Key Innovation: Passive Income for Node Operators
On December 11, 2024, Graphite Network officially launched a next-generation Proof-of-Authority (PoA) blockchain powered by the Polymer 2.0 algorithm. The platform is designed to bridge traditional finance (TradFi) with Web3 capabilities. Its most groundbreaking feature is the introduction of entry-point nodes (also called transport nodes) — an industry-first mechanism that allows node operators to earn passive income directly from transaction fees routed through their nodes. Operators receive 50% of the transaction fees, with the remaining 50% going to the block sealer. This model significantly lowers the barriers for enterprises, startups, and developers to participate in the blockchain ecosystem, as they can generate revenue without taking on the responsibilities of a full validator node.
Trust-Based Security: Reputation Scoring and Multi-Level KYC
Graphite's blockchain is built around a reputation-based architecture that aims to provide a secure and trustworthy environment while respecting both privacy and transparency. According to Marko Ratkovic, CTO of Graphite Network, “Many people still feel uncertain about crypto — there’s a lack of trust, fears of financial loss, and concerns about scams. Graphite marks a huge step forward in blockchain evolution by merging blockchain technology with a trust-based, inclusive financial model.” To support this vision, the network enforces a ‘One User, One Account’ policy, requiring users to pay a small setup fee to activate accounts, preventing the creation of numerous disposable wallets often used for suspicious activities. The platform incorporates a multi-tiered KYC framework, starting with social media authentication and adding deeper verification levels in future releases. All KYC interactions are conducted off-chain to keep private data secure while meeting transparency requirements. Each user’s reputation is represented by a Trust Score, influenced by factors including KYC verification level, account age, and transaction history. This score helps identify and filter out fraudulent or transient activities. Businesses can build customized reputation-based smart contracts — for example, a bank could issue loans only to individuals meeting predefined reputation standards. Additionally, Graphite plans to offer jurisdiction-based transaction filtering, providing flexibility for businesses facing regional regulatory constraints. For privacy, the Trust Score is stored on-chain while private user data remains off-chain. A Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP)-based KYC system is being implemented to verify information without exposing or sharing private data.
High Performance and EVM Compatibility for Mass Adoption
Graphite’s transaction model delivers 1,400 transactions per second (TPS) with confirmation times under 10 seconds, significantly outperforming Ethereum’s 15-20 TPS. Network fees remain predictable and close to the minimum, enabling users to plan expenses confidently. The platform is fully compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), allowing existing Solidity smart contracts to be migrated seamlessly. Developers can leverage Graphite’s PoA efficiency with minimal friction. The Graphite ecosystem includes the Graphite Wallet (with integrated KYC), the Graphite Bridge for cross-network interoperability, the Graphite Explorer for real-time data analysis, comprehensive API documentation, and a testnet faucet for experimentation.
Graphite Network represents a significant step toward merging the compliance of traditional finance with the openness of decentralized technology, offering a secure, efficient, and profitable blockchain infrastructure for both enterprises and individual users.