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Introduction

In today’s rapidly evolving blockchain landscape, ZenChain emerges as a groundbreaking Layer 1 solution, designed to set new standards in cross-chain interoperability. ZenChain envisions seamless, trust-minimized interactions across ecosystems for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and beyond.

Welcome to the ZenChain documentation. Here, you will find all the necessary information to interact with the ZenChain network, participate in consensus, or build applications using ZenChain’s infrastructure.

Features​

Powered by ZCX​

ZenChain transactions are designed to be cost-effective, with network fees paid in ZCX, the native token. ZCX is central to ZenChain’s consensus mechanism, where staking helps secure the network and earns rewards for participants. You can bridge your ZCX from Ethereum to ZenChain for an enhanced crypto experience.

ZCX also powers the Unizen platform as a utility token, minted on Ethereum and made available on Polygon. For more details, visit the Unizen Tokenomics Page.

Cross-Liquidity Consensus Mechanism (CLCM)​

ZenChain employs the Cross-Liquidity Consensus Mechanism (CLCM), a state-of-the-art consensus protocol that ensures the security and crypto-economic integrity of every transaction. Validators oversee the process, securing the network and maintaining decentralized control. Even if you’re not a validator, you can stake your ZCX to nominate one and earn rewards. With 6-second block times, ZenChain offers fast, efficient transactions, ensuring high throughput for all users and developers.

Full Ethereum Support​

ZenChain fully supports the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), enabling seamless use of familiar tools like MetaMask. If you’re a developer used to the Ethereum ecosystem, you can easily transition your projects to ZenChain while benefiting from stronger cross-chain interoperability and better security—without needing to learn new tools.

Cross-Chain Interoperability and Tokenization​

ZenChain’s core strength lies in its Cross-Chain Interoperability Module (CCIM), which facilitates secure asset transfers and interactions across a range of blockchains. Complementing this, the innovative ZIP-20 token standard offers a versatile framework for creating and managing cross-chain assets, providing an efficient solution for decentralized finance (DeFi) applications.

AI-Powered Security​

Security is a top priority for ZenChain. Advanced AI-powered security measures, including integration with machine learning (ML), provide real-time and early threat detection and mitigation. This ensures a secure and resilient environment for all users, guarding against potential risks.

Forkless Upgrades: Innovation Without Disruption​

ZenChain is built for the future. Its forkless upgrade capability allows the network to evolve without disruptive hard forks, maintaining stability while pushing the boundaries of cross-chain communication and decentralized computing.

Applications​

Block Explorer​

The ZenChain Explorer can be used to monitor in-progress and past transactions. Visit ZenChain Explorer.

ZenChain Station​

The ZenChain Station dApp makes it refreshingly easy to participate in ZenChain's consensus and earn rewards. For the first time, you can run your own node and become a validator without substantial technical experience. You can also stake ZCX and nominator validators to earn rewards without running a node. Take a ride at ZenChain Station at https://node.zenchain.io.

Testnet Faucet​

The ZenChain Faucet provides free test ZCX for use on ZenChain's live testnet. Access the faucet at https://faucet.zenchain.io.

Network & RPC Endpoints​

ItemValue
Chain NameZenChain Testnet
Chain ID8408
RPC Endpoint (HTTP)https://zenchain-testnet.api.onfinality.io/public
RPC Endpoint (WebSocket)wss://zenchain-testnet.api.onfinality.io/public-ws
Bootnodes/dns4/node-7242611732906999808-0.p2p.onfinality.io/tcp/26266/p2p/12D3KooWLAH3GejHmmchsvJpwDYkvacrBeAQbJrip5oZSymx5yrE
Currency NameZCX
Currency SymbolZCX
Currency Decimals18

Litepaper​

Check out the ZenChain Litepaper on GitHub.

Acknowledgement & Declaration​

This document is based on foundational research across various areas of blockchain technology, interoperability protocols, and consensus mechanisms. Key references include:

Blockchain Kits​

  • Sovereign or Validium Rollups
  • Avalanche Subnets
  • Substrate
  • Cosmos SDK
  • Modular Blockchain Layers

Relevant Whitepapers​

  • Bitcoin
  • Ethereum
  • Other Layer 1 ecosystems

Bitcoin Layer 2s​

  • Bitcoin Lightning Network
  • SatoshiVM
  • ZKBase
  • Syscoin
  • Rootstock
  • BEVM
  • Stacks
  • ChainX
  • Citrea.

Interoperability Mechanisms​

  • Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP)
  • Socket
  • Polyhedra Network zkBridge
  • Unizen Interoperability Protocol (UIP)
  • Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) Protocol
  • Wanchain
  • Axelar
  • Wormhole
  • LayerZero
  • Threshold Network
  • Bitcoin integration with the Internet Computer Protocol (ICP).

Additional Networks of Interest​

  • Landslide Network
  • Moonbeam
  • ZetaChain

Modular blockchain components​

  • Celestia, Rollkit
  • Polygon CDK
  • Astria
  • Sovereign SDK
  • Forta Network

Consensus algorithms & theory​

  • Proof of Work (PoW)
  • Proof of Stake (PoS)
  • Proof of Burn (PoB)
  • Proof of Capacity (PoC), and various others.

This document represents ongoing research and development. As ZenChain moves from Testnet to Mainnet, we remain committed to refining and evolving the architecture to best serve the ecosystem. While confident in the current solutions, we are open to exploring new models and approaches to ensure continuous innovation and enhancement.