Laika Validators: Guardians of a Secure and Efficient Network

Laika leverages a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) like consensus mechanism to secure the network and incentivize validators. Here's a deeper dive into their functionalities, including the staking and locking process, reward structure, and validator selection:

1. Transaction Validation:

• Validators locally execute each transaction within a pool of submitted transactions.

• They verify essential elements like:

  • Transaction Validity: Ensuring the transaction follows the network's rules (e.g., sufficient sender balance, proper signatures).

  • State Consistency: Confirming the transaction doesn't violate the current network state ( spending non-existent coins).

2. Block Building and Consensus:

• Validators propose blocks containing a set of validated transactions. This proposal can involve:

  • Byzantine Fault Tolerance (BFT) protocols: These protocols ensure agreement among validators even if some are faulty or malicious. Specific protocols employed in Laika can be mentioned if known.

  • Top-K Stake Selection: Laika will utilize a selection process where the top 5 validators with the most staked Laika/Dogecoin are chosen to propose blocks in a round-robin fashion.

• Other validators verify the proposed block, including:

  • Transaction Validity: Rechecking the validity of included transactions independently.

  • State Consistency: Confirming the block's transactions maintain a valid network state after application.

• Through the chosen consensus mechanism, a majority of validators agree on a single valid block. This block is then added to the Laika blockchain, finalizing the transactions within it.

3. Security through Staking and Locking:

• Laika employs a staking mechanism to incentivize honest validator behavior. Here's the process:

  • Minimum Stake Requirement: To become a validator, a user needs to lock a minimum amount of Laika and/or Dogecoin tokens in a smart contract. This locked amount represents the validator's stake.

  • Slashing: If a validator attempts to act maliciously (e.g., adding invalid transactions, double-spending coins), a portion of their stake is slashed (removed) as a penalty. This discourages dishonest behavior and protects the network's integrity.

  • Unbonding Period: To prevent validators from abruptly leaving the network, there's typically an "unbonding period." During this time, a validator's stake is locked even if they wish to stop validating. This ensures a smooth transition and network stability.

4. Verifying Sequencer Work:

• Sequencers efficiently write transaction data to the Dogecoin blockchain.

• Validators act as independent auditors, verifying the sequencer's proofs. These proofs cryptographically demonstrate that the sequencer has indeed processed the transactions correctly.

• This verification ensures the integrity of data transferred between Laika and Dogecoin.

5. Reward Structure:

Laika's reward structure incentivizes validator participation and secures the network. Validators are rewarded with a combination of:

* Transaction fees paid by the user's in DOGE
* Laika Tokens based on the DOGE amount spent in the block

This method allows fair distribution of fees among validators.