Polygon (Matic) – this is what the future of blockchain looks like!
Maciej Zieliński
26 Aug 2021
Polygon is setting new standards for scaling solutions. A protocol created to build and connect Ethereum-compatible networks shows what the future of blockchain could look like.
Polygon, formerly known as the Matic network, is one of the top-rated solutions using side-chains of the blockchain to provide faster and cheaper transactions on Ethereum. In many ways, it resembles other Layer 2 projects such as Avalanche and Cosmos, but according to its creators, it is much more efficient and secure. Practice seems to confirm this.
What challenges Polygon is responding to?
Ethereum is the most widely used blockchain protocol, but it has a number of limitations, including:
High transaction costs
Low throughput
Problematic UX
Many projects are now exploring the use of Ethereum-compatible blockchains as a way to mitigate these limitations while leveraging the benefits of the entire ecosystem. However, the market still lacks specialized frameworks to build such blockchains or a protocol to connect them. According to the developers of the Matic network, this causes fragmentation of ecosystems and brings with it serious development challenges.
Solutions
Polygon addresses these issues by implementing solutions such as:
One-click deployment of turnkey blockchain networks
A growing set of modules for creating custom networks
Adapter modules to enable interoperability of existing blockchain networks
Polygon basics
As a Layer 2 solution, Polygon addresses the diverse needs of developers by providing tools to create scalable dApps that prioritize security, modularity and UX. This is made possible through a protocol architecture consisting of Proof of Stake (PoS) Commit Chains and More Viable Plasma (MoreVP).
In a nutshell, the operation of the Matic network relies on Commit Chains, which are transaction networks that run on the main blockchain, Ethereum. Commit Chains combine transactions into batches, which are then confirmed in bulk before returning the data to Ethereum.
DeFi moves to Polygon
Even the drop in Ethereum gas fees is not stopping more users and developers of decentralized finance from migrating to Polygon. Thanks to the low transaction price and speed of creating more blocks, the number of DeFi projects choosing to use it is growing rapidly. Among them are already Aave and Sushi Swap.
"There are advantages to using Layer 2 solutions, especially Polygon, because with DeFi, if the transaction cost is very high, for small players and casual speculators, participation just doesn't make sense," Sameep Singhania, founder of the QuickSwap exchange based on the protocol, said in an interview with CoinDesk. "That's why I think it's a good move that DeFi is moving to Polygon.".
Polygon and Sushi Swap
How much the Matic network has grown in importance on the DeFi market is perfectly illustrated by the aforementioned Sushi Swap. According to DappRadar, the popular market maker in June this year had as many as 15 thousand registered wallets on Polygon and only a little over 4 thousand on Ethereum. This means that many more Sushi Swap users are currently on the Matic network than on Ethereum.
A similar relationship is observed on the decentralized exchange Aave, where the average daily transaction volume on Polygon oscillates around $6.75 million, significantly exceeding the $5 million on Ethereum. Coindesk reports that Aave began working with Polygon in March of this year to avoid the high transaction costs on Ethereum.
Token MATIC
The protocol has its own token - MATIC, whose value has managed to increase by 9000% for a year. It is currently the 15th cryptocurrency in terms of capitalization.
"Layer 2 solutions are a catalyst for growth and new users" said Mira Christanto, an analyst at Messari, a blockchain market research firm "Ethereum gas fees have been prohibitive for many users. Polygon and other Layer 2 solutions are precursors to demand for Ethereum once the gas fee hurdle is removed".
Nextrope on Economic Forum 2024: Insights from the Event
Kajetan Olas
14 Sep 2024
The 33rd Economic Forum 2024, held in Karpacz, Poland, gathered leaders from across the globe to discuss the pressing economic and technological challenges. This year, the forum had a special focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI and Cybersecurity, bringing together leading experts and policymakers.
Nextrope was proud to participate in the Forum where we showcased our expertise and networked with leading minds in the AI and blockchain fields.
Economic Forum 2024: A Hub for Innovation and Collaboration
The Economic Forum in Karpacz is an annual event often referred to as the "Polish Davos," attracting over 6,000 participants, including heads of state, business leaders, academics, and experts. This year’s edition was held from September 3rd to 5th, 2024.
Key Highlights of the AI Forum and Cybersecurity Forum
The AI Forum and the VI Cybersecurity Forum were integral parts of the event, organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Affairs and leading Polish universities, including:
Cracow University of Technology
University of Warsaw
Wrocław University of Technology
AGH University of Science and Technology
Poznań University of Technology
Objectives of the AI Forum
Promoting Education and Innovation: The forum aimed to foster education and spread knowledge about AI and solutions to enhance digital transformation in Poland and CEE..
Strengthening Digital Administration: The event supported the Ministry of Digital Affairs' mission to build and strengthen the digital administration of the Polish State, encouraging interdisciplinary dialogue on decentralized architecture.
High-Level Meetings: The forum featured closed meetings of digital ministers from across Europe, including a confirmed appearance by Volker Wissing, the German Minister for Digital Affairs.
Nextrope's Active Participation in the AI Forum
Nextrope's presence at the AI Forum was marked by our active engagement in various activities in the Cracow University of Technology and University of Warsaw zone. One of the discussion panels we enjoyed the most was "AI in education - threats and opportunities".
Our Key Activities
Networking with Leading AI and Cryptography Researchers.
Nextrope presented its contributions in the field of behavioral profilling in DeFi and established relationships with Cryptography Researchers from Cracow University of Technology and the brightest minds on Polish AI scene, coming from institutions such as Wroclaw University of Technology, but also from startups.
Panel Discussions and Workshops
Our team participated in several panel discussions, covering a variety of topics. Here are some of them
Polish Startup Scene.
State in the Blockchain Network
Artificial Intelligence - Threat or Opportunity for Healthcare?
Besides tuning in to topics that strictly overlap with our professional expertise we decided to broaden our horizons and participated in panels about national security and cross-border cooperation.
Meeting with clients:
We had a pleasure to deepen relationships with our institutional clients and discuss plans for the future.
Networking with Experts in AI and Blockchain
A major highlight of the Economic Forum in Karpacz was the opportunity to network with experts from academia, industry, and government.
Collaborations with Academia:
We engaged with scholars from leading universities such as the Cracow University of Technology and the University of Warsaw. These interactions laid the groundwork for potential research collaborations and joint projects.
Building Strategic Partnerships:
Our team connected with industry leaders, exploring opportunities for partnerships in regard to building the future of education. We met many extremely smart, yet humble people interested in joining advisory board of one of our projects - HackZ.
Exchanging Knowledge with VCs and Policymakers:
We had fruitful discussions with policymakers and very knowledgable representatives of Venture Capital. The discussions revolved around blockchain and AI regulation, futuristic education methods and dillemas regarding digital transformation in companies. These exchanges provided us with very interesting insights as well as new friendships.
Looking Ahead: Nextrope's Future in AI and Blockchain
Nextrope's participation in the Economic Forum Karpacz 2024 has solidified our position as one of the leading, deep-tech software houses in CEE. By fostering connections with academia, industry experts, and policymakers, we are well-positioned to consult our clients on trends and regulatory needs as well as implementing cutting edge DeFi software.
The partnerships formed at the forum will help us stay at the forefront of technological advancements, particularly in AI and blockchain.
Expanding Our Global Reach:
The international connections made at the forum enable us to expand our influence both in CEE and outside of Europe. This reinforces Nextrope's status as a global leader in technology innovation.
If you're looking to create a robust blockchain system and go through institutional-grade testing please reach out to contact@nextrope.com. Our team is ready to help you with the token engineering process and ensure your project’s resilience in the long term.
As the web3 field grows in complexity, traditional analytical tools often fall short in capturing the dynamics of digital markets. This is where Monte Carlo simulations come into play, offering a mathematical technique to model systems fraught with uncertainty.
Monte Carlo simulations employ random sampling to understand probable outcomes in processes that are too complex for straightforward analytic solutions. By simulating thousands, or even millions, of scenarios, Monte Carlo methods can provide insights into the likelihood of different outcomes, helping stakeholders make informed decisions under conditions of uncertainty.
In this article, we will explore the role of Monte Carlo simulations within the context of tokenomics. illustrating how they are employed to forecast market dynamics, assess risk, and optimize strategies in the volatile realm of cryptocurrencies. By integrating this powerful tool, businesses and investors can enhance their analytical capabilities, paving the way for more resilient and adaptable economic models in the digital age.
The Monte Carlo method is an approach to solving problems that involve random sampling to understand probable outcomes. This technique was first developed in the 1940s by scientists working on the atomic bomb during the Manhattan Project. The method was designed to simplify the complex simulations of neutron diffusion, but it has since evolved to address a broad spectrum of problems across various fields including finance, engineering, and research.
Random Sampling and Statistical Experimentation
At the heart of Monte Carlo simulations is the concept of random sampling from a probability distribution to compute results. This method does not seek a singular precise answer but rather a probability distribution of possible outcomes. By performing a large number of trials with random variables, these simulations mimic the real-life fluctuations and uncertainties inherent in complex systems.
Role of Randomness and Probability Distributions in Simulations
Monte Carlo simulations leverage the power of probability distributions to model potential scenarios in processes where exact outcomes cannot be determined due to uncertainty. Each simulation iteration uses randomly generated values that follow a specific statistical distribution to model different outcomes. This method allows analysts to quantify and visualize the probability of different scenarios occurring.
The strength of Monte Carlo simulations lies in the insight they offer into potential risks. They allow modelers to see into the probabilistic "what-if" scenarios that more closely mimic real-world conditions.
Monte Carlo Simulations in Tokenomics
Monte Carlo simulations are instrumental tool for token engineers. They're so useful due to their ability to model emergent behaviors. Here are some key areas where these simulations are applied:
Pricing and Valuation of Tokens
Determining the value of a new token can be challenging due to the volatile nature of cryptocurrency markets. Monte Carlo simulations help by modeling various market scenarios and price fluctuations over time, allowing analysts to estimate a token's potential future value under different conditions.
Assessing Market Dynamics and Investor Behavior
Cryptocurrency markets are influenced by a myriad of factors including regulatory changes, technological advancements, and shifts in investor sentiment. Monte Carlo methods allow researchers to simulate these variables in an integrated environment to see how they might impact token economics, from overall market cap fluctuations to liquidity concerns.
Assesing Possible Risks
By running a large number of simulations it’s possible to stress-test the project in multiple scenarios and identify emergent risks. This is perhaps the most important function of Monte Carlo Process, since these risks can’t be assessed any other way.
Benefits of Using Monte Carlo Simulations
By generating a range of possible outcomes and their probabilities, Monte Carlo simulations help decision-makers in the cryptocurrency space anticipate potential futures and make informed strategic choices. This capability is invaluable for planning token launches, managing supply mechanisms, and designing marketing strategies to optimize market penetration.
Using Monte Carlo simulations, stakeholders in the tokenomics field can not only understand and mitigate risks but also explore the potential impact of different strategic decisions. This predictive power supports more robust economic models and can lead to more stable and successful token launches.
Implementing Monte Carlo Simulations
Several tools and software packages can facilitate the implementation of Monte Carlo simulations in tokenomics. One of the most notable is cadCAD, a Python library that provides a flexible and powerful environment for simulating complex systems.
Overview of cadCAD configuration Components
To better understand how Monte Carlo simulations work in practice, let’s take a look at the cadCAD code snippet:
sim_config = {
'T': range(200), # number of timesteps
'N': 3, # number of Monte Carlo runs
'M': params # model parameters
}
Explanation of Simulation Configuration Components
T: Number of Time Steps
Definition: The 'T' parameter in CadCAD configurations specifies the number of time steps the simulation should execute. Each time step represents one iteration of the model, during which the system is updated. That update is based on various rules defined by token engineers in other parts of the code. For example: we might assume that one iteration = one day, and define data-based functions that predict token demand on that day.
N: Number of Monte Carlo Runs
Definition: The 'N' parameter sets the number of Monte Carlo runs. Each run represents a complete execution of the simulation from start to finish, using potentially different random seeds for each run. This is essential for capturing variability and understanding the distribution of possible outcomes. For example, we can acknowledge that token’s price will be correlated with the broad cryptocurrency market, which acts somewhat unpredictably.
M: Model Parameters
Definition: The 'M' key contains the model parameters, which are variables that influence system's behavior but do not change dynamically with each time step. These parameters can be constants or distributions that are used within the policy and update functions to model the external and internal factors affecting the system.
Importance of These Components
Together, these components define the skeleton of your Monte Carlo simulation in CadCAD. The combination of multiple time steps and Monte Carlo runs allows for a comprehensive exploration of the stochastic nature of the modeled system. By varying the number of timesteps (T) and runs (N), you can adjust the depth and breadth of the exploration, respectively. The parameters (M) provide the necessary context and ensure that each simulation is realistic.
Conclusion
Monte Carlo simulations represent a powerful analytical tool in the arsenal of token engineers. By leveraging the principles of statistics, these simulations provide deep insights into the complex dynamics of token-based systems. This method allows for a nuanced understanding of potential future scenarios and helps with making informed decisions.
We encourage all stakeholders in the blockchain and cryptocurrency space to consider implementing Monte Carlo simulations. The insights gained from such analytical techniques can lead to more effective and resilient economic models, paving the way for the sustainable growth and success of digital currencies.
If you're looking to create a robust tokenomics model and go through institutional-grade testing please reach out to contact@nextrope.com. Our team is ready to help you with the token engineering process and ensure your project’s resilience in the long term.
FAQ
What is a Monte Carlo simulation in tokenomics context?
It's a mathematical method that uses random sampling to predict uncertain outcomes.
What are the benefits of using Monte Carlo simulations in tokenomics?
These simulations help foresee potential market scenarios, aiding in strategic planning and risk management for token launches.
Why are Monte Carlo simulations unique in cryptocurrency analysis?
They provide probabilistic outcomes rather than fixed predictions, effectively simulating real-world market variability and risk.
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