April 2025 Monthly Summary
Roko Network Monthly Update
Month: April 2025
Executive Summary
April 2025 focused on consolidating development efforts around the L1 blockchain and timing network, with strategic deprioritization of other projects. The team made progress on a hardware security vendor hardware security, subnet-L1 communication architecture, and began prototyping automated trading applications to demonstrate timing network value.
Strategic Focus
Resource Concentration
The team made a strategic decision to focus resources on:
- L1 Substrate blockchain development
- Timing network integration
- Deprioritizing non-core projects
- Clear prioritization of critical path items
Testnet Preparation
Comprehensive planning for testnet launch:
- Validator onboarding procedures
- Testing protocols defined
- Community engagement strategy
- Technical debt review and cleanup prioritization
Technical Progress
a hardware security vendor Hardware Setup
- Private network architecture for timing synchronization
- Mesh network design ensuring reliable time distribution
- Security configurations established
- Key management workflows documented
L1 Chain Development
- Token staking implementation advancing
- EVM integration through Frontier pallet continuing
- Integration challenges between staking contracts and EVM layer being resolved
- Substrate pallet customization for ROCO-specific requirements
Subnet-L1 Communication
Deep technical work on architecture:
- Timing data validation while maintaining decentralization
- Validators use timing data for transaction ordering
- Block timestamp validation mechanisms
- Cross-chain messaging requirements for future expansion
Consensus Mechanism Research
- Alpha BFT evaluation
- Time-weighted voting approaches
- Time signatures for transaction validation
- Cryptographic proof of submission time
Reference Implementation Analysis
a reference subnet Study
- Analyzed as reference for own subnet design
- Successful subnet patterns identified
- Learnings applied to Roko subnet development
Security Authentication
- TrustID integration for validator authentication
- Hardware security modules providing root of trust
- Identity and certificate management planning
- Verifiable validator identities for trust establishment
Development Initiatives
Automated Trading Bot
Connor began prototyping:
- Demonstrates timing network capabilities
- High-frequency trading application showcase
- Proof of concept for precision timing value
- Testing strategy defined alongside prototype
Testing Strategy
Comprehensive approach established:
- Unit tests for core functionality
- Integration tests for component interaction
- Stress testing under various conditions
- Development environment improvements
Key Metrics
| Metric | Status |
|---|---|
| L1 Development | Primary focus established |
| a hardware security vendor Setup | Configuration complete |
| reference subnet analysis | Reference patterns documented |
| Trading Bot | Prototype in development |
| Testnet Prep | Planning phase |
Hackathon Participation
- Team members participated in external hackathons
- Built visibility for the project
- Tested ideas in competitive environment
- Learnings being incorporated into main development
Regulatory & Standards
Compliance Research
- Initial discussions on regulatory requirements
- Enterprise adoption requirements for timing services
- IEEE/OCP TAP standards alignment continuing
Standards Documentation
- Technical specifications being formalized
- Preparing for institutional sales conversations
- Credibility building through standards compliance
Looking Ahead to May
- Complete staking pallet customization
- Finalize validator economics model
- Continue trading bot prototype
- Execute comprehensive testing plan
- Apply hackathon learnings to development
Team Focus Areas
| Team Member | Primary Focus |
|---|---|
| Stalker (Unforkable) | L1 staking integration, EVM testing |
| Manitcor | a hardware security vendor configuration, a timing hardware provider integration |
| Connor | Trading bot prototype |
| BigM | Security authentication services |
| Team | Testnet preparation, documentation |