Linera is a blockchain infrastructure designed to support highly scalable Web3 applications by providing predictable performance, security, and responsiveness at Internet scale. It introduces a multi-chain paradigm built on elastic validators and microchains to solve the blockspace scarcity problem common in traditional blockchain architectures. ^{[1] [3] [4]}

Overview

Linera positions itself as the first Layer 1 blockchain optimized for hyper-connected, real-time applications. The protocol puts users at the center by allowing them to manage the production of blocks in their own chains, microchains, for optimal performance. This approach aims to address fundamental limitations in existing blockchain infrastructures, particularly around transaction throughput and latency.

The Linera infrastructure is based on delegated proof-of-stake (DPoS) and focuses on providing robust decentralization through economic incentives and community-based auditing at scale. To help Web3 developers leverage the Linera infrastructure, the project has developed a rich, language-agnostic, multi-chain programming model. The initial SDK targets Rust programmers through the WebAssembly (Wasm) virtual machine. Linera applications can communicate across chains using asynchronous messages, while within the same microchain, applications are composed using synchronous calls and ephemeral sessions (resources). This architecture allows for both security and high performance in complex decentralized applications. ^{[1] [2][3]}

Linera Multi-Chain Protocol

The Linera Multi-Chain Protocol is a foundational component of the Linera infrastructure, designed to support scalable and decentralized application development. Unlike traditional single-chain systems, Linera structures transactions across multiple parallel chains known as microchains. These microchains distribute application state across the network to enable horizontal scalability. Participants in the protocol include users, validators, and chain owners. Validators are responsible for verifying blocks, while chain owners propose new blocks and manage individual microchains. A single set of validators serves all microchains unless a network reconfiguration is underway. This architecture separates block proposal from block validation, enabling more flexible and efficient management of application states within a decentralized framework. ^[1]

Microchains

At the core of Linera's architecture are microchains, which are small chains of blocks that allow applications to read and write onchain data with minimal latency. The microchain concept is fundamental to Linera's approach to scaling:

Cross-Chain Messaging

In Linera, application state is distributed across multiple microchains, and each chain maintains its own local state. Cross-chain messaging enables communication between these chains using asynchronous message passing. Messages are sent as remote procedure calls (RPCs) within the validator network and placed into the inbox of the receiving chain. The next block proposal on that chain can then include and execute selected messages, ensuring that messages are processed only once and in order. Messages may be discarded only if execution fails.

Chain Ownership and Consensus

Chains may have one or more active owners; if all ownership is removed, the chain becomes permanently inactive. Validators ensure safety by enforcing the uniqueness of each block at a given height, while the responsibility for liveness—producing new blocks—rests with the chain’s owners.

Linera uses a multi-phase round structure for proposing blocks:

• Fast rounds allow a designated super-owner to quickly propose blocks with minimal latency, suitable for single-owner chains.
• Multi-leader rounds permit all owners to propose blocks concurrently, tolerating temporary contention.
• Single-leader rounds assign exclusive time slots to individual owners, ensuring progress in chains with high concurrent activity.

The number of multi-leader rounds is configurable, allowing chains to adapt to varying usage patterns and switch to single-leader rounds when contention increases. ^{[1] [7]}

Use Cases

• Real-Time Data Services: Enables instant data processing and on-chain computation, allowing applications to make real-time decisions and interact with Web2 systems through APIs.
• Decentralized Social Platforms: Facilitates live financial interactions, real-time payments, and content monetization. The modular structure allows separate evolution of identity, content, and revenue layers.
• DePIN and IoT Networks: Supports low-latency operations and real-time settlement for devices and sensors. Microchains enable localized processing and autonomous coordination at scale.
• On-Chain Gaming and Metaverse: Powers instant in-game actions, cross-chain asset interactions, and persistent digital environments. Microchains maintain player-owned economies and evolving logic.
• Data Validation and Zero-Knowledge Proofs: Allows fast validation of computational proofs and offloads complex operations without interrupting the broader network.
• AI Agents and Automation: Provides isolated environments for autonomous agents to execute tasks with low latency, leveraging API integrations and custom logic for automated workflows.
• Real-World Assets (RWAs) and Payments: Enables efficient settlement for digital and fiat transactions. The system integrates with compliance tools and financial infrastructure via Rust and EVM-compatible frameworks.
• High-Speed DeFi: Supports rapid trading, settlement, and liquidations through app-specific chains that operate independently, avoiding congestion and enabling scalability. ^{[5] [6]}

Key Features

Extremely Low Latency

Linera organizes onchain transactions into small parallel chains that are synchronized in real-time across validators and user wallets. This architecture enables significantly lower latency compared to traditional blockchain systems. ^[2]

Unlimited Blockspace

Applications on Linera can scale by distributing computation across microchains. Since the number of microchains is virtually unlimited, the platform aims to provide unlimited transaction throughput capacity. ^[2]

Next-Generation Smart Wallets

Linera wallets provide applications with trusted data by replaying transactions and executing web queries instantly in a local WebAssembly virtual machine. This approach enhances both security and user experience. ^[2]

First-Class Interoperability

The platform offers proof of execution for every block and supports querying external web services directly from transactions. This makes Linera suitable for multi-chain and multi-system applications that need to interact with various blockchain ecosystems and traditional web services. ^[2]

Decentralization

Linera's approach to decentralization incorporates delegated proof-of-stake (DPoS) and a community-driven audit model to ensure both scalability and system integrity.

Through DPoS, validators acquire voting power based on their own token holdings and the tokens delegated to them by users. This structure allows users to modify their delegation choices and enables validators to join or exit the network using public transactions. Validator reconfiguration across microchains requires a coordinated migration protocol to maintain consistency. To mitigate risks such as long-range attacks, microchains can reject cross-chain messages from outdated or untrusted validator committees. ^[1]