Online Gaming Veteran: Top Tech, Strong Marketing Key to Web3 Growth and Adoption

Cryptographically Secure Bridges Offer Best-in-Class Security

To address some of the issues which appear to stem from bridge design, Tobkin, an online gaming veteran, said it is necessary to examine “core cryptographic challenges.” He argued that this approach would help “the source chain and destination chain verify each other’s consensus.” The Supra CEO added that when cryptographically secure, bridges tend to provide “best-in-class security” for cross-chain communications.

On vertical integration of multiple blockchain services into a shared security environment, Tobkin agreed it may be inevitable. This approach, he argued, is the only way to achieve optimal performance speeds, security, and user experiences for builders and users. In turn, it allows blockchains to scale and increase throughput by avoiding the need to “split and silo core blockchain functions across multiple modular networks.”

Tobkin, in his written responses to Bitcoin.com News questions, concurred that the pace of Web3 adoption is not solely dependent on performance or user experience. He asserts that even mediocre technology with superior marketing can outperform superior technology with poor marketing. Tobkin emphasizes that successful Web3 projects require the best of both worlds: excellent technology and effective marketing.

Below are Tobkin’s answers to all the questions sent.

Bitcoin.com News (BCN): According to some Web3 experts, the vertical integration of multiple blockchain services into a shared security environment may well be inevitable. They assert vertical integration is highly desirable to enable blockchains to be more expressive while being low latency and secure. Can you begin by briefly explaining what vertical integration of blockchain services is all about? Why is this inevitable?

Joshua Tobkin (JT): Vertical integration of blockchain services involves consolidating multiple core functions and layers of the blockchain stack into a single network with a cohesive framework. This means that instead of relying on external networks or third-party services for different blockchain functionalities like data availability, execution, and settlement, but even furthermore including such services as oracle price feeds, cross-chain bridges and automation services, everything is integrated into one unified system.

While these functions could be operated independently by separate networks, as modular systems have shown, their integration into one vertically integrated network is imperative for maximal optimization across performance speeds, security, and experiences for builders and users. We can clearly see that blockchains can reach more scale, throughput, and rapid development advancements without splitting and siloing core blockchain functions across multiple modular networks.

We at Supra are seeing even stronger performance gains and innovation unlocks by extending the vertical integration to oracles, bridging, automation, verifiable randomness, and multiple VMs into an extreme performance Layer 1, powered by our novel consensus algorithm, “Moonshot consensus.” Our approach enhances efficiency, security, and performance by reducing latency while maintaining shared security across all of our functionalities and capabilities.

We view vertical integration as inevitable because it addresses key challenges in scalability and reliability, providing a streamlined environment that fosters innovation and cost savings. Complexity is a core problem that this approach solves. The modular approach increases latency, breaks shared security, costs more, and is ultimately a worse developer experience, as the developer will need to manage many tokens and also a variety of frameworks and programming languages. With full vertical integration on Supra, on the other hand, we provide builders with a unified developer experience across all our services.

BCN: In the past two years or so, attacks by cybercriminals targeting the so-called Web3 bridges have been growing and digital assets worth hundreds of millions of dollars have been lost. In your opinion, can any bridge redesign create safe and trustless connections?

JT: The rise in Web3 bridge attacks and significant asset losses highlight the urgent need for improved security. With the consistent rise in the number of blockchains, bridges will only play an increasingly critical role in blockchain interoperability. Most bridges are controlled by a small number of validators

Most bridges today consist of a couple of node operators who together multi-sign to attest to asset movement, locking, or minting on one chain to the next. However, most designs do not consider several factors such as decentralization, game theory, or security in depth through multiple layers of preventative measures. Moreover, the risks with bridges go beyond node operators colluding. The biggest bridge hacks have revolved around private key mismanagement, which is solvable by having more decentralization.

A major chunk of bridge hacks also happen due to smart contract errors, which can be mitigated by having smart contracts on both the original and destination chains that continue to monitor asset movement. And lastly, some bridge hacks are related to cryptography implementation issues, which is a tough one to catch, but generally can be overcome through multiple rounds of audits.

To create the safest form of trustless connections across two blockchains, we need to look at the core cryptographic challenges to help the source chain and destination chain verify each other’s consensus. We have also put out our design of a purely cryptographic bridge called HyperNova, which enables bridging while keeping the source chain security intact. This protocol will be able to operate with a single honest node relaying consensus data across PoS chains.

Cryptographically secure bridges that rely on the underlying chain’s consensus protocols will give us the best-in-class security possible in cross-chain communications.

BCN: Can you explain to our readers this concept of verifiable random values and why they are so critical for all software but especially for Web3?

JT: Verifiable random values are random numbers generated by Verifiable Random Functions (VRFs), which can be independently verified for their authenticity and integrity. This means anyone can check that these values have been produced in a cryptographically secure manner to produce unpredictable and tamperproof outputs.

In the tech world, we rely on randomness for multiple reasons, and that stands especially true in Web3. In terms of security, randomness is essential in cryptographic protocols, such as key generation, encryption, and digital signatures. Verifiable randomness ensures these processes are secure and not predictable by attackers. In consensus protocols, blockchain networks can use random values to select validators to run various aspects of the network. VRFs ensure this selection process is unbiased and resistant to manipulation, maintaining the integrity of the consensus mechanism.

VRFs are also crucial in consumer-facing applications, especially in decentralized applications like lotteries, gaming, and resource allocation. VRFs help them ensure that outcomes are fair and unbiased, building trust among users.

We at Supra use VRFs to prevent collusion among participants in our Layer-1 network. By ensuring decisions and selections are based on random, verifiable inputs, we make it impossible for malicious actors to predict or control outcomes. In Web3, where trust and decentralization are paramount, VRFs play a crucial role in maintaining security, fairness, and integrity across a wide range of applications and protocols.

BCN: While the technologies underpinning the Web3 industry are certainly game-changing, often there are factors unrelated to the technology that determine when and how fast it is adopted. So, while the attention of users should be focused on things like your vertically integrated layer-1, the reality is that non-issues often dominate. What do you think needs to be done to ensure that the stories of developers or entrepreneurs focused on delivering solutions garner more attention than the negative ones?

JT: The best technology doesn’t always win. Often, mediocre technology with better marketing can outpace better technology with poor marketing. The best of both worlds is naturally needed — you need to have great technology with great marketing. In my point of view, the tech absolutely needs to be there, and that is at least 51% of the game. Nonetheless, getting awareness of the technical advantages out to the world is the other half of the coin. At Supra, we’ve thought deeply about how to ensure we tell our story, and since Supra is composed of almost 10 various protocols, telling the story isn’t particularly easy.

We’ve launched a gamified learn-to-earn airdrop program to help us with this. So far we’ve amassed over 500K KYC-Verified players in our game! These are individuals that are all going to be token holders when Supra launches our next generation Layer-1. So far, we’ve had over 60 weekly missions with over 100K real players engaging in missions every single week. This has been an educational process that’s been taking over a year to propagate. The storytelling continues though beyond our gamified airdrop campaign. We host multiple webinars highlighting various components of our technology from our novel consensus algorithm, “Moonshot,” to our cutting-edge transaction parallel processing techniques which are out-performing many of our competitors.

We are aiming to focus on dApp developers by sharing the various benefits our unique architecture provides for them. For instance, our thesis is full vertical integration — we bring together all core L1 services as well as native oracle price feeds for DeFi, onchain randomness for GameFi, built-in cross-chain communication capabilities, decentralized automation services, and even multi-VM support so projects from Ethereum, Move Ecosystem, and even Solana and Cosmos chains will be able to deploy on Supra. We fundamentally unlock new capabilities that are literally not possible on any other network. We believe these dApp builders will create blockchain applications that literally could not be built elsewhere.

But indeed, getting the message out is a never-ending endeavor and it will continue to take time for our ideas to penetrate the minds of creative developers that will create the Super dApps of tomorrow.

BCN: Over the past few years, U.S. regulators have relentlessly pursued projects they perceive to violate certain regulations. However, the approval of spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) earlier in the year, as well as the recent approval of Ethereum ETFs, certainly feels like regulators are coming around. Do you agree that U.S. regulators are coming around and may eventually ease their pursuit or crack down on the industry? In your opinion, what does the apparent endorsement of a crypto asset like BTC and ETH mean for the Web3 industry?

JT: It definitely looks like U.S. regulators have started to slowly warm up to digital assets. The approval of Bitcoin ETFs and the much anticipated Ethereum ETFs show that they’re recognizing the legitimacy of the asset class.

Having major cryptos like Bitcoin and Ether get this kind of regulatory nod is a big step forward for the Web3 space. It adds a layer of legitimacy and confidence that can attract more mainstream interest and involvement. This acceptance can also help spur more innovation and development within Web3, as it reduces some of the regulatory uncertainty and highlights the value of decentralized technologies.

BCN: A recent survey carried out by Preply found that 40% of Gen Z crypto investors don’t feel confident in their knowledge of cryptocurrency. It also found that 53% of non- crypto investors are interested in learning more—Gen X is the most interested. As someone who has been involved in or promoted crypto education in the past, do you agree many crypto users still don’t understand the basics? If so, what do you think needs to be done differently education-wise to help users better understand what they are getting into?

JT: Absolutely, there’s still a significant knowledge gap among many crypto users. Despite the growing interest, many people, especially new entrants, may not fully understand the basics of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. And that’s very understandable as well, with the systems and concepts being implemented being so new and drastically different from Web2.

While a part of the argument could be that most people won’t necessarily need to understand how blockchains work to use blockchains, much like how you don’t need to understand how data centers work to use Instagram, however, we still need to bridge the knowledge gap for those who actively want to invest since unfortunately there are many vaporware projects out there. We totally believe we all need to focus on making crypto education more accessible and engaging. This could involve creating more user-friendly resources like interactive courses, easy-to-follow guides, and engaging videos that break down complex concepts into simple, digestible pieces. This is how we at Supra have been helping our community learn about blockchain tech as well.

Involving influencers and educators who resonate with different demographics can also make a big difference. If people see familiar faces and relatable voices talking about crypto in a clear and approachable manner, they’re more likely to engage and learn. In the end, the goal is to make blockchain education relatable, straightforward, and accessible to everyone.

What are your thoughts on this interview? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

Bitcoin.com News is seeking a News Writer to produce daily content on cryptocurrency, blockchain, and the digital currency ecosystem. If you are interested in becoming a key member of our innovative global team, apply here.