2/ Nexus activates final testnet for AI-ready blockchain

The excitement around Nexus recently escalated with the activation of its third and final testnet. This crucial step marks the last major hurdle before the much-anticipated mainnet launch, targeted for Q3 of this year.

At the heart of Nexus’s innovation is its unique approach to aggregating computing power. CEO and founder Daniel Marin emphasized that the goal is to build “the largest distributed computer system ever,” specifically to create a blockchain with a new, optimized architecture. This ambition extends to making the network incredibly accessible: “Anyone can join the network in a few clicks from any device, contributing compute power to help build what Nexus calls ‘a verifiable world'”.

Nexus distinguishes itself by taking familiar, cutting-edge blockchain concepts and integrating them into a unified Layer 1. For instance, while projects like Mina Protocol focus on condensing blockchain states into succinct proofs using recursive SNARKs, Nexus employs its RISC-V-based zkVM. This allows it to handle vastly more complex workloads, including crucial AI inference, making it uniquely “AI-ready”. Marin envisions a future where “coding on a blockchain or coding on a zkVM should feel indistinguishable from coding on your own computer,” highlighting the project’s focus on developer experience and accessibility.

The network’s architectural choices reflect this ambition. For data availability, Nexus plans a sampling approach reminiscent of Celestia’s modular data availability model. Its consensus mechanism, currently using CometBFT (formerly Tendermint), will evolve towards HotStuff-2, similar to fast-finality chains like Aptos or Sui. These protocols are vital for coordinating globally distributed proving tasks efficiently.

What truly sets Nexus apart is its direct integration of a decentralized compute cloud into its L1. This means every device connected to the network becomes part of a single, verifiable computer, powered by an Incrementally Verifiable Computation (IVC) machine. This IVC machine generates succinct proofs for every computation step, propagates them in a DAG-style, and aggregates them into a single Universal Proof using the Stwo (Circle STARK) prover. In essence, this architecture is designed for “horizontal scalability,” where adding more nodes directly translates to increased network throughput.

The project also boasts a strong cryptographic foundation, with the involvement of respected figures like Jens Groth and Michel Abdalla, further solidifying its credibility in zero-knowledge and blockchain research. The impressive testnet participation, with over 2.1 million unique users and around 4,000 daily active accounts, underscores the community’s interest and the network’s potential.