web3 with a16z crypto
Blockchain Performance, Demystified
Mar 14, 2025
Join Sasha Spiegelman, Aptos Labs’ Head of Research, and Tim Roughgarden, A16z crypto Head of Research and Columbia professor, as they dive deep into blockchain performance metrics. They tackle the complexities of throughput and latency, and discuss how design choices impact performance trade-offs. The conversation shines a light on innovative technologies like BlockSTM and the importance of open-source collaboration. Explore the balance between competition and sharing within the blockchain space as they envision the future of Web3.
30:18
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Quick takeaways
- Understanding blockchain performance metrics like TPS and latency is crucial for effective comparisons and clear communication within the community.
- Aptos's innovative consensus mechanism and dynamic execution strategy enable enhanced performance by optimizing resource use and reducing bottlenecks in transaction processing.
Deep dives
Understanding Blockchain Performance Metrics
Blockchain performance is commonly evaluated using two main metrics: transactions per second (TPS) and latency. TPS measures how many transactions a blockchain can process within a second, but its definition can vary significantly among different chains, leading to potential confusion in comparisons. On the other hand, latency focuses on the time it takes for a transaction to be confirmed from the moment it is submitted until a user receives the outcome. The challenge lies in agreeing on standardized metrics since differing definitions and finality guarantees can create misunderstandings in the blockchain community.
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