Global Synchronizer for the Canton Network

Canton Network

The Canton Network is the first privacy-enabled interoperable blockchain network, designed for regulated, real-world assets. Blockchain applications in the Canton Network can use the Global Synchronizer to enable atomic transactions across sovereign blockchains, without sacrificing privacy or control.

  • The Global Synchronizer is a decentralized and transparently governed interoperability service for the Canton Network.

  • Canton Network’s native token, Canton Coin, is a utility token launched as part of the Global Synchronizer. Designed to overcome enterprise adoption barriers of other networks and be compatible with an ecosystem used by regulated financial enterprises.

If you need more details on any particular mechanism (such as fee calculations, activity record structure, or minting rounds), the following white papers provides further technical specifications: Canton Network white paper, Canton Coin white paper.

Global Synchronizer

The Global Synchronizer is a decentrally operated service, using a 2/3 majority Byzantine Fault Tolerant (BFT) consensus protocol for message ordering and confirmation, and BFT majority voting on governance changes.

Its infrastructure is operated by independently acting organizations, called Super Validators, that run components of the decentralized infrastructure, and coordinate activities via an on-chain governance application. Its open source code is maintained in Splice.

The Global Synchronizer Foundation (“GSF”) has been created in partnership with the Linux Foundation to coordinate the governance of the Global Synchronizer and lead efforts to grow the Global Synchronizer ecosystem. The GSF provides transparency into Super Validator governance and operations. The GSF also operates a Super Validator node, and takes part in governance votes on behalf of its members.

Super Validators

Super Validators form the backbone of the Global Synchronizer’s decentralized interoperability and synchronization infrastructure. They ensure the integrity, security, and operational reliability of the Global Synchronizer by:

  • Running the core infrastructure of the Global Synchronizer

  • Sequencing transactions across the network

  • Validating Canton Coin transactions

  • Participating in network governance and decision-making

Validators

Validators work within the broader Canton Network—a “network of networks” where each node stores only the data it needs, and interacts with other Validators via synchronizers. Validators typically connect to one or more synchronizers (which might be run as centralized or decentralized services) to receive and confirm encrypted messages.

The primary roles of a Validator in the Global Synchronizer ecosystem are to:

  • Validate transactions

  • Record activity

  • Facilitate network connectivity for users and applications

  • Coordinate upgrades and migrations

Tokenomics

Canton Coin incentivizes application builders, users and infrastructure providers to use the Global Synchronizer. The Canton Coin application employs a burn-mint equilibrium mechanism, aiming to stabilize the conversion rate of Canton Coin around the intrinsic value it provides to network users:

  • Fee Burning: Users pay fees (denominated in USD but paid by burning Canton Coin) when they initiate Canton Coin transfers or when they create a traffic balance. Instead of paying these fees to a central authority, the coins are burned—i.e., removed from circulation.

  • Minting Rewards: Validators (as well as Super Validators and application providers) can mint new Canton Coins in return for their “utility” contributions:

    • Infrastructure Operation: Super Validators operating synchronizer nodes earn minting rights by contributing to the synchronization service.

    • Application Services: Application providers can earn rewards any time they facilitate a transaction.

    • Usage: When a Validator uses the network, that Validator earns “minting rights” proportional to the fees they burn, which the network treats as a proxy for the activity generated by that node.

    • Liveness Incentives: Validators are rewarded for uptime and for being ready to serve transaction traffic. If a Validator does not use all its minting allowance via direct activity, a portion is allocated as a “liveness” bonus.

  • Dynamic Equilibrium: The system is designed so that, over the long term, the total amount of coins burned (which reflects actual network utility) roughly balances the coins minted (subject to a predetermined maximum allowed minting curve). When usage is high, more coins are burned, tending to increase the token’s conversion rate; when usage is lower, supply increases until balance is restored.

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