DApp AppChain Exploration: Ideas to Break Through Performance Constraints

Recently, with the popularity of Web3 applications such as StepN, the performance bottlenecks of blockchain networks have once again become a focal point of industry attention. The situation where a single application can cause the entire network to collapse clearly deviates from the vision of Web3. This prompts us to think: Is there a new possibility between blockchain and applications? Can there be new attempts between chains and DApps? This article will explore this issue from the perspective of Polkadot's unique parachains.

DApp is looking for a better landing point

With the rise of mainstream public chains such as Ethereum and Solana, a large number of DApps have begun to emerge. DApps directly connect users and developers, featuring decentralization, asset ownership, and trustworthiness. At the same time, DApp data is encrypted and stored on the blockchain, ensuring high security and effectively preventing information tampering.

Blockchain is the infrastructure for DApps, and the prosperity of the public chain ecosystem largely depends on the types, quantity, and performance of DApps. DApps carry multiple missions such as revenue, scenarios, and transactions, so a foundational blockchain that can support their commercial operations is needed.

So, how do current DApps address the issue of insufficient performance in their blockchain? The following three cases may provide us with some inspiration.

1. Build Layer2 yourself

Axie Infinity is a card battle game with a P2E model. As the user base exploded, Ethereum's performance gradually became unable to meet its demands. Therefore, Axie Infinity chose to build a sidechain called Ronin based on Ethereum.

Ronin uses a PoA consensus mechanism with only 7 validation nodes, allowing transactions to be completed almost instantly, and the Gas fees are negligible. This greatly promotes the breeding and trading of Axie.

2. Find Layer2 dedicated chain

Illuvium is a 3D blockchain RPG game that allows players to capture and breed creatures for battles. It has chosen Immutable X as its underlying blockchain infrastructure.

Immutable X is a Layer 2 protocol developed specifically for NFTs on Ethereum, utilizing ZK Rollups technology to enable gas-free minting and trading of NFTs. These features have also attracted other well-known blockchain games to deploy on its platform.

3. Find Layer0 to create a dedicated Layer1.

DeFi Kingdoms was initially developed on Harmony, but as it evolved, it gradually faced limitations from Harmony. After Avalanche launched its subnet, DeFi Kingdoms chose to run its subnet DFK Chain on Avalanche.

Avalanche subnets are essentially a subset of the mainnet validators, with a high degree of autonomy. From a certain perspective, Avalanche is Layer 0, while its subnets can be viewed as Layer 1. DFK Chain has processed over 4 million transactions in just over a month since its launch.

Polkadot Parachains: A Great Choice for DApps?

Compared to DeFi's focus on asset composability, DApps place greater emphasis on a well-defined internal economic system. Many DApps are looking for more reliable underlying blockchains, hoping for higher performance, lower gas fees, and independence from the blockchain they are on.

From these requirements, Polkadot's parachains seem to be a good solution:

1. Performance is higher than Ethereum, with a theoretical TPS reaching thousands and low gas fees.

2. The dedicated chain will not be affected by other applications, avoiding issues such as chain congestion.

3. The development difficulty is relatively low, and the required functions can be quickly assembled using Substrate.

4. High security, managed by Polkadot, cross-chain interactions are also safer.

5. Enjoy the advanced architecture of Polkadot, which has scalability.

6. Compatible with EVM, facilitating migration from the EVM ecosystem.

7. Powerful interoperability, allowing secure interaction with Polkadot ecosystem projects.

8. As Layer 1, it can also scale Layer 2 solutions.

However, the Polkadot parachains still face some challenges in becoming an AppChain:

1. Performance still needs further improvement.

2. The access cost is relatively high, but the development of parallel threads is expected to solve this problem.

3. There is a lack of successful cases; a benchmark project is needed to take the first shot.

4. A general-purpose parallel chain solution for DApps needs to be developed.

5. The overall development of DApps has slowed down due to the influence of market cycles.

Despite this, with technological advancements and a market recovery, the "one DApp one AppChain" landscape of the Polkadot ecosystem may eventually arrive. In the future, Web3 applications may bring new user growth, and the relationship between chains and Apps will also usher in a new pattern. Whether Polkadot can become the preferred ecosystem for DApps remains to be seen.