For a comprehensive understanding of the scalability, interoperability, and customizability offered across Avalanche subnets, Polygon supernets, and Cosmos app chains, we highly recommend reading this detailed research report, “An Examination of the Scalability, Interoperability, and Customizability Provided across Avalanche Subnets, Polygon Supernets, and Cosmos App Chains”.

At Landslide, we are committed to exploring innovative ways to enhance interoperability across blockchains and creating a web of interconnected networks. Cosmos’s validator set is currently set at 175, and is hardcapped at 300 according to the Cosmos whitepaper. Conversely, the Avalanche consensus protocol operates differently, offering a different set of advantages that open up a myriad of possibilities for IBC.

The Avalanche consensus protocol is probabilistic (rather than the deterministic nature of all Tendermint chains) and possesses unique characteristics that set it apart from other consensus mechanisms like Nakamoto used in Ethereum or Tendermint used in Cosmos. Tendermint is

1.) Uncapped Validator Set:

Unlike other consensus mechanisms, Avalanche operates through repeated sub-sampled voting. This method allows for an uncapped validator set, a game-changer in consensus protocols. It does not require communication with all validators, just a small, randomly chosen subset, allowing the validator set to expand indefinitely.

2.) Fast Finality:

Avalanche consensus provides sub-second, immutable finality, ensuring that transactions are confirmed quickly and are irreversible. It achieves this without needing to limit the number of validators.

3.) Security Guarantees:

Avalanche consensus is designed to be resistant to various attacks, including Sybil attacks, distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, and collusion attacks. The protocol’s probabilistic nature ensures that the consensus outcome converges to the desired state, even under attack.

4.) Comparison with Other Chains:

Avalanche’s consensus mechanism allows for high throughput and low latency even as the validator set expands. This sets it apart from chains like Sei or Injective that run on Tendermint consensus, which may face performance issues as the validator set grows. Notably, the Injective validator set is currently secured by 60/126 validators, and Sei has 40 validators in testnet, with 25 controlling 71% of the system.

5.) Proven Scalability:

The scalability of the Avalanche consensus protocol is not just theoretical; it has been implemented and tested live in the Avalanche network. The protocol has demonstrated its ability to handle a large number of validators (1,328 as of August 6, 2023) without compromising on performance or security.

Bridging Appchains, Unlimited Validator Sets, and the Democratization of Economic Landscape

1.) Unlimited Validator Sets via Landslide:

Through Landslide, all Cosmos appchains can be bridged via IBC, benefiting from the unlimited validator sets on AVAX. This capability isn’t confined to Cosmos; it extends to chains like DOT, Near, and any other IBC-enabled chain (which soon will be all of them). This implies that existing Cosmos zones, DOT parachains, or Polygon supernets can increase their decentralization via an unlimited number of validators on Avalanche through Landslide subnets.

2.) Decentralization & Interoperability:

This development carries significant implications for both Cosmos and AVAX. As we see more BTC on AVAX than on the lightning network, we anticipate a similar dynamic will unfold across other networks, increasing decentralization and enhancing network resilience.

4.) Avalanche Validators: A More ‘Democratic’ Landscape:

Avalanche is introducing a more “Democratic” or “Fair” economic landscape. With just 1000 AVAX, you can become a validator via GoGoPool (GGP).

a.) Unlike in Cosmos where you need to buy a large quantity of ATOM, displace another validator, and canvass for delegations, with GGP and 1000 AVAX, you can validate AVAX mainnet and subnets in an hour.

b.) In contrast to Polygon’s Delegated Proof of Stake, where it’s a beauty pageant for a limited set of validators, Avalanche consensus allows any token holder to participate as a validator. Currently, Polygon has around 100 active validators and aims to keep the validator count between 50–200 for optimal decentralization and performance. This is a stark contrast to Avalanche consensus, where the democratic principle of participation takes center stage.

Conclusion

As IBC expands to other chains, we foresee a fascinating evolution of network topologies, each influenced by the unique consensus algorithm of the networks they bridge. IBC is indeed the crown jewel of Cosmos — it provides a secure way to bridge assets, users, and virtual machines.

To summarize: When IBC bridges, we all win.

At Landslide, we’re looking ahead and planning to bridge the ICA, and ICS via IBC to AVAX. This will enable ATOM stakers to stake and earn rewards on AVAX. The HUB provides additional economic security guarantees, aligning with other chains as IBC expands. As always, we continue to strive for enhanced interoperability and shared prosperity among all networks in the cosmos.

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