Geth Vs Cosmos: Handling Unprotected Transactions

Hey guys! Let's dive into a fascinating discussion about how different platforms handle those legacy transactions in the Ethereum world. We're talking about the ones signed without a chain ID (v = 27/28), and the discrepancy between Geth and Cosmos/EVM.

Background: The Tale of Two Transaction Handlers

In the Ethereum universe, Geth, a popular consensus client, treats these legacy (pre-EIP-155) transactions as valid if they make it into a block. Think of it like this: once a transaction is in the club (a block), it's in, regardless of whether the bouncer (local RPC or mempool policies) initially gave it the side-eye.

Now, let's hop over to the Cosmos/EVM side of the street. Here, the story is a bit different. Cosmos/EVM has a gatekeeper, the evmParams.allow_unprotected_txs parameter, that decides whether these legacy transactions even get a foot in the door at the consensus level.

• If this parameter is set to false (which is the default setting, by the way), it's a hard no for all legacy transactions, even if they managed to sneak into a block. Ouch!
• If it's set to true, then the legacy transactions are allowed, but only if a majority of the nodes give the thumbs up via governance. Talk about a committee meeting!

This difference introduces some rigidity, creates incompatibility with tooling, and leads to unnecessary governance processes for what should really be a local policy decision. It's like needing a town hall meeting to decide if you can wear socks with sandals – a bit much, right?

Diving Deeper into Geth's Handling of Legacy Transactions

Geth's approach to handling legacy transactions provides operators with a degree of flexibility that is crucial in a decentralized environment. By allowing legacy transactions to be included in a block if they are validly signed, Geth ensures that users are not arbitrarily locked out of the network due to stringent local policies. The --rpc.allow-unprotected-txs flag acts as a crucial control mechanism, allowing operators to decide whether or not they want to broadcast or relay these legacy transactions through their nodes.

The decision to include legacy transactions at the consensus level is a nod to the original design of Ethereum, which prioritized inclusivity and minimized the risk of accidental lockouts. This flexibility is especially important during network upgrades or transitions, where some users might still be using older software versions or wallets that generate legacy transactions. By accepting these transactions, Geth ensures a smoother transition and reduces the likelihood of network disruptions.

Moreover, Geth's approach aligns with the principle of minimizing consensus changes. By handling the acceptance of legacy transactions at the consensus level while providing operators with the option to filter them at the mempool or RPC level, Geth avoids unnecessary complexity in the core protocol. This is crucial for maintaining the stability and predictability of the Ethereum network, as frequent consensus changes can introduce bugs and vulnerabilities.

The ability to configure transaction handling at the node level also empowers operators to tailor their nodes to specific use cases. For example, an exchange might choose to reject legacy transactions at the mempool level to mitigate the risk of replay attacks, while a node operator supporting legacy users might choose to accept them. This level of configurability is a key advantage of Geth's design, as it allows the network to adapt to a wide range of needs and preferences.

Examining the Rigidity of Cosmos/EVM's Approach

In contrast to Geth, Cosmos/EVM's hardcoded approach to handling legacy transactions introduces a significant degree of rigidity into the system. By gating acceptance of legacy transactions at the consensus level via the evmParams.allow_unprotected_txs parameter, Cosmos/EVM deviates from the flexibility offered by Geth and other EVM clients. This rigidity can lead to several practical issues and challenges for both users and operators.

The default setting of evmParams.allow_unprotected_txs to false means that legacy transactions are rejected even if they are validly signed and included in a block. This can be particularly problematic during network upgrades or transitions, as users who are still using older software versions or wallets that generate legacy transactions may find themselves locked out of the network. This can lead to a fragmented user experience and hinder the adoption of the Cosmos/EVM ecosystem.

Furthermore, the requirement for a majority of nodes to agree via governance to enable legacy transactions introduces unnecessary overhead and complexity into the process. Governance processes can be time-consuming and contentious, and requiring them for what should be a local policy decision adds an unnecessary burden to the network. This can slow down the pace of innovation and make it more difficult to adapt to changing user needs.

The rigid approach of Cosmos/EVM also creates potential compatibility issues with existing Ethereum tooling and infrastructure. Many wallets, exchanges, and other services are designed to interact with EVM-compatible chains, and they may assume that legacy transactions are handled in a consistent manner across different platforms. The deviation in Cosmos/EVM's handling of legacy transactions can lead to unexpected errors and require developers to implement workarounds, increasing the complexity and cost of building on the platform.

Problem Statement: Spotting the Glitches in the Matrix

Let's break down the core issues here:

1. Overly Rigid Consensus Logic

Geth hands the keys to the operators, allowing them to decide via the --rpc.allow-unprotected-txs flag. Cosmos/EVM, on the other hand, hardcodes this decision at the consensus layer. It's like having a universal remote that only works if everyone in the world agrees on the channel – not very practical!

2. Deviation from EVM Client Behavior

Most other EVMs are cool with legacy transactions at the consensus level, letting them through while optionally filtering them from the mempool/RPC. Cosmos/EVM? It fails these transactions at the ante level unless there's a global permission slip. It's like being turned away from a party even though you have an invitation – harsh!

Delving into the Implications of Rigid Consensus Logic

The overly rigid consensus logic in Cosmos/EVM's handling of legacy transactions has far-reaching implications for the platform's usability, compatibility, and overall attractiveness to developers and users. By hardcoding the acceptance of legacy transactions at the consensus layer, Cosmos/EVM limits the flexibility of node operators and introduces unnecessary complexity into the network's governance processes. This approach can hinder innovation, create compatibility issues, and potentially lock out users who are still using older software versions or wallets.

The lack of flexibility in handling legacy transactions can be particularly problematic during network upgrades or transitions. As the Ethereum ecosystem evolves, new standards and protocols are introduced to improve security, efficiency, and functionality. However, not all users and applications adopt these changes at the same pace. Some users may continue to use older software versions or wallets that generate legacy transactions, either because they are unaware of the changes or because they have not yet had the opportunity to upgrade.

By rejecting legacy transactions at the consensus level, Cosmos/EVM risks locking out these users from the network. This can create a fragmented user experience and hinder the adoption of the platform. Moreover, it can disproportionately affect users in developing countries or those with limited access to the latest technology, further exacerbating the digital divide.

The requirement for a global governance process to enable legacy transactions adds another layer of complexity and inefficiency to the system. Governance processes can be time-consuming and contentious, and requiring them for what should be a local policy decision is simply not scalable. This can slow down the pace of innovation and make it more difficult for the network to adapt to changing user needs.

Understanding the Deviation from Standard EVM Behavior

The deviation from standard EVM client behavior in Cosmos/EVM's handling of legacy transactions can create significant compatibility issues and challenges for developers. Most EVM-compatible chains, including Ethereum itself, accept legacy transactions at the consensus level while providing operators with the option to filter them at the mempool or RPC level. This approach allows for a more flexible and inclusive network, while still providing operators with the tools they need to manage transaction processing.

By failing legacy transactions at the ante level unless globally permitted, Cosmos/EVM creates a discrepancy that can lead to unexpected errors and compatibility issues. Many wallets, exchanges, and other services are designed to interact with EVM-compatible chains, and they may assume that legacy transactions are handled in a consistent manner across different platforms. The deviation in Cosmos/EVM's handling of legacy transactions can break these assumptions and require developers to implement workarounds, increasing the complexity and cost of building on the platform.

Moreover, the deviation from standard EVM behavior can make it more difficult for developers to port existing Ethereum applications to Cosmos/EVM. Many Ethereum applications rely on the ability to send and receive legacy transactions, and they may not function correctly on Cosmos/EVM without significant modifications. This can hinder the growth of the Cosmos/EVM ecosystem and make it less attractive to developers who are already familiar with the Ethereum environment.

Proposed Solution: A Path to Harmony

So, what's the fix? Here's the proposed solution:

Remove allow_unprotected_txs from EVM params and refactor the antehandler logic.

In simple terms, let's get rid of that gatekeeper parameter and rework the logic that decides which transactions get in. The idea is to:

Accept transactions as long as they're validly signed, regardless of whether they have an EIP-155 chain ID. This means:

• If v = 27/28, it's an unprotected transaction – cool, it's in!
• If v = 35/36/..., it's an EIP-155 protected transaction, and the chain ID needs to match ChainConfig.ChainID. Makes sense, right?

The Benefits of Removing the allow_unprotected_txs Parameter

Removing the allow_unprotected_txs parameter from EVM params offers a range of benefits for the Cosmos/EVM ecosystem. By refactoring the antehandler logic and adopting a more flexible approach to transaction handling, Cosmos/EVM can align itself with standard EVM behavior, improve compatibility, and reduce unnecessary complexity in the network's governance processes. This can lead to a more user-friendly, developer-friendly, and adaptable platform.

One of the primary benefits of this solution is that it simplifies the network's governance processes. By removing the need for a global governance vote to enable legacy transactions, Cosmos/EVM can streamline its decision-making process and reduce the overhead associated with managing the network. This can lead to faster innovation and a more responsive platform.

Another key benefit is that it enhances compatibility with existing Ethereum tooling and infrastructure. By accepting legacy transactions at the consensus level, Cosmos/EVM can ensure that wallets, exchanges, and other services designed to interact with EVM-compatible chains will function correctly on the platform. This reduces the need for developers to implement workarounds and makes it easier to port existing Ethereum applications to Cosmos/EVM.

Refactoring the Antehandler Logic for Greater Flexibility

Refactoring the antehandler logic to accept transactions regardless of EIP-155 chain ID, as long as they are validly signed, is a crucial step in aligning Cosmos/EVM with standard EVM behavior. This approach strikes a balance between flexibility and security, allowing legacy transactions to be processed while ensuring that the network is protected against replay attacks and other malicious activities.

By accepting transactions with v = 27/28, the proposed solution ensures that legacy transactions are not arbitrarily rejected, providing a more inclusive and user-friendly experience. This is particularly important during network upgrades or transitions, where some users may still be using older software versions or wallets that generate legacy transactions.

At the same time, the solution maintains security by requiring that EIP-155 protected transactions have a chain ID that matches ChainConfig.ChainID. This prevents replay attacks, where a transaction signed on one chain is replayed on another chain. By enforcing this requirement, Cosmos/EVM can protect users from financial losses and maintain the integrity of the network.

In conclusion, this approach not only simplifies transaction handling but also aligns Cosmos/EVM with the broader Ethereum ecosystem, fostering greater interoperability and collaboration. It's a win-win for everyone involved!

By embracing this solution, Cosmos/EVM can create a more robust, user-friendly, and developer-friendly platform that is well-positioned for long-term success. It's about streamlining processes, fostering compatibility, and ensuring that everyone can participate in the exciting world of decentralized finance. So, let's make it happen!