Marlin (POND) is an open protocol that seeks to provide a high-performance programmable network infrastructure for DeFi and Web 3.0. The nodes in the Marlin network, known as Metanodes, operate the MarlinVM, which offers a virtual router interface for developers to deploy customized overlays and perform edge computations. Marlin's native utility token, POND, is used for running validator nodes on the network, making and voting on governance proposals, and compensating users from an insurance fund in case of a SLA breach. Marlin aims to contribute to the development of a decentralized web where applications secured via the blockchain are indistinguishable in terms of performance to users accustomed to Web 2.0.

Marlin operates through its network of Metanodes, which run the MarlinVM. This virtual machine provides a platform for developers to deploy customized overlays and perform edge computations. The Metanodes are responsible for maintaining the network's performance and security. The POND token is used within the network for various purposes, including running validator nodes, making and voting on governance proposals, and compensating users in case of a SLA breach. Marlin's network is built atop Ethereum, which is intended to facilitate the execution of the Marlin smart contracts.

Marlin's high-performance programmable network infrastructure has several potential use cases. It can be used to build low-latency block multicast to scale blockchains, low-latency mempool sync for arbitrageurs, mesh networks, and anonymity networks like mixnets. It can also be used for device optimization and caching responses of API. Marlin's network infrastructure is designed to be blockchain-agnostic, offering gateways built for several layer-1 as well as layer-2 platforms. This positions Marlin as a tool in the decentralized web, as any peer-to-peer application relies on networking between distributed nodes to function.

Marlin was conceived by developers Siddhartha, Prateesh, and Roshan, who have extensive experience in peer-to-peer networking. Siddhartha, who has worked at Microsoft and Adobe, was responsible for the development of Zilliqa, the first high-throughput blockchain to employ sharding in production. Prateesh is a PhD candidate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with a focus on Computer Networks, and Roshan, an open-source enthusiast, was a contributor to the Boost C++ libraries. The project team includes former researchers at the Ethereum Foundation, International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC) world medalists, and developers with experience at various tech companies. Marlin has received backing from various entities, including Electric Capital and Michael Arrington.

MarlinPOND's approach to achieving low-latency communication within decentralized networks involves a combination of several strategies. It strives to address the aspects of security, decentralization, and scalability in blockchain networks, commonly referred to as the scalability trilemma. MarlinPOND employs a high fairness and transaction-level consensus mechanism, which processes transactions on a first-come-first-serve basis, with the intention of reducing Miner Extractable Value (MEV) and front-running transactions. It introduces a development in blockchain technology that provides finality for each individual transaction without the need to wait for multiple blocks to be confirmed. MarlinPOND also utilizes dynamic state sharding, allowing the network to automatically adjust the number and size of shards based on the prevailing workload. This leads to parallel transaction processing, reducing the time to process transactions even if they affect multiple shards. Lastly, MarlinPOND aims for an equal distribution of workload across the network, with the intention of maintaining operational efficiency as it grows and evolves in a sharded environment.

MarlinPOND is addressing network congestion by aiming to provide a network infrastructure for DeFi and Web 3.0 applications. It utilizes a system known as Metanodes, which are network nodes that receive non-monetary incentives for performing network tasks, computations, and data storage operations. This system uses staked assets with the intention of motivating efficient and stable validators with non-monetary incentives. MarlinPOND also features the Marlin Relay protocol, which suggests that anyone with excess bandwidth may receive non-monetary incentives by pooling their efforts with other network users. This system strives to serve and verify the Marlin network, with all participants receiving non-monetary incentives for their contributions. MarlinPOND's Blockchain Distribution Networks (BDNs) may use Marlin as initial resources, with the intention of fostering innovation and interaction. The project aims to support entrepreneurs entering the Marlin ecosystem. Lastly, the Marlin SDK is designed to allow applications to communicate with the Marlin network, supporting real-time node communication and intending to give developers a starting point to create new systems and DApps.

Marlin uses two Ethereum-based tokens, POND and MegaPOND (MPond), to encourage participation within its ecosystem. POND is initially transferable, while MPond is not, with certain exceptions. The Marlin node, which relays and caches data, requires a stake of at least 0.5 MPond. The node receives non-financial incentives for transaction processing, which are not performance-based. Both MPond and POND can be delegated towards other Marlin nodes, and in such cases, the node operators share a portion of their incentives with the delegator. The distribution of incentives between MPond stakers and POND delegators may vary. Initially, they are set to the same values but may be modified via governance. MPond holders have the opportunity to participate in governance, which includes making or voting on proposals.

MarlinPOND employs a variety of strategies to enhance the efficiency and reliability of content delivery across decentralized applications. One of its key strategies is the use of a layer-0 protocol that facilitates a high-performance, programmable network infrastructure for DeFi and Web 3.0 applications. This protocol is designed to enhance the performance of decentralized applications by ensuring that users do not face any difficulties while using Web 3.0. Another strategy is the use of the native token, POND, which gives token holders the authority to vote on network resource allocation and governance proposals. MarlinPOND also facilitates high-performance live streaming services for publishers and enables developers to build multiplayer games using its protocol. It also introduces notable developments to ensure decentralized high-performance communication, and it aims to provide solutions in terms of transaction processing and governance. It also incorporates added security from an existing node network for network bandwidth.

MarlinPOND utilizes a combination of Trusted Execution Environments (TEEs) and Zero-Knowledge (ZK) proofs to aim for the security and privacy of data transmitted over its network. TEEs are protected systems in a machine where data and code are isolated from other processes at a hardware level. Data sent to a TEE is often encrypted and decrypted only inside the TEE, striving to prevent sensitive information from being exposed to node operators. Meanwhile, ZK proofs are a cryptographic scheme that allows someone performing the computation to prove to someone else that the result is correct by sharing a proof. The cryptography behind the generation of proof makes it very easy to verify but almost impossible to fabricate unless the computation was indeed performed correctly.

MarlinPOND's inter-chain communication protocol, referred to as the Inter-Blockchain Communication Protocol (IBC), is designed to facilitate direct and seamless communication between independent blockchains. This protocol is intended to enhance interoperability by allowing heterogeneous chains to trustlessly exchange non-monetary assets, primarily tokens. A key feature of IBC is that the connected blockchains do not need to communicate with each other directly. Instead, they send packets of information via dedicated channels using smart contracts to connect to the chains. This protocol is intended for use by various networks, facilitating a range of cross-chain applications including cross-chain smart contracts, messaging, NFT transfers, and oracle data feeds. The impact of MarlinPOND's IBC on interoperability is noticeable as it contributes to DeFi liquidity and facilitates the interaction of specialized projects. It strives to establish an "internet of blockchains," a network of independent chains that can communicate in a decentralized way.