[RFC] Hop Protocol Roadmap

šŸ°Hop Ecosystem
1

We propose a new protocol roadmap to modularize the Hop stack into simple, trustless primitives for building cross-chain applications.

The current version of Hop has proven out Hopā€™s underlying cross-chain infrastructure. This next phase opens it up for an ecosystem to be built on top.

Modules will enable cross-chain functionality such as:

  • Messaging
  • Token transfers
  • NFT transfers
  • Omnichain tokens
  • And more :sparkles:

:love_letter: Core Messenger

The Hop Core Messenger allows anyone to leverage efficient, trustless cross-chain messaging in their application. This simple but powerful primitive underpins the rest of the Hop stack.

Weā€™re excited to say the Hop Core Messenger is live on the Goerli testnet here! If you want to learn more, you can get started here.

:money_with_wings: Token Bridge

The Hop Token Bridge will introduce a decentralized network of active liquidity providers standing ready to complete cross-chain transfers. Improvements in both capital efficiency and gas efficiency will significantly reduce bridge costs and improve liquidity when compared with Hop v1.

:framed_picture: NFT Bridge

The Hop NFT Bridge will allow users to move NFTs across any supported network as easily as bridging a token. The design, originally proposed by Vitalik, allows NFT transfers to be verified immediately off-chain and settled later on-chain. The simplicity, cost effectiveness, and trustless nature of the Hop Core Messenger makes it an ideal settlement layer for a secure NFT bridge.

:crystal_ball: Omnichain Tokens

Omnichain tokens such as $HOP making transfers across networks cheap and efficient. Hop Omnichain Tokens will make it simple to launch tokens with bridging and cross-chain governance functionality built in.

:sparkles: And More

This is just the start of what can be built on top of a trustless cross-chain messaging layer. Cross-chain DEXs, lending, governance, and much more are research areas that are just beginning to be explored.

Timeline

While the code for the Hop Core Messenger is near complete and the first cross-chain use cases can go live shortly, Authereum Labs is targeting completion of all 4 initial primitives and supporting software before the end of Q3 of 2023. Should this roadmap be accepted, more in depth write ups and documentation on each module will be released as they are developed.

Acceptance

After the request for comment period and any necessary adjustments are made, the roadmap will be put to a snapshot vote. A passing snapshot vote will constitute this roadmap accepted.

14 Likes
2

I am excited for the next phase of Hopā€™s Development. With the Protocolā€™s focus on building infrastructure that will power cross-chain applications, I believe this roadmap, if properly executed, could solidify Hop as a leader in cross-chain infrastructure.

I look forward to diving in-depth into each module after this proposal passes a governance vote.

4 Likes
3

looks well planned, itā€™s time for the bull market to start, then itā€™s going to be steep for HOP

1 Like
4

This looks like a great product/technical roadmap, and very aligned with Hopā€™s mission.

5

All very exciting, need to read up on the core messenger which underpins everything if i understand correctly. "The Hop Token Bridge will introduce a decentralized network of active liquidity providers ", does this refer to bonders? Are there any plans / thoughts on giving the hop token some utility besides governance?

1 Like
6

Interesting stuff. Looking forward to it!

Is there any more high level details about the core messenger apart from the linked github repo?

7

Weā€™re working on some more detailed docs and a high level writeup. We plan to do the same with the other modules as well as they are produced.

2 Likes
8

How does the role of the bonder change with these modules? How do you currently think about decentralizing the bonder role and where would it come in on this roadmap?

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The v2 token bridge will have a decentralized network of bonders (called active liquidity providers in the post above). This will be a fully permissionless role that anyone can participate in. There are still parts of the v2 token bridge that are in the research phase which weā€™d like to continue under this proposal. Once everything is solidified weā€™ll release a detailed writeup on how it works and the different components.

I think this is one of the most important goals right now as it removes a point of centralization, should drive costs down, and encourage more reflexive bonder liquidity which could dramatically improve capital efficiency and Hopā€™s ability to scale up for spikes in volume.

2 Likes
10

Sounds great, excited to hear more. Voting yes (obv) to the vote just posted here: Snapshot

2 Likes
11

Voting Yes. Excited for the future of Hop.

1 Like
12

Voting yes as it looks good as a high level roadmap. Would like tosee the detailed docs at some point.

1 Like
13

Voted yes. This roadmap is very exciting. Two particular areas of interest are the Core Messenger and cross-chain governance.

Work on primitives like the messenger donā€™t just benefit the Hop protocol, but the wider ecosystem. This is pro-user while further establishing Hop as a piece of critical infrastructure. We look forward to seeing any potential applications for this work beyond standard bridging.

Furthermore, cross-chain governance will enable many users to move their Hop tokens off L1 without the penalty of being excluded from governance. We expect this to increase the liquidity of Hop on L2s, which is not yet as robust as it could be, particularly on protocols like Uniswap.

We additionally agree with @lefterisjp that detailed docs would be helpful for further cementing specific details, goals, and timelines for this work.

2 Likes
14

Votes yes. Roadmap looks very good.