One of the first decisions made when building Soroban, the Stellar network‘s smart contract platform, was “choosing a platform for it to run on.”
The developers say they decided “to build on WebAssembly (Wasm) in April of 2022.” As noted in a blog post, Wasm offers a robust execution environment “for smart contracts and a thriving ecosystem.”
It also contributes “to building a safe, scalable system that promotes equitable access.” Choosing Wasm, or any platform really, is “a foundational decision because it informs just about every decision that comes next.” Which is why it was “a no-brainer for the Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) to join the Bytecode Alliance.” As only the second blockchain in the Alliance, SDF can now help “shape the future and development of WebAssembly to include blockchain’s point of view.”
What is the Bytecode Alliance? The Alliance is “a non-profit organization comprising industry leaders, academics, and developers focused on advancing WebAssembly technologies.”
Their mission is to “provide a secure and adaptable runtime environment for various applications, including those in the blockchain space. SDF’s position on the Alliance will support the WebAssembly (Wasm) ecosystem, influence its development, and foster collaboration within the community.” All great things “for the Stellar network, Soroban, and developers building on each.”
Influencing standards and tooling
So what does being part of the Alliance look like? As an official member, they will “participate in discussions, collaborations, and decision-making processes. Our primary goal in joining is not to represent only the Stellar network but to advocate for all of blockchain and its developers.”
Through the Alliance, they gain a platform “to directly influence Wasm standards and contribute to the evolution of this versatile technology and its tools.” This influence ensures that the Alliance “considers the unique needs of blockchain and non-web use cases, moving the Wasm ecosystem towards accommodating and supporting a broader range of applications, like Soroban and other smart contract platforms.”
Here’s the bottom line: by participating in the Alliance, they are “part of the conversation.”
They can contribute “to a growing voice advocating for blockchain developers and the tools and standards that will benefit them.”
The Impact
SDF’s decision to join the Bytecode Alliance “doesn’t just make sense; it also marks a step in the right direction for the evolution of blockchain applications.”
Their hope is this is only the beginning. As their participation “kicks off, they look forward to sharing the work with our community.”