EEA Releases DLT Interoperability Specification

19 September 2024

The EEA today released version 1 of its new DLT Interoperability Specification.

About the specification

This specification provides a standard framework to enable interactions across different blockchains and distributed ledgers. Using this standard reduces development time and the likelihood of errors by providing software teams with a well-known set of interfaces, rather than having to build a bespoke solution for each pair of networks a developer wants to connect.

The specification was developed by the EEA’s Crosschain Interoperability Working Group. This Working Group grew out of earlier work on interoperability, when in 2019 EEA members recognised that the future demanded general solutions. The group has already published important guidance for crosschain interoperability, covering key areas such as decentralization and security, as well as crucial technical specifications to identify blockchains and related distributed ledgers. The group also works with other groups in other organizations, who are developing software or standards in this important area.

Working Group co-chair Weijia Zhang, of Wanchain, says

“The future of Web3 will be formed of hundreds, if not thousands, of distinct blockchain networks, making interoperability standards and specifications crucial for building a unified decentralised network of blockchains. The release of v1 of EEA’s DLT interoperability specification is a major milestone, offering guidance and reference implementations for cross-chain messages, data and functions. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with colleagues, partners and other blockchain standardisation organisations.”.

The current specification provides the tools necessary to enable “full-stack” interoperability, from ensuring that messages passed between two networks can be trusted, through to building crosschain applications that compose smart contracts on different platforms to build the next generation of powerful and scalable solutions for enterprise.

Implementation Experience

EEA recently published a Case Study of one implementation of this specification, for a payment-vs-delivery settlement system running across multiple blockchains. The group is also in contact with several other developers who have implemented, or are implementing, the specification for production deployment, and will continue to publish case studies, as well as considering feedback that suggests any revision might be necessary or helpful.

Working Group co-chair Anaïs Ofranc, of Qualitax, says

“With the release of v1 of the DLT Interoperability Specification, we are proud to introduce an open standard that embodies our commitment to a collaborative and vendor-agnostic interoperability ecosystem. This specification represents a crucial step towards seamless interoperations across diverse distributed ledger technologies, ensuring that innovations can thrive regardless of underlying platforms.”

About EEA:

The EEA is a global community of blockchain leaders, adopters, innovators, developers, and businesses. We’re accelerating business in Ethereum through professional and commercial support, advocacy and research, standards development, and ecosystem trust services.

For more information regarding the EEA’s DLT Interoperability Specifications, or how to contribute to its Working Groups, please contact EEA’s Technical Program Director Chaals Nevile: chaals@entethalliance.org.

For EEA membership enquiries please contact membership@entethalliance.org or visit https://entethalliance.org/become-a-member/