vac:acz:ift:2025q3-de-mls-testnet
Description
This commitment involves integrating the multi-steward configurations to the codebase and refine its RFC with the latest findings. Finally, systematically prepare the architecture for testnet and load testing. The process includes presenting the findings, such as MLS over Waku and benchmarking, then, applying for the EF grant.
Background
de-MLS is a decentralized, scalable, end-to-end encrypted (E2EE) group messaging application with Ethereum-based authentication. The primary goal of this project is to develop a comprehensive and mature RFC that outlines decentralized, secure, and scalable group key generation, designed to accommodate large numbers of users within a single group.
During 2025q2, we released the de-MLS RFC, including the seperate consensus RFC and mocked consensus integrated base functionality poc implementation with the single steward.
Narratives
We will reinforce the Conduit of Expertise narrative by:
- Develop the foundational framework for a decentralized, scalable messaging application
- Research and implement a scalable and decentralized consensus mechanism.
We will also strengthen the Premier Research Destination narrative by:
- Develop a standardized decentralized messaging application over the Waku network, by providing a well-structured RFC and a proof of concept (PoC) that demonstrates its base functionality within the ecosystem. This will allow teams and organizations to build their own messaging applications while benefiting from these features.
- Create a proposal for the Ethereum Foundation (EF) to apply for EF grants to promote the project and gain support from the Ethereum ecosystem.
Task List
Maintain de-MLS RFC with multi stewards
- fully qualified name:
vac:acz:ift:2025q3-de-mls-tesnet:multi-steward-rfc - owner: Ugur
- status: not started
- start-date: 2025/07/21
- end-date: 2025/08/18
Description
Maintain and develop the decetnralized MLS RFC with adressing feedbacks. The RFC needs to contain concrete flow, and explaination.
Deliverables
- PR to vacp2p/rfc-index repo with related updates.
Implement consesus layer
- fully qualified name:
vac:acz:ift:2025q3-de-mls-tesnet:consensus-layer - owner: Ekaterina
- status: started (10%)
- start-date: 2025/06/25
- end-date: 2025/07/13
Description
Implement a consensus mechanism for one steward based on RFC, i.e. in the end we want to see a separate module that will process all incoming proposals for group state changes and receive a commit message as an output.
Deliverables
- A PR to the de-MLS repository containing new consensus layer as separate module with tests.
Multi-steward integration
- fully qualified name:
vac:acz:ift:2025q3-de-mls-tesnet:multi-steward-imp - owner: Ekaterina
- status: not started
- start-date: 2025/08/01
- end-date: 2025/09/30
Description
The multi-steward settings allows de-MLS that multiple steward manages the group changes to protect single point of failure, better availability and decentralization.
Deliverables
- A PR to the de-MLS repository containing update of message processing
de-mls maintance
- fully qualified name:
vac:acz:ift:2025q3-de-mls-tesnet:de-mls-maintaining - owner: Ekaterina
- status: started
- start-date: 2025/06/30
- end-date: 2025/09/30
Description
This task encompasses all maintenance updates for de-mls, including CI updates, testing, small issues and the creation of future issues.
Deliverables
A set of PRs and issues to de-MLS repository