Enhancing the performance and scalability of blockchain has always been a top goal for developers. Concepts like shared sequencers have been introduced to improve transaction ordering, but Altius Labs takes a step further with Shared Executor — a shared execution infrastructure that opens up the possibility of parallel transaction processing.
In this blog post, I will explain what Altius is, how it works, and why it is important for Ethereum, Layer 2 (L2) solutions, as well as appchains, using technical terms and comparisons relevant to the crypto community.
What is a Shared Sequencer and Why is it Not Enough?
Before diving into Altius, let's understand shared sequencer. In blockchain, a sequencer is the component responsible for ordering transactions before they are executed or recorded on the ledger. A shared sequencer allows multiple chains or rollups to share a sequencer to manage transactions, helping reduce costs and increase efficiency.
However, the problem lies in the fact that after transactions are ordered, execution still occurs sequentially — one transaction at a time. Comparison: Imagine a shared sequencer as a cashier in a supermarket, organizing customers into a neat line. But if there's only one checkout register to process, the payment speed remains slow despite the well-organized queue. This is the bottleneck that Altius aims to solve.
Altius and Shared Executor: Parallel Execution is the Future
Altius does not stop at transaction ordering but focuses on execution — the decisive step in the speed and performance of blockchain. With Shared Executor, Altius provides a shared execution infrastructure, allowing multiple transactions to be processed simultaneously instead of sequentially.
This is akin to moving from a single-threaded system to a multi-threaded system, maximizing computational power.
Technical Comparison:
In traditional blockchain, transaction execution is like a single-core CPU, processing one task at a time.
Altius' Shared Executor is like a GPU or multi-core CPU, where multiple transactions are processed simultaneously, increasing throughput and reducing latency.
Crypto-native example: If the mempool of regular chains is a queue of transactions waiting to be processed sequentially, Altius turns it into an 'executor grid' — a parallel processing network, much like how GPUs handle millions of calculations simultaneously.
How Does Altius Work?
To achieve parallel execution without compromising security or decentralization, Altius employs advanced techniques:
Conflict-Free Execution: Altius classifies and groups independent transactions, allowing them to run simultaneously without causing state conflicts. For example, if transaction A sends ETH from Alice and transaction B sends tokens from Bob, they can be executed at the same time because they are unrelated.
Modular Architecture: Altius is designed to be plug-and-play with any blockchain, from Ethereum, L2 rollups to appchains, without requiring significant protocol changes.
Comparison: If traditional blockchain is like a single-lane road with traffic congestion, Altius creates multiple parallel lanes, ensuring smooth traffic (transactions) flow without collisions.
Benefits of Shared Executor Compared to Shared Sequencer
Increased TPS: Parallel processing enables Altius to achieve superior throughput compared to the sequential model of shared sequencer.
Reduced Latency: Transactions are executed faster, providing a smoother experience for dApp users.
Reduced Gas Costs: Optimized execution helps relieve the network, thereby cutting down transaction fees.
Flexibility: Altius is compatible with any blockchain stack, from Ethereum, Celestia, to EigenLayer.
Comparison with Web2: If shared sequencer is a step forward in transaction management, then Altius' Shared Executor is like a decentralized cloud service — execution-as-a-service — providing powerful computational resources for the entire Web3 ecosystem.
Altius: A Game-Changing Tool for Web3
Altius not only addresses execution bottlenecks but also opens the door to more complex decentralized applications. From DeFi, NFTs, to DAOs, everything requires a fast, cheap, and scalable blockchain. With Shared Executor, Altius offers:
High Performance: Increased TPS, reduced latency.
Integration Capabilities: Works with all chains, from L1 to appchains.
Cost Savings: Reduced gas fees, optimized resources.
Ease of Use: Developers can focus on building dApps instead of worrying about infrastructure.
Conclusion: Altius is a major step forward in bringing blockchain performance on par with Web2, while maintaining the decentralization and security of Web3. This is the future developers and users are waiting for.
If you're a developer, founder, or simply a Web3 enthusiast, explore Altius today. Join our community to help build the infrastructure for the next generation of blockchain!
