blokkokStandard

blokkokStandard is an open specification for block-based data interchange among distributed ledger technologies. It defines a common block format, transaction envelope, and cross-chain messaging protocol to facilitate interoperability between different blockchain implementations and other distributed ledgers. The goal is to reduce fragmentation and enable plug‑and‑play validation and synchronization across networks.

The core block structure comprises a header and a body. The header includes fields such as version, height, previous_hash, timestamp, merkle_root, and validator_set_hash. The body contains a sequence of serialized transactions and a metadata section. The standard specifies encodings, favoring compact binary formats (such as MessagePack) but also allowing JSON for interoperability. It requires a cryptographic digest of the header and a digital signature by the block producer. It defines a cross-chain message format for inter-chain calls, receipts, and nonces, enabling atomic cross-chain transactions through a two-phase commit-like process.

Implementation and governance: The standard is maintained by the blokkok Foundation, a neutral, community-governed body. The initial version was published in 2020, with revisions up to 1.3 in 2023. Reference implementations exist in Rust, Go, and TypeScript, and conformance tests are provided. Several projects have used blokkokStandard to publish test nets and wallets that node operators can validate against a common protocol.

Adoption and impact: While not universal, the standard has seen interest from interoperable ecosystems seeking to reduce bridge risk and to share debugging tooling. Criticism includes added complexity and potential performance overhead, and debates about whether a single canonical standard can accommodate diverse consensus mechanisms and data models.

See also: Block, Blockchain interoperability, Cross-chain communication protocols.