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Polymath Whitepaper Explanation

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Polymesh is a blockchain built specifically for security tokens, focusing on regulatory compliance, identity validation, confidentiality, and governance.

Polymesh Introduction

Polymesh is a specialized blockchain designed for security tokens, addressing the specific needs of issuers, investors, institutions, and regulators. Built from the ground up for compliance and security, Polymesh aims to provide a robust infrastructure that ensures confidentiality, identity validation, governance, and regulatory compliance, filling the gaps left by general-purpose blockchains like Ethereum. Polymesh's mission is to unlock the potential of security tokens by integrating these critical elements directly into the blockchain's architecture.

Part 1: Polymesh Whitepaper Review

Disclosure: This part is strictly limited to an overview of the whitepaper and maintains an objective tone. Neither external knowledge nor comparisons with other cryptocurrencies are expected (unless introduced in the whitepaper). "Part 2" of this explanation will provide a more relatable explanation considering the external knowledge.

  • Author: Adam Dossa, Graeme Moore, Jesse Lancaster, Michael Buchanan, Pablo Ruiz
  • Type: Technical
  • Tone: Neutral, Objective
  • Publication date: June 30, 2021

Description: What Does Polymesh Do?

Polymesh is a blockchain built specifically for security tokens, focusing on regulatory compliance, confidentiality, identity validation, and governance. Its main objective is to provide a secure and compliant infrastructure that meets the specific requirements of security token issuers, investors, and regulators.

Polymesh achieves its objectives through a unique architecture that integrates financial primitives directly into the blockchain. This approach allows for low predetermined costs and enables third-party developers to deploy innovative decentralized applications (dApps) on top of the chain.

Problem: Why Polymesh Is Being Developed?

Polymesh is being developed to address the limitations of general-purpose blockchains like Ethereum, which lack essential features for security tokens, such as identity validation, confidentiality, and compliance.

Current solutions like Ethereum present challenges in legal and compliance aspects due to pseudonymity, public visibility of transactions, and the complexity of governance processes. Polymesh aims to solve these issues by integrating these features directly into its architecture.

Use Cases

  • Regulated Assets: Enabling the creation, management, and compliance of security tokens.
  • Identity Management: Providing validated identities to ensure compliance with security regulations.
  • Capital Distribution: Allowing issuers to distribute cash flows to token holders based on identity or other criteria.

How Does Polymesh Work?

Polymesh consists of several key components, including financial primitives, identity management, and smart extensions. These elements work together to create a secure and compliant environment for security tokens.

  1. Components:

    • Financial Primitives: Core features built into the blockchain.
    • Identity Management: Validated identities for all users.
    • Smart Extensions: Programmable rules for security tokens.
  2. Operation Steps:

    1. Users validate their identity through authorized service providers.
    2. Validators and Nominators stake POLYX tokens to secure the network.
    3. Issuers create security tokens using built-in financial primitives.
    4. Smart extensions enforce compliance rules for token transfers.
    5. Validators produce and finalize blocks, ensuring network security and compliance.

Technical Details

Polymesh utilizes a Nominated Proof-of-Stake (NPoS) consensus mechanism with the GRANDPA finality gadget. It is supported by its native protocol token, POLYX. Validators and Nominators stake POLYX to secure the network, and both are rewarded or fined based on their performance.

Novel technologies and methods used in Polymesh include:

  • Nominated Proof-of-Stake: A consensus mechanism that ensures network security.
  • GRANDPA Finality Gadget: Provides deterministic finality for blocks.
  • Smart Extensions: Programmable rules for compliance.
  • Validated Identities: Ensures all network participants are known and compliant.

Polymesh Tokenomics: Token Utility & Distribution

POLYX is the native token used within the Polymesh ecosystem. It serves multiple purposes, including paying for transactions, staking for network security, and participating in governance.

The token distribution includes a one-time transfer from Polymath's reserve on Ethereum, protocol usage fees, and network transaction fees. POLYX tokens will be distributed from the Network Reserve based on the governance process, which may evolve as Polymesh matures.

Key Polymesh Characteristics

Polymesh aligns with core blockchain characteristics by incorporating several key features directly into its architecture:

  • Decentralization: Utilizes Nominated Proof-of-Stake to distribute network control among Validators and Nominators.
  • Anonymity and Privacy: Ensures ownership privacy while maintaining compliance.
  • Security: Employs the GRANDPA finality gadget for secure block finalization.
  • Transparency: Provides transparent and real-time compliance.
  • Immutability: All transactions are recorded on-chain, ensuring immutability.
  • Scalability: Optimized for security tokens with deterministic finality within seconds.
  • Supply Control: POLYX supply increases to fund block rewards and network security.
  • Interoperability: Supports wrapped assets and potential future relay chain interoperability.

Glossary

  • Key Terms: Nominated Proof-of-Stake, GRANDPA, POLYX, Validators, Nominators, Financial Primitives, Identity Management, Smart Extensions, Compliance, Governance, Capital Distribution, Record Keeping, Confidentiality, Auditability, Forkless Upgrades.
  • Other Terms: ERC1400, Relay Chains, Wrapped Assets, On-chain Governance, Identity Claims, Confidential Transaction Workflow, Proof of Ownership (PoNs), Decentralized Identity Foundation.

Part 2: Polymesh Analysis, Explanation and Examples

Disclosure: This part may involve biased conclusions, external facts, and vague statements because it assumes not only the whitepaper but also the external knowledge. It maintains a conversational tone. Its purpose is to broaden understanding outside of the whitepaper and connect more dots by using examples, comparisons, and conclusions. We encourage you to confirm this information using the whitepaper or the project's official sources.

Polymesh Whitepaper Analysis

The Polymesh whitepaper provides a comprehensive overview of the project's goals, architecture, and technical details. It emphasizes regulatory compliance, identity validation, and confidentiality as core elements integrated into the blockchain.

The document appears to be thorough and free from errors or distortions. It clearly outlines the project's objectives and methodologies, providing detailed explanations of how Polymesh aims to address the limitations of general-purpose blockchains.

What Polymesh Is Like?

Non-crypto examples:

  • NASDAQ: Similar to how Polymesh provides a platform for security tokens, NASDAQ offers a marketplace for traditional securities.
  • Apple App Store: Just as the App Store regulates and manages applications, Polymesh enforces compliance and governance for security tokens.

Crypto examples:

  • Ethereum: While Polymesh is built specifically for security tokens, Ethereum serves as a general-purpose blockchain that also supports the creation and management of tokens.
  • Polkadot: Like Polkadot, Polymesh uses a Nominated Proof-of-Stake consensus mechanism and focuses on interoperability.

Polymesh Unique Features & Key Concepts

  • Regulatory Focus: Polymesh is built specifically for security tokens, addressing regulatory requirements directly in its architecture.
  • Identity Validation: Every user must validate their identity, ensuring compliance and reducing fraud.
  • Nominated Proof-of-Stake: Ensures network security and efficiency.
  • Confidentiality: Protects ownership and transaction details while allowing for regulatory reporting.
  • Smart Extensions: Programmable rules that enforce compliance in real-time.
  • Forkless Upgrades: Ensures network stability and continuity.

Critical Analysis & Red Flags

Polymesh faces potential challenges in user adoption due to the requirement for identity validation, which may add friction to the onboarding process. However, this is balanced by the long-term benefits of compliance and security.

One potential red flag is the complexity of managing smart extensions and ensuring they meet all regulatory requirements. The whitepaper does not provide exhaustive details on the implementation of these extensions, which could pose challenges for issuers.

Polymesh Updates and Progress Since Whitepaper Release

  • Mainnet Launch: Polymesh has successfully launched its mainnet, enabling the creation and management of security tokens.
  • Partnerships: Polymesh has formed partnerships with various financial institutions and service providers to enhance its ecosystem.
  • Development Tools: The team has released development tools and resources to support third-party developers in building on Polymesh.

FAQs

  • What is Nominated Proof-of-Stake? Nominated Proof-of-Stake is a consensus mechanism where Validators and Nominators work together to secure the network by staking tokens.

  • What are Smart Extensions? Smart Extensions are programmable rules that enforce compliance for security tokens on Polymesh.

  • How does Polymesh ensure confidentiality? Polymesh uses cryptographic techniques and a confidential transaction workflow to protect ownership and transaction details.

  • What is the role of POLYX? POLYX is the native token of Polymesh, used for transactions, staking, and governance within the ecosystem.

  • How are network upgrades managed? Polymesh uses an on-chain governance process to manage forkless upgrades, ensuring network stability.

Takeaways

  • Regulatory Focus: Polymesh addresses the specific requirements of security tokens by integrating regulatory compliance directly into its architecture.
  • Identity Validation: Ensures that all users are known and compliant, reducing fraud and enhancing security.
  • Confidentiality and Privacy: Protects ownership and transaction details while allowing for necessary regulatory reporting.
  • Nominated Proof-of-Stake: Provides a secure and efficient consensus mechanism.
  • Smart Extensions: Enable real-time compliance and flexibility for issuers.

What's next?

For readers interested in learning more about Polymesh or similar projects, exploring the Polymesh official website, joining community discussions, and following industry news are good next steps.

We encourage readers to share their opinions and questions about the project in the "Discussion" section to foster a collaborative and informative community.

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