Humanode Biweekly vol.82
Summer incident's causes and impact, Substrate updates, ‘Humanode Consensus Mechanism’ new video series, Elys Network integrated Humanode’s BotBasher, A case study on private biometrics in the automotive industry, Real-life blockchain incidents where PoS and PoW mechanisms fail, 2067 - The Equilibrium’s chapter 5 is out!
TL;DR
Welcome to Humanode Biweekly, your go-to spot for the latest developments, fresh integrations, publications, events, and a peek into what’s buzzing in our ecosystem. Here’s everything you need to know.
You know, this summer, the Humanode network hit a bump when it encountered a finalization stalling issue on its mainnet. For a brief window, blocks stopped finalizing, causing a minor network halt. While the issue was resolved within two hours, it raised essential questions about the root cause and future network stability. Our latest report dives deep into the incident, providing an overview of how it unfolded and the steps taken to prevent it from happening again. Also, if you haven't yet, make sure to update your node to the latest version! Simply open the Humanode Launcher, head to Settings, and click 'Check for Peer Updates.' Stay on top of the latest changes to keep your node running smoothly.
Over these weeks, our dev team has been firing on all cylinders, and we’re thrilled to share some cool new updates. We’re upgrading to Substrate v.0942, ensuring smoother functionality. Furthermore, we continued thorough research on integrating Telegram, exploring various APIs and features to ensure seamless communication and functionality. On top of that, our web app has received some much-needed fixes, enhancing the overall user experience. The update is slated for release after internal test 6 is completed. Plus, we're making exciting progress on portable cross-chain biomapping, which promises to significantly boost cross-chain interoperability.
Understanding the inner workings of consensus mechanisms can be daunting, but our new video series breaks it down in a simple, digestible way. Starting with the economic principles behind Proof of Work (PoW) and Proof of Stake (PoS), we explore their flaws—mainly the tendency to become centralized. The series then shifts focus to Humanode’s own Proof of Biometric Uniqueness (PoBU), which ensures true decentralization by enforcing one node, one person, one vote. A must-watch!
One of the highlights of this month is the integration of Humanode’s BotBasher into the Elys Network’s Discord. This integration will be used to verify participants for Elys Network's airdrop, ensuring that only real humans can join the event, eliminating the risk of Sybil attacks that often flood such initiatives. No KYC or intrusive personal info—just BotBasher doing its magic! Want to get involved? It’s easy. Head to Elys Network’s Discord, select ‘Linked Roles,’ and follow the prompts to complete private face verification. Once you’re verified, you’ll be eligible for the airdrop! Find out more here.
Blockchain is built on trust, but what happens when the very mechanisms that ensure its integrity fail? Our latest publication dives deep into real-world examples where Proof of Stake (PoS) and Proof of Work (PoW) fell short. From the 51% attack on Bitcoin Gold, where $18 million was double-spent, to Ethereum Classic’s costly reorganization, these incidents shook the blockchain world. We also explore Dymension's PoS failure, which halted its entire mainnet launch, and pose the critical question: What if Bitcoin’s consensus mechanism were to fail? More importantly, we ask whether it’s time to move beyond PoW and PoS, and consider innovative alternatives like Humanode’s Proof of Biometric Uniqueness (PoBU).
Security in the automotive industry is evolving, and private biometrics could be the key to protecting your car and data. Imagine using biometric verification to unlock your vehicle or control what information gets shared with third parties—all while maintaining privacy. In our freshly-published case study, we explore how Humanode’s biometrics can revolutionize the way we secure vehicles and personal data.
The dystopian world of 2067 - The Equilibrium continues to unfold, with the release of Chapter 5. The Book of Aki transports readers to District 12, where a covert battle between the Community and Conglomerates rages, threatening the fragile equilibrium. New alliances form as an awakened AI quietly tips the scales, putting the entire network at risk. Jump into the action here. If you haven’t started the series yet, now’s the perfect time to catch up on the Humanode-inspired dystopian novel. Start reading from the beginning here.
Stay tuned for more updates—we’ve got some exciting things in the pipeline that you definitely won’t want to miss!
Main News
🚨Summer 2024 Incident: Causes, Impact, and Resolution
On June 26, 2024, the Humanode network encountered a finalization stalling issue on its mainnet. This incident resulted in blocks failing to be finalized. Although our team was able to recover the finalization within two hours, it was essential to investigate the root cause thoroughly and implement a long-term fix to prevent a recurrence. This report outlines the journey from the incident's detection to its resolution.
👉 Haven’t updated yet?
Make sure to update your node to the latest version! If you're using the Humanode Launcher, just head to Settings and click 'Check for Peer Updates.'
🔺Comparing consensus (Sybil-resistance) mechanisms
Explore our comparison table of Proof of Work, Proof of Stake, and Proof of Biometric Uniqueness, highlighting key aspects such as decentralization, economic systems, security, environmental impact, governance, and user accessibility.
🔗 Check it out here: link
Development
🛠️Our dev team has been firing on all cylinders, and we’re thrilled to share some cool new updates:
- Substrate updates: We’re upgrading to Substrate v. 0942.
- BotBasher for Telegram: We continued thorough research on integrating Telegram, exploring various APIs and features to ensure seamless communication and functionality.
- Blobs integration: The PR for blobs on the side has been partially merged, focusing on integrating blobs on the node side and rebasing the robonode client.
- Web app updates: We’ve completed a round of web app fixes, enhancing the overall experience. The update will be released after internal test 6 is completed.
- Cross-chain biomapping: We're making significant progress on cross-chain interoperability.
Integrations
🤝 Chain integrations
🤝 BotBaher integrations
Elys Network x Humanode
Elys Network integrated Humanode’s BotBasher in its Discord and is using it as a requirement to participate in its upcoming airdrop. To join the airdrop, you’ll need to get the BotBasher verified role—so unique real humans participate.
This integration fixes a big issue in crypto where airdrops, like ZKsync’s and many others, got overrun by Sybils, leaving the community behind. With Botbasher, community members can be sure it remains a fair game.
- For Elys Network, this means they can drop rewards fairly without needing your personal info or KYC, keeping things genuine with the community.
- For the community members, it’s a secure, fair, and privacy-friendly way to join in, without having to compete with Sybils.
To get your 'Human Verified' role head to Elys Network’s Discord.
The process is simple:
1. Click on ‘Linked Roles’ from the server’s drop-down menu and select ‘Human Verified’
2. Follow the prompts to connect your Discord and complete private face verification.
3. Enjoy your Verified status
🔺 BotBasher is now protecting 607 Discord server communities.
Integrate BotBasher to your server: https://botbasher.humanode.io/
Awareness & Events
🔺Humanode Consensus Mechanism
Our video playlist on the Humanode Consensus Mechanism is now live—a must-watch!
We kick things off by exploring the economic fundamentals behind consensus mechanisms like Proof of Work and Proof of Stake, and why these systems often drift toward centralization. Then, we introduce Humanode’s Proof of Biometric Uniqueness, a game-changing approach where, instead of capital, the system ensures that each person can set up only one node, maintaining the principle of one person = one node = one vote.
Publications
🔺When Blockchain Consensus Mechanisms Fail
You know that feeling when you’re watching a show and everything is going smooth and then out of the blue, there’s a twist that leaves you on the edge of your seat? Well, same thing can occur with a blockchain when it’s the consensus mechanism suddenly fails. From a 51% attack on Bitcoin Gold to the PoS failure that halted the entire network, these incidents could either break a blockchain or lead it to innovations.
In our latest article, we dive into some real-life blockchain incidents where Proof of Stake(PoS) and Proof of Work (PoW) mechanisms hit the wall and what happened next:
⚡️Bitcoin Gold - A 51% attack that left $18 million double-spent.
⚡️Ethereum Classic - A costly reorganization that made everyone rethink blockchain security.
⚡️Dymension's Mainnet Launch - Proof of Stake failure that halted the entire network.
And the big question ‘What If’ Bitcoin’s consensus mechanism were to fail? Could it happen?
Learn how these failures affect the blockchains and why it might be a good time to look at new consensus mechanisms like Humanode’s Proof of Biometric Uniqueness (PoBU).
🔺Case study: Private biometrics and the automotive industry
Ever wondered how Humanode’s private biometrics could make your car key safer, and protect your data? From unlocking cars to controlling what info gets shared, learn how private biometrics can transform security in the automotive industry.
🔺2067 -the equilibrium
The 5th chapter of the Humanode inspired dystopian novel by Shannon Higgins, 2067 -the equilibrium - has arrived. The Book of Aki will take you into District 12, the center of technology and the ongoing hidden battle between the Community and the Conglomerates, who seem to secretly acquired the help of one of the supposedly “neutral” Awakened AIs to initiate an attack on the network at an unprecedented scale.
To jump right into the fray and meet Aki, click here:
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For those of you who have not started your journey in this Humanode-inspired dystopian novel, here is your chance to catch up!
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Roadmap
Check out Humanode’s roadmap for the year 2024, outlining a comprehensive plan of action. The roadmap not only details the current initiatives but also leaves room for the incorporation of novel ideas, features, and applications throughout the year.
MISC
- With a Nakamoto Coefficient of 341, Humanode is the most decentralized network, far surpassing others like Mina (151), Polkadot (92), Solana (18), and Binance (7).
- Humanode Dev Content Preference Survey: The team is running a quick survey to learn what kind of content the community developers love and how they can improve it.
- Humanode invites all of you to join the official Humanode Dev group in Telegram. This group is your hub for connecting with like-minded developers, builders, coders, and innovators, sharing your ideas, and contributing to the world of Humanode’s crypto-biometric technology.
- Scam alert: there is a Humanode Hub named group with a different handle. Check humanode.io for links.
For more information check out Humanode’s:
▲ Website
▲ GitHub
▲ Discord
▲ Youtube