The intent-centric approach is starting to be adopted by many projects to improve user experience. Although its practical results are yet to be proven, this model promises to reshape how users engage with DeFi.
What is Anoma?
Anoma is an infrastructure development project that integrates intent-centric technology to simplify the DeFi experience. The intent-centric approach allows Anoma to focus on user intent, helping developers create user-friendly dApps that eliminate the complexities of participating in DeFi.
Specifically, dApps built on an intent-centric platform allow users to express their intentions, and the system automatically finds ways to fulfill those intentions through third parties called solvers.
For example, to swap token pair A/B to A/C, users typically have to execute 2-3 orders through different protocols. With the intent-centric approach, users only need to express their intent: “I want to swap pair A/B to A/C,” and the solver will automatically execute the necessary steps to fulfill that request.
The project has only revealed its token ticker as NAM; specific details regarding tokenomics have not yet been announced.
Anoma’s Infrastructure
Anoma’s infrastructure operates based on the coordination of three main types of nodes: intent gossip nodes, matchmaking nodes, and validating nodes. Each node plays a crucial role in facilitating efficient and secure transactions.
Intent Gossip Nodes: These nodes are responsible for collecting and storing users’ “intents,” forming an intent gossip network. They continuously exchange information to identify matching intents and forward them to matchmaking nodes.
Matchmaking Nodes (or Solvers): These nodes search for and match compatible “intents” within the intent pool, creating transactions. Solvers can customize algorithms and filters to prioritize certain transaction types, increasing matching efficiency. Once a match is successful, the transaction is sent to validating nodes.
The key to this model is that user intents are sent to the intent pool. The intent pool is a container for unprocessed intents. Unlike the mempool in traditional blockchains, the intent pool acts as a central hub for solvers to access and analyze.
Validating Nodes: These nodes are responsible for verifying the validity of transactions and recording them on the network. They ensure all transactions comply with pre-established rules and conditions.
At the time of writing, Anoma does not have a tangible product for users to engage with. Currently, users can participate in Anoma as validators to earn rewards
Anoma’s Highlights
Besides adopting the intent-centric model, Anoma also stands out by utilizing the following technologies:
- Fractal Scaling: Fractal scaling refers to dividing the Anoma network into multiple independent fractal instances, each highly customizable to perform specific tasks.
In general, fractal instances operate similarly to appchains, helping Anoma address network scalability issues, thereby increasing overall throughput and improving transaction speeds for users.
- Integration of the Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol to support interoperability between fractal instances. Thanks to IBC, fractal instances can exchange tokens, data, and information efficiently, regardless of their different configurations.
This allows fractal instances to specialize in specific tasks while maintaining connectivity and interaction within the Anoma ecosystem.
- Implementation of ZK-SNARK technology to ensure user privacy. Through ZK-SNARKs, users can transact anonymously, with information about their assets hidden, thereby protecting user privacy.
- Anoma is also conducting an airdrop program, where users can participate for a chance to receive tokens from the project. Anoma’s airdrop program requires two main activities:
- Completing tasks on the project’s social media channels: following on X, liking posts on X, retweeting posts, etc.
- Joining the project’s Discord and earning “roles” within the project.
Anoma Team and Investors
Project Team
The Anoma project is developed by Heliax, with two founding members, Adrian Brink and Awa Sun Yin. Specifically:
- Adrian Brink: Before founding Heliax, Adrian co-founded Cryptium Labs, a system of over 500,000 validators delegated to participate in securing networks like Polkadot and Kusama.
- Awa Sun Yin: Previously served as a researcher at Tendermint and a data scientist at Chainalysis
Investors
Anoma has undergone three funding rounds, raising a total of $57.75 million. Specifically:
Undisclosed Funding Round:
- Date: May 31, 2023
- Amount raised: $25 million
- Investors: CMCC Global (lead), The Spartan Group, Delphi Ventures…
Undisclosed Funding Round:
- Date: Oct. 17, 2021
- Amount raised: $26 million
- Investors: Polychain Capital (lead), Electric Capital, Maven 11 Capital…
Private Token Sale:
- Date: Oct. 17, 2021
- Amount raised: $6.75 million
- Investors: Polychain Capital (lead), Coinbase Ventures, Electric Capital…
Similar Project
A project designed with a similar intent-centric architecture to Anoma is Aperture Finance, a protocol focused on simplifying the user experience on DEXs
