support specialized hardware for proof generation
* Operate on high-performance systems
* Handle high bandwidth requirements
* Support distributed proof generation

Zones MAY:
* Require specialized hardware
* Implement custom networking protocols
* Support different consensus mechanisms
* Have unique performance requirements

<span id="design-and-implementation-constraints"></span>
=== 2.5 Design and Implementation Constraints ===

The system has the following constraints:

# Required Privacy Constraints (MVP)
* Network communication MUST be privacy-preserving through libp2p-mix
* Validator stakes MUST remain private through Blend Network
* Block proposers MUST remain anonymous through Cryptarchia
* Cross-zone communication MUST support basic privacy guarantees
* Intent matching SHOULD preserve privacy where possible

# Performance Constraints (MVP)
* Base Layer MUST support commodity hardware
* Light nodes MUST operate with minimal resources
* Proof generation MUST be practical
* Network bandwidth usage MUST be optimized
* Message mixing overhead MUST be manageable

# Security Constraints (MVP)
* No trusted setup for core protocol
* No centralized components
* Basic cryptographic primitives MUST be proven secure
* Security MUST scale with network size
* Privacy guarantees MUST be maintained under partial compromise

# Compatibility Constraints (MVP)
* MUST support different zone architectures
* MUST enable cross-zone communication
* MUST support core privacy technologies
* MUST enable sovereign execution environments
* MUST allow flexible privacy/performance tradeoffs

<span id="user-documentation"></span>
=== 2.6 User Documentation ===

The following documentation MUST be provided:
* Node operator guides
* Zone deployment documentation
* Application development guides
* Light node user guides
* Protocol specifications
* Security documentation

<span id="assumptions-and-dependencies"></span>
=== 2.7 Assumptions and Dependencies ===

Assumptions:
* Cryptographic primitives remain secure
* Network bandwidth continues to increase
* Hardware costs continue to decrease
* Privacy remains a priority for users

Dependencies:
* Required Privacy Technologies:
  * Zero-knowledge proof systems for state verification
  * Message mixing and blending for consensus privacy
  * Cover traffic generation for anonymity sets
  * Private P2P communication protocols
* Recommended Privacy Enhancements:
  * Intent privacy techniques
  * Relationship hiding mechanisms
  * Advanced cryptographic primitives
* Core Infrastructure:
  * Data availability sampling
  * Distributed key generation
  * Threshold cryptography

<span id="external-interface-requirements"></span>
== 3. External Interface Requirements ==

<span id="user-interfaces"></span>
=== 3.1 User Interfaces ===

The system MUST provide the following interfaces:

# Validator Node Interface
* Command line interface for node operation
* Configuration management interface
* Monitoring and metrics interface
* Key management interface

# Zone Operator Interface
* Zone deployment interface
* Zone management interface
* State transition interface
* Cross-zone communication interface

# Developer Interface
* Zone development SDK
* Smart contract interfaces
* Privacy-preserving computation interfaces
* Cross-zone communication APIs

# Light Node Interface
* Simple setup interface
* Verification interface
* Network coordination interface
* Data availability sampling interface

<span id="hardware-interfaces"></span>
=== 3.2 Hardware Interfaces ===

Base Layer Nodes MUST:
* Support commodity CPU hardware
* Support standard network interfaces
* Support standard storage interfaces
* Support consumer-grade memory

Coordination Layer Nodes MUST:
* Support specialized proof generation hardware
* Support high-bandwidth network interfaces
* Support high-performance storage
* Support sufficient memory for proof generation

Zone Nodes MAY:
* Require specialized hardware
* Support custom networking hardware
* Implement specific storage requirements
* Need high-performance memory

<span id="software-interfaces"></span>
=== 3.3 Software Interfaces ===

The system MUST provide:

# Network Protocol Interfaces
* P2P networking modules, i.e. libp2p-mix (for network privacy)
* Blend Network modules:
  * PTM (validator connections and drop messages)
  * MBM (consensus message mixing and timing)
  * CTM (cover traffic generation)
* Data availability protocols
* Cross-zone communication protocols

# Cryptographic Interfaces
* Zero-knowledge proof systems
* Threshold encryption systems
* Key management systems
* Commitment schemes

# Storage Interfaces
* Data availability storage
* State storage
* Proof storage
* Configuration storage

# Development Interfaces
* Zone development frameworks
* Smart contract languages
* Privacy-preserving computation tools
* Cross-zone communication libraries

<span id="communications-interfaces"></span>
=== 3.4 Communications Interfaces ===

The system MUST implement:

# Network-Level Communication
* Privacy-preserving P2P protocols through libp2p-mix module
* Consensus privacy as Blend Network protocol
* Data availability sampling
* Consensus communication as Cryptarchia

# Cross-Zone Communication
* Trust-minimized bridging
* Message passing protocols
* State verification
* Atomic operations

# Light Node Communication
* Data availability verification
* Proof verification
* Network coordination
* Exit protocols

<span id="system-features"></span>
== 4. System Features ==

<span id="base-layer"></span>
=== 4.1 Base Layer ===

<span id="private-proof-of-stake"></span>
==== 4.1.1 Private Proof of Stake ====

Description: The Base Layer MUST implement a Private Proof of Stake consensus mechanism that preserves validator privacy and prevents targeted attacks.

Functional Requirements:

PPOS-001: Validator Privacy
* The system MUST implement basic privacy:
  * Hide validator stakes through Blend Network
  * Preserve block proposer anonymity
  * Prevent stake deanonymization attacks
  * Maintain validator metadata privacy
* The system SHOULD support enhanced privacy:
  * Advanced timing analysis protection
  * Enhanced anonymity set generation
  * Improved network attack resistance

PPOS-002: Consensus Security
* The system MUST provide basic security:
  * Prevent stake grinding attacks
  * Ensure fair block production
  * Maintain consensus finality
  * Handle network partitions
* The system SHOULD implement advanced security:
  * Quantum attack resistance
  * Eclipse attack prevention
  * Advanced fork choice rules
  * Complex partition handling

PPOS-003: Network Resilience
* The system MUST ensure basic resilience:
  * Support commodity hardware validators
  * Handle intermittent connectivity
  * Recover from network failures
  * Maintain liveness under attack
* The system SHOULD provide enhanced resilience:
  * Advanced recovery mechanisms
  * Dynamic attack mitigation
  * Adaptive network topology
  * Self-healing capabilities

<span id="data-availability"></span>
==== 4.1.2 Data Availability ====

Description: The Base Layer MUST provide scalable data availability with light client verification capabilities.

Functional Requirements:

DAS-001: Data Sampling and Verification
* The system MUST implement basic sampling:
  * Efficient data availability sampling
  * Light client verification support
  * Sample size optimization
  * Verification latency targets
* The system SHOULD support advanced sampling:
  * Adaptive sample sizes
  * Enhanced verification methods
  * Optimized proof generation
  * Advanced fraud proofs

DAS-002: Data Organization
* The system MUST implement basic sharding:
  * Data segmentation and distribution
  * Cross-shard verification
  * Shard synchronization
  * Data redundancy management
* The system SHOULD support advanced sharding:
  * Dynamic shard allocation
  * Cross-shard optimization
  * Adaptive redundancy
  * Load balancing

DAS-003: Data Integrity and Recovery
* The system MUST ensure basic integrity:
  * Data reconstruction capabilities
  * Integrity verification
  * Error detection and correction
  * Bandwidth optimization
* The system SHOULD implement advanced features:
  * Advanced reconstruction methods
  * Enhanced error correction
  * Optimized bandwidth usage
  * Proactive integrity checks

<span id="network-and-consensus-privacy"></span>
==== 4.1.3 Network and Consensus Privacy ====

Description: The Base Layer MUST implement two complementary privacy systems:

* Required for MVP:
  * Nomos Blend Network: A specialized privacy system for Private Proof of Stake with three modules:
    * PTM (Persistent Transmission Module): Manages validator connections and drop messages
    * MBM (Message Blending Module): Processes consensus messages through mixing and timing obfuscation
    * CTM (Cover Traffic Module): Generates anonymity sets through cover messages
  * libp2p-mix: A P2P networking module for general network privacy
* Future Enhancements:
  * Advanced timing analysis protection
  * Enhanced anonymity set generation
  * Improved network attack resistance

Functional Requirements:

BNP-001: Persistent Transmission Module
* The system MUST maintain persistent validator connections with basic privacy:
  * Establish and maintain secure validator connections
  * Handle drop messages for connection privacy
  * Monitor connection quality and health
  * Manage connection lifecycles securely
* The system SHOULD implement advanced connection features:
  * Dynamic connection management based on network conditions
  * Enhanced privacy through adaptive drop message rates
  * Advanced connection health monitoring and recovery
  * Optimized connection resource management

BNP-002: Message Blending Module
* The system MUST process and blend consensus messages:
  * Process consensus messages through mixing
  * Implement basic timing analysis protection
  * Integrate fully with Cryptarchia protocol
  * Maintain message timing obfuscation
* The system SHOULD enhance message privacy:
  * Advanced timing analysis protection mechanisms
  * Enhanced message mixing algorithms
  * Complex timing pattern obfuscation
  * Optimized message processing and blending

BNP-003: Cover Traffic Module
* The system MUST generate minimum required cover traffic:
  * Generate and maintain cover message streams
  * Create sufficient anonymity sets
  * Optimize resource usage for cover traffic
  * Balance privacy and bandwidth usage
* The system SHOULD implement advanced cover traffic:
  * Dynamic cover traffic generation based on network activity
  * Enhanced anonymity set management
  * Advanced traffic pattern obfuscation
  * Efficient resource utilization strategies

BNP-004: Network Privacy Integration
* The system MUST provide network-level privacy:
  * Network-level privacy for non-consensus messages
  * Basic private P2P communication capabilities
  * Private data dissemination mechanisms
  * Basic traffic analysis protection
* The system SHOULD enhance network privacy:
  * Advanced traffic analysis protection
  * Optimized cover traffic generation
  * Larger anonymity set maintenance
  * Improved network attack resistance

<span id="coordination-layer"></span>
=== 4.2 Coordination Layer ===

<span id="zero-knowledge-verification"></span>
==== 4.2.1 Zero-Knowledge Verification ====

Description: The Coordination Layer MUST provide efficient zero-knowledge proof verification for state transitions and cross-zone communication.

Functional Requirements:

ZKV-001: Proof Verification Core
* The system MUST implement basic verification:
  * Efficient ZK proof verification
  * Support for multiple proving systems
  * Basic proof validity checks
  * Verification cost optimization
* The system SHOULD support advanced verification:
  * Hardware-accelerated verification
  * Parallel proof verification
  * Advanced validity checks
  * Dynamic cost optimization

ZKV-002: Proof Aggregation
* The system MUST support basic aggregation:
  * Proof batching and combining
  * Cross-zone proof aggregation
  * Aggregation validity checks
  * Resource usage optimization
* The system SHOULD implement advanced aggregation:
  * Dynamic batch sizing
  * Multi-layer aggregation
  * Complex validity preservation
  * Enhanced resource efficiency

ZKV-003: System Evolution
* The system MUST handle basic updates:
  * Proof system upgrades
  * Parameter updates
  * Backward compatibility
  * Version management
* The system SHOULD support advanced features:
  * Zero-downtime upgrades
  * Seamless version transitions
  * Cross-version compatibility
  * Update verification guarantees

<span id="intent-solving"></span>
==== 4.2.2 Intent Solving ====

Description: The Coordination Layer MUST provide private intent matching and solving capabilities that preserve user privacy while enabling efficient cross-zone transaction processing.

Functional Requirements:

ISM-001: Intent Matching Core
* The system MUST implement basic matching:
  * Match compatible intents efficiently
  * Ensure atomic execution across zones
  * Handle partial transactions
  * Support different intent types
* The system SHOULD support advanced matching:
  * Dynamic matching optimization
  * Complex intent compatibility rules
  * Multi-party intent matching
  * Resource-aware matching

ISM-002: Intent Privacy
* The system SHOULD provide basic privacy:
  * Basic intent privacy during matching
  * Simple relationship hiding
  * Minimal information disclosure
  * Privacy-preserving validation
* The system SHOULD implement enhanced privacy:
  * Advanced intent obfuscation
  * Complex relationship hiding
  * Zero-knowledge intent matching
  * Privacy-preserving optimization

ISM-003: Cross-Zone Coordination
* The system MUST enable basic coordination:
  * Cross-zone atomic execution
  * Basic state synchronization
  * Intent propagation
  * Failure handling
* The system SHOULD support advanced features:
  * Complex atomic operations
  * Advanced state management
  * Optimized propagation
  * Comprehensive failure recovery

<span id="zones"></span>
=== 4.3 Zones ===

<span id="execution-environments"></span>
==== 4.3.1 Execution Environments ====

Description: Zones MUST provide flexible and sovereign execution environments with configurable security and performance characteristics.

Functional Requirements:

ZEE-001: Virtual Machine Support
* The system MUST provide support VM capabilities
* The system SHOULD enable VM extensibility:
  * Zero-knowledge virtual machine integration
  * Multi-party computation environments
  * Hardware-accelerated execution environments
  * Domain-specific VM optimization

ZEE-002: Consensus and State Management
* The system MUST enable sovereign execution:
  * Independent consensus mechanism selection
  * State transition rule customization
  * Cross-zone state verification
  * State sovereignty preservation
* The system SHOULD support execution evolution:
  * Consensus mechanism upgrades
  * State transition rule modifications
  * Cross-zone state synchronization
  * State recovery mechanisms

ZEE-003: Privacy and Scalability
* The system MUST implement execution privacy:
  * Private state transitions
  * Confidential smart contracts
  * Selective state disclosure
  * Private cross-zone interactions
* The system SHOULD enable execution scaling:
  * Parallel transaction processing
  * State sharding capabilities
  * Cross-zone execution optimization
  * Resource utilization management

<span id="network-privacy"></span>
==== 4.4 Network Privacy ====

Description: The system MUST implement comprehensive network-level privacy through libp2p-mix and Blend Network protocols to prevent traffic analysis and protect validator identities.

Functional Requirements:

NWP-001: Network Communication Privacy
* The system MUST implement private P2P communication:
  * Encrypted peer connections through libp2p-mix
  * Private peer discovery mechanisms
  * Network topology obfuscation
  * Traffic pattern hiding
* The system SHOULD enhance network privacy:
  * Dynamic peer selection strategies
  * Advanced routing algorithms
  * Network partition resistance
  * Topology optimization

NWP-002: Traffic Analysis Protection
* The system MUST prevent traffic analysis:
  * Message size normalization
  * Timing pattern obfuscation
  * Flow correlation prevention
  * Cover traffic integration
* The system SHOULD implement enhanced protections:
  * Adaptive traffic shaping
  * Dynamic cover traffic generation
  * Advanced timing obfuscation
  * Flow fingerprint resistance

NWP-003: Network Resilience
* The system MUST provide network resilience:
  * Peer connection redundancy
  * Network attack resistance
  * Failure recovery mechanisms
  * Byzantine fault tolerance
* The system SHOULD enable advanced resilience:
  * Self-healing network topology
  * Dynamic route optimization
  * Attack mitigation strategies
  * Automated recovery procedures

<span id="cross-zone-communication"></span>
=== 4.5 Cross-Zone Communication ===

Description: The system MUST provide secure and private cross-zone communication through two complementary mechanisms:

* Trust-minimized bridging through the Coordination Layer for verifiable state transitions
* Direct message passing between zones with Base Layer fallback for data availability

Functional Requirements:

CZC-001: Trust-Minimized Bridging
* The system MUST implement bridging through Coordination Layer:
  * Zero-knowledge state transition verification
  * Cross-zone transaction atomicity
  * State commitment verification
  * Bridge security guarantees
  * Atomic intent execution
* The system SHOULD support bridge evolution:
  * Multi-zone atomic operations
  * Optimized proof generation
  * Enhanced bridge security
  * Efficient state verification
  * Advanced bridging protocols

CZC-002: Message Passing Protocol
* The system MUST enable direct zone communication:
  * Reliable message delivery guarantees
  * Base Layer fallback mechanisms
  * Message ordering preservation
  * Communication failure recovery
  * State synchronization protocols
* The system SHOULD enhance messaging capabilities:
  * Optimized message routing
  * Advanced failure detection
  * Efficient state synchronization
  * Resource-aware communication
  * Dynamic routing optimization

CZC-003: Privacy Preservation
* The system MUST protect cross-zone privacy:
  * Transaction source/destination hiding
  * State transition confidentiality
  * Relationship metadata protection
  * Communication pattern obfuscation
  * Intent privacy preservation
* The system SHOULD implement privacy enhancements:
  * Zero-knowledge message passing
  * Enhanced metadata protection
  * Advanced pattern hiding
  * Cross-zone anonymity sets
  * Relationship hiding protocols

<span id="light-node-network"></span>
=== 4.6 Light Node Network ===

Description: The Light Node Network MUST provide efficient verification capabilities while minimizing resource requirements, enabling users to validate the network’s integrity without running full nodes.

Functional Requirements:

LNV-001: Data Availability Verification
* The system MUST enable light client verification:
  * Data availability sampling verification
  * Fraud proof validation
  * Sample size management
  * Bandwidth-efficient verification
  * Resource usage optimization
* The system SHOULD support verification enhancements:
  * Adaptive sampling strategies
  * Optimized proof validation
  * Enhanced fraud detection
  * Network-aware sampling
  * Dynamic sample size adjustment

LNV-002: Zero-Knowledge Proof Validation
* The system MUST support proof verification:
  * Zone state transition validation
  * Cross-zone communication verification
  * Selective proof verification
  * Resource-efficient validation
  * Proof aggregation verification
* The system SHOULD enable advanced validation:
  * Parallel proof verification
  * Proof aggregation validation
  * Optimized verification paths
  * Hardware acceleration support
  * Batched proof verification

LNV-003: Network Security
* The system MUST provide security features:
  * Secure network exit protocol implementation
  * Verifiable data reconstruction mechanisms
  * Decentralized coordination protocol
  * Byzantine fault detection
  * Network partition handling
* The system SHOULD enable advanced security:
  * Automated exit coordination
  * Enhanced data reconstruction
  * Advanced fault detection
  * Network attack resistance
  * Self-healing mechanisms

<span id="other-nonfunctional-requirements"></span>
== 5. Other Nonfunctional Requirements ==

<span id="performance-requirements"></span>
=== 5.1 Performance Requirements ===

# Base Layer Performance
* MUST support at least 10,000 validators
* MUST process at least 1000 transactions per second
* MUST maintain block times under 2 seconds
* MUST support home internet bandwidth limits
* SHOULD optimize proof verification costs
* SHOULD minimize state growth

# Coordination Layer Performance
* MUST verify proofs within 100ms
* MUST handle proof aggregation efficiently
* MUST support parallel proof generation
* MUST optimize cross-zone communication
* SHOULD minimize proof sizes
* SHOULD optimize intent matching

# Zone Performance
* MUST support custom performance requirements
* MUST handle state transitions efficiently
* MUST optimize cross-zone operations
* MUST support parallel execution
* SHOULD enable horizontal scaling
* SHOULD minimize resource usage

<span id="security-requirements"></span>
=== 5.2 Security Requirements ===

# Required Network Security (MVP)
* MUST prevent stake deanonymization through Blend Network
* MUST prevent traffic analysis through libp2p-mix
* MUST ensure message privacy for consensus
* MUST prevent targeted attacks on validators
* MUST protect against basic network attacks

# Required Cryptographic Security (MVP)
* MUST use proven cryptographic primitives
* MUST ensure proof soundness for state verification
* MUST protect private keys and validator identities
* MUST implement secure message mixing
* MUST ensure atomic cross-zone operations

# Required Protocol Security (MVP)
* MUST prevent double spending
* MUST ensure consensus safety
* MUST handle byzantine behavior
* MUST protect against grinding attacks
* MUST maintain validator anonymity

# Enhanced Security (Future)
* SHOULD resist quantum attacks
* SHOULD prevent eclipse attacks
* SHOULD support key rotation
* SHOULD implement forward secrecy
* SHOULD prevent MEV extraction
* SHOULD handle network partitions
* SHOULD enhance intent privacy
* SHOULD protect relationship metadata

<span id="software-quality-attributes"></span>
=== 5.3 Software Quality Attributes ===

# Reliability
* MUST maintain network availability
* MUST ensure data persistence
* MUST handle node failures
* MUST recover from errors
* SHOULD provide redundancy
* SHOULD implement fault tolerance

# Maintainability
* MUST support protocol upgrades
* MUST enable bug fixes
* MUST allow parameter updates
* MUST support backwards compatibility
* SHOULD enable modular updates
* SHOULD minimize upgrade complexity

# Usability
* MUST provide clear interfaces
* MUST support easy deployment
* MUST enable simple configuration
* MUST handle errors gracefully
* SHOULD provide helpful documentation
* SHOULD implement intuitive APIs

<span id="business-rules"></span>
=== 5.4 Business Rules ===

# Tokenomics
* MUST implement fair token distribution
* MUST provide validator incentives
* MUST handle transaction fees
* MUST support restaking
* SHOULD prevent stake centralization
* SHOULD optimize economic security

# Governance
* MUST enable protocol upgrades
* MUST support parameter changes
* MUST handle disputes
* MUST enable coordination
* SHOULD support decentralized governance
* SHOULD enable stake-weighted voting

<span id="other-requirements"></span>
== 6. Other Requirements ==

# Legal Requirements
* MUST comply with privacy regulations
* MUST handle data protection
* MUST support regulatory compliance
* MUST enable selective disclosure
* SHOULD support identity verification
* SHOULD enable compliance reporting

# Internationalization
* MUST support multiple languages
* MUST handle different timezones
* MUST support various regions
* MUST enable local customization
* SHOULD support cultural differences
* SHOULD handle different regulations

<span id="appendix-a-glossary"></span>
== Appendix A: Glossary ==

* ''Base Layer (BL)'': The foundational layer providing consensus and data availability
* ''Blend Network'': A specialized privacy system for Private Proof of Stake consisting of:
  * ''PTM (Persistent Transmission Module)'': Manages validator connections and drop messages
  * ''MBM (Message Blending Module)'': Processes consensus messages through mixing and timing obfuscation
  * ''CTM (Cover Traffic Module)'': Generates anonymity sets through cover messages
* ''Coordination Layer (CL)'': The layer handling proof verification and cross-zone communication
* ''Cryptarchia'': A consensus protocol that works with Blend Network to implement Private Proof of Stake
* ''Data Availability Sampling'': A technique for efficient data verification
* ''Intent'': A high-level description of desired transaction outcomes
* ''libp2p-mix'': A P2P networking module providing general network-level privacy
* ''Light Node'': A resource-efficient node for network verification
* ''Private Proof of Stake'': A privacy-preserving consensus mechanism implemented through Blend Network and Cryptarchia
* ''Zero-Knowledge Proof'': A cryptographic method for verifying computations
* ''Zone'': An independent execution environment with sovereign state
* ''Cross-Zone Communication'': Interaction between different execution environments

<span id="appendix-b-analysis-models"></span>
== Appendix B: Analysis Models ==

# Network Architecture
* Base Layer topology
* Coordination Layer structure
* Zone relationships
* Communication paths

# Protocol Flows
* Consensus process
* Proof verification
* Cross-zone operations
* Light node verification

# Security Models
* Threat models
* Attack vectors
* Defense mechanisms
* Privacy guarantees

<span id="appendix-c-to-be-determined-list"></span>
== Appendix C: To Be Determined List ==

# Base Layer
* Optimal sharding parameters
* Stake inference mechanisms
* Network scaling limits
* Upgrade mechanisms

# Coordination Layer
* Proof aggregation schemes
* Intent matching algorithms
* Cross-zone protocols
* Verification optimization

# Zones
* Execution model standards
* Privacy technology integration
* State transition schemes
* Communication protocols

# General
* Governance mechanisms
* Economic parameters
* Upgrade procedures