🚀Intent-Centric Framework

In the typical transactions, the primary role of transaction signing is to allow verifiers to execute verification along a specific computation path, while gas fees are used as incentives for verifiers to complete the computation. However, the intent-centric framework differs from this approach. It does not explicitly specify a particular computation path but rather requires that the final result can be achieved through any path as long as specific constraints are met. In cross-chain operations, by signing and sharing their intent, users effectively allow the recipient on the target chain to choose the execution path on their behalf, such as finding the optimal rate cross-chain market maker as the counterparty for cross-chain transfers. As the resolver of user intent, we refer to this as the Solver.

User cross-chain funds are held by the protocol during the operation, and the protocol only sends the held funds to the DMM after the cross-chain liquidity provider completes the fund transfer on the respective chain. The advantages of this approach include:

• Access to various forms of cross-chain liquidity providers.

• Effectively addresses fund security concerns, as cross-chain liquidity providers are responsible for the security of their assets, and user funds are transferred only after the cross-chain operation is completed.

• Ability to provide more diverse cross-chain solutions. In practical applications, there will be more complex algorithms involved in Solver participation in providing cross-chain funds (e.g. providing better liquidity through lending pools, DEXs etc.)

In the following graph, the intent-centric process will be explained using cross-chain transfers as an example. The user’s intent is: “I have 1 ETH on the Ethereum network and wish to obtain at least 0.995 ETH on the Arbitrum network quickly and cheaply. The person who completes the task will receive my 1 ETH on the Ethereum network.

X Protocol - Intent-Centric Framework

Detailed steps:-

1. The user signs the cross-chain intent on the Ethereum network and locks 1 ETH through the smart contract.

2. The Solver on the Arbitrum network finds a DMM that matches the user’s intent. The DMM sends 0.995 ETH to the user on the Arbitrum network and agrees to pay 0.002 ETH as a reward to the Solver.

3. The user’s intent attracts multiple Solvers to provide different solutions. However, the platform evaluates and adjudicates which one is the best. This process is known as the “Optimal Routing”.