Flashbots 🤖 Runs Block Builder Inside SGX Enclave

Quick Take

• Flashbots runs a block builder inside an SGX enclave.
• Rocket Pool prepares for its Atlas upgrade.
• Uniswap introduces a mobile wallet.
• ConsenSys plans to deploy its zkEVM testnet on March 28th.

Get the original hardware wallet (affiliate link).

Flashbots Runs Block Builder Inside SGX Enclave

MEV research company Flashbots successfully ran a block builder inside an SGX enclave, a trusted execution environment by Intel for protecting data from modification.  The SGX block builder is now live on the Ethereum Sepolia testnet. Flashbots also open-sourced the code and released tooling for anyone to use.

The purpose of running a block builder inside an enclave is to protect user transaction data from being revealed. Builders can still run verifiable block construction algorithms on user transactions without compromising user privacy. Flashbots says block building inside SGX can potentially remove the need for MEV-boost relays.

Block builders are participants that construct blocks of transactions optimized for profit. Builders then propose their blocks to relays. MEV-Boost software then selects the most profitable block obtained by relays and sends it to validators. With SGX, Flashbots aims to provide privacy to users during the MEV process.

Rocket Pool Prepares For Atlas Upgrade

Rocket Pool plans to deploy its Atlas upgrade on mainnet in early April 2023. Atlas is an upgrade that will make Rocket Pool compatible with Ethereum’s Shanghai upgrade, allowing node operators on the protocol to withdraw their stake. Atlas also introduces simple gas optimizations and greater rETH staking capacity.

Ethereum requires validators to deposit 32 ETH into a staking contract, serving as a bond to secure the network. A Rocket Pool minipool is a contract that combines 16 ETH from node operators with 16 ETH from liquid stakers to form a validator. The Atlas upgrade reduces the minipool requirement for node operators from 16 ETH to 8 ETH, lowering the barrier to entry for home stakers.

Uniswap Mobile Wallet Early Access Release

Uniswap introduced the Uniswap mobile wallet, a self-custodial wallet for swapping ERC-20 tokens and tracking wallet activity. The wallet is production-ready, however, Uniswap says Apple won’t green-light its release in the App Store. As a result, the wallet is available in a limited release to 10,000 users through Apple TestFlight.

Users can create a new wallet, import an existing wallet, or track a wallet in view-only mode. Uniswap Wallet supports swaps on Ethereum Mainnet, Polygon, Arbitrum, and Optimism. It also features a discover page for browsing market data. The wallet does not support NFT trading due to Apple’s 30% commission fee on NFT sales

ConsenSys To Deploy zkEVM Testnet On March 28

Ethereum infrastructure company ConsenSys announced that it will launch its zkEVM public testnet on March 28th. ConsenSys zkEVM is an EVM-equivalent zkRollup, allowing developers to deploy their dapps with minimal code changes. The announcement comes after Polygon revealed plans to launch its zkEVM testnet on March 27th,

ConsenSys first deployed a private testnet for its zkEVM in December, which has now processed close to a half million transactions. ConsenSys also developed a lattice-based ZK-SNARK prover, which is used to generate verifiable proofs. ConsenSys says it has been working on its scaling solution over the past several years.

Kraken Financial To Open For U.S. Clients

CEX Kraken revealed that it is in the process of opening its own bank. Coined as Kraken Financial, the Wyoming-based crypto bank will initially be available to Kraken clients in the U.S. and will be fully online. Kraken Bank is set to offer deposit-taking, custody, and fiduciary services for digital assets. Investments held on Kraken Bank, however, will not be FDIC insured.