From Preconfirmations to BFT Confirmations: The Quest for Stronger Transaction Guarantees

In this episode of Composable, hosts Alicia and Ellie dive deep into the world of blockchain confirmations, exploring the nuances between preconfirmations, confirmations (like those provided by the Espresso Network), and L1 finality. They unpack how these different levels of transaction verification impact user experience and interoperability.

Key topics covered:

• The emergence and evolution of preconfirmations, particularly in relation to based sequencing, and how they differ from BFT confirmations
• The role of centralized vs. decentralized sequencers and their impact on trust assumptions
• How preconfirmations affect cross-chain interoperability
• The trade-offs between user experience and security when using different confirmation types
• The future of execution preconfirmations and shared sequencing
• The impact of MEV (Maximal Extractable Value) on preconfirmation systems
• Discussion of real-world implementations, including Arbitrum and Optimism
• The relationship between Data Availability (DA) layers and preconfirmations
• Analysis of "based rollups" and their implications for blockchain architecture

Whether you're a blockchain developer, crypto enthusiast, or simply curious about the technical foundations of web3, this episode offers valuable insights into how transaction confirmations are shaping the future of blockchain infrastructure.

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Composable is an Espresso Pod, a production of Espresso Systems. All opinions expressed by Composable’s hosts and podcast guests are solely their own views. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as investment, legal, or technical advice.

Composable is a bi-weekly podcast exploring crypto's building blocks. Hosted by Alysia and Ellie, and brought to you by Espresso.

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Composable — @composablepod
Alysia — @alysiatech
Ellie — @ellierdavidson