Nomos/Requirements

Software Requirements Specification

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

Version 1.0 Prepared by Jarrad Hope 29-12-24

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
   1. 1.1 Purpose
   2. 1.2 Document Conventions
   3. 1.3 Intended Audience and Reading Suggestions
   4. 1.4 Product Scope
   5. 1.5 References
2. Overall Description
   1. 2.1 Product Perspective
   2. 2.2 Product Functions
   3. 2.3 User Classes and Characteristics
   4. 2.4 Operating Environment
   5. 2.5 Design and Implementation Constraints
   6. 2.6 User Documentation
   7. 2.7 Assumptions and Dependencies
3. External Interface Requirements
   1. 3.1 User Interfaces
   2. 3.2 Hardware Interfaces
   3. 3.3 Software Interfaces
   4. 3.4 Communications Interfaces
4. System Features
   1. 4.1 Base Layer
   2. 4.2 Coordination Layer
   3. 4.3 Zones
   4. 4.4 Network Privacy
   5. 4.5 Cross-Zone Communication
   6. 4.6 Light Node Network
5. Other Nonfunctional Requirements
   1. 5.1 Performance Requirements
   2. 5.2 Security Requirements
   3. 5.3 Software Quality Attributes
   4. 5.4 Business Rules
6. Other Requirements

Appendix A: Glossary Appendix B: Analysis Models Appendix C: To Be Determined List

1. Introduction

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 & 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.

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.

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

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 & 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

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

2. Overall Description

2.1 Product Perspective

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

1. 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

1. 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

1. 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.

2.2 Product Functions

The major functions of Nomos include:

Base Layer MUST:

• Execute Private Proof of Stake consensus through Blend Network & 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

2.3 User Classes and Characteristics

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

1. 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

1. 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

1. 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

1. 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

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

2.5 Design and Implementation Constraints

The system has the following constraints:

1. 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

1. 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

1. 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

1. 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

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

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

3. External Interface Requirements

3.1 User Interfaces

The system MUST provide the following interfaces:

1. Validator Node Interface

• Command line interface for node operation
• Configuration management interface
• Monitoring and metrics interface
• Key management interface

1. Zone Operator Interface

• Zone deployment interface
• Zone management interface
• State transition interface
• Cross-zone communication interface

1. Developer Interface

• Zone development SDK
• Smart contract interfaces
• Privacy-preserving computation interfaces
• Cross-zone communication APIs

1. Light Node Interface

• Simple setup interface
• Verification interface
• Network coordination interface
• Data availability sampling interface

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

3.3 Software Interfaces

The system MUST provide:

1. 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

1. Cryptographic Interfaces

• Zero-knowledge proof systems
• Threshold encryption systems
• Key management systems
• Commitment schemes

1. Storage Interfaces

• Data availability storage
• State storage
• Proof storage
• Configuration storage

1. Development Interfaces

• Zone development frameworks
• Smart contract languages
• Privacy-preserving computation tools
• Cross-zone communication libraries

3.4 Communications Interfaces

The system MUST implement:

1. Network-Level Communication

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

1. Cross-Zone Communication

• Trust-minimized bridging
• Message passing protocols
• State verification
• Atomic operations

1. Light Node Communication

• Data availability verification
• Proof verification
• Network coordination
• Exit protocols

4. System Features

4.1 Base Layer

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

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

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

4.2 Coordination Layer

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

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

4.3 Zones

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

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

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

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

5. Other Nonfunctional Requirements

5.1 Performance Requirements

1. 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

1. 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

1. 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

5.2 Security Requirements

1. 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

1. 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

1. 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

1. 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

5.3 Software Quality Attributes

1. Reliability

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

1. 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

1. 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

5.4 Business Rules

1. 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

1. Governance

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

6. Other Requirements

1. 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

1. 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

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

Appendix B: Analysis Models

1. Network Architecture

• Base Layer topology
• Coordination Layer structure
• Zone relationships
• Communication paths

1. Protocol Flows

• Consensus process
• Proof verification
• Cross-zone operations
• Light node verification

1. Security Models

• Threat models
• Attack vectors
• Defense mechanisms
• Privacy guarantees

Appendix C: To Be Determined List

1. Base Layer

• Optimal sharding parameters
• Stake inference mechanisms
• Network scaling limits
• Upgrade mechanisms

1. Coordination Layer

• Proof aggregation schemes
• Intent matching algorithms
• Cross-zone protocols
• Verification optimization

1. Zones

• Execution model standards
• Privacy technology integration
• State transition schemes
• Communication protocols

1. General

• Governance mechanisms
• Economic parameters
• Upgrade procedures