vac:acz:ift:2025q4-de-mls-tesnet
Description
This commitment involves releasing the de-MLS poc with the multi-steward configurations. The process includes presenting the findings, such as MLS over Waku and benchmarking, and then achieving better iteration 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 a mature RFC that outlines decentralized, secure, and scalable group key generation, designed to accommodate large numbers of users within a single group.
During 2025q3, we released the multi-steward de-MLS RFC, including consensus implementation. The implementation plan for this quarter is to release multi-steward with a single consensus version with Ethereum authentication factor by operating across the Waku network.
Narratives
We will reinforce the Conduit of Expertise narrative by:
- Develop the foundational framework for a decentralized, scalable messaging application
- Research and implement the 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 It’s a base functionality within the ecosystem. This will allow teams and organizations to build their own messaging applications while benefiting from these features.
- Maintain the proposal by having the next iteration 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:2025q4-de-mls-tesnet:multi-steward-rfc - owner: Ugur
- status: not started
- start-date: 2025/10/25
- end-date: 2025/11/25
Description
Maintain and develop the decentralized MLS RFC by addressing feedback. The RFC needs to contain a concrete flow and explanation.
Deliverables
- A PR to vacp2p/rfc-index repo with related updates.
Multi-steward integration
- fully qualified name:
vac:acz:ift:2025q4-de-mls-tesnet:multi-steward-integration - owner: Ekaterina
- status: not started
- start-date: 2025/10/01
- end-date: 2025/11/01
Description
This task is postponed to the Q4 due to the multi stewards specification.
The multi-steward settings allow de-MLS that multiple stewards to manage the group changes to protect a single point of failure, better availability, and decentralization.
Deliverables
- A PR to the de-MLS repository containing an update of message processing
de-mls maintenance
- fully qualified name:
vac:acz:ift:2025q4-de-mls-tesnet:de-mls-maintaining - owner: Ekaterina
- status: not 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