V5 Key Features & Updates

Reputation: Overview

Below are the must-know’s of the v5 Reputation enhancements. The team is currently working on more detailed documentation for the Lava Docs site.

What It Is

‍Previously called “QoS Excellence”, Reputation evaluates Providers based on three core performance metrics:

• Latency: How quickly a Provider responds.
• Sync: Whether the Provider is serving the latest block data.‍
• Availability: How reliably a Provider stays online and delivers data.

Why It Matters

‍Better performance in these metrics translates to a stronger reputation score. This score is reported by the network’s consumers - meaning it’s based on real interactions, not self-reported data.

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‍Reputation: Tier-Based Pairing in v5

With the new Reputation system, Providers are grouped into tiers based purely on their performance. Once tiers are determined, stake also comes into play within each tier.

We’ll begin rolling out this new pairing approach gradually, giving Providers time to review and improve their scores before it takes full effect.

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Reputation: Viewing & Improving Your Score

Providers can see their current reputation tier and score through dedicated queries. The lower the score, the higher the tier. If your score is low, you can improve it by:

• Keeping your data fresh (staying in sync with the latest blocks relevant to hardware and geoloaction).
• Minimizing downtime for higher availability.
• Reducing latency with optimal configurations.

Because older performance data is gradually de-emphasized, ongoing improvements will boost your score more quickly.

Learn more about Reputation and QoS.

Daily Credits

• Prevents Reward Manipulation:
  By using daily snapshots to allocate credits, we eliminate the incentive to jump from one Provider to another to exploit quick gains at the end of a reward period.‍
• Fairer Distribution:
  Rather than a single snapshot, Restakers are rewarded for average participation over time.‍
• Alignment with Network Incentives:
  Continuous staking is rewarded, reducing behaviors like last-minute redelegation to avoid penalties.‍
• Consistent Participation Matters:
  Staying with the same Provider throughout the month yields daily accrued credits that reflect your full commitment.‍
• Monthly Reset:
  Credits accumulate daily and reset at the end of each distribution cycle, starting fresh for the next month.

V5 Bug Fixes & Improvements

• Single Provider Delegation Bug:
  Fixed issues around selection logic for simpler, more transparent delegation.
• ‍New Chain Support:
  UTXO based chains, SVM, and EVM integration for both live and historical data queries.
• QoS Reputation Overhaul:
  More accurate scoring for Provider performance, now renamed “Reputation.”
• Optimized Relay Distribution:
  Even faster and more efficient relay allocation to top performers.
• Cosmos Compatibility:
  Includes support for Cosmos V50 and V47 block events.
• Provider Verification:
  Improved probing features and detailed failure indicators.
• Client Upgrades:
  Latest Ethereum client version for improved stability.
• Solana Enhancements:
  Bug fixes and updated chain specs for a smoother Solana experience.‍
• WebSocket Authentication:
  New config in Provider YAML for streamlined WebSocket auth.

So What? Why V5 Matters

For Providers

• In-Depth Ranking & QoS Insights: Providers gain clarity on how they measure up, with a new scoring system that rewards strong performance in latency, sync, and availability.
• Better Tooling: Enhanced instrumentation and metrics make it easier to optimize and maintain service quality.
• Transparent Reputation: The new model offers a clear path to improve standing within the network.

For Developers

• Quality of Data: With deeper insight into Provider performance, developers can trust the reliability of the data fueling their dapps.
• Broader Support: Enhanced multi-chain capabilities (UTXO, SVM, EVM) open the door to seamless integrations across diverse protocols.
• Resolved Bugs: Reported issues have been addressed, leading to a more stable development experience.

For Token Stakers & Restakers

• Informed Staking Decisions: Choose Providers based on verifiable performance, not just past rewards or stake size.
• Daily Credits & Reward Alignment: Earn rewards for consistent participation; daily credits ensure your staking efforts reflect sustained engagement, spotlighting the most reliable Providers and protecting your investment.

For dapps

• Performance Assurance: Rely on Providers known for high performance and excellent uptime, enhancing the user experience in your dapp.

For Blockchains

• Interoperability Advantage: Multi-chain support fosters broader integration, meaning your chain can seamlessly join Lava’s ecosystem and benefit from reputable Providers

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