- NEAR Protocol unveils an ambitious roadmap, highlighting enhancements for user experience and core scalability.
- Exciting features like meta transactions and global storage promise to revolutionize application development on NEAR.
- The roadmap outlines the future phases of sharding, showcasing NEAR’s commitment to scalability and decentralization.
NEAR has witnessed tremendous growth and evolution since the launch of its mainnet in October 2020. With over 20 live protocol upgrades, including the recent launch of Sharding Phase 1, NEAR is constantly pushing the boundaries of blockchain technology. Looking ahead to the next two phases of sharding and beyond, NEAR is excited to present an updated protocol roadmap that outlines its vision for the future.
Experience: Enhancing User and Developer Experience
The Experience section of the roadmap focuses on improving user and developer experiences on the NEAR Protocol. By implementing key features and functionalities, NEAR aims to provide a seamless and user-friendly environment for building and using applications. For instance, the introduction of meta transactions and support for Secp256r1 keys enables iPhone users to effortlessly engage with NEAR applications without the need to register an account or acquire NEAR tokens upfront.
Core: Scalability and Decentralization
The Core section of the roadmap is dedicated to enhancing the scalability and decentralization of the NEAR Protocol. Notably, the upcoming launch of phase 2 of sharding in 2023 will scale the network to 100 shards, with no validators tracking all shards. This significant milestone will significantly boost the network’s capacity and performance. Looking further ahead, phase 3 of sharding, planned for 2024, will introduce dynamic adjustments to the number of shards based on demand, ensuring optimal scalability.
Exciting Features on the Horizon
The NEAR Protocol roadmap unveils several exciting features that are set to empower developers and users alike. These features have been carefully prioritized based on ecosystem-level strategy, feedback from founders and builders, and user research. Let’s delve into some of the key items on the roadmap:
Meta Transactions
Meta transactions enable third parties to cover transaction costs, eliminating the need for users to possess NEAR tokens before engaging with NEAR apps. This frictionless onboarding process enhances accessibility and encourages widespread adoption.
Zero-balance Account
NEAR will introduce the concept of zero-balance accounts, allowing applications and wallets to create accounts for new users even if they have no initial balance. This streamlines the account creation process, making it more convenient and user-friendly.
Secp256r1 Keys
Support for Secp256r1 keys will enable iPhone users to have implicit accounts onchain, further reducing the barriers to entry for NEAR adoption. Users can seamlessly onboard without the need for additional wallet setups, expanding the reach of NEAR applications.
Global Storage
Global storage addresses the issue of redundant storage staking costs for commonly used smart contracts. By allowing builders to deploy a contract once and enabling all accounts to utilize it without incurring additional storage costs, NEAR promotes efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Running Wasm in Wasm
NEAR plans to enable the execution of smart contracts within the execution of other contracts, similar to the current paradigm in Aurora. This capability facilitates synchronous interaction between smart contracts, unlocking new possibilities for developers and fostering innovation.
Building Limitless Applications on NEAR
These features collectively position NEAR as a leading technology base for building robust and user-friendly applications. By surpassing even the best of Web2 onboarding standards, NEAR empowers builders and founders to unleash their creativity without limitations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the NEAR Protocol roadmap outlines an ambitious vision for the future, encompassing enhanced user experiences, scalability, and decentralization. With a clear focus on delivering cutting-edge features and functionalities, NEAR is determined to shape the blockchain landscape and provide an unparalleled platform for innovation.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. The article does not offer sufficient information to make investment decisions, nor does it constitute an offer, recommendation, or solicitation to buy or sell any financial instrument. The content is opinion of the author and does not reflect any view or suggestion or any kind of advise from cryptonewsbytes.com. The author declares he does not hold any of the above mentioned tokens or received any incentive from any company.
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