What is Flow?

Flow is a proof-of-stake blockchain designed to support the next generation of decentralized applications, NFTs, DeFi, DAOs, and more. It aims to be the foundation of Web3 and the open metaverse, striving to bring the next billion users to Web3. Flow is powered by Cadence, a unique programming language specifically built for digital assets. This platform is the creation of a team that has consistently delivered consumer-scale experiences. Flow seeks to empower developers to innovate and push the boundaries of what's possible in the digital asset space.

How does Flow work?

Flow operates using a unique multi-node architecture that separates the tasks of consensus and computation. This separation allows Flow to increase throughput without compromising security. The architecture of Flow is designed to support consumer-scale decentralized applications by increasing performance and preserving ACID guarantees. Flow uses a variant of the HotStuff consensus algorithm for Consensus Nodes to agree on the blocks they will honor at every block height. Additionally, Flow employs a novel cryptographic technique called Specialized Proofs of Confidential Knowledge (SPoCKs) to address the Verifier’s Dilemma, ensuring the security and integrity of computations.

What are the potential use cases for Flow?

Flow is designed to support a wide range of use cases in the decentralized digital space. It aims to support the open metaverse, a collective virtual shared space created by the convergence of virtually enhanced physical reality and physically persistent virtual reality. Flow's unique programming language, Cadence, allows developers to create innovative digital assets and push the boundaries of what's possible in Web3. Furthermore, Flow's architecture is designed to support the development of applications that can scale to meet the demands of mainstream adoption.

What is the history of Flow?

Flow was created by a team that has consistently delivered consumer-scale experiences, including CryptoKitties, NBA Top Shot, and NFL ALL DAY. The genesis block of Flow was created in June 2020, with 1.25 billion FLOW tokens. Flow's unique architecture, which separates consensus and computation, was outlined in a series of technical papers. The Flow network is planned to undergo a significant upgrade that aims to enhance its Byzantine Fault Tolerance capabilities and set the groundwork for a more efficient data exchange format, new streaming APIs, and a potential increase in transaction throughput.