Introduction to HybridCompute

Boba Network's HybridCompute function aims to bridge the gap between the on-chain world of decentralized applications (dApps) and the off-chain capabilities in the traditional Web2 environment.

In typical blockchain systems (such as Ethereum), smart contracts can only interact with on-chain data, which limits the scalability of applications and prevents smart contracts from accessing real-world data or external resources. However, HybridCompute breaks through this bottleneck, enabling smart contracts to perform complex computations and obtain data from off-chain resources. This feature makes Boba Network's Layer-2 ecosystem more flexible and dynamic, supporting not only simple token transfers and static smart contracts, but also enabling more advanced use cases.

How HybridCompute works

The core concept of HybridCompute is to allow Boba's Layer-2 smart contracts to interact with external servers through API calls, in order to obtain data or perform complex off-chain tasks, such as machine learning algorithms or computationally intensive simulations. After the off-chain computation is completed, the results will be securely returned to the on-chain smart contracts for further use.

Process breakdown: How does HybridCompute operate

1. Smart contract initiation request: The process starts with a smart contract on the Boba Layer-2 network, which initiates an off-chain request by calling an external server.

• The requested content can be data retrieval or the execution of specific computing tasks.

1. External server processing request:

• After receiving the request, the external server performs the calculation or retrieves the required data.
• This step utilizes the computing power of the traditional Web2 environment to support more complex operations than the on-chain environment (limited by gas limits and performance bottlenecks).

1. Send the calculation results back to the blockchain:

• After the off-chain computation is completed, the result will be securely transmitted back to the smart contract on the Boba Layer-2 network.
• The communication between smart contracts and external servers is secure and atomic, ensuring that the results are fully integrated into the blockchain without the risk of tampering.

1. Smart contract uses off-chain results:

• Smart contracts utilize off-chain computing results to execute subsequent operations. Whether it's financial data, weather reports, or the results of machine learning algorithms, these outputs become verifiable parts of the smart contract execution process.

This hybrid approach extends the capabilities of decentralized applications (dApps), allowing them to break through the limitations of pure on-chain computation and storage.

Enhancing smart contracts through off-chain data and computing

Traditional blockchain systems are deterministic, which means that all computations and data must be verifiable and repeatable. While this mechanism ensures the security and trustlessness of the system, it also limits the complexity of applications. For example, generating random numbers or accessing external data (such as stock prices or weather data) on-chain is either impossible or highly inefficient.

HybridCompute solves these problems by providing a secure channel for smart contracts to interact with off-chain data and perform complex computations off-chain. This approach enables Boba Network to realize more complex applications and support advanced features beyond traditional smart contracts.

Important Enhancements:

• Dynamic Data Access
  Smart contracts can be accessed through external APIs.Real-time dynamic dataFor example, financial market information, Internet of Things (IoT) sensor readings, social media analysis, etc. This enables dApps to adapt to real-world changes and develop more responsive applications.

• Reduce Gas costs
  Complex computations are moved off-chain, significantly reducing the execution required for smart contracts.Gas feeFor example,Machine learning algorithmCan run off-chain and return the results on-chain without burdening the blockchain with expensive computational tasks.

• Wider application scope
  By integrating real-world data, smart contracts can automate more business processes. For example,Supply Chain Management System Real-time logistics data can be monitored, or: Insurance Contract Use weather data to automatically trigger weather insurance payouts. These enhancements enable dApps to function in more scenarios.

Application Scenarios of HybridCompute in dApps

HybridCompute has strong potential applications in multiple industries, including decentralized finance (DeFi), AI, gaming, and more. Here are ways different industries can utilize this feature:

DeFi (Decentralized Finance)

Advanced Financial Instruments
DeFi applications can access off-chain financial data such as real-time market prices, interest rates, and other external financial indicators through HybridCompute. This integration supports the development of more complex financial products, such as derivative markets, prediction markets, and algorithmic trading systems.

Decentralized KYC (Know Your Customer)
Smart contracts can interact with external KYC providers to verify user identity in a decentralized environment. KYC data is processed off-chain to ensure user privacy and compliance, while verification results are integrated into the blockchain for use by DeFi applications. This approach satisfies both financial regulatory requirements and ensures the security and privacy of user data.

AI

• AI-driven dApp
  HybridCompute allows developers to integrate machine learning models into dApps. For example, an insurance dApp can use off-chain machine learning models to evaluate risks based on historical data and dynamically adjust premiums based on the analysis results. Similarly, DeFi platforms can leverage machine learning algorithms to optimize trading strategies and achieve higher investment returns.

• Predictive Analysis
  In gaming, AI models can analyze player behavior and adjust the difficulty of the game in real-time to create a more personalized and immersive gaming experience for players.

Game

• Random Number Generation
  Due to the deterministic nature of blockchain, it is difficult for on-chain systems to generate truly random numbers, which is a known limitation in decentralized games. With the help of HybridCompute, random numbers can be generated off-chain and securely passed back to smart contracts, ensuring the fairness and randomness of the game process.

• Decentralized game logic
  HybridCompute supports off-chain execution of complex game logic, reducing the gas cost and latency when relying solely on on-chain games. For example, in multiplayer games, off-chain servers can handle real-time game logic and player interactions, while the ownership of assets is recorded and maintained on-chain through NFTs. This approach ensures both game performance and decentralized management of player assets.

Supply Chain Management

• Real-time Logistics Monitoring
  A blockchain-based supply chain system can integrate real-time logistics data from external sources through HybridCompute. For example, Internet of Things (IoT) devices can track the location and status of in-transit goods and feed this data back to the blockchain supply chain management system. Smart contracts can automatically trigger actions based on this data, such as completing payments or reordering goods.

• Verifiable Product Traceability
  HybridCompute supports the integration of external data sources to verify the authenticity and traceability information of products, including detailed information on production, transportation, and processing. This is particularly important for the luxury goods and pharmaceutical industries, as these industries have high requirements for product authenticity.

Insurance

• Weather-based insurance
  With HybridCompute, insurance dApps can obtain weather data from external data providers and automatically trigger compensation based on this information. For example, when drought, floods, or other adverse weather conditions affect crops, farmers can receive automatic compensation.

• Dynamic premiums
  Off-chain data can be used to calculate risks and dynamically adjust insurance premiums. Smart contracts can assess factors such as historical weather patterns, crop yields, or IoT sensor data in real time to automatically adjust insurance plans, ensuring more accurate risk control and reasonable premium pricing.

Interaction between HybridCompute and Boba Layer-2 infrastructure

HybridCompute allows external API calls to be made from within smart contracts, which are executed off-chain and the results are returned to the Layer-2 network. For example, a DeFi platform using HybridCompute can call an external API to get stock prices, run advanced algorithms to analyze the data, and feed the results of the analysis back to a smart contract, which executes trades based on the results.

On-chain and off-chain interactions are atomic, which means that if an external computation fails or the data is tampered with, the entire transaction will be rolled back, avoiding partial updates or misinformation on the blockchain. The atomic interaction mechanism ensures the trust and integrity of the system.

Built on Boba's Layer-2 infrastructure, HybridCompute uses Optimistic Rollups technology to package transactions to reduce gas fees. By moving most of the computation work to off-chain processing, HybridCompute minimizes the amount of data and computation that needs to be submitted to Ethereum Layer-1, thereby reducing overall gas consumption.

This off-chain computing model is also well suited to the fraud-proof system of Optimistic Rollups. If a malicious actor tries to inject false data into the system, the fraud-proof mechanism ensures that invalid data is detected and discarded before affecting the blockchain state.

Connect Web2 and Web3 technologies

One of HybridCompute's outstanding potentials lies in its ability to combine traditional Web2 capabilities with decentralized Web3 applications. This opens up the possibility of multiple integrations between the blockchain and external services, making the technology more diverse and capable of handling complex real-world applications.

A specific example of how HybridCompute connects Web2 and Web3:

• Financial Data Feed: Decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms can now take financial data, such as stock market indices, commodity prices, or currency exchange rates, from external APIs and use this information in on-chain smart contracts to adjust lending rates, trigger trades, or settle derivatives contracts.
• Supply Chain ManagementIoT devices or other external sensors can transmit real-time data to the blockchain system. HybridCompute can access this data and input it into the supply chain management dApp, enabling automated processes such as monitoring the temperature of goods during transportation or updating inventory systems.
• Weather-based contract: Agricultural insurance contracts can leverage weather data from external APIs. For example, when a drought occurs, an external data provider passes this information to a smart contract, triggering the contract to pay compensation to farmers based on predefined conditions.

Through off-chain computation, Boba Network allows developers to access large amounts of external data and use it to create more intelligent and adaptive dApps. The convergence of Web2's computing power with Web3's decentralized security provides a unique framework that greatly enhances the versatility of dApps.

Highlights

• HybridCompute allows Boba Network's smart contracts to perform complex off-chain computations and retrieve external data, enhancing dApp functionality.
• It allows smart contracts to interact with external servers through API calls, facilitating tasks such as machine learning and simulation.
• By moving complex calculations to the traditional Web2 environment, HybridCompute reduces the gas fees on the chain.
• Use cases: DeFi (access to real-time financial data), gaming (random number generation), and supply chain management (real-time logistics monitoring).
• Security: Ensure security through atomic interactions between on-chain and off-chain components, and use Optimistic Rollups technology to minimize gas fees as much as possible.