Introduction
After the successful launch of Archimedes on November 12, 2024, we're thrilled to introduce our second testnet — Babbage — launching today. Named after Charles Babbage, the English mathematician and inventor credited with conceiving the first automatic digital computer, this release underscores our commitment to real-time, user-centric blockchain applications.
What’s New in Babbage?
Linera’s first testnet, Archimedes demonstrated the ability to run Linera microchains seamlessly on top of many validator nodes, operated by 20+ external partners. Now, with the launch of Babbage and Linera SDK v0.14, developers gain access to a powerful new toolkit, including:
Full Linera Web client: Host fully reactive, trustless web UIs connected to testnet validators. A prime example is the fungible demo app, showcasing instant transaction finality and user-friendly interfaces.
Custom oracles: Applications can now integrate external data sources via HTTP queries and collaborate with AI platforms, unlocking use cases like real-time market feeds or AI-driven data processing.
Configurable PoW microchains: Applications can now create microchains where block production is delegated to the community, using PoW mechanisms.
Simplified account addresses: Streamlined account addresses pave the way for future EVM compatibility, aligning with Linera’s cross-chain vision.
Under the Hood: Core Protocol Enhancements
Babbage introduces key protocol upgrades to improve stability and scalability:
Blob Storage Optimization: Immutable data sharing between microchains was generalized to enable frictionless application deployment.
Enhanced Validator Reconfigurations: Scalability bottlenecks from Archimedes are resolved, allowing the network to onboard validators more easily.
EVM-Friendly Signatures: A new block-header structure and validator signatures compatible with Ethereum mark a milestone for cross-chain bridges, setting the stage for interoperability.
The new testnet also introduces several key infrastructure upgrades, including:
Hotfix Automation: Deployment pipelines now support rapid, seamless updates, minimizing downtime for validators.
Validator Resizing: Now adjust and change the number of internal workers to optimize performance, tested across multiple configurations for reliability.
Developer Workshop: Deep Dive into Babbage
We also hosted a live Developer Workshop on YouTube featuring our founder, Mathieu Baudet, engineer James Kay, and special guest, and Linera dev, Zhao KK. Catch the replay to gain hands-on insights into the new SDK, protocol upgrades, and best practices for building microchain-based applications.
Get Started Today
Babbage is live and ready for builders. Visit our Linera Manual to begin exploring SDK v0.14, deploy your first microchain, and experience trustless web UIs in action. Join the conversation on Discord, follow us on X, and be a part of our Telegram community to stay at the forefront of real‑time blockchain innovation.
About Linera
Linera is the first L1 blockchain infrastructure for real-time applications. Linera was founded with the vision to empower users with globally accessible, decentralized technology that supports seamless and secure onchain interactions, no matter where they are in the world. Its unique architecture lets users interact directly with small chains of blocks, called “microchains”. This allows applications to read and write onchain data with strong guarantees of performance and security, for any number of active users. Founder and CEO, Mathieu Baudet, holds a PhD in cryptographic protocols, was an early research engineer on the Meta Libra/Novi project and is a coauthor of the FastPay protocol.
For media inquiries, please contact: Pateel Yenikomshian, marketing@linera.io