Author: Marco González

Editor: Randall Roland

Antelope-based chains operate independently of one another. Before the EOS Network Foundation, isolation typified the ecosystem. The ENF inspired a culture of working together on projects like inter-blockchain communication (IBC).

IBC is a next-level function for distributed networks. There’s a growing consensus that IBC will continue to make inroads in the years ahead. Paired with EVM, EOS IBC should prove to be quite profound.

EOS and the greater ecosystem were always open to coordinated development. The ENF demonstrated a desire and capacity not shown by EOS’ former lead developer. Promises made during the early years before the ENF are finally becoming a reality.

On December 10, 2021, the ENF released a statement about the three years under Block.one. Failing to deploy “...any kind of inter-blockchain communication (IBC) solution…” was among the ENF’s top criticisms.

Inter-blockchain communication (IBC) is the second proposal discussed in the Scalability+ blue paper behind instant finality. The blue paper was published on September 26, 2022. EOS’ speed and efficiency combined with near limitless scalability introduces a new era for the whole blockchain industry.

While IBC isn’t directly mentioned in the Antelope Coalition’s mandate, it is a primary action item for Sacalability+, the working group formed after just two Coalition meetings. Four protocols were among the founding members of the Coalition.

Note that Scalability+ is the only blue paper listed on the Antelop.IO menu. Of the four Antelope-based chains listed on the website, three (EOS, Telos, and the UX Network) already have a live IBC bridge. WAX is aggressively pursuing development. Once WAX completes its bridge, the assets of all four protocols will be connected.

IBC always seemed to enter discussions on the tail-end of other subjects. That began to change as the first bridge was set to go live. When the ENF published Antelope IBC Deep Dive: Seamless Horizontal Scaling Launches on EOS, IBC officially became part of the future ecosystem.

The new reality, however subtle, changed the atmosphere around the community. Now average users share the excitement of EOS developers.

On October 6, 2020, Google Cloud joined the EOS community as a block producer. Not much came from yet another lackluster move under the Block.one era. The weeks following Google Cloud’s announcement illustrate how unmotivated Block.one was toward developing the mainnet.

Binance had already joined EOS as a block producer at the beginning of the same year. What makes the Binance/EOS relationship stand out is the addition of USDT (Tether). The addition of an EOS/USDT pair has been tabbed a significant and much-needed step in the growth of the network. Binance’s recognition is a testament to the widespread development led by the ENF.

A complete shock to most, the ENF pleasantly surprised the community with a new VC partnership with the city of Busan. And to think, the ENF had everyone focusing on a media blitz spearheaded by its participation at Token2049 in Singapore.

Like a comet passing over the night sky, the ENF shuttled through a proposal to fund EOS Network Ventures. $100M EOS illustrates a profound commitment to infrastructure development. It demonstrates to VC partners how invested the mainnet is in its own future.

EOS Network Ventures entered the EOS ecosystem in mid-November of 2022, less than two weeks following the Busan partnership news. This was a time of great excitement. From a very strong media campaign to weekly development press releases, EOS was as hot as any blockchain has ever been. Early visions were finally becoming a reality.

Controversy surrounded the establishment of EOS Network Ventures. In response to community inquiry, the ENF instituted formal feedback. The result was a bit more clarity about who would be in control and an adjustment to the MSIG.

The first tests helping to bring about Leap 4.0 expect to begin on the Jungle testnet before the Spring. An official consensus upgrade plans to be ready for early Fall.

By then, IBC, instant finality, and more efficient RAM solutions will have become the norm. Many of the projects begun under the EVMxIdeathon will have deployed. EOS will no longer be an isolated community. The power, speed, efficiency, and security of Antelope-based dApps will grow in awareness throughout crypto. Cross-chain dApps, especially NFTs, will demonstrate what’s possible when EOS leads web3 development.