Solana Co-Founder Suggests ‘Meta Blockchain’ to Combine Decentralized Networks

Solana co-founder Anatoly Yakovenko has put forth an idea for a “meta blockchain” aimed at reducing data availability costs while enhancing interoperability among various blockchain networks.

In a recent post, Yakovenko clarified that this proposed meta blockchain would function not as an independent layer but as an integrative platform. It would compile and organize information from different chains using a coherent transaction ordering system.

The primary concept revolves around referencing the most recent block headers from each participating chain, facilitating a collective and deterministic approach to transaction alignment.

He remarked that a meta blockchain should exist for posting data across multiple platforms such as Ethereum and Celestia, employing specific rules to unify data from all chains into a single order. This setup would enable the meta chain to leverage the most cost-effective data availability options currently accessible.

Yakovenko suggested that a Meta transaction on Solana could encompass recent blocks from both Ethereum and Celestia, effectively minimizing uncertainties in transaction sequencing and offering users the most economical data availability solutions.

He further pointed out that a consistent rule for transaction merging would promote reliability across the entire system. This framework could lessen dependence on centralized sequencers, often considered vulnerable points in numerous rollup ecosystems.

In his perspective, an ideal setup would incorporate a protocol that seamlessly merges data from all linked chains, eliminating the need for an external coordinator.

He stated that relying on an external sequencer is a less effective approach. He believes a more advanced version would be a merging rule that analyzes all chains, allowing users to send transactions freely across any platform.

Despite the intrigue surrounding this concept, its feasibility has been questioned by some. Celestia COO Nick White expressed skepticism, indicating that similar proposals, termed DA multiplexers, have been theoretically discussed for a long time but rarely come to fruition.

White pointed out that such models complicate operations since rollups must manage nodes for each data availability layer. Moreover, overseeing the fork-choice rules across multiple chains would significantly increase overhead with minimal advantages.

Nonetheless, Yakovenko maintains a strong belief that making data availability more affordable will consequently lower the expenses associated with other on-chain activities. He emphasized that reducing data availability costs is crucial, as bandwidth remains a fundamental bottleneck.