Blockchain (B)
The B in ABCD. Blockchain replaces the need for trust with verifiable truth.
The Trust Layer
| Function | What Blockchain Provides |
|---|---|
| Identity | Prove who you are without revealing everything |
| Integrity | Verify data hasn't been tampered with |
| Provenance | Track origin of data, models, assets |
| Coordination | Align incentives without intermediaries |
The thesis: AI generates intelligence, blockchain makes it trustworthy.
Architecture
How blockchains are structured and where value flows.
| Layer | Purpose | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Interop | Cross-chain communication | Open Intents, AggLayer |
| L3 | App-specific chains | Consumer verticals |
| L2 | Scaling + lower fees | Arbitrum, Optimism, Polygon |
| L1 | Consensus + security | Ethereum, Solana, SUI |
| L0 | Physical infrastructure | Double Zero, hardware |
Deep dive: Architecture Patterns
Cryptographic Primitives
Building blocks for trustless systems.
| Primitive | What It Enables |
|---|---|
| Zero Knowledge Proofs | Prove without revealing — privacy + scalability |
| Digital Signatures | Verify authenticity |
| Hash Functions | Data integrity |
| Merkle Trees | Efficient verification |
tip
Zero Knowledge Proofs are the endgame — privacy AND verification.
Protocols
The major blockchain networks:
| Protocol | VM | Strengths |
|---|---|---|
| Ethereum | EVM | Security, ecosystem, DeFi |
| Solana | SVM | Speed, cost, consumer apps |
| SUI | Move | Object model, parallelization |
Development
Roadmaps
Dev Environment
Engineering Roles
- Protocol Engineer — Core blockchain development
- Smart Contract Engineer — On-chain logic
- DePIN Engineer — Physical + blockchain integration
Operations
| Area | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Smart Contracts | On-chain services and standards |
| Intent Protocols | User intent → solver execution |
| Interop Services | Cross-chain, oracles, bridges |
| On-chain Data | Analytics and indexing |