Blockchain Transmission Protocol (BTP)

Understanding the Blockchain Transmission Protocol (BTP)

The Blockchain Transmission Protocol (BTP) is a technology that enables compatibility between different blockchains, even those with different algorithms and consensus models. It facilitates the transfer of services, values, and data across these blockchains.

BTP is particularly useful for exchanging tokens across multiple blockchains as it allows for direct exchanges through smart contracts without the need for an intermediary trading platform.

BTP also enables data transfers across partners powered by ICONLOOP, such as MyID apps. With BTP, users can send messages to any interconnected private or public network without having to submit their Decentralized ID (DID) credentials and key to each blockchain.

BTP also simplifies the issuance of certificates for blockchains. Broof, a public ICON network service, enables users to create and store validated certificates on its chain. BTP can activate the issuance mechanism of a smart contract on the ICON Network.

Understanding the ICON Network

The ICON Network aims to connect fragmented blockchains and enable interoperability among them. This connectivity is made possible through the Blockchain Transmission Protocol (BTP).

The Components of Blockchain Transmission Protocol

Blockchain Transmission Protocol follows a set of functions and standards to ensure proper data transfer and maintain validity and integrity. These standards include message specifications, message relayers, message verifiers, and service smart contracts.

Message Specifications

All messages in BTP should contain recipient, sender, serial number, service name, and service data.

Message Relayers

Message relayers are responsible for retrieving and delivering BTP messages.

Message Verifiers

Message verifiers validate the data collected from relayers.

Service Smart Contract (SSC)

Verified BTP messages are forwarded to the Service Smart Contract (SSC), which executes the transmission from the smart contract of the source blockchain to the smart contract of the destination blockchain.

How Does Blockchain Transmission Protocol Work?

BTP establishes connections between two chains, which can then connect to additional chains, creating a network of interconnected and interoperable blockchains.

By validating external data through smart contracts, BTP ensures that all validation operations are transparent and open to audit and verification.

In the event of a temporary connection disruption in an asynchronous network, the relayer/sender blockchain may temporarily pause data delivery. However, the data can be recovered and resent without any loss once the connection is restored.

Blockchain Transmission Protocol is designed to be versatile, allowing blockchains that do not support smart contracts to partially participate in BTP transactions. These blockchains can act as sender chains but cannot participate as receiver chains.