MOVE-ing Forward: A Deep Dive into MOVE-Based Blockchains
Parthenon numbers are gaining huge adoption:
Over 290M transactions
More than 6.6M active addresses
52 apps building on them
As data breaches become increasingly prevalent, one programming language is setting new standards in blockchain security: Move.
A deep dive comparison into Move-based chains 👇👇
1) Origin of Move
Move was born from Facebook’s Diem project (formerly known as Libra) with the goal of addressing limitations in existing blockchain languages like Solidity (Ethereum) and Rust (Solana). The focus was on improved security and a better developer experience.
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M2 is bringing Move to Ethereum as a Layer 2 solution. Key features include:
• Ethereum Compatibility: Integrating Move with the Ethereum ecosystem.
• Fractal Module: For Solidity-to-Move translation.
• Cross-VM Interoperability: Between Sui Move, Aptos Move, and MEVM.
• Integration with Celestia: For data availability.
2) Limitations of Solidity
In Solidity, the blockchain state revolves around addresses. Assets are typically stored in a mapping within an address’s storage, which can make managing them across different addresses and contracts complicated. This model can introduce security vulnerabilities and complexity in asset management.
3) Move’s Asset-Based Model
Move transforms smart contract development with an asset-based storage model, unlike Solidity’s address-based method. This design provides Move with built-in scarcity and access control. An asset can’t be in two places at once or be duplicated, which enhances security and simplifies development.
4) Program Structure in Move
Move consists of two types of programs:
• Transaction Scripts: Atomic, single-use scripts that execute transactions.
• Modules: Published in the global state, similar to smart contracts in other languages.
Unlike the EVM, Move uses static dispatch instead of dynamic dispatch. This is crucial in preventing certain types of vulnerabilities.
5) Advantages of Static Dispatch
With static dispatch, all function calls are resolved at compile-time. This means the exact code to be executed is known before the transaction is processed, eliminating uncertainties associated with dynamic dispatch. This significantly reduces the risk of re-entrancy attacks and other runtime vulnerabilities.
6) Enhanced Security Features
Move incorporates additional security measures:
1. Move Prover (MVP): A formal verifier providing mathematical proof of a contract’s correctness.
2. Bytecode Verifier: Checks all modules and transaction scripts for safety before execution.
7) Strong Static Typing
Move’s robust static type system catches many errors at compile-time, reducing the risk of runtime errors. Combined with module structs and generics, it offers more robust type safety compared to EVM’s contract types.
8) Move vs. Other Systems
Move offers a more secure and efficient alternative to traditional blockchain programming languages, addressing many of the pitfalls found in Solidity and others. Its asset-based model and strong typing make it a powerful tool for developers focused on security.
9) Aptos vs. Sui: Two Major Move-Based Chains
Let’s dive into a comparative analysis of Aptos and Sui, the two major Move-based chains. Both were developed by former Facebook Diem team members but take different approaches to implementing Move’s asset-oriented design.
>> Fundamental Architecture
• Aptos: Utilizes a more traditional, address-centric design (like Ethereum).
• Sui: Employs a novel object-centric model using a Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG).
>> Transaction Processing
• Aptos: Uses Block-STM for parallel execution, processing thousands of transactions per second.
• Sui: Leverages its DAG structure for high throughput and scalability.
>> Consensus Mechanisms
• Aptos: Implements AptosBFT, based on the HotStuff protocol.
• Sui: Utilizes Narwhal and Bullshark for shared objects; Mysticeti for even faster settlement.
>> Smart Contract Capabilities
Both chains leverage Move’s security features:
• Aptos: Introduces “resource accounts” for flexible on-chain governance.
• Sui: Offers native support for upgradeable smart contracts and programmable transaction blocks for efficient, multi-step operations.
>> Fee Models and Unique Features
Aptos:
• Fee Market: Global fee market.
• Unique Feature: Familiarity for developers used to traditional models.
Sui:
• Fee Market: Localized fee markets to prevent network-wide spikes.
• Unique Feature: Radical departure from traditional models with its object-centric approach.
>> Current Adoption
• Sui: Has seen a significant rally recently, with increasing liquidity and volume.
• Aptos: While showing on-chain growth, this hasn’t yet been reflected in its price action.
The Future: M2 by Movement Labs
Great piece as always