roadmap/content/nomos/updates/2024-01-15.md

---
title: 2024-01-15 Nomos weekly
tags:
  - nomos-updates
date: 2024-01-15
lastmod: 2024-01-16
draft: false
description: Weekly update of Nomos
---
## `network privacy and mixnet`

### `research`

- No updates.
### `development`

- Refined Mixnet specs: [Decided](https://www.notion.so/Mixnet-Specification-807b624444a54a4b88afa1cc80e100c2?pvs=4#8113c6871a8c4bdc8ae469f8fd96c061) to use libp2p even for direct QUIC connections for v1, so that we can use peer discovery and NAT traversal later on; [Defined](https://www.notion.so/Mixnet-Specification-807b624444a54a4b88afa1cc80e100c2?pvs=4#7cefe07a3ac04af091a5a8945d11067a) an initial approach to report on unresponsive mix nodes, though it should be improved later; [Simplified](https://www.notion.so/Mixnet-Specification-807b624444a54a4b88afa1cc80e100c2?pvs=4#df9f03a808134ae19c085ca40b82161c) the specification of using Sphinx packets, by abstracting the [internal Sphinx spec](https://www.notion.so/Sphinx-Packet-Specification-1c96e0e8aa8a4241ae9c1417c67714b7) ;[Updated](https://www.notion.so/Mixnet-Specification-807b624444a54a4b88afa1cc80e100c2?pvs=4#67865a813ab8466987ed54cf92eb86cb) the calculation of `lambda` and `mu` by suggesting a refined approach of emission rates; [Decided](https://www.notion.so/Mixnet-Specification-807b624444a54a4b88afa1cc80e100c2?pvs=4#15ccbb03a44f42658ea67a33527ecea2) to start with only mixnode-defined delays.
- Three quarters of mixnet python specification code has been done; since it has been decided to move [Sphinx out of the mixnet specs](https://github.com/logos-co/nomos-specs/pull/46)(see comments) - it will be moved to a new repo in order to be utilized properly; the [basic structure and topology construction](https://github.com/logos-co/nomos-specs/pull/44) and [Sphinx packet builder](https://github.com/logos-co/nomos-specs/pull/47) have also been added.
- Research of [QUIC and QUIC connections](https://www.notion.so/QUIC-and-QUIC-connections-management-bd7974e3a9914b8d819fd50e6f6a6410) - what is available and what is the difference from the TCP connections
## `testnet`

### `development`

- Initial node metrics [PR](https://github.com/logos-co/nomos-node/pull/522) has been merged - to reiterate, this will add metrics service + initial metrics for CL and DA mempools. We will continue the effort to collect data about other services in the coming weeks.

## `cryptarchia`

### `research`

- The Private Proof of Stake milestone has been renamed to Cryptarchia in order to better reflect current work.
- Updated the [living document](https://www.notion.so/Does-Crypsinous-Leader-Election-Function-lead-to-wealth-concentration-in-PoS-b81f07a791b745438443f51f00ac258f?pvs=4#1df422f6cc204cb8b362f41cda260b8b) that showcases if the leader election function leads to wealth concentration - more precisely the stochastic fork choice rule - which seems to ignore the validator stake.
- [Analysis](https://www.overleaf.com/read/fzbrxvkwwscq#f2907c](https://www.overleaf.com/read/fzbrxvkwwscq#f2907c) of total stake inference problem: For the statistical estimator of the total stake D, the results of a large stake expansion were used to derive Gaussian approximation for the distribution of `D`. The latter was used to define “confidence” and “accuracy”. The large stake expansion was used to study other important properties, such as convergence rate of inference algorithm, and provides a relatively simple and compact set of relations between different parameters, such as number of nodes `N`, learning rate `h`, number of epochs `T`, stake mean and stake variance
- We were able to answer most of the open questions (from previous weekly - remaining is analytical grounds for fast convergence) - How big should `T` be (# of slots in an epoch), How small should `h` be , How fast does this converge.
- We have a general solution to the [total stake inference problem](https://www.notion.so/Lottery-Function-65f5ed5522b64c36b625652023318d88?pvs=4#7978b9a3f3964c3b9751b2644875506e) - based on this document we have a good understanding of Accuracy, Convergence Rate and Stability.
- Writing of the Cryptarchia specification is well underway - you can check the latest version [here](https://www.notion.so/Cryptarchia-Specifications-a11d16a37c81452a8c89a94ced3ceef5#c69e608758574a85b7278470bd812ef0).
- Reviewed Ouroboros Praos, the focus was to understand the whole design and put a bit more attention at the design of the random beacon and some security assumptions. More on that in the [notes](https://www.notion.so/Ouroboros-Family-8cd7285459f640b088716905ab03474f).

### `development`

- The Cryptarchia [development plan](https://www.notion.so/Crypsinous-planning-f18ea790291141bea19b496c1f59b28c) initially stated is still valid and has been updated. We will have the first milestone defined soon as well.
- Refactor consensus engine in preparation for adding a new consensus - [PR](https://github.com/logos-co/nomos-node/pull/556).

## `data availability`

### `research`

- The [DA Layer Comparison table](https://www.notion.so/DA-Layer-Comparison-Table-5848811f0af042e2b24c10d3cea9b0a8) has been finished and is currently in review and update phase. For the raw data, refer to this [Google sheet](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1I2hk69hWLVXaATC5048tLcw2qUTjiZORIzL0y90PTLg/edit#gid=0)
- [Block format specification](https://www.notion.so/Block-Format-Specification-10c4cfef8b8946b8a54344cf97b16938) has been added.
- [DA API](https://www.notion.so/DA-Api-specification-83000d9c2f3f45b586cd55c5c195cce5) specification has been added.

### `development`

- Merged a couple of small fixes for the nomos-chat app - more details [here](https://github.com/logos-co/nomos-node/pull/555).

## `miscellaneous`

- 3 interrelated topics that have the potential to create an interesting element of differentiation have been researched: turning Execution Zones into Plasma chains with ZK proofs ([findings](https://www.notion.so/Plasma-ca4bfeb776e240859f954e8511103111)), solutions for instant deposit/withdrawal, solutions for ZK-bridging with the Base Layer (basically the CL layer, but as minimal as possible).
- Polygon Avail has been researched - [findings](https://www.notion.so/Polygon-Avail-bc5bfbbf78c74b9aba6d4500d961ef03).
- [Simulations working principle](https://www.notion.so/Simulations-working-principle-Carnot-paper-Appendix-c83740646adf4dd58e6b3212f7c1b666) (the Carnot paper Appendix) has been added.
- Whitepaper feedback review in progress.
- Carnot paper has been reviewed.