Leap 6 is set to launch the groundbreaking Savanna consensus algorithm, enabling faster finality and creating irreversible consensus transactions over 100 times faster compared to previous releases. This significant update goes beyond mere performance enhancement; it represents a comprehensive upgrade of the network. At the heart of this evolution, Savanna will not only accelerate transaction finality but also enhance security, user experience, and decentralization across the EOS ecosystem.

Important Update for Infrastructure Providers and Technical Partners

As we gear up for the upcoming Leap 6.0 upgrade, the collaboration and readiness of all ecosystem participants are crucial. Reflecting on our journey since the last major consensus upgrade with Antelope Leap 3.1, we recognize the importance of a unified effort across the ecosystem for a smooth transition.

Infrastructure providers and technical partners should note these key dates for the Leap 6 upgrade: 

  • The final release of Leap 6 is scheduled for July 10th, marking the beginning of the upgrade process. 
  • The recommended upgrade period for all EOS Nodes is from July 11th—30th, to ensure seamless transition and network synchronization. 
  • The hard fork itself is planned for July 31st, making this the critical date for all upgrades to be completed. 
Leap 6 Hardfork Timeline Final Release, 7/10 Recommended Upgrade Period for ALL EOS Nodes, 7/11 - 7/30 Hardfork, 7/31

It’s crucial that all node operators are ready to apply this critical upgrade to maintain network synchronization and reap the full benefits. We’ll provide more detailed instructions as the upgrade date approaches, so please stay tuned to our communications for the latest updates.

Enter Savanna: Instant Finality and Beyond

Leap 6 introduces Instant Finality through Savanna (Scalable Agreement on Validated Additions with Nimble Nonrepudiating Attestation), a groundbreaking consensus algorithm that mirrors a seamless web2 experience within the web3 space. Drawing inspiration from the HotStuff consensus algorithm developed by VMware Research, Savanna marks a pivotal evolution in blockchain technology. It is an entirely new algorithm that takes block based consensus chains and upgrades them to the modern era of distributed systems utilizing the latest advances in consensus algorithms. It merges aggregate BLS signatures and advanced cryptographic techniques to dramatically enhance scalability and reduce the time to finality. Set to revolutionize the EOS Network, Savanna ensures irreversible transactions, and finality in mere seconds a 100x improvement over previous releases. This advancement boosts network efficiency and elevates user experience, positioning EOS at the forefront of blockchain development.

Enhanced Privacy and Cryptographic Innovation

Another remarkable aspect of Leap 6 is its potential for cryptographic innovation. The introduction of aggregate BLS signatures able to be verified in as little as 1.1ms* lays the groundwork for more abstract cryptographic building blocks, enabling the development of ZK proof systems. This is accomplished through EOS own implementation of BLS operations and specialized matrix operations in WebAssembly. These systems promise enhanced privacy features, such as confidential transactions and the use of private addresses, setting new standards in blockchain privacy and security.

*As benchmarked with an I9-13900 CPU.

Enabling Flexible Blockchain Structure with Potential New Roles

Leap 6 marks a significant evolution within the EOS ecosystem, introducing the possibility for a transformative reconfiguration of the traditional Block Producer role. This update offers the EOS community the option to split Block Producer responsibilities into two distinct functions: Block Proposers and Block Finalizers.

This change does not automatically take effect with Leap 6 but provides the community with the flexibility to adopt this new structure, should there be a consensus to do so. The introduction of Block Proposers and Block Finalizers offers a potential pathway towards a more decentralized, secure, and efficiently governed network.

  • Block Proposers – tasked with organizing transactions into proposed blocks and coordinating with Block Finalizers to generate Quorum Certificates. These certificates serve as definitive proof that a proposed block has been finalized.
  • Block Finalizers – concentrate on endorsing block proposals by sending their signatures to the Block Proposer for the creation of Quorum Certificates. This division of responsibilities aims to enhance the network’s security and efficiency by providing a robust mechanism for block validation and finalization.

In Leap 6 block proposing and block finalizers are separate concerns. This separation enables the EOS blockchain to reach new levels of safety and liveness, it will make the network more predictable to operate, it enables inter-blockchain communication, and it allows third parties to observe and ensure the health of the network without participating in creating transactions. 

Looking Ahead: The Future of EOS and Antelope Chains

Leap 6.0 heralds a significant transformation for the EOS network, enhancing efficiency and decentralization with the Savanna consensus algorithm. This algorithm dramatically accelerates transaction finality, directly boosting network performance and user experience. More than just a technical upgrade, Leap 6.0 strengthens the community-driven and independent ethos of EOS, showcasing the network’s adeptness at integrating advanced consensus mechanisms. Supported by a strong technical infrastructure and the collaborative effort of EOS Network node operators, Leap 6.0 paves the way for a seamless transition, establishing new benchmarks in speed and security and influencing the next phase of blockchain technology development.

To stay informed on all updates related to the Leap 6.0 upgrade:

  • Join the EOS Upgrade Support Telegram group to ask questions, and receive direct support and guidance throughout the upgrade process.
  • Follow the EOS Network Foundation (ENF) on Twitter
  • Subscribe to the ENF YouTube channel for weekly Node Operator Roundtable discussions that offer valuable insights and updates.

In the lead-up to the upgrade, we will continue to release comprehensive content, including deep dives, videos, and technical documentation, to ensure the community is well-prepared and informed.

EOS Network

The EOS Network is a 3rd generation blockchain platform powered by the EOS VM, a low-latency, highly performant, and extensible WebAssembly engine for deterministic execution of near feeless transactions; purpose-built for enabling optimal Web3 user and developer experiences. EOS is the flagship blockchain and financial center of the Antelope framework, serving as the driving force behind multi-chain collaboration and public goods funding for tools and infrastructure through the EOS Network Foundation (ENF).

EOS EVM

The EOS EVM is an emulation of the Ethereum EVM, housed within an EOS smart contract. It offers feature parity to other EVMs in the space but with unmatched speed, performance and compatibility. EOS EVM connects the EOS ecosystem to the Ethereum ecosystem by allowing developers to deploy a wide array of Solidity-based digital assets and innovative dApps on EOS. Developers can use EOS EVM to take advantage of Ethereum’s battle-tested open source code, tooling, libraries and SDKs, while leveraging the superior performance of EOS.

EOS Network Foundation

The EOS Network Foundation (ENF) was forged through a vision for a prosperous and decentralized future. Through our key stakeholder engagement, community programs, ecosystem funding, and support of an open technology ecosystem, the ENF is transforming Web3. Founded in 2021, the ENF is the hub for EOS Network, a leading open source platform with a suite of stable frameworks, tools, and libraries for blockchain deployments. Together, we are bringing innovations that our community builds and are committed to a stronger future for all.