July 2025 Monthly Summary

Roko Network Monthly Update

Month: July 2025

Executive Summary

July 2025 was a transformational month culminating in a fully functional testnet producing temporal transactions. The team overcame a significant architectural challenge, completed the Time RPC integration, and embraced AI-assisted development workflows that dramatically accelerated progress.

Major Breakthrough: Temporal Transactions Working

End-to-End Success

By month end, the testnet achieved:

  • Building temporal blocks properly
  • Transactions accepted by consensus
  • Test transaction: 5 ROKO tokens with proper temporal metadata
  • Validated timestamps and active key verification
  • Time RPC 100% functional

Signature Verification Resolution

Final blocking issue resolved:

  • Inconsistency between Rust (node-side) and JavaScript (Time RPC) libraries
  • Data formatting differences (0x prefix, case variations)
  • Successfully generated proper temporal transactions

Critical Architecture Pivot

The Challenge

Original design to embed temporal metadata in transaction/block structures proved incompatible:

  • Frontier (Substrate's EVM plugin) typing system limitations
  • Would require forking and maintaining entire Frontier stack
  • Massive long-term maintenance burden

The Solution

New pallet-based architecture:

  • Stores temporal metadata separately using hash mapping
  • Maintains compatibility with standard Substrate and Frontier
  • Works with existing block explorers (with modifications)
  • Significantly reduces maintenance burden
  • AI rewrote entire codebase in under 2.5 hours

Technical Achievements

L1 Implementation

  • Nano-moment type storing nanosecond precision on blocks
  • Three new fields: block mining start time, end time, timestamp palette
  • Support for legacy and temporal transactions with unique gas models
  • Transaction expiration for propagation delay handling
  • 95% of unit tests passing

Time RPC Features

Comprehensive key management:

  • Support for up to 100 TimeRPC keys
  • Key expiration dates with automatic validation
  • Slippage tolerance configuration per key
  • Automatic key generation (testnet mode)
  • Admin functions for emergency key removal

Transaction Pipeline

Complete flow operational:

1. User sends transaction to Time RPC

2. Time RPC verifies and signs with precise time

3. Forwards to Roko mempool as temporal transaction

4. Metadata stored in separate pallet

5. Block production with proper ordering

AI-Assisted Development Revolution

Team Adoption

Extensive use of AI tools:

  • Claude Code for git forensics and branch repair
  • Detailed implementation plans reviewed by multiple AI models
  • Step-by-step execution with validation
  • When issues arise: update document, regenerate from scratch
  • Key insight: Extensive documentation critical for AI tools

Tool Ecosystem

  • Warp.dev terminal 2.0 for implementation
  • AI substantially better at JavaScript than Rust
  • Influenced technology choices (Time RPC in JavaScript)

Recruitment Progress

  • Working with professional recruiting firm
  • Target: $40-75/hour, Web3/blockchain experience
  • Focus: Eastern Europe and South America
  • Strong candidate: Gabriel Williams (Polygon experience)
  • Multiple interview rounds with team participation

Infrastructure Updates

Hardware Progress

  • Manitcor's a hardware security vendor hardware operational
  • CM5 node nearly ready (awaiting storage)
  • Hardware inventory Google Sheet created
  • Updated configuration files for a hardware security vendor/a timing hardware provider

Telegram Infrastructure

  • Critical issues identified with official channel
  • Plan: New infrastructure with proper admin controls
  • Custom bots with AI features (voice transcription via Whisper)

Key Metrics

MetricStatus
Temporal TransactionsFully operational
Architecture PivotComplete
Unit Tests95% passing
Time RPC100% functional
AI Codebase Rewrite2.5 hours

Partnership Progress

a Web3 escrow platform Integration

Manitcor finalizing two proposals:

  • Deploying a Web3 escrow platform escrow contracts on Roko
  • Coordinated token sale operations
  • Escrow ideal for timing services (relies on precise timing)

Flywheel Project

  • Meeting with Shadow scheduled
  • BitTensor education materials prepared
  • DeFi Llama adapter needed for TVL visibility
  • Revisit in 1-2 months pending liquidity growth

Community Preparation

Testnet Showcase Planning

  • Demonstrating temporal transactions to build excitement
  • HTTPS domains and secure deployment configured
  • Explorer customization for temporal features
  • Managing expectations while building momentum

Looking Ahead to August

  • Complete CM5 node setup
  • Expand team SSH access via Cloudflare
  • Continue testnet validation
  • Submit a Web3 escrow platform proposals
  • Begin community testnet engagement

Team Focus Areas

Team MemberPrimary Focus
Stalker (Unforkable)Architecture pivot, testnet stabilization
ManitcorHardware setup, a Web3 escrow platform proposals
ConnorMEV bot development, agent registry
BigAgent tooling (85 tools, 3,500 LOC)
TeamAI-assisted development workflows