Building Unstoppable dApps on Ethereum: EthStorage's 2nd Public Testnet Campaign

We are beyond excited to launch our 2nd public testnet campaign! Our mission? To transform Ethereum into a decentralized web server that powers unstoppable dApps. Sounds intriguing, right? In this campaign, you'll uncover a variety of fascinating techniques that will revolutionize the way you build on Ethereum:

• Upload files to smart contracts: Discover how to effortlessly upload and access large chunks of data (e.g., images) directly on a smart contract.
• Harness the power of EIP-4844 BLOBs: Learn how to use EIP-4844 BLOBs to drastically reduce gas costs while uploading data.
• Unlock permanent storage with EthStorage: Find out how to leverage EthStorage for the permanent storage of BLOB data and access it through smart contracts.
• Building unstoppable dApps: Master the art of using EIP-4844 and EthStorage to deploy and access every component of a dApp—front end, back end, and user data—creating a truly unstoppable dApp on Ethereum.

What is an unstoppable dApp, and why it is significant?

Ethereum aims to serve as the world computer, providing a secure and decentralized platform for applications. Once developers deploy an application, it can run indefinitely and remain free from censorship.

However, most decentralized applications on Ethereum only partially utilize smart contracts. Essential components like front-end code, domain name services, and databases are often deployed and managed on centralized servers. As a result, these applications do not fully benefit from Ethereum's security, decentralization, and censorship resistance.

For instance, dApp teams can modify the front-end code at any time without governance or time locks, which makes the security here vastly different from that of smart contracts deployed on Ethereum. Hackers can even alter the front-end code by compromising servers, causing dApp users to lose assets through malicious front-end interfaces.

Moreover, imagine if the Uniswap team stops paying for their front-end servers and domain name services one day—how would Uniswap's users and liquidity providers (LPs) continue using Uniswap? Most users lack the technical skills to interact directly with smart contracts.

So an unstoppable dApp is a dApp that all of its components are deployed and accessed using decentralized technologies. Ideally, it should be "deploy once, run forever", hence it's referred to as an "unstoppable dApp".

In fact, Vitalik also referenced the same core value claim in his recent article.

Building an unstoppable dApp entirely on the Ethereum tech stack

Now if we all recognize the value of having an unstoppable dApp and certainly aspire to create one. But how do we achieve this? You might wonder whether it's feasible to deploy an entire dApp (front end, back end, and user data) entirely through the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), the preferred platform for dApp development. However, two significant challenges exist:

• Lack of standards and tools: Currently, Ethereum does not provide developers with comprehensive standards and tools, limiting the scope of on-chain application development.
• High costs: The cost associated with on-chain data storage is prohibitively high.

But we have solutions! EthStorage team addresses these challenges by:

• Providing a comprehensive set of tools via the Web3:// access protocol (defined in ERC4804/6860), allowing developers to deploy and manage front-end code and filesystem-like interfaces using smart contracts.
• Using the EthStorage Layer 2 protocol with PoRA and zero-knowledge proofs to lower storage costs while maintaining Ethereum's security.

Talk is cheap. Show me the code.

Absolutely! We offer a step-by-step guide that includes:

• Deploying a simple unstoppable dApp: Set up a basic dApp on a smart contract (front end, back end, and user data), and access it via web3://. This will also give you a real sense of the costs involved when using native Ethereum storage.
• Utilizing EIP-4844: Upload the same data using EIP-4844 to see how it can significantly reduce gas costs.
• Data retention with EthStorage: While EIP-4844 greatly reduces costs, it discards data after about 18 days. However, you can use EIP-4844 for initial uploading and then permanently store the data with EthStorage.
• Deploying the Simple dApp with EthStorage: Deploy the dApp using both EIP-4844 and EthStorage for an optimized, cost-effective solution.

Participation in the 2nd Campaign

If you're excited by what you've read so far, you’ll be thrilled to participate in our 2nd campaign!

Eligibility:

• Open to participants invited from the first Twitter campaign.
• New community members must complete a simple application form:
  • Submit just two pieces of information: your Twitter handle and a link to a tweet containing your wallet address (preferably a new one). This address will be used to deploy the dApp for the campaign.
  • Suggested tweet format: “I am applying to participate in the 2nd EthStorage public testnet campaign, and my wallet address is <your wallet address>. @EthStorage.” Be mindful of privacy and security when sharing your wallet address publicly.
  • The team will review all submissions and directly message (DM) you if you are selected for the campaign.

Duration: May 16th - July 15th

How to Participate:

• Use the wallet from your posted tweet for all campaign-related tasks.
• Follow the detailed instructions to build your first unstoppable dApp.
• Post a tweet that contains your application’s web3:// link and the deploying wallet address.
• Submit tweet link through this form.
• Our team will review all submissions, and each valid entry will earn 5,000 points.

For more details or if you need assistance creating your on-chain application, please join our Discord. Our team is dedicated to supporting you throughout the process.