Ep 63 - A Deeper Look at Building Blockchains, Algorithms and Proofs

Derek Sorensen, Pyrofex Research Mathematician


Derek Sorensen is a Pyrofex Research Mathematician, has an MSc in
Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Oxford
and is set to start his PhD this fall at the University of
Cambridge, where he will study logic and topology.


"I'm a motivated mathematician who wants to solve new and
exciting problems. I thrive in a challenging and changing
environment, as a boring routine can seem a bit soul-sucking to
me. I have learned programming languages, software programs,
organizational structures and spoken languages in the past to
solve problems and am willing to learn about anything to address
new and changing circumstances I'm placed in. Challenges are
exciting to me and I'm always looking for something bigger and
better to sink my teeth into." Source


On this episode of LAB Radio, Aaron Mangal asked Derek all kinds
of deep math questions like: What are proofs and algorithms? What
are they for? What are some non-crypto use cases and of course
what are the Crypto uses? 
Who is Pyrofex? A Utah-based Blockchain Startup Founded by
ex-Googlers

As stated on their website: 


"Pyrofex Corporation is Utah Valley’s first blockchain and
cryptocurrency startup. Founded in the Spring of 2016 by
ex-Googlers Mike Stay and Nash Foster, Pyrofex works hard to
create the next generation of blockchain platforms, applications,
and development tools. With its headquarters in the Riverwoods
area of Provo, UT, Pyrofex has grown from a pair of co-founders
to a team of around two dozen professionals. Our focus is on
reliably delivering high-quality work and our reputation bears
that out. Pyrofex was founded by mathematicians and computer
scientists who wanted to build an engineering first company. One
that hires special talent, gives them difficult and interesting
work, and the tools and support to succeed."
CDelta is a Blockchain built on their custom-made protocol,
Cassanova

CDelta is a proof of stake based Blockchain focused on high speed
transactions and throughput for financial transactions. They
custom built Cassanova, a leaderless optimistic pre-Nakamoto
consensus protocol which is what CDelta runs on. 


 


"Pyrofex introduces Casanova, a leaderless optimistic consensus
protocol designed for use in the blockchain contexts. Casanova
produces blocks in a directed acyclic graph (DAG) rather than in
a chain and combines voting rounds with block production by
singling out conflicting transactions.


C∆’s physical network achieves unparalleled performance by
mirroring the shape of the Internet itself. Using a tiered
network architecture, local validators connect to backbone
validators with guaranteed priority bandwidth. Using this
architecture, C∆ ensures the fastest block propagation and the
lowest transaction confirmation latencies.


C∆ is unique among blockchains. Most blockchains are stuck
finding a total ordering of all the world’s transactions. This
process is very slow because every block requires an expensive
consensus-finding protocol. Using Casanova and a simple UTXO
transaction model, the C∆ blockchain eliminates this work and
finalizes most transactions immediately. Only when a user
attempts to double-spend does C∆ perform expensive and slow
consensus finding. As a result of this innovation, C∆ confirms
most transactions at wire speed. An attacker can only make his
own transactions slower, but cannot materially affect the
throughput of the rest of the network." Source


Check out this video
here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmGGJcAdWks


 
During this episode, you will learn:

How Derek discovered his interest in Math

His impressions of Cryptocurrenc from a math perspective

What proofs are

What algorithms are and how are they designed

What consensus mechanisms are and how do they differ
from algorithms (Plus Who creates them and how)

Derek's thoughts on Proof of Work (PoW) algorithms vs Proof
of Stake (PoS) and Delegated proof of stake (DPoS)

His thoughts on Distributed Hash Tables (DHTs) and other
Blockchain "alternatives"

How their "Optimistic Consensus" is different/better than
what's already out there

The algorithm and consensus mechanism behind it

How their customized Blockchain was built

How the company plans to tackle adoption with so many other
options on the market




For show notes and more visit:
https://coinstructive.com/ep63-derek-pyrofex/