Stargaze, a decentralized and community-owned network for NFTs, operates on a Layer 1 blockchain powered by CosmWasm. This blockchain is designed to be app-specific within the Cosmos ecosystem, utilizing the Tendermint consensus engine. Tendermint is a Byzantine Fault Tolerant (BFT) consensus algorithm that ensures the network remains secure and operational even if some nodes act maliciously or fail. This is crucial for maintaining the integrity and reliability of the blockchain.
The Tendermint consensus engine works by having validators propose and vote on blocks of transactions. For a block to be added to the blockchain, it must receive a supermajority (typically two-thirds) of votes from validators. This mechanism prevents attacks such as double-spending and ensures that the blockchain remains immutable and tamper-proof. Validators are incentivized to act honestly through staking STARS tokens; if they act maliciously, they risk losing their staked tokens.
Stargaze's use of CosmWasm, a smart contract platform, allows for the creation and execution of complex decentralized applications (dApps) and smart contracts. CosmWasm is designed to be highly interoperable, enabling Stargaze to interact with other blockchains within the Cosmos ecosystem through the Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol. This interoperability extends to Ethereum via the Gravity Bridge, allowing users to trade NFTs across different blockchain networks seamlessly.
The governance of Stargaze is community-driven, facilitated through a dual DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization) structure: a curation DAO and a protocol DAO. The curation DAO is responsible for curating NFTs and funding creators, while the protocol DAO handles protocol upgrades and parameter changes. STARS tokens are used for voting in these DAOs, ensuring that the community has a direct say in the network's development and direction.
Stargaze also employs a unique inflation model to manage the supply of STARS tokens. At the time of writing, the inflation rate follows a "thirdening" schedule, where it is reduced by one-third each year. This model started with an initial 100% inflation rate in the first year, gradually decreasing over time to control the token supply and incentivize early participation.
The Stargaze ecosystem includes various tools and software to support its operations. For instance, the Stargaze node software allows users to run validators, full nodes, and perform command-line operations. Validators play a crucial role in maintaining the network's security and efficiency by validating transactions and adding new blocks to the blockchain.
Stargaze's founders, Shane Vitarana, Jorge Hernandez, and Jake Hartnell, bring extensive software engineering experience to the project. Their backgrounds include significant contributions to the Cosmos SDK and other open-source projects, ensuring that Stargaze is built on a solid technical foundation. Shane Vitarana, for example, has nearly three decades of programming experience and has developed popular iOS apps and contributed to the Ruby on Rails framework.
The network's design aims to create a decentralized marketplace for NFTs, similar to platforms like OpenSea, but governed by its community. Users can buy, sell, and trade NFTs, with the added benefit of interoperability with other IBC-enabled chains and Ethereum. This makes Stargaze a versatile and robust platform for NFT enthusiasts and creators alike.
Stargaze's technology stack, including the Tendermint consensus engine, CosmWasm smart contracts, and IBC protocol, ensures a secure, scalable, and interoperable environment for decentralized applications and NFT trading. The community-driven governance model and unique inflation schedule further enhance the network's sustainability and growth potential.