Intent Protocol: A New Paradigm for Web3 Interaction

With the development of the cryptocurrency market and the continuous innovation in the DeFi space, more and more users are starting to participate in on-chain financial activities, seeking new opportunities for profit. However, for Web3 newcomers, the cumbersome on-chain operation steps remain a significant barrier.

In the current Web3 ecosystem, there are thousands of cryptocurrencies, multi-layer blockchain networks, and numerous cross-chain bridges. This complex environment makes it difficult for new users to intuitively find the trading methods that suit them best. To address this issue, the "intention-centric" track has emerged, aiming to simplify user experience and promote the mass adoption of cryptocurrencies.

The Nature of Intention

In a Web3 environment, "intention" refers to the specific goals that users wish to achieve within the blockchain ecosystem. Unlike traditional operational methods, the intention protocol allows users to simply state their goals while leaving the specific implementation steps to professional solution providers.

For example, if a user wants to get from point A to point E, the traditional method may require the user to manually complete each step from A to B to C to D to E. In the intent protocol, the user only needs to express the intention "I want to go from A to E" and the remaining steps will be executed by the solver (which could be artificial intelligence, other protocols, or professionals).

The intent protocol not only simplifies the cumbersome transaction process for new users but may also help save on Gas fees, and find optimal price execution for transactions through solvers, thereby improving overall efficiency. This new interaction paradigm is expected to reshape the landscape of Web3, making it more efficient, secure, and easier to attract Web2 users.

Popular Intent Networks and Protocols

dappOS

dappOS is an intention-execution network that has recently gained attention due to its $300 million valuation in Series A funding and its collaboration with GMX. The network aims to lower the barrier for on-chain interactions, allowing users to simply submit their intentions, which dappOS and its solver nodes will execute in a decentralized manner.

dappOS supports various forms of intent execution, including application contract interactions, inscription minting strategies, copy trading, and Telegram bot trading, among others. The network also provides compatible middleware, allowing developers to cost-effectively extend "intent" capabilities to more dApps.

Anoma

Anoma protocol is one of the earliest projects to introduce the concept of "intention", providing a general dApp architecture centered around intention. It aims to meet a wide range of user requests and facilitate the matching of intentions with solver networks. It is worth noting that Anoma is actually a code interface that can be freely replicated, rather than a specific blockchain.

Particle Network

Particle Network is developing the Intent Fusion Protocol, a universal dApp framework for expressing, transforming, and executing intents. Developers can use this protocol to create intent applications, and the intents expressed by users will be submitted to the solver network for on-chain execution.

Essential

Essential claims to be the "first declarative blockchain," with its core still centered around the concept of "intention." The project allows users to sign transactions based on desired outcomes rather than mandatory instructions, aimed at addressing some user experience issues in traditional blockchains.

Self Chain

Self Chain is a modular, intent-centric blockchain based on the Cosmos SDK. It integrates the concept of intent into the blockchain architecture through a three-layer structure: the dApps layer, the intent access layer, and the intent resolver.

Orb Stack and Orby

Orb Labs is developing a modular cross-chain intent protocol stack called Orb Stack, as well as an intent engine called Orby that can be integrated into any dApp frontend. These tools are designed to support multi-chain interactions and simplify the user experience.

Orbiter Finance

As a leading Layer 2 cross-chain protocol, Orbiter Finance plans to launch a ZK-based Orbiter Rollup, becoming the intent layer for Ethereum, primarily used to aggregate users' cross-chain intents.

Across v3

The cross-chain protocol Across has added a composable intent engine in its V3 version, including intent-based RFQ order flow, a third-party solver network, and a settlement system with Optimistic verification.

Aperture Finance

Aperture Finance is a DeFi platform that combines AI with intent. Users can express their intentions in natural language, and the system will utilize a solver network to perform corresponding actions, including trading and airdrop claims.

The development of intent protocols is bringing revolutionary changes to the Web3 user experience, with the potential to lower entry barriers, improve interaction efficiency, and open the doors of the crypto world to a broader user base.