A Middleware for Hybrid Blockchain Applications: Towards Fast, Affordable, and Accountable Integration

Olzhas Yessenbayev, Marco Comuzzi, Giovanni Meroni, Dung Chi Duy Nguyen

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingArticle in proceedingsResearchpeer-review

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Abstract

Hybrid blockchain architectures combine centralized applications, like enterprise systems, with (public) blockchain to implement additional functionality, such as tamper-proof record keeping. To reduce the latency and cost of using a public blockchain, these systems may rely on batching of transactions or general-state channel networks. While reducing costs, the former increase the latency. With the latter, only major state updates are recorded on-chain, while most transactions history remains only on the channels. This paper describes a novel solution that combines the benefits of both approaches to decrease the latency and cost of hybrid blockchain applications. We propose to combine a local blockchain that runs on a centralized server to provide near-immediate state update confirmation, with a batching mechanism sending transactions to a public blockchain for record-keeping at a most convenient time. We also introduce a dispute mechanism promoting the prompt delivery of correct batches to the public blockchain by the application provider, thereby deterring malicious behaviours. The solution is motivated by a fintech use case, for which we also show the implementation of a prototype and an experimental evaluation of the latency and cost savings.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of 21st International Conference on Service-Oriented Computing
PublisherSpringer
Publication date2023
Pages307–322
ISBN (Print)978-3-031-48420-9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023
Event21st International Conference on Service-Oriented Computing - Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
Duration: 28 Nov 20231 Dec 2023
https://icsoc2023.diag.uniroma1.it/

Conference

Conference21st International Conference on Service-Oriented Computing
LocationSapienza Università di Roma
Country/TerritoryItaly
CityRome
Period28/11/202301/12/2023
Internet address

Keywords

  • Blockchain
  • Ethereum
  • Gas price
  • Latency
  • Meta-transaction delegation

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