Arbitrum's community is rallying behind a revolutionary new protocol that promises to transform blockchain security.
In Brief
A new protocol, known as the Buffer of Liquidity Delay, is under consideration for implementation on Arbitrum One and Arbitrum Nova, with the goal of bolstering security measures and streamlining dispute resolution.

A governance vote is currently underway to decide whether to implement the Buffer of Liquidity Delay (BoLD) protocol for Arbitrum One and Arbitrum Nova, which together represent the Arbitrum (ARB) ecosystem. If approved, the protocol is set to launch in February 2025.
This proposed upgrade seeks to bolster security against attacks and improve the process for settling disputes. As of now, the vote has garnered unanimous support with 100% in favor and will close at 6:54 PM KST on January 24.
The aim of BoLD is to transition Arbitrum from a system reliant on permissioned validators to one that is completely permissionless. This means that anyone could engage in verifying the state of the chain and disputing any false allegations. This approach is expected to maintain Ethereum’s rollup security standards while improving the system's strength and decentralization.
Key Features and Benefits of the BoLD Protocol
Implementing BoLD represents a significant transformation in Arbitrum's security and governance structure. A core objective is to impose a timeframe for resolving disputes, which mitigates the risks of tampering by ensuring that disagreements cannot bring the system to a standstill as long as at least one reliable validator is working.
The BoLD protocol offers advantages beyond just dispute resolution. It enhances the resistance of Orbit Layer 3 (L3) chains to censorship, making it more challenging for malicious actors to manipulate data or transactional activities. Additionally, by embedding these mechanisms into a 'Safety-First Security Council' framework, the update guarantees that existing security measures remain intact even as the system evolves to be more resilient and inclusive.
Furthermore, the Arbitrum DAO has linked the funding from the Arbitrum Foundation to the approval of BoLD. Should the protocol gain the green light, the Foundation will take the lead in initiatives for Arbitrum One. They have committed to returning any allocated funds to the DAO if their proposal is ultimately rejected, thus promoting accountability in governance.
Impacts on Ethereum's Rollup Acknowledgment
The successful implementation of the BoLD protocol is expected to elevate Arbitrum's status as a Layer 2 Ethereum rollup, showcasing a more decentralized and secure infrastructure. This advancement could further solidify Arbitrum’s position among the leading Ethereum scaling solutions, enhancing its competitiveness in the rapidly evolving blockchain landscape.
By adopting BoLD, Arbitrum aligns itself with the broader goals of Ethereum regarding security, scalability, and decentralization, effectively addressing existing limitations in its validation and dispute resolution methods.
The proposed protocol presents a route for enhancing both the capacity and durability of the network, ensuring that Arbitrum remains a cornerstone of Ethereum’s rollup-centric approach.
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