Author: Marco Gonzalez
Editor: Randall Roland

EOS is a cryptocurrency that runs on the public version of EOSIO (now Antelope) open-source technology. Instead of the Proof-of-Work (PoW) consensus mechanism used by Bitcoin and Ethereum, EOSIO employs Delegated Proof-of-Stake (DPoS). The EOS public mainnet was the first application of EOSIO. It’s a battle tested blockchain. Few chains have achieved its speed, throughput, or reliability. Few projects dare claim the capacity to handle large transaction loads at high speeds without fail. EOS set the new standard with its founding in 2018.

The key to EOS’ unmatched success is Delegated Proof-of-Stake, developers, and community support. DPoS was inspired by Dan Larimer’s passion for blockchain and desire for more efficient distributed technology. PoS blockchains outperform legacy PoW chains like Bitcoin. However, additional advancements were needed to match the speed of traditional, server-based applications. Dan initially employed DPoS on Bitshares and Steemit before joining up with Block.One to bring the world EOSIO.

By delegating transaction blocks to 21 block producers, DPoS can run at fractions of a second. Instead of competing to complete a block the way Bitcoin does, block producers take turns writing to the blockchain.

Don’t let the number 21 fool you. Anyone with the means can become a block producer. Many exist on the EOS public mainnet. Though, only the top 21 (based on the amount of EOS staked) take turns actively writing blocks to the chain. These 21 are the top paid block producers. EOS is also earned by others outside of the top 21 to incentivize a consistent flow of BPs in waiting.

The EOS public mainnet is aggressively developing. For the first time since its founding, there’s real support behind upgrading the core technology, infrastructure and ecosystem. Leading the charge is the EOS Network Foundation. The ENF came together under the leadership of Yves La Rose and a group of diehard EOS developers. From the beginning, their proposal to take over the responsibility of mainnet development from Block.One was met with overwhelming approval by the mainnet community.

Mandel (now Antelope) was a placeholder name given to the third major upgrade of EOSIO technology. The ENF regularly informs the community about their progress and impending updates. It’s a dynamic that the ecosystem has sorely missed. In recognition of the ENFs commitment, hard work, aptitude and community involvement, the mainnet offers unparalleled support. Results extend to social media, marketing, funding, and of course, a much improved development environment.

EOS’ future is bright. Both the underlying core technology and direct impacts on mainnet development are progressing splendidly. For example, team Anchor may not be directly under the ENF, but the two organizations have already worked together to improve the mainnet for users. Same goes for team Pomelo (EOS Nation), the ENF and users.

Pomelo quadratic funding illustrates how users have more to look forward to than decentralized applications. Mainnet community members who aren’t professional developers by trade can apply for funding for their own ventures to add to the public good. It’s blockchain the way it was meant to be- a P2P ecosystem that leverages distributed applications to innovate on a level never before seen.

Mandel (now Antelope) 3.0 is scheduled to go live in September 2022. An EOS bridge via Ethereum’s Virtual Machine will coincide to open the mainnet up to a much larger ecosystem. And there’s a lot more in the works, like EOSIO+ (now Antelope) Coalition. The new Coalition may not be solely dedicated to the EOS mainnet, but all contributors use some form of EOSIO (now Antelope). The mainnet has always been viewed as the hub for EOSIO chains.

EOS’ early vision appears to bear fruit in 2022. All that and without mentioning Eden governance and fractally consensus. Eden introduces community governance that augments decisions made by block producers. The new governance model empowers individuals dedicated to governance, rather than BPs harboring governance as an afterthought.

Team fractally set its sights on advancing communication. It gave the community Eden. Now fractally works to pair videos with quick consensus meetings with the potential for wide deployment. A proposal to include weekly fractally meetings to aid Eden delegates is already in the works.

Development, multi-blockchain, governance, and more, are all coming together to demonstrate the power of the new EOS. The mainnet is indeed the next generation of blockchain technology.