Gigachain Labs Launches Innovative Blockchain Protocol
A new player has emerged in the Layer 1 blockchain landscape, with Gigachain Labs unveiling a groundbreaking protocol aimed at transforming blockchain scalability. This innovative approach allows for trustless parallel execution of transactions, which could significantly broaden the capabilities of decentralized applications. Developed by a team supported by Presto Labs and nurtured by the Telos Foundation, the SNARK-based Gigachain protocol claims to be the first to facilitate decentralized, permissionless, and non-conflicting concurrent transaction processing while ensuring security and state consistency. Unlike traditional blockchains that operate on a sequential transaction model, Gigachain enables the simultaneous execution of multiple transactions without conflicts. Traditional systems necessitate that each validator reviews the complete transaction history of the blockchain, which has historically created performance and scalability hurdles. While numerous blockchains have sought to address this issue by shifting computations off-chain, they often compromise decentralization, security, or user experience in the process.
Redefining Throughput Metrics
Gigachain sets itself apart by redefining throughput metrics, moving beyond the conventional Transactions Per Second (TPS) measurement to include transaction weight. The protocol introduces a new metric called Instructions Per Second (IPS), which gauges the computational capacity that a blockchain can handle. Gigachain Labs claims their system is capable of exceeding 61 billion IPS—a staggering enhancement that surpasses multi-threaded models like Solana’s by over 500 times and exceeds Ethereum’s fully sequential model by more than 10,000 times.
Innovative Parallel Processing
The remarkable advancement in Gigachain’s protocol is attributed to its implementation of zk-SNARKs, or zero-knowledge succinct non-interactive arguments of knowledge, which facilitate parallel processing of transactions in a decentralized environment. The protocol groups transactions into non-conflicting batches that are executed and verified concurrently by various decentralized entities. Individual proofs for these batches are later consolidated into a single proof, which affirms the entire block. This design eliminates the need for repetitive execution throughout the network, vastly enhancing throughput while maintaining both decentralization and security. The introduction of this protocol aims to shift the focus of blockchain discussions from theoretical TPS figures to a more comprehensive understanding of scalable computation. According to Gigachain’s leadership, while many ongoing scaling conversations prioritize sheer transaction speed, they often neglect the critical aspect of managing complex computations in parallel, a fundamental principle of contemporary computing systems.
A Team of Blockchain Experts
The driving force behind Gigachain comprises seasoned professionals with extensive backgrounds in blockchain technology and cryptographic research. Among the prominent figures is Alberto Garoffolo, who has held significant roles at IOHK and the Telos Foundation’s venture arm. Garoffolo, noted for his work as Head of Zero Knowledge at Telos and Chief Technology Officer at Horizen, has made valuable contributions to zk-SNARKs, recursive proof systems, and decentralized scalability architectures. He is supported by a team of technical experts, including Paolo Tagliaferri, Ljubiša Isaković, Marco Olivero, Daniele Di Tullio, and Momčilo Miladinović. Garoffolo showcased Gigachain’s capabilities during a live presentation at zkSummit13 on May 12, 2025, marking the protocol’s official entry into the blockchain ecosystem. With its pioneering approach to distributed, high-performance computation, Gigachain is poised to establish itself as crucial infrastructure for the forthcoming wave of blockchain applications, especially those demanding significant computational resources. By enabling trustless parallel execution, the protocol is anticipated to unlock new possibilities for use cases that have been impractical on traditional blockchain platforms.
