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Architecture

DIN uses a decentralized structure composed of multiple actors:

  • Node providers - Node providers for different networks serve traffic via the DIN Router. These providers are compensated for their fulfilled traffic.
  • Watchers - Watchers monitor the health of the network traffic. The DIN dashboard is the source of truth for the processed requests by node providers.
  • Web3 gateways - Web3 gateways connect to DIN nodes and pay for processing traffic from node providers.
    • Web3 customers - These individuals or companies interact directly with web3 gateways through their provided identities and processes. They receive services and pay for service level agreements covered by the web3 gateways.

Key components​

  • DIN Router - A service registry that routes traffic between consumers and providers.
  • DIN Payments - Mechanisms for paying from provider to provider, for successfully processed transactions and APIs.
  • Staking contracts - Contracts that enforce economic accountability.
  • Performance monitoring systems - Systems that ensure service level agreement (SLA) compliance.
  • Smart contracts - Contracts that manage node registration, network mapping, payment, and governance.

How DIN works​

DIN operates through a multi-layered, decentralized infrastructure that ensures robust, scalable, and efficient blockchain API services. The core layers include:

1. Request routing layer:

  • Web3 gateway API requests are routed through the DIN Router, which dynamically selects an optimal node provider based on performance, load balancing, reputation, and network proximity.
  • The DIN Router prioritizes responses from node providers with high uptime and low latency, ensuring an efficient service experience.

2. Infrastructure and validation layer:

  • Node providers provide the fundamental infrastructure by running blockchain nodes and handling API requests based on the provided technical specifications.
  • Watchers independently listen to open telemetry data from the DIN Router and validate responses, checking for correctness, latency, and uptime.
  • Performance metrics are continuously recorded and used for staking rewards and penalties managed through the AVS.

3. Economic security and staking layer (AVS):

  • Staking contracts manage the economic incentives of DIN, requiring node providers and watchers to stake assets to participate. DIN as an AVS handles the staking rewards and penalties.
  • The EigenLayer integration ensures that nodes with poor performance are economically penalized via slashing mechanisms, while high-performing nodes receive greater rewards.
  • Slashing conditions: If an operator repeatedly fails to meet SLA standards, a portion of their staked tokens is slashed.

4. Governance and automation layer (future state):

  • DIN operates under a Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO) model, allowing stakeholders to vote on key protocol updates and economic parameters.
  • Smart contracts automate governance proposals, ensuring transparency and trustless decision-making.
  • Governance controls key aspects, including staking requirements, node licensing, and fee structures.

5. Payment and settlement layer:

  • DIN uses an onchain payment system, enabling transparent, automated transactions between web3 gateways and node providers.
  • Subscription and pay-as-you-go models: Web3 gateways use pay-per-request via smart contracts to stream data to different node providers.
  • Reward distribution follows a performance-based model, ensuring high-quality services.

By structuring its architecture in this modular way, DIN ensures that blockchain API services remain decentralized, reliable, and economically secure while supporting seamless scaling across multiple blockchain networks.