Cartesi (CTSI): Build Revolutionary DApps on a Blockchain OS

Since the inception of cryptocurrency, software developers have used blockchain-specific programming languages to build a variety of apps on the blockchain. Now, Cartesi offers an easier alternative to creating decentralized apps (DApps) on the blockchain using the mainstream language Linux.

This article explores the potential use of Cartesi and explains why the CTSI token is worth investing in.

What Is Cartesi?

Cartesi is a decentralized Layer 2 infrastructure that facilitates the development of DApps on the blockchain using the well-known Linux programming environment.

It's also said to be the first operating system on the blockchain because it bridges the gap between mainstream software and smart contracts.

The infrastructure incorporates both on-chain and off-chain components to solve problems associated with scalability. In addition, its network nodes are blind to the blockchain, which means that Cartesi's DApps-building platform can be used across multiple blockchains.

Since most software developers have some Linux-programming experience, they can code scalable smart contracts on Cartesi with the use of rich software tools and services they are used to. Ultimately, this knowledge transfer will help accelerate the development of Web 3.0.

History of Cartesi

The project is the brainchild of four aspiring individuals: Erick de Moura, Augusto Teixeira, Diego Nehab, and Colin Steil.

Originally conceived as a trustless artificial intelligence marketplace, it evolved into a blockchain OS when Chief Operating Officer Augusto Teixeira convinced his experienced friend Serguei Popov to invest in the infrastructure. One of the co-founders of the IOTA foundation, Popov also acts as an advisor to the founding members of Cartesi.

Cartesi's co-founders have experience in startup space and software development; for example, CEO Erick de Moura previously worked as a software developer, designer and engineer.

As part of the initial offering, 100 million CTSI tokens were sold in April 2020. The IPO fetched $1.5 million for the project. Besides the IPO, Cartesi has also received funding from various prominent sources that include FBG Capital, Bigbang Angels, Chinaaccelerator, SNZ, SOSV and Artesian.

Governed by the Cartesi Foundation, the project aims to increase ecosystem and network adoption. Its co-founders, partners and community members will all play their respective roles in the evolution of the project.

At this time, the co-founders have a majority stake in the decision-making process. As the project matures, the foundation will gradually decentralize the government.

How Does Cartesi Work?

Calling itself “the first blockchain operating system,” Cartesi lets developers utilize the capabilities of Linux to build DApps for blockchain. In other words, Cartesi bridges the gap between mainstream software and the smartchain. Since everything from supercomputers to smartphones utilizes Linux, building an app using the Linux platform and running it on the blockchain sounds like an interesting proposition.

Using Linux also offers developers the opportunity to perform intensive computations otherwise not available through traditional blockchain resources. By relying on the processing power of Linux, Cartesi enables developers to access every tool designed for Linux in the last two to three decades.

As explained earlier, the platform uses a combination of off-chain and on-chain components. Here is a brief overview of these components and their prominent features:

• Cartesi Machine

• Cartesi Rollups

• Cartesi Noether

• Descartes SDK

• Build DApps

Cartesi Machine

The Cartesi Machine is a groundbreaking virtual machine that can run a full-fledged Linux operating system. It's used to implement DApp calculations off-chain. DApps running inside the Cartesi Machine can seamlessly process a virtually unlimited amount of data. By moving most of the DApp logic inside the machine, developers are free from the limitations imposed by a typical blockchain.

The level of knowledge required to interact with the Cartesi Machine depends on the complexity of the DApp. A simple application may require only a few steps. In contrast, you will need to understand the hash-based state manipulation primitives to run high-end apps.

Cartesi Rollups

Cartesi offers its own version of optimistic rollups. Cartesi Rollups is a Layer 2 system that lets the blockchain provide data availability and order input data. It can also bridge tokens between Layer 1 and Layer 2, and resolve disputes.

Using an interactive fraud-proof mechanism, Cartesi Rollups require only a single instruction to distinguish between an honest and a misbehaving element. Just like other components, Cartesi Rollups achieve scalability by moving the bulk of computation off-chain.

Cartesi Noether

Noether sidechain decreases the data load by storing the bulk of data off-chain. It helps developers use more data than the existing Ethereum layer and other base layers. When the data is no longer needed, Noether deletes the data to save space, creating greater efficiencies in the long term. This also results in reduced gas fees and better storage management.

Descartes SDK

Descartes SDK is a simple infrastructure that developers can use to run computations that otherwise are too expensive to execute.

On a traditional blockchain, computations are run by every full node on the network. However, in the case of Descartes SDK, DApp participants verify computation off-chain, which eliminates a transaction fee. The blockchain is used only if participants don't agree with the results, and when it’s used, the transaction cost of performing such computations is negligible.

DApps on Linux

The main purpose of the Cartesi project is to introduce a blockchain platform that’s similar in scope to traditional platforms.

Just like the standard platform interface, Cartesi DApps are composed of a front-end and a back-end part. The front end can be UI or a command-line interface. Similarly, the back end comprises verifiable logic that runs inside the Cartesi Rollup infrastructure.

Another way that Cartesi is unique is that it allows developers to use their mainstream environment for more than 90 percent of their work. As blockchain or Cartesi-specific procedures are seldom required, the learning curve involved in the creation of DApps on the platform is negligible.

Cartesi Use Cases

Cartesi blockchain OS aims to bring the scalability and power of mainstream software development to the blockchain, which is why many developers have used it to build highly immersive applications. Take a look at some examples:

Game Development: Creepts is a fully decentralized game created with the help of Linux software stacks. Players compete against each other in this single-elimination-style game using a bracket-gameplay structure.

Commercial Systems: Creol Environments is an IoT commercial building control system that helps occupants reduce their carbon footprints. The project is part of the incubation program launched by Cartesi. It lets users set targets to lower their energy impact.

NFTs: SimThunder is a virtual marketplace designed for eSports lovers and simulated racing fans. The decentralized marketplace will enable you to sell and purchase RiMS racing assets. You can own your car and parts, which are represented by NFTs. SimThunder uses Cartesi's Descartes SDK to ensure the safety and privacy of digital assets.

Data Management: Developed using the Cartesi blockchain OS, Carti is a decentralized package manager that allows developers to share and store data components in a way that lets other developers reuse their work.

CTSI Tokenomics

A maximum of 1 billion CTSI are in circulation and, according to the CTSI Foundation’s April 2022 report, approximately 604 million of these are unlocked. The total supply will be gradually unlocked until April 2024.

The supply distribution of tokens is divided into eight parts: launchpad sale, mining reserve, foundation reserve, seed sale, private sale, strategic sale, team and advisors.

Here’s how it’s broken down:

Launchpad Sale: The 10 percent launchpad token sale was initiated on Binance Exchange in April 2020.

Mining Reserve: Mining reserve tokens comprise 25 percent of the total supply. These are reserved for rewarding mining operations. You can read a detailed transparency report here.

Foundation Reserve: Almost 40.22 percent of tokens are allocated to this fund. These tokens are used for the continued research and development of the Cartesi blockchain operating system. The foundation will also use them for marketing, community-based objectives, business operations, development grants and legal expenses.

Seed Sale: Two percent of the total supply is dedicated to seed sale, which is scheduled to occur every quarter until October 23, 2022.

Private Sale: Comprises 5 percent of the total CTSI token supply.

Strategic Sale: The strategic sale comprises only 0.67 percent of the entire allocation. This has been 100 percent allocated.

Team: Team tokens make up 15 percent of the entire supply. Approximately 4.29 percent of the 15 percent has already been allocated through two previous unlocks.

Advisors: Tokens dedicated to advisors are 2.11 percent of the total token supply. As of this writing, six advisors are on the Cartesi team.

Cartesi Blockchain OS Road Map

The road map of Cartesi blockchain OS defines how it delivers sustainable performance in the long run. Based on the existing analysis, it seeks to develop effective protocols and infrastructure for the foreseeable future.

According to executive management, the road map is mainly designed to improve the information flow between Cartesi’s primary contributors and its community. Accordingly, the existing road map defines four milestones:

1. Milestone 1: Delivered

2. Milestone 2: Tasks in Progress

3. Milestone 3: Tasks in Progress

4. Milestone 4: Tasks awaiting Milestone 3 

Milestone 1: 

The completed first milestone included basic deliverables critical to understanding the concept and managing the infrastructure. This phase supported the implementation and testing of full DApps, literature, and setting up simple DApp examples for developers.

Milestone 2: 

Still in progress, the second milestone helps developers deploy applications on the Polygon Testnet. Polygon is elected for the Cartesi Rollups’ first version because it’s cost-efficient and offers high performance. 

At this time, the team intends to design and test the Cartesi node infrastructure, as well as review and re-factor features such as voucher execution. Periodic functionality tests and resolution of essential issues will further contribute to the overall improvement. In the future, the rollup will be integrated with other chains.

Milestone 3: 

Also in progress, the third milestone includes the official release of HTTP API documentation and testing. In this phase, the management seeks to offer economic incentive for validators using a Cartesi validator node. Incentives will be paid in CTSI.

In addition, the third milestone also seeks support for packaging and deploying DApps to local and remote networks, including comprehensive SDK documentation.

Milestone 4: 

The final milestone is contingent upon the completion of the third milestone. Tasks awaiting execution include final test, auditing and Mainnet deployment.

If you'd like to invest in the Cartesi project, keep in mind that the road map isn’t final. As executive management seeks to compile a definite plan, they will offer frequent updates. In the future, you may see a revised version of the road map that community members can access and update.

CTSI Price Prediction

The token was first released in April 2020 on Binance Exchange. Since the initial launch, the price trajectory has somewhat followed the overall crypto market. During this time, CTSI price peaked at $1.75 in May 2021.

It's been said that CTSI experiences a slight rise in its value when a new set of tokens is unlocked. While the pattern may not entice investors looking to invest in the long run, it's something you may want to keep an eye on.

Due to the fluctuation in price, uncertainty in global markets, and regulations, predicting the price of crypto is a difficult task. However, everyone agrees that some projects will stand out over the long run. Cartesi certainly falls in this category as it offers a unique proposition to the crypto community.

Having said that, you can expect the CTSI price to double within the next twelve months, if the crypto markets continue to gain traction. This projection is consistent among analysts. The medium-term trend is also encouraging; however, don't expect the price to skyrocket in two or three years unless there is another crypto boom.

Investing in CTSI will pay off in the next seven to ten years. If the crypto market continues to yield stable returns, there’s no doubt that CTSI will touch $7 or more in the future.

Where to Buy CTSI

You can buy CTSI tokens from a variety of online exchanges, including Bybit. Simply sign up with your email or mobile phone. Depending on your preference, you can register either on the desktop or mobile app.

Bybit is one of only a few crypto exchanges where CTSI is traded as perpetual contracts, which are derivatives without an expiration date or settlement. In other words, you can trade them as easily as any other financial instrument, including the ability to use very high leverage.

To buy CTSI, you need to deposit a certain amount to the Bybit exchange. There are multiple ways to do it. The easiest method is to deposit USDT using one of a variety of payment methods. Here are the steps:

Step 1: Click on Buy Crypto on the main screen.

Step 2: Select Express from the drop-down menu.

Step 3: Depending on where you live, you will be presented with multiple options to buy USDT at the existing rate.

Step 4: Choose from a variety of payment options that may include bank transfer, credit card, Google Pay and local payment merchants.

Step 5: Once USDT is deposited in your account, look for the CTSIUSDT pair under the Derivatives tab.

Step 6: Exchange USDT for CTSI by buying a CTSIUSDT Perpetual Contract.

Is CTSI a Good Investment?

An investment is only as good as its underlying fundamentals. If you want to invest in crypto, you need to review its unique selling proposition, road map, major investors, the team behind the project and the community.

Based on what we've learned so far, CTSI is definitely worth a place in your portfolio. It's impressive because Cartesi bridges the gap between mainstream software development and the blockchain. Similarly, it has a very experienced management team, as well as astute advisors. All of these people come from software and academic backgrounds with years of development experience behind them.

As discussed already, there is a clear road map and there are guidelines for everyone to follow. Everything from documentation to testing and implementation is working according to plan. The development is marked by regular investment from high-profile firms from around the globe. Finally, everything is backed by a highly active community that seems keenly interested in the latest development.

The Future of Cartesi

Cartesi is built on a concept that will decisively impact the development of DApps on blockchain. Prior to Cartesi, everyone used Solidity as the only object-oriented language for implementing smart contracts. Now Cartesi has changed the DApp landscape by empowering developers to use a mainstream programming language.

These developments are enough to make Cartesi one of the most inspiring projects in the crypto space. This also means that the existing price of Cartesi is irrelevant, because it doesn't portray the upside potential of CTSI. As long as investors are willing to contribute to the project, Cartesi is a future gold mine.

Closing Thoughts

If you're ready to invest in a crypto project, Cartesi is a mouthwatering prospect. While much is going on in the crypto space, very few projects pack a punch, and Cartesi is one of them.