Overview
Gonka Network v0.2.5 represents a significant step toward enhanced blockchain interoperability and expanded hardware support. This release introduces a native Ethereum bridge, updates core services, and extends GPU compatibility to include NVIDIA's latest Blackwell architecture.
Key Changes
Native Ethereum Bridge
The most significant addition in v0.2.5 is the new bridge service that enables native interoperability with Ethereum. This bridge implementation includes:
- Bidirectional asset transfers between Gonka Network and Ethereum
- Automated synchronization with Ethereum blockchain state
- Smart contract integration for secure cross-chain operations
The bridge service can be started after the upgrade with:
git pull
source config.env && docker compose up bridge -d
Note that initial synchronization may take considerable time depending on network conditions.
Smart Contract Infrastructure
Three new smart contracts are introduced to support the bridge functionality:
- Liquidity Pool Contract: Manages cross-chain liquidity and ensures sufficient reserves for bridge operations
- Wrapped Token Contract: Handles token wrapping/unwrapping for assets moving between chains
- Ethereum Bridge Contract: Coordinates bridge operations on the Ethereum side
These contracts will be subject to separate governance proposals for community approval.
Enhanced GPU Support
MLNode container has been updated to v3.0.11 with full backward compatibility to v3.0.10. Key improvements include:
- Blackwell GPU Support: New v3.0.11-blackwell variant specifically optimized for NVIDIA Blackwell architecture
- CUDA 12.8+ Requirement: Updated CUDA runtime for improved performance and stability
- Asynchronous Updates: Existing nodes can update at their convenience without network disruption
Service Updates
Both api and node services receive updates in this release. However, existing hosts are not required to upgrade immediately. The updated container versions in deploy/join/docker-compose.yml are primarily intended for new hosts joining after the on-chain upgrade completes.
Upgrade Process
The v0.2.5 upgrade follows Gonka Network's established governance process:
- Community Review: Active hosts review the proposal on GitHub
- Majority Approval: Once approved by majority vote, v0.2.5 release is created
- On-chain Proposal: Upgrade proposal submitted to network governance
- Execution: Upon approval, upgrade executes automatically on-chain
- Merge: Changes merge to main branch immediately after successful upgrade
This process ensures minimal downtime and maintains consistency between on-chain binary versions and deployment configurations.
Testing and Validation
The upgrade has been thoroughly tested on Gonka's testnet environment, with successful migration from v0.2.4 to v0.2.5 verified. Community members can request testnet access for independent validation or test the upgrade process on private testnets.
Migration Notes
Existing node operators should note:
- No immediate action required for current hosts
- Bridge service is optional and can be started when convenient
- MLNode updates are backward compatible and can be performed asynchronously
- New hosts joining after upgrade will automatically use updated container versions
For detailed migration procedures and parameter definitions, refer to the upgrades.go implementation.
Looking Forward
Release v0.2.5 establishes the foundation for enhanced cross-chain functionality while maintaining Gonka Network's focus on decentralized AI inference. The native Ethereum bridge opens new possibilities for asset mobility and expanded ecosystem integration, while Blackwell GPU support ensures the network remains at the forefront of AI hardware capabilities.