The Baking Sheet - Issue #221

Introducing the 17th Tezos Protocol Upgrade Proposal: Quebec

Greetings Tezos community! We’re kicking off this week’s edition of the Baking Sheet with some exciting updates on the upcoming 17th protocol upgrade, Quebec. As always, Tezos keeps pushing forward, and now, we’re getting not one, not two, but three different protocol proposals to consider—Quebec A, Quebec B, and a new twist, the Qena proposal from a community member. Let’s dive into the details!

Announcing Quebec A and Quebec B by Nomadic Labs, Functori, and TriliTech

After the successful activation of the Paris protocol upgrade, which brought significant changes like 10-second block times and the Data Availability Layer (DAL), the Quebec proposal is now ready to take things to the next level.

Both Quebec A and Quebec B build on the foundation of Paris and represent key milestones on the road to Tezos X. While they share several key features, there are notable differences between the two.

Here’s a breakdown of what each proposal brings:

Shared Features in Quebec A & B

  • 8-Second Block Times: Both proposals aim to reduce block times from 10 seconds to 8, improving transaction speed and user experience on Tezos Layer 1.

  • Adaptive Maximum Issuance Bound: The proposals introduce a new mechanism to keep issuance rates from becoming excessively high, especially when the staked ratio is close to the 50% target. This is an update to the existing Adaptive Issuance feature and ensures a more stable issuance model.

  • Amended Delegation Rights: Both proposals also tackle issues around the computation of minimal delegated balances, addressing unexpected dilution of baking rights and improving UX for bakers and delegators alike.

The Key Difference - Quebec B

  • Delegated Funds Baking Power Reduction: Quebec B proposes to reduce the weight of delegated funds in the computation of baking power from one half- one third of their nominal value. This change incentivizes delegators to become stakers and nudges public bakers to embrace staking more aggressively.

With these changes, Quebec B takes a bolder approach toward adjusting the balance of baking power, while Quebec A maintains a more conservative stance.

Enter Qena: An Alternative Proposal from Tez Capital

The plot thickens with the introduction of Qena, a community-proposed alternative from Tez Capital that provides all the technical improvements of Quebec without making any economic changes.

What Does Qena Propose?

  • No Economic Adjustments: Unlike Quebec A and B, Qena avoids the changes to the adaptive issuance mechanism and keeps the current system intact. The focus here is on stability, allowing the adaptive issuance to mature naturally.

  • Long-Term Growth: Qena prioritizes market stability and avoids frequent changes that could introduce economic unpredictability.

  • Focus on Technical Progress: Qena incorporates all technical advancements in Quebec, such as the 8-second block times and improved delegation mechanics, without disrupting the current economic dynamics of the ecosystem.

Quick Comparison: Quebec A vs. Quebec B vs. Qena

Feature

Quebec A

Quebec B

Qena

Block Times

8 seconds

8 seconds

8 seconds

Adaptive Maximum Issuance Bound

Yes

Yes

No

Delegated Funds Weight

1/2 of nominal value

1/3 of nominal value

No changes

Economic Adjustments

Yes (Issuance mechanism updates)

Yes (Issuance and delegated weight)

No economic adjustments

Target Audience

Bakers and delegators looking for a stable but improved issuance model

Bakers looking for more aggressive staking incentives

Community members favoring stability and market predictability

Call to Action

With Quebec A, Quebec B, and Qena all on the table, the choice is in your hands, Tezos community! Each proposal offers a unique path forward, whether it's through faster block times, adjusting baking power, or focusing on economic stability. This is your chance to shape the next step for Tezos.

For bakers, now is the time to vote for your preferred protocol upgrade. Use the following commands to submit your proposal of choice:

Quebec A:

octez-client submit proposals for YOUR_ADDRESS PsquebeCaYyvBEESCaXL8B8Tn8BcEhps2Zke1xMVtyr7X4qMfxT

Quebec B

octez-client submit proposals for YOUR_ADDRESS PsQuebecBo3zZmhQT7KdEQ2RRDtncE6gQFRPgwkKEyC1ea995G1

Qena:

octez-client submit proposals for YOUR_ADDRESS PsqenaVwjhUUm1JJXbrZTB1T5RVyQHBGDricbLPXjcZkxogDeTJ

Stay tuned and follow the voting progress on Tezos Agora, and learn more about each proposal: Tezos Agora Voting.

Let's keep the momentum going, Tezos! Every vote counts!

This Week in the Tezos Ecosystem

Let’s dive into This Week in the Tezos Ecosystem by kicking off with the exciting updates from TOKEN2049, where Tezos made a powerful impression with key announcements and side events that took place throughout the week.

Token 2049: Tezos’ “Broadband Moment”

At the heart of Tezos' presence at TOKEN2049 was co-founder Arthur Breitman’s keynote address, dubbed Tezos’ "Broadband Moment." Arthur discussed Tezos X, marking the next generation of Tezos.

One of the standout features Arthur discussed was JSTZ, an experimental rollup with a JavaScript execution environment. This new rollup aims to broaden accessibility for developers by allowing them to write smart contracts and applications using JavaScript, one of the world’s most popular programming languages. This bold step is set to transform Tezos by making blockchain development more approachable and encouraging more developers to build within the ecosystem.

Arthur's speech at TOKEN2049 signals a pivotal moment for Tezos, solidifying its place as a leader in pushing the boundaries of scalability, composability, and interoperability.

Tezos Realm: A Full Immersive Experience

Tezos Realm, held at the historic CHIJMES Hall in Singapore, was the center of blockchain innovation. Attendees explored four themed realms—Culture & Community, DeFi, Gaming, and Etherlink—each showcasing cutting-edge projects from across the Tezos ecosystem.

Featured projects included:

  • akaSwap and Objkt in the Culture & Community realm

  • BattleRise and Ladder Protocol in the Gaming realm

  • Hanji and Superlend in the DeFi realm

  • Kredete and YourD in the Etherlink realm

Guests collected stamps after exploring these exhibits, unlocking exclusive Tezos Realm merchandise and prizes. For those unable to attend in person, the event was also available through the TZ Apex Hybrid Edition, allowing the global community to interact with the showcased projects remotely and win exciting rewards, including tez, NFTs, and in-game items.

Zeeve’s Rollup Day

Tezos was also featured at Zeeve’s Rollup Day, where Siddharth Singhal from Trilitech spoke on the "To Roll-up or not: Tackling the Conundrum" panel. The discussion focused on the transformative potential of rollups, a crucial component of Tezos X, and how they can drive scalability and innovation in the blockchain space.

CryptoCarnival Celebration

Rounding off the week was the CryptoCarnival, an event sponsored by Etherlink in celebration of Trust Wallet, CoinMarketCap, and 1inch. The lively festival atmosphere brought together key players from the crypto world and featured exclusive giveaways, merchandise, and a fireside chat discussing the latest developments in blockchain.

Entangled: The Exhibition – An Immersive Journey into Generative Art

As we continue This Week in the Tezos Ecosystem, we shift our focus to Belgium, where a captivating art experience is unfolding. Entangled: The Exhibition is a must-see event taking place at Wintercircus in Ghent, from September 17-22, bringing together the worlds of generative art, digital interaction, and quantum mechanics.

Hosted by nonfigurativ in collaboration with fx(hash, this on-chain generative art collection, "Entangled," invites visitors to explore the complex interplay between the physical and digital realms. The exhibition is more than just a visual treat—it includes a cutting-edge multimedia robotics installation that ties into the themes of quantum mechanics.

Key Highlights:

  • Meet the Artists: Attendees will have the chance to engage directly with the minds behind the artwork, learning about their creative processes and inspirations.

  • Venue Tours: Explore the iconic Wintercircus venue while diving deep into the fascinating world of generative art.

  • Educational Programs: The exhibition is not just about viewing but also about learning. Through workshops and talks organized in partnership with Tezos, visitors can deepen their understanding of the intersection between art and blockchain technology.

Event Details:

  • Dates: September 17-22

  • Location: Wintercircus, Ghent, Belgium

  • RSVP for the Opening: Experience a night of art, talks, and networking with like-minded art enthusiasts and blockchain innovators. RSVP here.

For those looking to join in on the public programs, the event includes workshops and educational tours aimed at exploring the future of art through blockchain. Spaces are limited, so be sure to register for free before it’s too late.

IguanaDEX Version 3 Launches on Etherlink, Now Tracked by DefiLlama

In exciting news for the Tezos DeFi landscape, IguanaDEX Version 3 has officially launched on Etherlink, the Tezos Layer 2 rollup network, bringing new decentralized trading and earning opportunities. IguanaDEX allows users to trade and earn cryptocurrencies without relying on centralized exchanges or intermediaries, providing a seamless, user-friendly experience powered by Tezos.

Key Features of IguanaDEX:

  • Decentralized Trading: Users can swap tokens and create liquidity pools on Etherlink without requiring permissions, using EVM-compatible wallets like MetaMask, Rabby Wallet, and Coinbase Wallet.

  • Liquidity Provision: Liquidity providers can earn rewards from trading fees and IGN token incentives while participating in the platform’s liquidity pools.

  • Token Bridging: IguanaDEX supports token bridging from networks like BNB Chain, Ethereum, and Polygon, ensuring that users can transfer assets to Etherlink with ease.

  • Security: The platform uses smart contracts based on PancakeSwap and Uniswap, benefiting from their established security audits.

Additionally, DefiLlama, a leading DeFi analytics platform, is now tracking IguanaDEX on Etherlink, boosting its visibility and providing key insights such as total value locked (TVL) metrics.

The launch of IguanaDEX marks a significant step for Tezos DeFi, offering a robust, decentralized platform for trading and liquidity provision, all while leveraging the efficiency and security of Tezos’ Layer 2 solution, Etherlink.

Tezos Game Spotlight: AutoHero

Get ready for this week’s Game Spotlight on AutoHero, an exhilarating next-gen experience built on Tezos! If you're a fan of intense shooting games filled with fiery gun battles and heavy weapons, AutoHero Tezos is the game for you.

In AutoHero, you take full control of your hero’s movement while the game’s auto-shooting mechanics do the rest. As a 2D side-scroller platform battle game, it delivers fast-paced action where you navigate your character through hordes of enemies while wielding powerful guns. The auto-shooting feature ensures seamless gameplay, allowing players to focus on strategy and movement as they face off against relentless waves of evil monsters.

🔫 Key Features:

  • Auto-shooting: Focus on navigating your hero’s movement while automatic shooting takes care of the enemies.

  • Heavy Weaponry: Arm your hero with powerful weapons to blast away the opposition.

  • Monsters Beware: Monsters won’t have a chance to hide in this fast-paced battle environment.

🎮 Download now: AutoHero

🔴 Now Streaming: Staking with Everstake featuring Maria Belashova

This week on TezTalks Radio, we’re joined by Maria Belashova, Tezos Blockchain Manager at Everstake, to discuss the vital role of Everstake as a staking and validator service provider for Tezos and other blockchain networks.

🌟 Our special guest is Maria Belashova, sharing her insights on staking and the importance of security and decentralization.

🔍 In this episode, we'll explore:

What is Everstake? - Learn how Everstake supports Tezos through staking and validation services, providing competitive fees and transparent operations.

Benefits of Staking: - Discover how staking allows users to earn passive income, support the Tezos network, and participate in on-chain governance.

Tezos' Paris Upgrade: - Maria discusses the recent Paris upgrade and how it introduced new staking functionalities.

Now Streaming Everywhere: