The settlement layer is the security backbone for cross-chain message passing and intent execution. It ensures reliable finality across chains and offers flexible security options tailored to various needs.

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Core Components

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Message Security

  • Utilizes Interchain Security Modules (ISMs) for validation and security.
  • Employs a multi-sig finality mechanism to balance security and efficiency, providing a robust framework for message integrity.

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Intent Settlement

  • Manages final execution after validation.
  • Ensures atomic settlement across chains, preventing partial execution states and maintaining consistency.

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Bridge Integration

  • Integrates with native bridge protocols to optimize settlement paths for higher-value transactions.
  • Leverages existing infrastructure for seamless cross-chain interactions.

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Security Model

The security model is designed to be highly configurable. Users can select different security levels based on their specific needs, with costs reflected in solver quotes. This flexibility enables informed decisions about trade-offs between cost and security. The settlement layer leverages native chain security wherever possible, utilizing existing security mechanisms of the underlying blockchain. When native security is insufficient, fallback mechanisms are employed to maintain integrity.

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Settlement Process

  1. Validation: The settlement layer verifies all preconditions and security requirements, ensuring readiness for execution.
  2. Execution: Performs atomic settlement across all involved chains, ensuring simultaneous completion of all transaction parts.
  3. Confirmation: Final verification ensures all operations are completed successfully, providing assurance of correct execution.

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Integration Points

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Message Passing

The settlement layer provides robust support for message passing:
  • Validates messages to ensure integrity and security.
  • Finalizes messages to confirm successful delivery, maintaining reliable cross-chain communication.

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Intent Execution

In the context of intent execution, the settlement layer:
  • Executes the final settlement of intents.
  • Applies the chosen security configuration to ensure secure operations in accordance with user preferences.

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Future Development

The settlement layer is designed to evolve alongside the network’s needs. Future developments will focus on:
  • Supporting additional security modules to adapt to new threats and take advantage of new technologies.
  • Integrating stack-native interop options for settlement as they become available.
  • Allowing the settlement of more complex intents, such as those that require multiple cross-chain operations.