AMA with CEO Dmitry Gerasimov: March 16, 2023

Hello! I’m Dmitry Gerasimov, C.E.O. Of Cellframe

This is our traditional AMA stream, where we share company news and answer your questions.

These are the main news we will be talking about today:

• Development progress on Cellframe Dashboard and Cellframe Wallet
• News from the KelVPN team
• The KelVPN roadmap
• The new KelVPN integration into Cellframe Wallet and Cellframe Dashboard
• Launch of the KEL token staking program

‌And here are the other topics we will cover today:

• Progress on the Cellframe Mainnet roadmap
• The launch of the first Release Candidate
• The start of user beta-testing
• Details about how Nodes work in Cellframe and KelVPN
• The timeline for launching the Cellframe and KelVPN mainnets
• So, let’s start with news from the Cellframe Dashboard project.

‌Cellframe Dashboard

‌We are now working on localization of the app for different languages. We’re also building a diagnostics tab. This will allow users to track diagnostics for their node in real time. For example:

• The length of time the node, dashboard, and system have been working without interruption
• How much total CPU and memory is being used in the system
• How much memory is being used by the Node only
• The current version of the node and node status
• And the sizes of GlobalDB, chains, and logs.

The load on the system memory is displayed as a percentage of the total volume.

‌By sharing this information about the Node processes with the development team, you can help us control the stability of the network. All the forms have already been created, and we built a working version for Linux. The next steps will be to build versions for other operating systems, including mobile platforms. When this feature is released, we will make an announcement.

Follow our development updates!

‌Cellframe Wallet

‌Our next topic is the new version of the Cellframe Wallet application. Just to remind you, Cellframe Wallet is a wallet app with a simple interface for managing funds on the Cellframe Network. We are designing it for users who feel that the full set of features in Cellframe Dashboard is more than they need. As I said on the previous stream, we are preparing a desktop version for release.

We completed two rounds of testing the app. One internal, by the team, and one external, with our Beta Testing group. Wth the help of the Beta Testers, we found and fixed some bugs: “cloudy” images, and the scrollbar being visible behind the navigation.

‌KelVPN News: Roadmap

‌Our next topic is news from the KelVPN team. As many of you know, KelVPN is a blockchain-based, decentralized VPN service. It is a Parachain on the Cellframe network with its own token.

The launch of the KelVPN mainnet is planned at the same time as the launch of the Cellframe mainnet. But the mainnet is only one step in the development of the project. The KelVPN team has created a development roadmap. It is a list of the features that the team plans to develop. However, the development order might change.

The team has decided not to set any specific timelines. To make accurate predictions about how long it will take to develop something is very difficult, and missing deadlines can have a negative effect on token price. That’s why the team will follow the roadmap, and announce the release of new features after they are complete. Here you can see the KelVPN roadmap.

KelVPN News: New Mode for Integration with Dashboard and Wallet

‌The KelVPN team is continuing to work towards a major release. In this version, it will be possible to co-operate with local nodes. The Cellframe Dashboard and Wallet applications will provide the interface for working with nodes in this way.

When this version is launched, KelVPN will truly become deCENtralized. Users will be able to select the mode that they want to work with, then select a server and the amount of traffic they need. Those who want to provide bandwidth will make money from fees by offering their services.

‌Here’s what we have finished so far:

• Opening a stream with the selected node in the service.
• Optimizing sorting of servers based on connection quality.
• Updating the S.D.K. This helped us to fix bugs in the VPN service and improve connection quality.
• Smoothing out collection and display of traffic statistics.

‌KEL Staking

‌Next, we have a very important topic: the launch of the KEL staking program.

The KelVPN team created a separate staking site for KEL, and is working to improve its functionality. They recently launched the single-token staking program for KEL. Here’s how it works:

When users stake a token, it’s locked up on the chain for some period of time, and they get a reward for this. The staking period can be anywhere from 3 months to 2 years. When the staking period expires, the tokens become available for the user.

‌In the first year, 4 Million KEL will be available for single-staking rewards. They will be distributed to all participants in the staking program in proportion to the size and duration of the stakes. The bigger and longer the stake, the more rewards you get. KEL single-staking is available only for CF20 KEL tokens on the native network. To migrate tokens to the native network, use the Cellframe bridge.

The team has prepared a detailed video showing you how to do this. You can find a link in the video description on this stream. KelVPN developers also added several positions for KEL LP-token staking for PancakeSwap on the staking site: BUSD, BNB, CELL, DAI, and USDT. You can now stake these LP pairs.

The total amount of rewards for the first year of LP staking on the BSC network will be 3 Million KEL. The funds for rewards in the first year of staking will be taken from the team’s reserves. After that, they will be taken from network fees for service providers. No additional KEL emissions are planned.

And one more new feature: You can now pay for KelVPN service with KEL tokens on the website

‌Cellframe Mainnet Roadmap

‌Now the next topic: progress on the Cellframe Mainnet roadmap. We have already updated the roadmap during the development process, but in general we are trying to stick to it. And, of course, we update you on the roadmap at each AMA session.

Here is an image of the updated roadmap:

In preparation for the mainnet launch we made several updates to our SDK:

• We made some major changes to the block consensus. The goal of this modification was a transition from Proof-of-Authority to Proof-of-Stake, so that blocks can be verified by all network participants who successfully delegated their key.
• We also refactored the consensus. This became necessary during the process, because the changes we made were major ones. As a result, we improved the readability of the code, as well as the speed and security of the consensus protocol.
• And we implemented the processing of network-wide decrees. These decrees are validated by participants in network governance. They allow for making changes to the blockchain rules. For example, they can be used to change the size of the fees and the wallet address where fees are collected. All the updates made in this way are forkless.

‌Launch of the Cellframe Mainnet Release Candidate

‌And now, for the main news today: we launched a Release Candidate of the Cellframe Mainnet!

A Release Candidate is kind of a rough draft of the Mainnet. We will use it to carefully test and troubleshoot all the different mechanisms.

Right now the Release Candidate is being used for internal testing, but soon we will announce open testing for the community. Keep track of our announcements and get your devices ready!

On our side, we already completed work on a system for monitoring the network and the statuses of individual nodes.

And most importantly, we have set up two new testnets, Raiden for Cellframe and Reimann for KelVPN. They will become the first public networks for Cellframe and KelVPN where users can participate in the consensus. Users will be able to launch masternodes and test themselves in the role of Validator, in the case of Cellframe. In the case of KelVPN, they can act as both a provider of VPN services and as a network validator.

‌Timeline for Launch of Cellframe and KelVPN Mainnets

The KelVPN mainnet will be released together with the Cellframe Mainnet. ‌For everyone who plans to participate in the launch of the mainnets, we recommend setting up your nodes now, at the Release Candidate stage.To participate in testing the Release Candidate, you must have a wallet with Ten Thousand CELL or One Hundred Thousand KEL. This is required.

You must provide the address of your wallet on the Backbone network that has the minimum amount of CELL or KEL. Then we will send you test tokens on a linked address. These tokens will be on the Release Candidate. And then you can start testing your Nodes.

‌How Nodes work in Cellframe and KelVPN

‌Here are some details about how nodes work in Cellframe and KelVPN:

• Our consensus is not exactly the same as the traditional TON consensus. One of the differences is that it does not require 100% of signatures from the whole shard.
• We have a “Coordinator” role, which has the right to veto. For now, our team will carry out this role. But in the future, the Coordinator will be selected from the community.
• There can be several coordinators on the network. They help reduce the chance of a fork happening. We will give more details about the features of our blockchain in a separate post.

The most important thing I want to emphasize: we will not be doing any slashing of community nodes for connection issues. For example, if your masternode went offline because of an internet problem, or for some other reasons, you will not be slashed. The consensus is tolerant of this.

‌QUESTIONS

Q: Will we have a Cellframe stablecoin when the Mainnet launches? With what happened to BUSD and USDC, we need a trustworthy stable currency.

‌A: We are discussing this. We already bridge existing stablecoins on our bridge. To release a stablecoin on our native network, we would first have to demonstrate a period of stability on our network, then partner with a major partner like Circle. There are difficult legal issues.

Q: Can you tell us about the new project in the Сellframe ecosystem?

A: ‌Right now I can’t say a lot, but I can say that it will involve a launchpad. That’s all I can say for now.

Q: Can mCELL be used as a loan?

‌A: The mCell token will allow you to delegate and set up a master node. That’s all. It’s for, not loans or anything else.

Q: Are there any Cellverse developments?

A: ‌Right now this project is on pause while we finish developing the Mainnet. But we haven’t forgotten about it.

Q: You like to use less and less smart contracts on the network, so what about “Ordinals?” Can they fit as a true decentralized NFT with no smart contracts needed?

‌A: Honestly, I don’t know what an ordinal is. But an NFT without smart contracts will be possible on Cellframe. But I don’t understand how this can be an example of true decentralization, since there still has to be a single, unique entry in the blockchain.

Q: When do you plan “halving” for the second year of the staking, where the rewards will be cut in half? Сan you share the date?

A: Halving is not the correct term, that’s more about mining. Something like halving we have in our emissions. All the current information about this is in our article on Tokenomics.

Q: Cellframe implemented an “add liquidity” option for LP positions on the staking site. Is it possible to add the same option to single staking?

‌A: Yes, it will happen. We are working on it.

Q: Are there plans to use Ledger Live with Dashboard?

‌A: Yes, we would like to do that. But it takes a long time, and right now we cannot say exactly when this will happen. We are also planning to release our own hardware Wallets.

Q: Will you develop or include new methods to protect from hacking by quantum computers without seed phrases? How secure are current methods against the quantum threat?

A: A quantum computer would hack the private key, not the seed phrase. The private key is derived from the seed phrase. We implement already-developed algorithms that are already protected from quantum computers. They haven’t been broken yet.

Q: Have you heard about the crack of NIST finalist CRYSTALS-Kyber with AI assistance? Is AI as big of a threat to online privacy as quantum computers?

A: ‌Yes, that’s true. And we are now working on using AI for cryptoanalysis. This is indeed a risk, and that’s why we’re preparing for it. If you can hack yourself before the bad guys do, you are safe.

Q: What do you think about the five-qubit quantum computer from Finland? How big of a step is this, and does it bring the foretold quantum apocalypse closer?

A: ‌Yes, there are some good projects out there, in Finland, and other countries. These computers aren’t designed to hack anything, 5 quibits aren’t enough. They are designed to create more stability, or improve some specific technical aspect. None of these computers are production ready. But everyone is doing a good job, bringing the quantum apocalypse closer!

Q: When is the real date of mainnet?

A: I repeat, we’re not trying to say any specific mainnet date. We have only one step left, but we to check our work. The current release we’ve created is mostly production-ready, it has all the functionality of the mainnet. So everything else depends on what will happen with the test. If after one or two weeks it’s stable enough, we will just launch the mainnet on the same software. It could take three weeks, maybe more than a month. I don’t think it will take that long, but I don’t want to say any specific date. Anyway, there is only one step left. Everything is possible.

​Q: How long will the testing of the mainnet on the test networks run?

Depends on how stable it will be. Could be one week or one month. Somewhere between a week and a month, I think. So it could be in April, could be end of March. But I don’t think it will go into May. Depends on what we will face. Our developers are very optimistic.

Q: Could you imagine working again with TrustSwap? They have an incubator program and Jeff will help to promote the project.

A: We have a good connection with TrustSwap, thank you to TrustSwap. We are building our own incubator, but it will be connected to other incubators.

Q: ​What did you mean when you said cellframe code is being used in a French nuclear reactor? Can you elaborate?

A: I work at the Institute of Nuclear Physics, which delivers some devices for the ITER reactor in France. And these devices have some code from the Cellframe SDK. Cellframe SDK has some common-usage code that can be used for any embedded hardware, and it was used there.

Q: Is there any work done on NFTs?

A: For NFTs we don’t need any major work, we can just run it. I think after mainnet it will be done, we’re just not focusing on it right now.

Q: Will there be staking rewards for validators?

A: Of course, validators will have rewards for their activity, and transaction fees as well.

Q: When will the native token trade on exchanges?

A: After mainnet launch.

Q: Are there any plans to have a DEX tDAPP alongside the dashboard DEX?

A: Yes, we have such plans. We just need to complete a debug, everything is ready except the debug. We have about 6 or 7 bugs that we need to fix, and after that this Dashboard DEX will be released.

Q: When will sharding and TPS will be tested?

A: We are planning to run it nearer to summer, I think.

Q: Do you have any recommendations on node hardware? Raspberry Pi?

A: Raspberry Pi will be enough to run one node. Maybe for some other services it won’t be enough, but for basic services and to be a validator it’s more than enough.

Q: ​Were you extremely unprepared for the launch in 2022?

A: I can’t say extremely, because we had some almost-ready code a year ago, but because of some organizational issues we had to rewrite it from scratch. That won’t be repeated, don’t worry.

Q: Are you going to pass an audit?

A: Yes, of course. We will run a bi-directional bridge only after an audit. We already passed an audit, but the last stage will be after Mainnet Launch. I don’t foresee any problems there, our bidirectional bridge should keep us safe from any stolen funds.

Q: Immediately after mainnet can other projects launch on the Blockchain? The KelVPN mainnet will be launched on the Cellframe Blockchain?

A: KelVPN is an exception, all other Cellframe-based projects should participate in Cellframe auctions.

OK, that’s all your questions! Thank you for your time. Goodbye, see you next time!