Author: Mike, Foresight Ventures

TL;DR

1. Since the publication of Paradigm's "Intent-Based Architectures and Their Risks," Web3 has increasingly focused on 'intent-centric architectures.' Many leaders in the capital markets have shown strong interest in this, as it could significantly enhance the efficiency and security of transactions.
2. Here, "intent" refers to a method of conducting transactions and operations on the network through smart contracts. This is a new narrative with many potential applications, but it also raises concerns about how to protect privacy and assets while allowing anyone to execute these intents.
3. This shift from imperative to declarative approaches could change user experience and efficiency, as users can define the outcomes they desire and rely on third-party networks that excel at executing them.
4. In the current bear market, the blockchain industry hopes for a revival. In the past, the widespread acceptance of crypto drove this revival. However, current applications still pose challenges for traditional Web2 users. To attract more users and drive a bull market, we need to enhance the user experience of dApps, which further highlights the importance of intent-centric protocols and account abstraction.

1. Introduction to Intent

If demand is the mother of invention, then laziness is the father of invention.

You might agree that many technological advancements are actually due to human laziness. Many technological innovations are aimed at reducing costs and increasing efficiency, such as the invention of the bicycle, which reduced labor costs and increased speed, and trains, planes, and ships that achieved similar goals in different contexts. AI is also like this, designed to intelligently save costs and improve efficiency. In my view, intent-based applications provide digital users with a way to execute applications, reducing costs and increasing efficiency. In other words, optimization: selecting the best processing method and executing it based on user intent, in the fastest and most economical way, automatically.

1.1 What is Intent?

It sounds mysterious, but it's actually quite simple. Essentially, an intent-centric protocol is a tool or application that helps users realize their intents. For example, consider an electronic scale at a farmers' market. Traditional scales only display weight, but what we mainly want to know at the market is the price, not just the weight. With an electronic scale, farmers can input the price per unit, and the scale immediately calculates the total price. Thus, the intent of both the farmer and the buyer—to know the price—is satisfied.

Basically, intent can be seen as a digital matching mechanism. Its principle is to connect user needs with feasible solutions, simplifying the complex processes in between and providing a concise final result.

Think of Web2 services: a clear example is Uber, a ride-sharing service. When someone needs transportation, they simply enter their current location and desired destination in the Uber app. The platform then uses a series of algorithms and data to match the user with a suitable driver. All the complex matters like route optimization, driver availability, and price fluctuations are handled behind the scenes. The user's main interaction is intent-based: "I want to go from point A to point B."

In contrast, traditional methods might require someone to hail a taxi on the street or check public transport schedules, facing a lot of uncertainty and inconvenience. In this context, Uber acts as the intent layer for transportation, simplifying the user experience by addressing the core intent.

In fact, the most popular Web2 platforms, such as Amazon, Taobao, Airbnb, and Google Maps, can all be categorized as intent-centric applications. They satisfy user intents in specific domains. Amazon and Taobao are for online shopping; Airbnb is for accommodation; Google Maps is for navigation. Their commonality is: plug-and-play.

1.2 Why Does Blockchain Need Intent-Centric Applications?

In the ever-evolving blockchain industry, market dynamics play a key role in determining trends and acceptance rates. Currently, we are experiencing a bear market, and there is a strong desire within the community to spark the next bull market. Historically, each bull market phase has corresponded with an increase in cryptocurrency acceptance, demonstrating the growth potential of the industry.

However, there is a significant barrier: the user experience (UX) gap between traditional Web2 applications and emerging Web3 platforms. For mainstream users accustomed to the intuitive interfaces of Web2, the complexity of current crypto applications can be daunting. To bridge this gap and drive mass adoption, we need more than just incremental improvements. We need a paradigm shift in the design and interaction of dApps. Web3 has a lot of value for retail users to discover, but the current market offers a patchwork of shovels, leaving users to dig themselves, which often feels cumbersome.

This is where the importance of intent-centric protocols and account abstraction comes in:

For the average person, interacting with blockchain can be a very complex task. Traditional transactions require an accurate understanding of how to operate, which can become a barrier to entry. The composability and multifunctionality of blockchain applications increase the complexity of user interactions.

Intent simplifies this by focusing on the desired outcome rather than the process. Users only need to express their ultimate goal (i.e., "what"), making crypto transactions feel more like everyday tasks, thus easier to adopt.

Imagine Degen Bob's daily routine: he first unlocks Metamask, claims staking rewards, and then converts tokens to USDT. Next, he bridges these to an L2 network to acquire some hot NFTs. After purchasing, he is drawn into a DAO governance vote. An enticing yield farming scheme then catches his attention, and he provides liquidity after approving the smart contract. As he mints synthetic assets in another dApp, his ETH balance gradually decreases, prompting him to quickly swap tokens. By evening, he browses airdrop information on Discord. During this process, he realizes his ETH gas fees are insufficient, so he must swap some tokens for ETH while monitoring gas prices to ensure his transaction doesn't get stuck. At the end, he checks his asset portfolio and finds several failed transactions that need his attention. Exhausted, Bob ends his day, muttering to himself, "This is the life of a Degen."

Bob is a crypto veteran and might even code a bit, so he can tolerate this workload and complexity. But what about a newcomer from Web2? They might be intimidated. So, how do we achieve mass adoption?

Intent-centric architectures emerge to simplify this process. They encapsulate intermediate steps, optimizing the costs of time and money. Essentially, an operation sequence represented by A-B-C-D-E can effectively be simplified to A-E. Technologies like ZK (zero-knowledge proofs) and the Lightning Network also aim to enhance transaction efficiency and privacy. Methodologically, whether in custodial or non-custodial formats, the primary goal remains consistent: optimizing user experience (UX).

In the blockchain realm, 'intent' primarily refers to the goal of using a portion of assets to achieve a specific objective. Traditionally, realizing this intent involves multiple procedural steps, from multi-signatures to paying high gas fees, to mitigating MEV, and so on.

2. Features

The core idea of intent is quite simple, akin to making a wish. These applications essentially parse your needs and leverage the broad resources of the market to fulfill them. A fitting example of this concept is an order book. It is a platform where various intents of buyers and sellers converge, with everyone hoping to buy or sell based on mutually agreed prices to facilitate transactions. A typical intent-centric protocol may have the following features:

1) Feature: Automation

The main advantage of the intent-centric model is its ability to automate complex processes. When users express a simple intent, such as wanting to swap one cryptocurrency for another, the underlying system can automatically handle all the complex steps required to realize that intent.

Impact: Through automation, users do not need to become experts in blockchain technology to participate. By abstracting technical details, intent-driven automation can significantly reduce the learning curve, making the crypto space more accessible to the general public.

2) Feature: Consistency

A challenge in the current crypto ecosystem is the variability of user experience across different platforms and services. The intent-centric approach promotes consistency. Regardless of backend changes or differences between platforms, user interactions remain consistent: express an intent and let the system handle the rest.

Impact: Consistency in user experience reduces confusion and increases user confidence. It also ensures that once users are familiar with one intent-driven platform, they can easily transition to others, fostering a more cohesive and user-friendly crypto ecosystem.

3) Feature: Optimization

By focusing on the ultimate goal (i.e., intent) rather than the individual steps required to achieve that goal, the system can continuously seek the most efficient ways to realize the intent. This may involve selecting the most cost-effective path for transactions, optimizing speed, or choosing methods that maximize user rewards.

Impact: Users save not only time but also resources. In the context of blockchain, where transaction costs (like gas fees) can fluctuate, optimization can lead to significant cost savings. Additionally, it ensures that users always achieve the best outcomes without manually researching or adjusting their behavior based on changing conditions.

4) Feature: Matching

The intent-centric model naturally introduces the concept of matching. Once a user's intent is broadcasted, various service providers or platforms can "bid" to fulfill that intent, whether by offering the best exchange rate, the fastest transaction speed, or other value-added services.

Impact: Matching enhances user power by fostering competition among service providers. This competition can lower costs, improve service quality, and lead to innovations in service delivery. For users, this means more choices, better rates, and enhanced overall value.

5) Feature: Aggregation

In the intent-centric model, aggregation becomes a prominent feature. This involves collecting various options, services, or data from multiple sources in response to a single intent. Instead of requiring users to manually search different platforms or services to achieve their goals, the system curates and presents the most relevant solutions from numerous providers.

Impact: Aggregation enhances efficiency and convenience for users. They gain a comprehensive understanding of available options, allowing for informed decision-making without the hassle of manual research. This not only saves time but also ensures users have a full insight into the best possibilities in the market, fostering transparency and trust. Additionally, in areas like DeFi, aggregation means better yield opportunities, more liquidity options, and optimized trading routes.

3. Exploration and Application of Intent Layer

As blockchain and decentralized finance continue to evolve, we are witnessing new innovative technologies aimed at simplifying user experience and enhancing efficiency. While many are already familiar with well-known projects like Anoma, SUAVE, solvers, UniswapX, and Cowswap, we must also focus on pioneers that leverage "intent" to develop unique applications, comparing different user needs. Next, we will briefly explore some standout projects that fully utilize matching capabilities to enhance user experience:

1) Unibot: Telegram Trading Bot

Unibot breaks through traditional platforms by bringing DeFi trading tools directly to Telegram. As a bot, it supports various commands, from simple token swaps to complex cross-chain asset transactions. What sets Unibot apart is its ability to allow users to trade instantly on Telegram, making it not only fast but also very intuitive. As a result, Unibot has garnered widespread acclaim and leads in revenue.

2) Grindery: Web3 Zapier

Grindery is a no-code/low-code middleware designed to bridge apps and dApps across various chains and protocols. As a decentralized system, it can interface with smart contracts and Web2 APIs. Grindery allows users to create workflows triggered by specific times, states, or events, which can initiate transactions with smart contracts and Web2 APIs. In short, Grindery is a comprehensive integration platform that operates on-chain, cross-chain, and off-chain.

This diagram illustrates Grindery's infrastructure. Users encounter two categories of dApps: custom dApps and Nexus dApps. The latter is the core of Grindery, using pre-built connectors for no-code integration, similar to Zapier web applications. Grindery's workflow engine divides operations into Web2 and Web3. Web2 operations involve HTTP calls to public or private APIs (referred to as Web2 gateways), while Web3 operations conform to typical patterns of smart contract automation, allowing user wallet-funded smart contract transactions. Each blockchain requires its specific connectivity, and these gateway descriptors are stored in the system in JSON format.

3) DappOS: Redefining Dapp Interaction

Many dApps face usability challenges. Consider liquidity mining: newcomers often have to navigate a lengthy process involving about five contract interactions, such as approving token A/B, adding liquidity, approving LP tokens, and depositing. When interacting with dApps across multiple chains, complexity increases. For example, a BNB chain user interacting with a perpetual on Optimism may need to go through a workflow of over ten steps. DappOS aims to solve this problem:

Users initiate an order and approve a complete workflow with a single signature. This includes interactions across potentially multiple chains, asset bridging, and dappOS network fees. DApps forward this order to the dappOS network via JSON-RPC. The dappOS network then assigns this order to a permissionless node, ensuring successful execution or compensating any user losses. Driven by potential rewards, the selected node completes the entire process, including asset bridging and on-chain transactions, transferring from the user's virtual wallet to the appropriate dApp contract.

4) Hyper Oracle: Application of Zero-Knowledge Proofs

Hyper Oracle has launched a programmable zkOracle protocol that enhances blockchain security and decentralization. It consists of three main components: zkPoS, zkGraph, and zkWASM. ZkAutomation and zkIndexing provide secure automation for smart contracts and indexing/querying blockchain data. Compared to traditional oracle networks, Hyper Oracle offers a trustless infrastructure solution powered by zk technology.

zkPoS uses a zk proof to verify Ethereum's consensus, accessible from anywhere. This gives zkOracle a legitimate block header as the basis for subsequent operations.

zkWASM is depicted in the diagram as zkVM, serving as the operational environment for zkGraph, endowing every zkGraph within the Hyper Oracle Network with zk capabilities. Its essence is similar to zkEVM in ZK Rollups.

The zkGraph executed within zkWASM describes flexible and programmable off-chain computations related to the behavior of zkOracle nodes and their Apps. It can be likened to a smart contract for the Hyper Oracle Network.

5) Caddi: Trading Optimization Tool

Caddi is a trading tool that optimizes trade execution by evaluating swaps on decentralized and centralized exchanges, ensuring users get the best exchange rates. It actively compares and displays the most cost-effective swap routes, including all fees and gas fee estimates. Beyond its core functionality, Caddi prioritizes user security, providing robust phishing protection and timely warnings when users encounter potentially fraudulent tokens or swaps.

Caddi comprehensively assesses the liquidity and fees of DEXs and CEXs, providing users with clear trading recommendations. With Caddi, users can rest assured they are obtaining the best trade execution while also being comprehensively protected.

6) 0xScope: On-Chain Data Knowledge Graph Protocol

In the world of blockchain, data transparency is one of its core values. 0xScope fully recognizes this, providing a powerful on-chain analytics tool designed to enable users to delve deep into blockchain data.

The main features of 0xScope include:

• Transaction History Query: Users can quickly find relevant transaction information by simply entering an address or transaction hash.
• Smart Contract Analysis: For developers and researchers, the ability to deeply study the behavior and interactions of smart contracts is crucial. 0xScope provides detailed smart contract analysis features for its users.
• Token Tracking: Through this feature, users can track the on-chain behavior of tokens they care about in real-time, such as trading volume and number of holders.
• Liquidity and Trading Depth Charts: For traders and market makers, understanding liquidity and market depth is very important. 0xScope provides intuitive charts for this data, helping them make more informed trading decisions.

0xScope not only provides its users with detailed data about the blockchain, but its interface design makes this data easy to understand and interpret, whether you are an experienced developer or a beginner.

4. The Future: Blockchain Brings Infinite Possibilities for Intent-Centric Applications

In the current digital ecosystem, the combination of blockchain and intent-centric applications heralds the arrival of a new era.

1) Permissionless

Web2 has brought many innovations but is still constrained by permissions, leading to many applications being unable to communicate with each other, such as Apple's iOS and Google's Android, which find it difficult to scrape data from one another, let alone execute. However, the advent of Web3 and blockchain is changing this situation.

Imagine a metaverse where items in one game can be used in another. Or a DeFi application that can seamlessly integrate with gaming or music platforms. The only limit is your imagination.

2) Smart Contract Automation

The potential of smart contracts extends beyond transactions.

• Automatic Execution: In the world of Web3, users no longer need to wait or manually operate; smart contracts handle everything automatically.
• Dynamic Interaction: Smart contracts can adjust in real-time based on market conditions.
• Enhanced Security: Smart contracts reduce the risk of errors and malicious interference.
• Cost Savings: Smart contracts can optimize transactions based on network congestion, saving costs for users.

3) Integration with AI

AI can help systems better understand and respond to user intents.

• Understanding User Intent: AI can analyze user behavior and language to determine their true intent.
• Dynamic Response: AI can adjust its responses based on context and user behavior.
• Predicting Behavior: AI can anticipate user behavior and prepare accordingly.
• Enhancing User Experience: AI can continuously optimize the system based on user feedback.
• Security and Anomaly Detection: AI can monitor for anomalous behavior, enhancing system security.

5. A Future Scenario You Can Expect

In the future, intent-based technologies will automate many manual tasks. Imagine that as an investor, you want to use assets on BSC to purchase GLP. You open DappOS and with just a click, you can execute the transaction, skipping the complex cross-chain process. In DappOS, you can also claim LP rewards from Kyberswap and plan to utilize them for a large order tracked in 0xscope. Meanwhile, Caddi helps you find the best trading path, ensuring you get the best price while guarding against potential phishing threats.

There are even more tasks awaiting you. Over the past two days, you've received numerous investment proposals on Telegram. You don't want to check them manually, so you tell AI to execute through Grindery: "Review the trades from the past two days on Telegram and filter for startups valued over $10 million." The system will automatically process this information for you and provide a neatly organized Google Sheet listing the most promising opportunities in a short time.

This heralds a future where you can focus on what truly matters, rather than mundane daily tasks. As these technologies continue to evolve, our lives will become more efficient and convenient.

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