Blockspace for Humans (PBH) has launched Priority Blockspace for Humans (PBH) on the World Chain Sepolia testnet. This initiative aims to address the escalating issue of automated bots and high-frequency traders dominating blockchain transactions, often to the detriment of regular users.
The Rising Threat of Automated Exploits
The blockchain ecosystem has witnessed a surge in malicious activities, particularly sandwich attacks, where bots manipulate transaction ordering to extract value from unsuspecting users. In 2024 alone, cryptocurrency platform hacks resulted in losses amounting to $2.2 billion, marking a 21% increase from the previous year.
Notably, a single bot siphoned $40 million from over 100,000 individuals within a three-month span using such attacks. The proliferation of AI agents has further exacerbated this issue, as they increasingly dominate on-chain activities, making it imperative to prioritize human users over automated systems.
What is Priority Blockspace for Humans (PBH)
Priority Blockspace for Humans (PBH) seeks to redefine transaction dynamics by granting verified human users top-of-block priority, effectively reducing the need for exorbitant gas fees to ensure transaction inclusion.
This open-source infrastructure is designed to prevent exploitation by automated systems that manipulate transaction ordering, thereby safeguarding users from Maximal Extractable Value (MEV) strategies.
By shifting the focus from maximizing extractable value to optimizing usability for real people, PBH aims to create a more equitable blockchain environment.
Collaboration with Industry Leaders
The development of PBH is a collaborative effort involving prominent organizations such as Flashbots, Optimism, and Paradigm/Ithaca.
Flashbots, known for their work in mitigating MEV-related issues, bring their expertise to ensure that human-prioritized transactions are correctly ordered while preserving decentralization.
Optimism contributes its OP Stack technology, facilitating seamless integration with World Chain’s sequencing infrastructure.
Paradigm/Ithaca offers research insights to enhance the robustness and security of the PBH system.
World Chain: A Human-Centric Blockchain
World Chain, the platform hosting PBH, is a blockchain designed explicitly for real humans. Built on the Superchain ecosystem and secured by Ethereum as a Layer 2 solution, World Chain emphasizes scalability and community governance.
It offers developers the opportunity to reach millions of verified users with applications tailored for everyday use.
By integrating World ID’s Proof of Personhood, World Chain ensures that real people, rather than bots, are prioritized in transaction processing.
Addressing Maximal Extractable Value (MEV) Challenges
MEV has long plagued the blockchain community, with bots and high-frequency traders manipulating transaction sequences to their advantage. This practice not only leads to financial losses for regular users but also undermines the integrity of decentralized systems.
PBH tackles this challenge head-on by implementing a transaction ordering policy that prioritizes verified World ID holders, thereby reducing friction and fostering a fairer environment for genuine users.
Future plans include extending this priority to AI agents acting on behalf of verified humans, ensuring that automation serves human interests rather than exploits them.
Incentivized Testnet Launch at ETHDenver
To rigorously test and refine PBH before its mainnet deployment, an incentivized testnet event is scheduled from February 28 to March 7, 2025, in partnership with Flashbots.
This event, coinciding with ETHDenver, invites developers, security researchers, and the broader blockchain community to engage in two main tracks:
- PBH King of the Hill (February 28 – March 1): A competitive on-chain game where participants race to execute a specific function first in each block. The top performer will receive a prize, encouraging active engagement and real-time testing of the PBH system.
- Security Track: Break Things (February 28 – March 7): This track invites security experts to identify vulnerabilities, challenge system invariants, and uncover unintended behaviors within the PBH infrastructure. Rewards will be allocated based on the severity of the issues discovered, ensuring that the system is robust and secure before its mainnet launch.
The Broader Implications of PBH
The introduction of PBH on World Chain signifies a shift toward human-centric blockchain infrastructure.
By ensuring that real users are prioritized over automated entities, PBH addresses critical challenges posed by the increasing integration of AI in blockchain activities.
This initiative enhances security, fairness, and paves the way for future innovations, such as an EIP-1559-style fee market for verified transactions. This could lead to more predictable and accessible transaction inclusion for all users.
As blockchain technology continues to evolve, the emphasis on creating systems that prioritize human users becomes increasingly crucial. The collaborative efforts behind PBH demonstrate a commitment to preserving the foundational principles of decentralization and fairness in the face of growing automation. The insights gained from the upcoming testnet event will be instrumental in refining PBH, with plans to integrate it into the World Chain mainnet later this year.
Developers, researchers, and community members are encouraged to participate actively, explore the documentation, and contribute to building a blockchain ecosystem that truly serves its human users.
Overall, the launch of Priority Blockspace for Humans represents a significant advancement in the quest to create a more equitable and secure blockchain environment. By prioritizing human transactions and mitigating the influence of bad bots and high-frequency traders, PBH sets a new standard for user-centric blockchain design. As the blockchain landscape continues to intersect with AI and automation, initiatives like PBH will be essential in ensuring that technology serves humanity’s best interests.
Read Also: Worldcoin Launches World Chain with Gas Allowances for Verified Users, Prioritizing Humans over Bots
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