Any (Major) EVM Chain Condition Support
This feature is only available on the lynxtestnet.
As the adoption of TACo continues to grow, one challenge that arises is supporting an increasing number of blockchains. Currently, nodes are required to configure a dedicated RPC URL for each blockchain supported for conditions. For example, regardless of the TACo domain (mainnetor testnet), nodes must configure an RPC URL for Ethereum (Mainnet/Sepolia). and Polygon (Mainnet/Amoy). Those chains would represent the available chains that can be used for on-chain conditions.
While this configuration ensures reliability, it becomes cumbersome as more blockchains are added to TACo's ecosystem for conditions. Each new blockchain requires nodes to manually set up and manage its RPC URL, increasing the administrative burden over time.
Currently, TACo nodes employ a fallback mechanism to enhance reliability by utilizing a list of public RPC URLs. In this setup, the configured RPC URL is given priority, but if it becomes temporarily unavailable, the node automatically switches to one of the fallback public RPC URLs. For instance, on mainnet, these backup URLs are drawn from the mainnet.json file in the nucypher/chainlist repository and are specifically limited to Ethereum Mainnet and Polygon Mainnet chain ids.
Expanding on the existing fallback mechanism, we are investigating a more streamlined approach. Rather than requiring nodes to configure specific RPC URLs for each supported blockchain for conditions, we are experimenting with maintaining a curated list of public RPC endpoints for most EVM-compatible chains. This approach allows nodes to utilize these pre-defined public RPC URLs, removing the need for dedicated configurations for every blockchain. Since most chains offer multiple public RPC URLs, the list provides built-in redundancy, ensuring reliability during condition verification.
The list of supported chains on lynx is available in the lynx.jsonfile in the nucypher/chainlistrepository. This comprehensive list enables rapid prototyping for dApps across multiple blockchains using the lynxtestnet, addressing a growing demand from developers.
That said, there are valid concerns about whether this approach offers sufficient reliability for production-level applications. Consequently, this feature is currently being tested exclusively on the lynx testnet.
A potential solution for production could involve integrating API keys from services like Infura, Alchemy, or dRPC. Using these keys, nodes could dynamically derive RPC URLs for various blockchains. However, this method introduces a degree of centralization, as the API key templates would dictate which RPC services TACo supports.
We are actively seeking feedback from adopters to refine our approach and ensure it aligns with their needs. Please chat with us in the #taco channel in the Threshold Discord, or file GitHub issues.
Development References
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