---
title: "2025-03 Vac monthly"
tags:
  - "vac-monthly"
date: 2025-03-31
draft: false
---

## Vac Monthly Report 2025/03

### P2P
#### highlights
- Release v1.9.0
- QUIC support in nim-libp2p
- GossipSub v1.4 proposal
- EthShadow simulations improved, nimbus integration ongoing.
- Completed work on adding raised exceptions to `async` functions
- Presentations at virtual libp2p day.

#### report
- `ift:2025q1-gossipsub-perf-improvements`
    - Overview:
        - EthShadow simulations improved, nimbus integration ongoing.
    - Delivered Deliverables:
        - Prepared talk for virtual libp2p day on GossipSub v1.4.
        - Created [PR for multi-test node simulation](https://github.com/vacp2p/dst-gossipsub-test-node/pull/6).
        - Performance comparisons for GossipSub 1.2, 1.4, and 2.0.
        - Nimbus + EthShadow integration in progress
        - EthResearch forum post on v1.4 upcoming.
        - Stagger send paper ready fo submission
        - IMRECEIVING paper is ready for review	

- `ift:2025q1-nimlibp2p-wrapping-ngtcp2:tls_handshake`
    - Overview:
        - Finalized and merged QUIC support into nim-libp2p, achieving interop with other implementations
    - Delivered Deliverables:
        - [nim-quic#64](https://github.com/vacp2p/nim-quic/pull/64) - handle client handshake failures.
        - [nim-libp2p#1301](https://github.com/vacp2p/nim-libp2p/pull/1301) - feat: `withQuicTransport`.
        - [nim-libp2p#1298](https://github.com/vacp2p/nim-libp2p/pull/1298) - refactor: switch from mbedTLS to OpenSSL.
        - [nim-quic#c3bf40](https://github.com/vacp2p/nim-quic/commit/c3bf40344bb03f692ba7b36e60625678a0de3c8f) - fix: ALPN FFI.
        - [nim-quic#62](https://github.com/vacp2p/nim-quic/pull/62) - fix: connection timeouts
        - [nim-quic#1283](https://github.com/vacp2p/nim-libp2p/pull/1283) feat: use libp2p alpn, remove hardcoded port number and fix certificate generation
        - [nim-libp2p#1265](https://github.com/vacp2p/nim-libp2p/pull/1265) feat: quic 

- `ift:2025q1-nimlibp2p-wrapping-ngtcp2:certificate_validation`
    - Overview:
        - Certificate validation rework complete including libp2p specs update
    - Delivered Deliverables:
        - [nim-libp2p#1299](https://github.com/vacp2p/nim-libp2p/pull/1299) - feat(certificate): add date verification
        - [nim-libp2p#1297](https://github.com/vacp2p/nim-libp2p/pull/1297) - chore(quic): add tests with invalid certs
        - [libp2p/specs#665](https://github.com/libp2p/specs/pull/665) - feat: update certificate test vectors.
        - [nim-libp2p#1292](https://github.com/vacp2p/nim-libp2p/pull/1292) - feat: X.509 certificate validation
        - [nim-libp2p#1295](https://github.com/vacp2p/nim-libp2p/pull/1295) - feat(quic): tls certificate verify 
        - [nim-libp2p#1296](https://github.com/vacp2p/nim-libp2p/pull/1296) feat(certificate): set distinguished name for issuer with peer id

- `vac:p2p:ift:2025q1-nimlibp2p-webtransport:requirements`
    - Overview:
        - Documented the requirements for adding WebTransport support to nim-libp2p
    - Delivered Deliverables:
        - [Webtransport Requirements](https://www.notion.so/Webtransport-Requirements-1b38f96fb65c80728e20f2fc34e24cee?pvs=4)

- `ift:2025q1-nimlibp2p-maintenance`
    - Overview
        - Release [v1.9.0](https://github.com/vacp2p/nim-libp2p/releases/tag/v1.9.0)
        - Completed work on adding raised exceptions to `async` functions
        - Minor CI updates
    - Delivered Deliverables:
        - [nim-libp2p#1284](https://github.com/vacp2p/nim-libp2p/pull/1284) - chore: specify exceptions in try statement 
        - [nim-libp2p#1274](https://github.com/vacp2p/nim-libp2p/pull/1274) - chore(relay): specify raised exceptions 
        - [nim-libp2p#1275](https://github.com/vacp2p/nim-libp2p/pull/1275) - chore(protocol): handler to propagate CancelledError 
        - [nim-libp2p#1276](https://github.com/vacp2p/nim-libp2p/pull/1276) - chore(connmanager): propagate CancelledError 
        - [nim-libp2p#1288](https://github.com/vacp2p/nim-libp2p/pull/1288) - chore: use token per repo in autobump task
        - [nimbus-eth2#7014](https://github.com/status-im/nimbus-eth2/pull/7014) - chore(ci): nim-libp2p master auto bump
        - [nwaku#3327](https://github.com/waku-org/nwaku/pull/3327) - chore(ci): waku nim-libp2p master auto bump
        - [nim-libp2p#1281](https://github.com/vacp2p/nim-libp2p/pull/1281) chore(ci): Remove Appveyor config
  
- `ift:2025q1-nimlibp2p-wrapping-ngtcp2:improve_quic`
    - Overview:
        - Modified nim-quic to allow passing a custom RNG from nim-libp2p
    - Deliverables:
        - [nim-quic#60](https://github.com/vacp2p/nim-quic/pull/60) - Switch RNG to BearSSL.

- `acz:2025q1-acz-consulting:libp2p-mix-consulting`
    - Overview:
        - Troubleshot mix pubsub stream reliability, recommended aggressive stream closing.
        - Discussions around using custom connections in pubsub
        - Assist in fixing compilation issues

- `acz:2025q1-acz-consulting:de-mls-consulting`
    - Overview:
        - Debugged double-message issue, confirmed [known issue](https://github.com/waku-org/nwaku/issues/3246).
        - Investigate cause behind segfault in de-mls (Fixed by nwaku team in [waku-rust-bindings#116](https://github.com/waku-org/waku-rust-bindings/pull/116))

- `misc/admin`
    - Overview:
        - 2 presentations shown at virtual libp2p day
        - Document nim-libp2p release procedure
    - Delivered Deliverables:
        - [Gossipsub 1.3 Proposal](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7tDz0a41Bg)
        - [nim-libp2p Update & Roadmap](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=148O0vz8KfU)
        - [release procedure](https://www.notion.so/Release-procedure-1b58f96fb65c80659952c01f4ad366d0)


### Tokenomics
#### highlights

- Formalization of Cats Fishing token launch 
- Exploration on Solana and Base gaming ecosystem for Cats Fishing
- Support to Legal and developers on topics related to Cats Fishing
- Design and implementation of Codex Lending Market, and competitors analyses
- Support to the rollout of SNT staking on SN testnet with the frontend
- Discussions around the design of the bridge facilitating the native yield on Status Network
- Further development and simulation of blobspace model 
- Revised economic model of Nomos Service Declarion Protocol
- Starting discussions about NMO as money for the Network State
- Analysis of the current state of the MEV, and learnings from ETHDenver
- Design of a centralized dashboard for the TKE team

#### report
- `vac:tke:ift:catsfishing:simulations-and-release`
  - Overview: 
    - Initial analysis of Based token launch
    - Blockchain Gaming Platform Analysis: Solana vs Base Chain
  - Delivered deliverables:
    - https://www.notion.so/Initial-Distribution-1c28f96fb65c8078b7ffcb794c2da312?pvs=4
    - https://www.notion.so/Blockchain-Gaming-Platform-Analysis-Solana-vs-Base-Chain-1b28f96fb65c800a8aebd831da139322?pvs=4
    - https://www.overleaf.com/7568824457phqxqfbpxhzq#84a5f7
  - Completed tasks:
    - `vac:tke:ift:based:advisory:solana-research`
    - `vac:tke:ift:based:advisory:token-launch`

- `vac:tke:codex:cdx-incentive-mechanisms`
  - Overview:
    - Design and implementation of Codex Lending Market
    - Analysis of FileCoin lending market and lending CDPs
  - Delivered deliverables:
    - https://www.notion.so/Codex-Lending-Market-1a38f96fb65c80a0be7dc4219a6784bc?pvs=4
    - https://www.notion.so/Codex-Lending-Market-1a38f96fb65c80a0be7dc4219a6784bc?pvs=4#1a58f96fb65c80609433f47d46a6f11d
    - https://github.com/vacp2p/token-economics/tree/4c1bbd408b0fd6163e56740a598bcc3b9506266c/Codex/cdx
  - Completed tasks:
    - `vac:tke:codex:cdx-incentive-mechanisms:design-lending-market`
    - `vac:tke:codex:cdx-incentive-mechanisms:filecoin-lending-market`
    - `vac:tke:codex:cdx-incentive-mechanisms:implementation-lending`
    - `vac:tke:codex:cdx-incentive-mechanisms::lending-cdps`

- `vac:tke:status:karma-incentives`
  - Overview:
    - Initial design of Karma issuance
  - Delivered deliverables:
    - https://www.notion.so/Karma-Distribution-1a08f96fb65c800ebdc1c7b22227c555
    - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jKK_pFPo5y8U-wQ4Y3MfbY0sDdFaj3JD-B6iOHFg09Q/edit?gid=0#gid=0
    - https://snt-staking-demo.netlify.app/
    - https://eip7702demo.netlify.app/
    - https://www.notion.so/EIP-7702-Account-abstraction-1c48f96fb65c80daa349fa27f33410bc?pvs=4
  - Completed tasks:
    - `vac:tke:status:karma-incentives:karma-distribution`
    - `vac:tke:status:karma-incentives:snt-kpi`
    - `vac:tke:status:karma-incentives:karma-APY`
    - `vac:tke:status:karma-incentives:staking-demo`

- `vac:tke:nomos:base-econ-model`
  - Overview: 
    - Advancing the implementation of the Nomos Economic Model
    - Mathematical model and dashboard for the analysis of gas and blockspace usage
    - Economics of the Service Declaration Protocol
    - Kicking off discussions about NMO as money for the Network State
  - Delivered deliverables:
    - https://github.com/vacp2p/token-economics/tree/943619871747a7355e34665a9e9bf4902c8f82b6/Nomos/economic_model/model
    - https://www.notion.so/Gas-Usage-and-Blob-Utilization-Analysis-and-Modelling-1818f96fb65c80a08987e8b7a7306c87
    - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1EV2QdtQe3HH3ZCBHIxU1s20EVbEDU-vq?usp=sharing
    - https://www.overleaf.com/9218327789cfcwjdntqnsv#2ff4a7
    - https://github.com/vacp2p/token-economics/tree/juan-nomos-sims/Nomos
    - https://www.notion.so/Economics-of-the-Service-Declaration-Protocol-19f8f96fb65c8044a074ec5d27175865?pvs= 4
    - https://www.notion.so/Preliminary-Research-Nomos-Token-as-Money-for-the-Network-State-1758f96fb65c80a6aeb0e2e4cb8153a1?pvs=4
  - Completed tasks:
    - `vac:tke:nomos:base-econ-model:simulation-nms`
    - `vac:tke:nomos:base-econ-model:three-markets`
    - `vac:tke:nomos:base-econ-model:eth-data`
    - `vac:tke:nomos:base-econ-model:gas-model`
    - `vac:tke:nomos:base-econ-model:sdp`
    - `vac:tke:nomos:base-econ-model:simulations-gas-dashboard`
    - `vac:tke:nomos:base-econ-model:nms-money`

- `vac:tke:ift:tokenomics-research-forum`
  - Overview: 
  - Delivered deliverables:
    - https://github.com/vacp2p/token-economics
    - https://www.notion.so/MEV-Research-19d8f96fb65c802e9ca2ca3376057966?pvs=4#1b58f96fb65c8038af58d9f2bd4684ae
    - https://www.notion.so/MEV-Research-19d8f96fb65c802e9ca2ca3376057966?pvs=4#1b58f96fb65c8036a2d8e4bf167b42cd
  - Completed tasks:
    - `vac:tke:ift:tokenomics-research-forum:mev`
    - `vac:tke:ift:tokenomics-research-forum:tke-dashboard`
    - `vac:tke:ift:tokenomics-research-forum:eth-denver`

### QA
#### highlights
- Added e2e tests for data DOS robustnesss and edge cases on nomos side.
- Added endurance and longevity tests and github actions jobs for go-waku-bindings repo.
- Added numerous new tests to status-go functional testing framework increasing functional code coverage from 15% to 24.5%.
- Added IPV6 capabilitles to status-go reliability tests.
- Documented existing QA Strategy for Nimbus project.
- Documented the existing QA frameworks created/owned by the VAC QA team.
- Established synchronization between QA and RFC processes.

#### report
- `vac:qa:nomos:2025q1-da-testing`
	- Overview:
		- Added e2e tests for data DOS robustnesss and edge cases on nomos side.

	- Delivered Deliverables:
		- [PR: Test/spam protection](https://github.com/logos-co/nomos-e2e-tests/pull/5)
		- [PR: Test/high load denial of service](https://github.com/logos-co/nomos-e2e-tests/pull/7)
		- [PR: Chore/Cluster configuration update](https://github.com/logos-co/nomos-e2e-tests/pull/8)
		- [PR: Test/Disperse large volume data](https://github.com/logos-co/nomos-e2e-tests/pull/9)
		- [PR: Test/da edge cases](https://github.com/logos-co/nomos-e2e-tests/pull/12)

    - Completed tasks:	
		- `vac:qa:nomos:2025q1-da-testing:dos-robustness`
		- `vac:qa:nomos:2025q1-da-testing:edge-cases`

- `vac:qa:nomos:2025q1-e2e-testing`
	- Overview:
		- Maintenace and adjustments for nomos e2e tests

	- Delivered Deliverables:
		- [PR: Update nomos-cli reconstruct to work with DaBlob](https://github.com/logos-co/nomos-node/pull/1080)
		- [PR: Collect more insight for data dispersal](https://github.com/logos-co/nomos-e2e-tests/pull/6)
		- [PR: Add dispersal mempool strategy to cfgsync template](https://github.com/logos-co/nomos-e2e-tests/pull/10)
		- [PR: Improve error handling](https://github.com/logos-co/nomos-e2e-tests/pull/11)

    - Completed tasks:	
		- `vac:qa:nomos:2025q1-e2e-testing:maintenance`

- `vac:qa:waku:2025q1-interop-testing`
	- Overview:
		- Maintenace and adjustments for waku interop tests

	- Delivered Deliverables:
		- [chore: Skip all RLN tests due to problems with registration](https://github.com/waku-org/waku-interop-tests/pull/107)
		- [bug: Waku requests rejected by Infura RPC provider - not EIP-155 compliant](https://github.com/waku-org/nwaku/issues/3313)
		- [chore: fix Overall job result](https://github.com/waku-org/waku-interop-tests/pull/108)
		- [chore: RLN Metric rename](https://github.com/waku-org/waku-interop-tests/pull/109)
		- [chore: retry flaky test](https://github.com/waku-org/waku-interop-tests/pull/110)

- `vac:qa:waku:2025q1-waku-go-bindings-testing`
	- Overview:
		- Added endurance and longevity tests and github actions jobs for go-waku-bindings repo

	- Delivered Deliverables:
		- [PR: Add final set of store tests](https://github.com/waku-org/waku-go-bindings/pull/43)
		- [PR: add peer discovery and direct peer connection tests](https://github.com/waku-org/waku-go-bindings/pull/46)
		- [PR: new stress tests and CI actions](https://github.com/waku-org/waku-go-bindings/pull/47)
		- [Bug: issue with Retrieving Stored Messages on Pubsub Topic for Shard 8](https://github.com/waku-org/waku-go-bindings/issues/44)
		- [Bug: calling Destroy() in a test breaks subsequent node creation and message reception](https://github.com/waku-org/waku-go-bindings/issues/51)
		- [CI: Long running test](https://github.com/waku-org/waku-go-bindings/actions/runs/13949016824/job/39043263718)
		- [CI: Endurange test](https://github.com/waku-org/waku-go-bindings/actions/runs/14019657817)

    - Completed tasks:	
		- `vac:qa:waku:2025q1-waku-go-bindings-testing:store`
		- `vac:qa:waku:2025q1-waku-go-bindings-testing:maintenance`
		- `vac:qa:waku:2025q1-waku-go-bindings-testing:connection`
		- `vac:qa:waku:2025q1-waku-go-bindings-testing:endurance`
		- `vac:qa:waku:2025q1-waku-go-bindings-testing:ci`

- `vac:qa:waku:2025q1-direct-message-reliability-testing`
	- Overview:
		- Added IPV6 capabilitles to reliability tests.
		- Implemented functional tests for messages and contact requests endpoints.
		- Refactoring and improvemets to the framework like running tests in parallel.

	- Delivered Deliverables:
		- [PR: Tests for wakuext messages 1](https://github.com/status-im/status-go/pull/6356)
		- [PR: Tests for wakuext messages 2](https://github.com/status-im/status-go/pull/6374)
		- [PR: Tests for wakuext messages 3](https://github.com/status-im/status-go/pull/6380)
		- [PR: Tests for wakuext messages 4](https://github.com/status-im/status-go/pull/6428)
		- [PR: Tests for wakuext messages 5](https://github.com/status-im/status-go/pull/6432)
		- [PR: Tests for wakuext messages 6](https://github.com/status-im/status-go/pull/6444)
		- [PR: join leave community scenarios](https://github.com/status-im/status-go/pull/6370)
		- [PR: contact requests tests p1](https://github.com/status-im/status-go/pull/6425)
		- [PR: contact requests tests p2](https://github.com/status-im/status-go/pull/6437)
		- [PR: split test steps into separate classes](https://github.com/status-im/status-go/pull/6403)
		- [PR: Run functional tests in parallel](https://github.com/status-im/status-go/pull/6461)

    - Completed tasks:	
		- `vac:qa:waku:2025q1-direct-message-reliability-testing:wakuext-chat-message`
		- `vac:qa:waku:2025q1-direct-message-reliability-testing:contact-requests`
		- `vac:qa:waku:2025q1-direct-message-reliability-testing:community-join-leave`
		- `vac:qa:waku:2025q1-direct-message-reliability-testing:other-message-ep`

- `vac:qa:ift:2025q1-projects-qa-strategy`
	- Overview:
		- Document existing QA strategy for Nimbus project.
		- Documented the existing QA frameworks created/owned by the VAC QA team.
		- Established synchronization between QA and RFC processes.

	- Delivered Deliverables:
        - [QA Strategy doc for nimbus eth1 execution client](https://www.notion.so/Nimbus-eth1-VAC-QA-Test-Coverage-Report-1af8f96fb65c80328862f28ef10c809c)
		- [QA Strategy doc for nimbus eth2 consensus client](https://www.notion.so/Nimbus-eth2-VAC-QA-Test-Coverage-Report-1b68f96fb65c80f3b243ca6eca21d885)
		- [Go waku bindings test framework](https://www.notion.so/1898f96fb65c8025b9fcfadca3827d51?v=1898f96fb65c80f1babd000c458064be)
		- [Nomos on ARM/Linux](https://www.notion.so/Nomos-on-ARM-Linux-Risc0-v1-3pre-1a48f96fb65c80c0b8cde64c87c6e4cb)
		- [Waku interop tests](https://www.notion.so/Waku-Interop-Tests-QA-Framework-Guide-1c08f96fb65c805aa7f8d9c4e4715f4f)
		- [Nomos QA Schedule Updates](https://www.notion.so/Nomos-QA-Schedule-Updates-1268f96fb65c8081ba8fea1004a6331b)
		- [Shared Notion page for tracking QA and Waku RFC updates](https://www.notion.so/RFC-QA-Sync-Table-1a18f96fb65c8088b2ccfa6aaebd708d)
		- [Waku RFC <> Implementation and test coverage page](https://www.notion.so/RFC-Implementation-and-test-coverage-1a18f96fb65c805c8bf3ca1fc04234b1)
		- [js-waku e2e/Interop Tests](https://www.notion.so/js-waku-e2e-Interop-Tests-1c18f96fb65c8031999ee599292703c2)
		- [Status-Go Functional Tests](https://www.notion.so/Status-Go-Functional-Tests-1c48f96fb65c80a78e75ceac2a5c93c0)
		- [Nomos E2E Tests Guide](https://www.notion.so/Nomos-E2E-Tests-1c48f96fb65c80279fdfc3c7bbe29259)

	- Completed tasks:	
		- `vac:qa:ift:2025q1-projects-qa-strategy:nimbus`
		- `vac:qa:ift:2025q1-projects-qa-strategy:frameworks-documentation`
		- `vac:qa:ift:2025q1-projects-qa-strategy:qa-rfc-sync`

### DST
#### highlights
- Initiated a tool for fixed topolgies in experiments
- Found status-go missbehaviors with light modes and Discv5
- Found nimlibp2p issues
- Improved experiment deployments through automation
#### report
- `admin/misc`
    - Coordinated waku milestones with Waku team
    - Q2 Commitments
- `vac:dst:waku:2025q1-waku-tooling`
    - Overview:
        - Created scaffold for a topology generator functionality, different topologies and projects.
    - Delivered Deliverables:
        - [PR: Topology Generator](https://github.com/vacp2p/10ksim/pull/64)
        - [PR: Log enhancement with pod Name](https://github.com/vacp2p/10ksim/pull/63)
    - Completed tasks:
        - `vac:dst:waku:2025q1-waku-tooling:fixed-topology`
- `vac:dst:status:2025q1-status-go-evaluation`
    - Overview:
        - Discovered some missbehavior in status-go communities and light nodes.
        - Change status-backend configuration to use a custom fleet of status nodes. 
    - Delivered Deliverables:
        - [First chat protocol benchmark issues](https://www.notion.so/Status-Backend-Chat-Protocol-Benchmarks-Issues-1ab8f96fb65c80429833e945827d33e7)
        - [Code changes for subscription performance](https://github.com/vacp2p/status-go-test/pull/1)
        - [Report for subscription performance](https://www.notion.so/Status-Subscription-performance-1c48f96fb65c80d19257fea6386e48c5)
    - Completed tasks:
        - `vac:dst:status:2025q1-status-go-evaluation:subscription-performance`
- `vac:dst:vac:2025q1-libp2p-evaluation`
    - Overview:
        - Discovered some compiling issues in nimlibp2p version 1.9.0
        - Started suggestions for an improvement of the testing node
    - Delivered Deliverables:
        - [Nimlibp2p 1.9.0 report](https://www.notion.so/Nim-libp2p-v1-9-0-regression-testing-March-2025-1b58f96fb65c807c818dfacc31d746f6)
- `vac:dst:ift:2025q1-dst-research-destination`
    - Overview:
        - Create forum post with some DST results
        - Add more reports to the DST public reports
    - Delivered Deliverables:
        - [Forum Link](https://forum.vac.dev/t/waku-and-nimlibp2p-analysis/453)
        - [Notion: DST public reports](https://zealous-polka-dc7.notion.site/DST-Reports-1228f96fb65c80729cd1d98a7496fe6f)
    - Completed tasks:
        - `vac:dst:ift:2025q1-dst-research-destination:forum-post`
        - `vac:dst:ift:2025q1-dst-research-destination:public-reports`
- `vac:dst:ift:2025q1-vaclab`
    - Overview:
        - Helped Codex accessing the lab
        - Maintenance of the lab with upgrades and patches.
        - Automate experiments with deployment tools and post analysis.
    - Delivered Deliverables:
        - [Notion report for automatic deployments](https://www.notion.so/Argo-Workflow-Automation-1bf8f96fb65c804f948ed9dbb279fa77)
    - Completed tasks:
        - `vac:dst:ift:2025q1-vaclab:deployment-utilities`

### SC
#### highlights
- Collaborated with an external team (Based) for the first time, to offer Smart Contract reviews
- Released a production ready version of the staking protocol on SN Sepolia
- LearnUp session about EIP-7702
#### report
- `admin/misc`
    - Reviewed Smart contracts of external Based team
    - **Completed tasks**
        - This was a task for Q2 but had a bit of higher priority
    - **Deliverables**
        - [Feedback document](https://notes.status.im/s/As1eiFUOK)
- `ift:2025q1-sc-learnup-sessions:2025-03`
    - Ran and recorded a session on EIP-7702, which allows native smart accounts
    - **Relevant links**
        - [Video recording](https://www.notion.so/EIP-7702-Account-abstraction-1c48f96fb65c80daa349fa27f33410bc)
    - **Completed tasks**
        - `ift:2025q1-sc-learnup-sessions:2025-03`
    - **Deliverables**
        - [Video recording - LearnUp Session](https://www.notion.so/EIP-7702-Account-abstraction-1c48f96fb65c80daa349fa27f33410bc)
- `status:2025q1-staking-protocol-refinement:status-network-testnet-deployment`
    - Deployed staking protocol on SN Sepolia
    - **Relevant links**
        - [Deployment addresses](https://www.notion.so/Contract-Deployment-Addresses-d6dd98b1b4f6461d82eec6ab18b852c8?pvs=4#1a88f96fb65c8066a73af9fcaf9d620e)
    - **Deliverables**
        - See contract addresses

### ACZ
#### highlights 
- Released [Zerokit v0.7](https://github.com/vacp2p/zerokit/releases/tag/v0.7.0)
- Published the blogpost on [MDS matrix security](https://vac.dev/rlog/mdsecheck-method)
- presented libp2p mix ([slides](https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/19kdKPXAPSIEpk_lQVMhnG8qDywFdQP9IcgRt5YwbFuc/edit?pli=1&slide=id.g157ea0519b8_0_116#slide=id.g157ea0519b8_0_116)) in IFT Research Call
- Published [rln-wasm report](https://github.com/vacp2p/zerokit/issues/289#issuecomment-2755917797)

#### report

- `ift:2025q1-libp2p-mix-poc`
    - Overview:
        - Implementation of [mixified gossipsub](https://github.com/vacp2p/dst-gossipsub-test-node/tree/dockerized-mix-gossipsub).
        - Finalized [presentation](https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/19kdKPXAPSIEpk_lQVMhnG8qDywFdQP9IcgRt5YwbFuc/edit?pli=1&slide=id.g157ea0519b8_0_116#slide=id.g157ea0519b8_0_116) and presented at IFT research call.
    - Delivered deliverables:
        - A [presentation](https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/19kdKPXAPSIEpk_lQVMhnG8qDywFdQP9IcgRt5YwbFuc/edit?pli=1&slide=id.g157ea0519b8_0_116#slide=id.g157ea0519b8_0_116) for IFT research call. 
        - A branch for [gossipsub](https://github.com/vacp2p/dst-gossipsub-test-node/tree/dockerized-mix-gossipsub)
    - Completed tasks:
        - `ift:2025q1-libp2p-mix-poc:ift-research-call-prep`
- `ift:2025q1-zerokit-v0-7`
    - Overview:
        - Refined util functions 
        - Update the dependencies
        - Released the new version v.0.7
        - Conduced wasm research
    - Delivered deliverables:
        - [A PR for refining util functions](https://github.com/vacp2p/zerokit/pull/287)
        - Maintaining the zerokit with fixing a bug [#288](https://github.com/vacp2p/zerokit/pull/288) 
        - [Update dependencies PR](https://github.com/vacp2p/zerokit/pull/291) 
        - [Released v.0.7](https://github.com/vacp2p/zerokit/releases/tag/v0.7.0)
    - Completed tasks:
        - `ift:2025q1-zerokit-v0-7:release`
        - `ift:2025q1-zerokit-v0-7:zerokit-wasm-research`
- `ift:2025q1-de-mls-multi-admin`
    - Overview:
        - Maintaining de-mls repo by fixing double message issue
        - Conducted consensus research 
        - Adding batchkey feature for multi admin support
    - Delivered deliverables:
        - [A PR for fixing double Waku message](https://github.com/vacp2p/de-mls/pull/32)
        - [A PR for the consensus Research RFC](https://github.com/vacp2p/rfc-index/pull/142)
        - [A PR for batchkey ](https://github.com/vacp2p/de-mls/pull/34)
    - Completed tasks:
        - `ift:2025q1-de-mls-multi-admin:waku-node-connection`
        - `ift:2025q1-de-mls-multi-admin:consensus-research`
        - `ift:2025q1-de-mls-multi-admin:batch-key-package`
- `ift:2025q1-ift-zk-calls`
    - Overview:
        - Conducted the March IFT ZK Call 
    - Delivered deliverables:
        - [Presentation record](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpVvLEhW4yA) 
        - [Forum post ](https://forum.vac.dev/t/attacks-on-fiat-shamir/446)
    - Completed tasks:
        - `ift:2025q1-ift-zk-calls:ift-zk-call-3`
- `ift:2025q1-think-tank`
    - Overview:
        - Create think-tank docs that summaries all cryptography related works from IFT.
    - Delivered deliverables:
        - [A notion page think tank](https://www.notion.so/ACZ-Think-Tank-WIP-1b38f96fb65c80a3aad0c1bb7e2f8b8b)
    - Completed tasks:
        - `ift:2025q1-think-tank:crypto-think-tank`
        - `ift:2025q1-think-tank:zk-think-tank`
- `nomos:2025q1-nomos-consulting`
    - Overview:
        - Reviewed two nomos docs 
    - Delivered deliverables:
        - ...
    - Completed tasks:
        - `nomos:2025q1-nomos-consulting:zk-consulting-nomos-6`
        - `nomos:2025q1-nomos-consulting:zk-consulting-nomos-7`
- `ift:2025q1-mds-checker`
    - Overview:
        - Publishing the blog post on [MDS matrix security](https://vac.dev/rlog/mdsecheck-method)
    - Delivered deliverables:
        - [A blog post](https://vac.dev/rlog/mdsecheck-method) 
    - Completed tasks:
        - `ift:2025q1-mds-checker:blogpost-mds
- `ift:2025q1-rln-status-l2`
    - Overview:
        - Created architectures and todo list for deploying RLN. 
    - Delivered deliverables:
        - [A notion page for todo list](https://www.notion.so/RLN-implementation-to-do-1a68f96fb65c80beb9d2d036b4dcc6a0)
        - [A notion page for simple architecture](https://www.notion.so/Short-Summary-of-the-RLN-deployment-for-Status-L2-1c18f96fb65c800180a6e6433ccf2bdf)
        - [A notion page for signature like RLN](https://www.notion.so/Signature-like-RLN-without-revealing-the-secret-key-1ac8f96fb65c80fcae7bd92f77ced37c)
    - Completed tasks:
        - `ift:2025q1-rln-status-l2:exploring`

### RFC
#### highlights
- Published the first blog on the forum in regards to jumpstart the discussion regarding the RFCs (Codex).
- Based on feedback and new data, updated and improved COSS.
- Fixed broken links on several RFCs
- Improved vac.dev (links and layout)

#### report

- `vac:rfc:waku:2025q1-rfc-iteration
    - Overview
        - Business as usual, completed all of the planned RFCs for this quarter (some awaiting feedback).
    - Report
        - Completed 20/TOY-PM-ETH update, - https://github.com/vacp2p/rfc-index/pull/141
        - Made changes to 1/COSS for stagnant proposal - https://github.com/vacp2p/rfc-index/pull/38
        - Discv5 - https://github.com/vacp2p/rfc-index/pull/139
        - Waku mix rfc - https://github.com/waku-org/specs/pull/53
        - 26/WAKU2-PAYLOAD update - https://github.com/vacp2p/rfc-index/pull/136
        - Made changes based on feedback 10/WAKU2 and 14/WAKU2-MESSAGES, update complete - https://github.com/vacp2p/rfc-index/pull/125
        - 36/waku2-bindings-api - https://github.com/vacp2p/rfc-index/pull/127
- `vac:rfc:ift:rfc-index-maintenance`
    - Overview
        - Improved on several things, from design and links to some of the old PRs.
    - Report
        - New round of fixes for Status old PRs - https://github.com/vacp2p/rfc-index/pull/134
        - Completed update of links for vac blog - https://github.com/vacp2p/vac.dev/pull/163
        - Fixes PRs (https://github.com/vacp2p/vac.dev/pull/167#pullrequestreview-2683857301) (https://github.com/vacp2p/vac.dev/pull/166)
- `vac:rfc:ift:2025q1-culture-establishment-team-communication`
    - Overview
        - Completed the first forum post as well as the started working on creating a workshop for writing RFCs.
    - Report
        - CODEX-MARKETPLACE forum post - https://www.notion.so/New-RFC-CODEX-MARKETPLACE-1748f96fb65c80ef9bdecfe9233a5c65?pvs=25
        - Continued work on Specification Workshop, work in progress, still in draft - https://www.notion.so/Specification-Writing-Workshop-1c48f96fb65c80adb159e74170e245cc 

### Nescience  
#### Highlights  
- Analysed the synchronization mechanism and investigated alternative syncing workflow.
- Proposed several appraoches and identified the best fit for NSSA providing benefits and drawbacks to address in Q2.
- Explored alternative data structures, such as Verkle trees, CMTs amd IMTs, to improve nullifier scalability.
- Developed a Rust library that provides a seamless interface for developers. 
- Implemented an approach to handle UTXO scalability issue.

#### Report 

Enable smart contract capabilities for the zkVM
- `vac:nes:state-separation-architecture-poc`  
    - Overview:  
        - Redesigned the synchronization mechanism to reduce dependency on zkVM. Several approaches were explored and analyzed in depth. From Homomrphic encryption approached to more practical approaches as the refined multi epoch sync, the single-epoch atomic sync, the hybrid rollup sync, to finish with DP.
        - Explored ways for data structures for NSSA to improve the nullifier scalibility. We identified the limitation of SMTs and made a survey on CMTs and VTs. Research conducted gave us a direction towards IMTs which improve search scalability by replacing linked-list with a different sorted structure that has more efficient search algorithms. However, additional research is needed to overcome some drawbacks in the IMTs design.
        - Developed a Rust library that enables smart contract capabilities for R0 in NSSA and seamless interface for developers. We have added a number of different helperfunctions for that.
        - Implemented an approach to handle UTXO scalability issue. We added 1 byte tag to an encoded UTXO additional field where the users create tags at a start of parsing transaction, and if their tags align with UTXO tag, they try to decode UTXO.

    - List of deliverables (ordered as in [task management](https://www.notion.so/1158f96fb65c80a2aeb5f400fff2a8e4?v=1158f96fb65c81bc8833000c8957b942)):
        - [Sync mechanism issue statement](https://www.notion.so/Re-state-the-sync-problem-1628f96fb65c81b28cc8e3da589c1a90)
        - [FHE approach](https://www.notion.so/Investigate-alternative-sync-homomorphic-1ac8f96fb65c805893b3f780dc82c74a)
        - [Improved sync mechanism approaches](https://www.notion.so/Improved-sync-mechanism-ideas-1b28f96fb65c8042ac3bf49ceba52c22)
        - [Smart contract lib: Basic balance manipulation functions](https://github.com/vacp2p/nescience-testnet/pull/49)
        - [Smart contract lib:Basic arithmetic and zkVM adjusted hashing functions implementation](https://github.com/vacp2p/nescience-testnet/pull/50)
        - [SMTs limitation](https://www.notion.so/Sparse-Merkle-Tree-limitations-1628f96fb65c81e3a424ca442674c657)
        - [CMTs and VTs survey](https://www.notion.so/Investigate-alternates-for-lightweight-client-1628f96fb65c8160b4bcde8e1d384c1c)
        - [IMT approach and drawbacks](https://www.notion.so/Specs-for-IMT-1628f96fb65c81469725fbdc4f45e183)
        - [UTXO scalability issue](https://github.com/vacp2p/nescience-testnet/pull/52)
    
    - Completed tasks (big tasks):
        - `vac:nes:2025q1:state-separation-architecture-poc:prog`
        - `vac:nes:2025q1:state-separation-architecture-poc:sc-impl`
        - `vac:nes:2025q1:state-separation-architecture-poc:nullifier`
        - `vac:nes:2025q1:state-separation-architecture-poc:utxo-transfer`

