Interchain Labs, the latest addition to the Interchain Foundation, has shared its updated short-term roadmap for the Cosmos Stack. After two months of gathering community feedback, the team has announced a series of strategic changes aimed at enhancing usability, security, and interoperability.
Why the Update?
Interchain Labs adopted a customer-first philosophy, engaging with users and developers to identify pain points and desired improvements. Three key areas emerged as priorities:
Seamless connectivity to Ethereum using IBC
Easier and faster Cosmos SDK upgrades
Enhanced security for CosmWasm
IBC Eureka - Connecting Cosmos to Ethereum
One of the most anticipated developments is IBC Eureka, which aims to bridge Cosmos and Ethereum ecosystems. This new version of IBC will allow token transfers to Ethereum with ZK light client security, simplifying the process significantly. Key features include:
ZK Security: Enhanced security with zero-knowledge proofs.
Streamlined Protocol Design: No more 4-step handshake, making it easier for new chains to adopt.
Broad Ecosystem Expansion: Ethereum first, followed by Solana and Ethereum Layer 2s.
Cosmos SDK Updates - Focus on Usability
To address user feedback about complex upgrades, Interchain Labs is introducing Cosmos SDK v0.53. This version retains the features planned for v0.52 but eliminates API-breaking changes, making upgrades easier for developers. Key highlights:
x/epochs: On-chain scheduling for regular actions.
x/protocolpool: Enhanced fund tracking and governance tools.
Unordered Transactions: More flexibility without complex nonce management - similar to how Solana works.
CometBFT and CosmWasm - Performance and Security Enhancements
Interchain Labs also announced improvements for CometBFT and CosmWasm:
CometBFT v1.0: Promises faster block times and better performance under load.
CosmWasm Security Audit: A comprehensive security audit to enhance trust and reliability is currently underway.
A Customer-First Approach
Interchain Labs emphasizes its customer-centric approach, aiming to align product development with real-world needs. The team remains committed to transparent communication and invites ongoing feedback from the community.
With this updated roadmap, Interchain Labs is hopefully set to push the Cosmos Stack to new heights, enhancing interoperability, security, and user experience. By prioritizing usability, security, and seamless upgrades, the team aims to strengthen the Cosmos ecosystem’s position within the broader industry.
Stay tuned for more updates as Interchain Labs continues to evolve the Interchain Stack.
