TL;DR
Satoshi Plus is Core's innovative hybrid consensus mechanism that combines three distinct security layers: Bitcoin mining power through Delegated Proof of Work (DPoW), Bitcoin holder voting via Timelocking, and CORE token staking through Delegated Proof of Stake (DPoS). This unique approach leverages Bitcoin's established security while enabling high-performance, EVM-compatible smart contracts with fast transaction times and low fees.
Key points:
Combines Bitcoin security with modern smart contract capabilities
Three security layers create multiple validation stakeholder groups
Bitcoin miners, Bitcoin holders, and CORE stakers all participate in consensus
Enables transaction finality in seconds with minimal energy overhead
Provides a more decentralized validator selection process than single-layer mechanisms
Introduction to Satoshi Plus
Core's Satoshi Plus consensus takes an innovative approach by creating a hybrid system that incorporates multiple security models. By combining elements of Proof of Work and Proof of Stake, Satoshi Plus creates a blockchain that is both highly secure and capable of supporting advanced smart contract functionality with high performance.
Rather than forcing trade-offs, Satoshi Plus seeks to optimize all three by leveraging the strengths of different consensus models and stakeholder groups.
The Three Pillars of Satoshi Plus
Satoshi Plus stands on three foundational pillars, each representing a different stakeholder group in the consensus process:
1. Delegated Proof of Work (DPoW)
Core's Delegated Proof of Work allows Bitcoin miners to participate in consensus:
Bitcoin miners delegate their hash power to vote for Core validators
This happens through special metadata included in Bitcoin blocks
Miners receive CORE rewards without additional energy expenditure
Leverages Bitcoin's massive mining network for added security
2. Bitcoin Holder Voting (Self-Custodial Bitcoin Staking)
Bitcoin holders participate without giving up control of their BTC:
Using Bitcoin's native CLTV (CheckLockTimeVerify) timelock functionality
Bitcoin holders lock their BTC for a specified period
The timelock transaction includes metadata that votes for Core validators
Bitcoin remains on the Bitcoin blockchain, fully in the user's control
Participants earn CORE rewards proportional to their locked Bitcoin
3. CORE Token Staking (Delegated Proof of Stake)
CORE token holders participate through Delegated Proof of Stake:
Token holders stake CORE to validators they want to support
Validators take turns producing blocks in a predetermined sequence
Stakers earn rewards from transaction fees and block rewards
The amount of stake determines a validator's influence in the network
How Satoshi Plus Bridges Bitcoin and Smart Contracts
Satoshi Plus creates a secure bridge between Bitcoin's proven security model and advanced smart contract capabilities:
Bitcoin Security Integration
Core's relayer technology continuously monitors the Bitcoin blockchain
It identifies and verifies timelocked Bitcoin and miner-delegated hash power
This verification influences validator selection on the Core blockchain
Core's security is partially derived from Bitcoin's security
Smart Contract Execution
Validators selected through this triple-layered process validate transactions and execute smart contracts
Core is fully EVM-compatible, supporting the same smart contracts as Ethereum
Transactions achieve finality in seconds rather than minutes
Gas fees remain minimal
This architecture allows Bitcoin's security to extend into the smart contract realm without sacrificing its original purpose.
Staking CORE Tokens in Satoshi Plus
CORE token staking forms a critical component of the Satoshi Plus consensus:
How to Stake CORE
- Select a validator: Research validators based on performance and commission rates
- Delegate tokens: Connect your wallet to Core's staking interface and delegate CORE tokens
- Earn rewards: Receive staking rewards proportional to your stake
Staking Economics
Total CORE supply is capped at 2.1 billion tokens
Annual issuance follows a predetermined schedule with a gradual reduction rate
Rewards come from both block rewards and transaction fees
The annual percentage yield varies based on network participation
Dual Staking Advantages
Users who both timelock Bitcoin and stake CORE tokens receive enhanced rewards:
Significantly higher yields than solo staking either asset
Rewards tiers based on the ratio of CORE staked to Bitcoin timelocked
The highest tier (Satoshi Tier) offers the most attractive yields
Creates aligned incentives across both networks
Addressing Security, Decentralization, and Scalability
Satoshi Plus offers a balanced approach to the traditional blockchain trade-offs (known as the Blockchain Trilemma):
Security
Leverages Bitcoin's massive hash power through DPoW
Multiple security layers require attackers to compromise different stakeholder groups
Economic incentives align participants with network health
Decentralization
Multiple validator selection delegations prevent any single group from controlling consensus
Different stakeholder groups with separate interests
Low barriers to entry for participation
Transparent and permissionless validator selection
Scalability
3-second block times
High transaction throughput
Low transaction fees
EVM compatibility for complex applications
How Bitcoin Hash-Power Delegation Works
The Delegated Proof of Work component allows Bitcoin miners to participate in Core's consensus:
- Metadata inclusion: Miners include special OP_RETURN data in Bitcoin blocks
- Validator votes: This metadata contains votes for Core validators
- Relayer detection: Core's relayer nodes monitor the Bitcoin blockchain
- Reward distribution: Miners receive CORE rewards based on contributed hash power
Benefits for miners include additional revenue without extra energy expenditure, diversification of rewards beyond BTC, and participation in the broader blockchain ecosystem.
Running a Validator on Core
Validator requirements include:
Hardware: 8+ CPU cores, 32GB RAM, 2TB NVMe SSD storage
Network: 100+ Mbps connection with high reliability
Software: Ubuntu 20.04+, Core node software, monitoring tools
Operations: 24/7 uptime, regular updates, governance participation
Successful validators maintain high performance, actively participate in network governance, and build trust with delegators through transparent operation.
FAQ: Common Questions About Satoshi Plus
Q: What problems is Satoshi Plus solving?
A: Satoshi Plus addresses several critical challenges: It enables smart contract functionality with fast transactions while leveraging Bitcoin's security. It creates a more robust validator selection process with three distinct stakeholder groups. Finally, it provides Bitcoin holders a way to earn yield without transferring custody, addressing the capital inefficiency of idle Bitcoin.
Q: How does Bitcoin hash-power delegation work?
A: Bitcoin miners can delegate their hash power to Core by including special metadata in the Bitcoin blocks they mine. This metadata contains votes for specific Core validators, which Core's relayer nodes monitor and verify. When a miner successfully mines a Bitcoin block with this metadata, they receive CORE rewards proportional to their hash power delegated. This mechanism "recycles" the security already being used for Bitcoin mining without additional costs. The process is entirely opt-in and requires no modifications to the Bitcoin protocol.
Q: What rewards do CORE stakers receive?
A: CORE stakers receive rewards from newly minted CORE tokens according to the network's emission schedule (following a fixed supply cap of 2.1 billion tokens) and transaction fees collected by their chosen validators. Stakers who also participate in Bitcoin Timelocking can receive significantly enhanced rewards, especially those qualifying for the Satoshi Tier.
Q: Can other chains adopt this hybrid model?
A: While other chains could implement similar hybrid models, Satoshi Plus specifically leverages Bitcoin's established security and user base in ways difficult to replicate with newer cryptocurrencies. The technical integration with Bitcoin's timelock functionality and mining ecosystem required significant development. The concept of combining multiple consensus mechanisms could inspire other projects to develop their own hybrid approaches, but they would need to carefully design incentives and security considerations to maintain a balanced system.
Conclusion: The Future of Hybrid Consensus
Satoshi Plus represents an innovative approach to blockchain consensus that combines the best aspects of existing mechanisms while mitigating their weaknesses. By bringing together Bitcoin's established security with modern smart contract capabilities, Core creates a unique blockchain that bridges two worlds that have historically remained separate.
For Bitcoin holders and miners, Satoshi Plus offers new ways to participate in the broader blockchain ecosystem without abandoning Bitcoin's fundamental security model. For developers and users, it provides a high-performance, low-cost environment for building and using decentralized applications with strong security assurances.
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