Welcome to your weekly digest of all things Tezos, the Baking Sheet. Our mission, as ever, is to bring you the most impactful stories with no fluff, no filler. This week, we're diving headfirst into the world of the Data-Availability Layer (DAL) - a project that could make serious ripples in the blockchain pond. This is not just another protocol. The DAL brings with it the potential to handle millions of transactions per second, while keeping decentralization front and center.

Moving on, our focus shifts to a significant development in the Tezos ecosystem. Blockwatch has unveiled TzPro, a suite of APIs and SDKs that could redefine the development process on the Tezos platform. This isn't just an enhancement; it's a game-changer.

As we approach the Tez/Dev 2023 conference, the anticipation builds. This isn't your average tech meet-up. We're talking cutting-edge insights, big names, and even bigger ideas. We've got everything you need to know right here.

To round out our week, we're stepping into the gaming time machine with Block Born's 90's Arcade Jam. Retro meets next-gen in this immersive gaming event. Plus, we're shedding light on the one-of-a-kind collaboration between Ultra Milk, Gaspack, and TZ APAC, which has led to a unique digital collectible, the 'Icownic Patch'.

As always, we've sifted through the noise to bring you the stories that matter. This is the Baking Sheet - essential reading for anyone serious about Tezos and blockchain. Let's get started.

Meet the DAL: Data-Availibility Layer

Driving the news: Data-Availability Layer (DAL), an ambitious project conceived at Nomadic Labs, Marigold, Functori, and Trilitech, Tezos is set to significantly ramp up the scalability of Smart Rollups. With the potential to handle millions of transactions per second (TPS), all while preserving complete decentralization, the DAL stands poised to make waves in the blockchain technology landscape.

Key Details:

• Revolutionary Approach: The Data-Availability Layer (DAL) represents an innovative, protocol-level solution designed to boost the scalability of Smart Rollups on the Tezos blockchain.

• Highly Scalable: With its potential to facilitate millions of transactions per second (TPS), the DAL presents a substantial improvement in scalability without requiring rollup transaction data to be stored in Layer 1 blocks.

• Decentralized: The DAL offers a compelling alternative to Data-Availability Committees (DACs), which although secure, do not provide the same level of assurances about data availability.

• Innovative Design: The DAL operates as an independent peer-to-peer network alongside Tezos' Layer 1. Each DAL node is designed to receive only a portion of the data, an architectural design that boosts bandwidth and storage capacity, while maintaining high security and decentralization.

• Under Development: An early version of the DAL is currently available on the Mondaynet testnet. A mainnet release is anticipated for early 2024.

• Potential Challenges: The implementation of the DAL requires both rollup operators and bakers to run DAL nodes. This involves data downloading, a task that can demand substantial bandwidth, particularly for bakers.

Why it matters: The DAL aims to increase TPS capacity without necessitating rollup transaction data to be stored in Layer 1 blocks. This positions the DAL as a noteworthy alternative to Data-Availability Committees (DACs), which, while secure, don't offer the same guarantees about data availability.

How it works: The DAL is an independent peer-to-peer network running parallel to Tezos' Layer 1. It allows for data submission and retrieval, with "bakers" (Tezos' equivalent to miners) continuously monitoring the DAL and providing attestations on Layer 1 regarding the availability of specific data.

Intriguingly, the DAL is designed so that each node receives only a portion of the data, thereby significantly increasing bandwidth and storage capacity while maintaining high security and decentralization.

What’s next: The DAL is currently being tested on the Mondaynet testnet, with a mainnet release expected in early 2024. Both rollup operators and bakers will need to run DAL nodes, and participation will require data downloading, potentially posing a challenge in terms of bandwidth requirements.

The big picture: With its significant potential for scalability and decentralization, the DAL could serve as a major breakthrough for Tezos and the broader blockchain world. This could further establish Tezos as a leading figure in blockchain technology, and affirm its commitment to decentralization.

Insights from Arthur:

Arthur Breitman, took to twitter to illuminate the significant role that the DAL is set to play:

• The DAL, combined with Smart Rollups, will allow Tezos to scale massively.

• The introduction of the DAL liberates validators from having to download every single transaction by distributing data across the network.

• Contrary to common misconceptions, sharding does not lead to a loss of composability. Instead, a decentralized chain with a robust data availability layer provides the foundation for building a resilient, high-performance, composable ledger.

• Layer 2 doesn't have to mean a fragmented world of independent app-chains. L2 can be a platform for properly scaling a monolithic ledger, providing seamless developer experience and facilitating integration of major programming languages on Tezos.

Blockwatch Unveils TzPro, the New API Suite Boosting Developer Experience on Tezos

What's happening: Blockwatch, a critical player in the Tezos ecosystem, is launching TzPro, a new suite of robust APIs and SDKs designed to improve the development process on the Tezos platform. This step comes as Tezos continues to enhance its protocol, particularly in the area of scalability, a move that is expected to drive an increase in professional apps across sectors such as DeFi, NFT, DAOs, and more.

Why it matters: Blockwatch's TzPro aims to offer a streamlined experience for developers working with Tezos. TzPro, already in production use by select partners, is now being opened to a wider audience. The suite simplifies the integration of various Tezos functionalities, allowing developers to focus on building their apps or services.

Details:

• Unified Data Model: TzPro offers a unified data model for tokens, DEX pools, staking farms, lending protocols, NFT markets, and identity solutions, simplifying the process for developers.

• API Layers: TzPro brings together three layers of APIs: Tezos RPC, Tezos Index API, and the new TzPro Token, DeFi, NFT, and Identity APIs. These will be available for free to the Tezos community. A paid subscription model will offer advanced features, such as data scrapers and filters.

• Sector-Specific APIs: To best serve existing protocol ecosystems on Tezos, TzPro has divided its API into sectors. As blockchain use cases and Tezos itself evolve, more sectors will be added and existing ones extended.

What's next: Developers can now secure a spot on an exclusive waitlist for a free TzPro account and TzPro API key. Over the next weeks, Blockwatch will onboard small batches of new developer teams and gather feedback to improve and expand TzPro. More on-chain protocols and API features will be supported in the coming months.

Yes, but: Developers should note that while some parts of the TzPro API will be open and free for the Tezos community, other parts of the TzPro API will be available as a paid subscription.

Go deeper: Developers can learn more about the TzPro API endpoints in the TzPro developer documentation on docs.tzpro.io. Blockwatch also offers various developer tools like TzGo SDK, TzPro SDK, TzIndex, TzProxy, TzEvents, and TzAlias to ease the development process. The free TzPro community plan includes up to 100,000 API calls per month, with Pro and Max plans available for professional users and teams. For more details, visit the TzPro website soon.

Tez/Dev 2023 — Countdown: Two weeks!

The highly anticipated second annual TezDev Conference, aimed at bringing together blockchain enthusiasts, developers, and innovators within the Tezos ecosystem, is set to take place. This event serves as a platform to connect, learn, and celebrate the cutting-edge of the web3 revolution.

Why it matters: As blockchain technology increasingly permeates various sectors, being on the front lines of innovation and understanding trends is crucial. This conference provides the opportunity to tap into the global network of Tezos, a versatile and eco-friendly blockchain.

Connect with the Global Tezos Developers: The event is a golden opportunity to engage with international Tezos developers, providing insights into blockchain development on this highly adaptable platform.

Learn from Ecosystem Teams: The conference will host a series of expert talks, offering invaluable knowledge from some of the brightest minds in the blockchain realm, giving attendees a panoramic view of the advancements in the industry.

Celebrate the Tezos Ecosystem: The conference also serves as a celebration of the global Tezos ecosystem, highlighting the diversity of the Tezos community that spans across continents.

Registrations are now open!

This Week in the Tezos Ecosystem

Retro Revival: Block Born's 90's Arcade Jam

Unveiling the 90's Arcade Jam

The nostalgic wave of the '90s is coming back in a big way, as Block Born, in partnership with Tezos, announces the 90's Arcade Jam. Promising to blend arcade-style gameplay and graphics with contemporary gaming technology, this gaming event is gearing up to take participants on a journey back to the golden age of arcade gaming.

Event Timeline and Prizes

The event, set to kick off with registrations from June 26 to July 14, 2023, is followed by the game-building phase from July 14 to July 24, 2023. What makes the 90's Arcade Jam a compelling competition is the $8,000 prize pool, which is set to be distributed across various categories.

Winners of the first, second, and third places stand to receive $2,500, $1,500, and $1,000 respectively. There are also individual awards for 'Best Art Style', 'Best Speedrun Game', and 'Best Score Attack Game', each carrying a prize of $1,000.

Registration and Interaction

The competition welcomes participation from individuals and teams, allowing participants to display their creativity and technical prowess in creating '90s-themed arcade games. Interested parties can register for the 90's Arcade Jam on Itch at https://itch.io/jam/block-born-90s-arcade.

Throughout the registration period, Block Born will share regular updates, enabling participants to stay abreast of the event's latest news. The Block Born Discord channel is also open for participants and enthusiasts who wish to interact with the organizers or find a team for the event. Join the conversation at https://discord.gg/WNexwk3ZEW.

Embracing the Past, Shaping the Future

The 90's Arcade Jam is a significant nod to the '90s, an era that defined many aspects of gaming culture. This event seeks to celebrate the golden era of gaming while showcasing how far the industry has come in terms of technology and innovation. The blend of nostalgia and contemporary gaming possibilities promises an exciting and enriching event for all participants.

XTZ News reports, Ultra Milk, one of Indonesia's leading dairy product manufacturers, has collaborated with creative NFT launchpad Gaspack and Tezos ecosystem builder TZ APAC to introduce a unique digital collectible, the 'Icownic Patch'. This innovative NFT is minted exclusively on the Tezos blockchain and stands at the intersection of art, storytelling, and blockchain technology. The 'Icownic Patch' not only serves as a digital collectible but also provides its holders with several unique benefits and experiences, tied to a mythical narrative set on the planet of Cowverse. This collaboration emphasizes the potential of blockchain technology to go beyond traditional financial transactions, paving the way for innovative consumer experiences. The partnership also highlights the inherent capabilities of the Tezos blockchain, such as its secure environment, scalability, and self-upgrading features. The 'Icownic Patch' is seen as a significant step in integrating traditional business operations with the burgeoning NFT and blockchain space, offering a unique, decentralized, and interactive customer experience.

This Week in Tezos Development

LigoLANG Updates | Marigold

LigoLANG has announced the release of its new version (v0.69.0) which introduces two main features.

What's New with LigoLANG v0.69.0?

• Implicit Casting to Booleans: The new release has introduced support for implicit casting to Booleans. This functionality is an extension of the subtype that accounts for this casting. You can find more about this feature here.

• Enforcement of Export Keyword in JsLIGO: v0.69.0 enforces the use of the export keyword in JsLIGO. Every declaration which is not explicitly marked as private/public is now automatically treated as private. The typer has been modified accordingly to consider this attribute when typing. More details are available here.

These enhancements are designed to further optimize the user experience and capabilities of LigoLANG's smart contract platform. Stay tuned for more updates and improvements as we continue to evolve and upgrade our software.

For additional details on these updates and more, please visit the LigoLANG changelog.

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Skye's captivating storytelling, refreshing perspectives, and thoughtful commentary have made waves in the digital art space.

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