Mesh Security sees itself as new protection on the Cosmos network

The Cosmos ecosystem is introducing Mesh Security, a collaborative security model designed to enhance the economic security of the network while maintaining the independence of individual blockchains.

In the ever-evolving world of blockchain technology, the Cosmos ecosystem is introducing a novel initiative known as Mesh Security.

This unique security model aims to bolster the economic security of the Cosmos network without infringing upon the autonomy of individual blockchains within the system.

Sunny Aggarwal, co-founder of Osmosis Labs, described Mesh Security by likening it to the NATO alliance during a discussion with Blockworks.

He explained that much like NATO’s cooperative defense mechanism, where an attack on one country prompts mutual defense, Mesh Security offers collective protection across all chains in the Cosmos ecosystem.

Rather than individual blockchains drawing security from their standalone market cap, they would benefit from the aggregate security of all tokens within the Cosmos ecosystem. “The collective value of all tokens will be securing the entirety of the Cosmos chains,” Aggarwal explained.

An interesting element of the Mesh Security model is that validators are not obliged to operate extra nodes. Delegators can stake tokens on their primary chain and restake them to support validators on a partner chain.

However, this system involves greater risk – if validator misconduct occurs, staked tokens could be slashed on both the primary and partner chains. In return for assuming this additional risk, delegators will receive augmented staking rewards.

Aggarwal used the example of Osmosis and Axelar to illustrate this concept, saying, “We will likely see almost all of the Osmosis stake restaking onto Axelar and vice versa. By this process, the cumulative value of their market caps secures both Osmosis and Axelar.”

Contrary to initial impressions, Mesh Security and Interchain Security (ICS) are not competitors. Aggarwal emphasized that they cater to different needs within the ecosystem.

ICS serves new chains that want to commence operations immediately without having to devise their own validator set or staking token. On the other hand, Mesh Security targets larger Cosmos chains that already have a proof of stake system in place.

Aggarwal also mentioned plans to integrate larger chains, like ethereum and bitcoin, into the Mesh Security model. He is reportedly collaborating with the Babylon team to enable bitcoin staking, which would allow bitcoin to secure other chains under the Mesh Security model.

The Mesh Security initiative will roll out in three stages. The first phase involves building and testing the architecture on testnets.

The second phase will implement and test the model on low-capital Cosmos consumer chains, while rallying support for its broader adoption. The final stage will see an open-source mainnet deployment of Mesh Security.