Lux Warp V2 Message Format

An enhanced cross-chain messaging (XCM) format with post-quantum safety and private messaging capabilities.

Overview

Warp V2 builds upon the original Warp protocol developed by the Avalanche team, adding post-quantum cryptography through random ringtail validation and private messaging via Z-chain FHE. It defines a message format and cryptographic standard for secure cross-chain communication that is:

• Protocol-First: Clean separation between protocol definitions and implementations
• Language-Agnostic: Core protocol can be implemented in any language (Go, Rust, C++, etc.)
• Chain-Agnostic: Works with EVM chains, non-EVM chains, and custom VMs
• Modular: Components can be used independently

Architecture

warp/
├── protocol/           # Protocol definitions (protobuf)
│   ├── message.proto   # Core message types
│   ├── signature.proto # Signature types
│   └── validator.proto # Validator set definitions
├── types/              # Go type definitions
│   ├── message.go      # Message interfaces
│   ├── signature.go    # Signature interfaces
│   └── validator.go    # Validator interfaces
├── crypto/             # Cryptographic primitives
│   ├── bls/            # BLS signature implementation
│   └── hash/           # Hashing utilities
├── backend/            # Backend interface for message handling
├── handlers/           # Network request handlers
└── validators/         # Validator set management

Message Format Specification

The Warp message format uses:

• BLS Signatures: For efficient multi-signature aggregation
• Protobuf: For language-agnostic message serialization
• Content-Addressed: Messages identified by hash
• Standard Fields: Source chain, destination chain, payload, and optional addressing
• Optional Privacy: Z-Chain FHE integration for private messages (when available)

Adoption

Warp V2 is designed for easy adoption by any L1 blockchain:

1. EVM Chains: Implement a simple precompile (see evm/precompile_example.sol)
2. Non-EVM Chains: Integrate via native modules or system contracts
3. Privacy Optional: Z-Chain FHE features are opt-in and gracefully degrade

The core message format requires only:

• 32-byte chain IDs
• Variable-length payloads
• BLS signature verification

Usage

Go Implementation

import "github.com/luxfi/warp"

// Create a warp message
msg := warp.NewMessage(sourceChain, destinationChain, payload)

// Sign the message
sig, err := warp.Sign(msg, privateKey)

// Verify signatures
valid := warp.Verify(msg, sig, validatorSet)

Rust Implementation (Future)

use lux_warp::{Message, sign, verify};

// Create a warp message
let msg = Message::new(source_chain, dest_chain, payload);

// Sign the message
let sig = sign(&msg, &private_key)?;

// Verify signatures
let valid = verify(&msg, &sig, &validator_set)?;

Design Principles

1. Protocol Separation: Core protocol logic is independent of implementation
2. No Chain Dependencies: The library doesn't depend on specific chain implementations
3. Extensible: New signature schemes and message types can be added
4. Performance: Optimized for high-throughput cross-chain messaging
5. Security: Follows best practices for cryptographic operations

Integration

The library can be integrated with:

• EVM chains via precompiles
• Non-EVM chains via native modules
• Bridge services via RPC/gRPC APIs
• Off-chain services for message relaying