EEA Publishes DLT Interoperability Specification

September 19, 2024

The EEA today released version 1 of its new DLT interoperability specification.

About the specifications

This specification provides a standard framework that enables interaction between various blockchains and distributed ledgers. This standard provides software teams with a well-known set of interfaces, reducing development time and the potential for errors, and eliminating the need for developers to build custom solutions for each pair of networks they want to connect.

This specification was developed by the EEA’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Working Group. This working group grew out of early work on interoperability in 2019 when EEA members recognized that a common solution was needed for the future. The group has already published important guidance on cross-chain interoperability, covering key areas such as decentralization and security, as well as important technical specifications for identifying blockchains and related distributed ledgers. The group also collaborates with other groups in other organizations that are developing software or standards in this important area.

Weijia Zhang, co-chair of Wanchain’s working group, said:

“The future of Web3 will be comprised of hundreds, if not thousands, of individual blockchain networks, making interoperability standards and specifications essential to building a unified, decentralized network of blockchains. The release of the EEA’s DLT Interoperability Specification v1 is a major milestone, providing guidance and reference implementations for cross-chain messages, data, and functionality. We look forward to continuing to work with our peers, partners, and other blockchain standards bodies.”

The current specification provides the tools needed to implement “full-stack” interoperability, from ensuring that messages passed between two networks can be trusted, to building cross-chain applications that compose smart contracts across multiple platforms to building powerful, scalable next-generation solutions for enterprises.

Implementation experience

The EEA recently published an implementation case study of this specification for a payment-to-delivery settlement system running on multiple blockchains. The group is also in contact with several other developers who have implemented or are implementing the specification for production deployments, and will continue to publish case studies and consider feedback on what modifications are needed or could be helpful.

Anaïs Ofranc, Qualitax working group co-chair, said:

“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, vendor-independent interoperability ecosystem. This specification represents an important step toward seamless interoperability between diverse distributed ledger technologies, ensuring that innovation can thrive regardless of the underlying platform.”

About the EEA:

EEA is a global community of blockchain leaders, adopters, innovators, developers and enterprises. We accelerate business on Ethereum through professional and commercial support, advocacy and research, standards development and ecosystem trust services.

For more information about the EEA’s DLT Interoperability Specification or how to get involved in the working group, please contact Chaals Nevile, Technical Programme Lead, EEA, at chaals@entethalliance.org.

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