The Sui Protocol has released version 137 on testnet, marking a significant step forward in the development of the decentralized platform. This update brings a range of improvements and new features that aim to enhance the overall user experience and efficiency of the network.
One of the key changes in this release is the optimization of range proof verification. According to the GitHub release notes, Ristretto255 range proof verification is now cheaper, and the limit on the number of commitments times the range bit length has been raised from 512 to 1024. This allows for larger batches to be verified in a single call, reducing the computational burden on the network.
In addition to this optimization, the Sui Protocol v137 also introduces the allowances feature. This new functionality enables users to set limits on the amount of assets that can be transferred, providing an extra layer of security and control.
The update also includes several other improvements, such as the ability to check object funds withdrawal sufficiency inside the Move VM at the point of withdrawal. This change aims to prevent insufficient withdrawals from aborting with a `sui::funds_accumulator` Move abort, reducing the risk of errors and improving the overall stability of the network.
Furthermore, the Sui Protocol v137 enables `check_object_funds_withdraw_in_execution` on devnet only, allowing developers to test and refine their applications in a controlled environment.
In terms of gas costs, the update introduces a new charge for the abstract value size of the constant rather than its serialized byte length. This change slightly increases gas costs for constant-heavy code, but it is expected to have a positive impact on the overall efficiency of the network.
The Sui Protocol v137 also includes several other features and improvements, such as the acceptance of `TransactionExpiration::Validity` on all networks and the addition of new memory invariant checks for reference/value usage in PTBs.
For nodes and validators, the update introduces an opt-in `consensus-transaction-pool` config, which allows validators to pull transactions from a gas-price-prioritized pool at block-proposal time instead of the admission queue pushing them to consensus. This change aims to improve the efficiency and scalability of the network.
In conclusion, the Sui Protocol v137 is a significant update that brings a range of improvements and new features to the testnet. While it is still early days for this release, the changes and optimizations introduced in this update are expected to have a positive impact on the overall user experience and efficiency of the network.
As the Sui Protocol continues to evolve and mature, it will be interesting to see how these changes and improvements are received by the community and how they impact the adoption and growth of the platform.