Nym partners with Celestia to implement Unlinkable Data Availability Sampling

Nym has announced an new initiative with Celestia, the first blockchain with Data Availability Sampling (DAS). Together, they aim to improve the integrity and scalability of modular blockchains by introducing “noise obfuscation” for Celestia’s data availability modules via the Nym network.

Celestia enables anyone to create their own blockchain using its unique modular structure, offering unparalleled scalability and flexibility. Nym has developed a layer-0 secure traffic routing network through its "Noise Generating Mixnet" (NGM). Nym’s NGM can provide an anonymization layer for data retrieval, queries, and consensus so that the entity querying cannot be selectively censored. Nym can be integrated with any blockchain, application, or wallet to protect traffic in transit.

Celestia’s key goal is to enable blockchain scaling without compromising chain security. In order to improve the integrity of its DAS, Celestia has outlined a new security improvement to prevent what its researchers envision as a possible “selective disclosure attack.” This could occur when a malicious node manipulates the verification process by selectively responding to queries while withholding block data. While this risk is at present theoretical, safeguarding DAS in all cases is necessary as Celestia chains scale efficiently.

In close work with the Celestia Labs team, Nym will develop a U-DAS architecture proposal so that data availability queries become untraceable and cannot be selectively blocked via the use of noise-based obfuscation. By unlinking the request from the requester via the Nym NGM, requesters cannot be targeted by selective disclosure attacks, thus protecting overall chain consensus. Following Celestia’s research, the initiative will see Nym’s provision of an Unlinkable Data Availability Sampling (U-DAS) module as one solution for securely verifying data availability.

With the new U-DAS module, Celestia network participants will be able to sample and verify portions of data stored on the network without compromising chain integrity. This is achieved by encrypting data and routing it with what Nym calls network “noise” (cover traffic, data mixing, and timing obfuscation) through multiple, decentralized layers of Nym’s NGM to ensure the data security of Celestia light node sampling requests. Nym will deliver the U-DAS module fully operational and ready for integration into Celestia’s codebase.

“Nym’s expertise in noise obfuscation and securing metadata makes them an ideal partner for addressing selective disclosure,” Mustafa Al-Bassam, co-founder of Celestia, remarked. “Integrating their NGM technology with Celestia will help prevent potential selective disclosure attacks to achieve new levels of security and resilience for modular blockchains.”

“Mustafa has a background as a hardcore researcher and we’re thankful he pointed out how we can help increase the security of Celestia to go beyond other chains on the networking layer,” Harry Halpin, co-founder and CEO at Nym, said. “At Nym, we are big fans of Celestia’s modular approach, and we hope this research into adding a Noise Generating Mixnet to Celestia proves the benefits of a modular networking layer.”

This collaboration between Nym and Celestia marks a significant milestone in the journey towards enhancing blockchain scalability and security.

Read Nym's report on the possibility of selective disclosure attacks and Nym's solution to it.

About Nym: Nym is a leading Web3 secure routing provider dedicated to developing innovative solutions that empower people and organizations to reclaim their digital integrity and autonomy. Through its decentralized NymVPN and Noise Generating Mixnet technology, Nym aims to revolutionize the way users interact with the internet by providing secure and anonymous communication channels.

About Celestia: Celestia is the modular blockchain powering unstoppable applications with full-stack customizability. With over 80 chains in production, Celestia powers expressive applications at global scale, ranging from instant private payments to fully onchain mobile gameplay.