AMA with CEO Dmitry Gerasimov: Feb 16, 2023

10 min readFeb 20, 2023

Hi Everyone! I’m Dmitry Gerasimov, CEO of Demlabs. Welcome back to our AMA stream, where we share the latest company news and answer your questions.

‌Here are the topics we will be covering today:

A new direction for our software development team: a community-controlled API for decentralized AI applications, as well as research into how artificial intelligence can be used in the field of cryptoanalysis
A new project being launched in the Cellframe ecosystem
Development news from the KelVPN team and launching $KEL token migration
Expanding the Cellframe LP staking program
Development news for Cellframe Dashboard and Cellframe Wallet applications
Progress report on the Cellframe Mainnet Roadmap

‌New Version of Dashboard

‌Our first topic is Cellframe Dashboard. We released a new version of Dashboard — 2.10–25, with lots of new improvements:

Transaction processing is faster now. To do this, we moved the logic of the operation into C++ code, and installed a filter for duplicate entries.

We updated the Node version in Dashboard, and fixed a bug where transactions that were sent on the same day were being displayed incorrectly.

The Tokens tab has been redesigned, and implemented a new logic for working with the node, and updated the layout.

‌Updated Cellframe Wallet 1/2

‌Our next topic is Cellframe Wallet. Right now we are preparing the first release version. We are working hard on perfecting the overall design of the app, and constantly improving the UX/UI. Here are some things we have done recently:

Created the dApps page
Redesigned the transactions list
Fixed a bug in displaying transactions

‌As we said on the last stream, we are not just working on the desktop version. We are also building apps to run on mobile platforms.

Soon we will release a version for Android. We will announce the release separately. For now, we want to thank our community for helping us with testing the app.

‌Expanding the LP Staking Program

‌On the last stream we announced that we added new pairs for CELL tokens on Uniswap. The new pairs are with stablecoins: CELL/DAI, CELL/USDC and CELL/USDT.

And now we have added LP token staking for the new pairs on the Cellframe Staking Site. Each staking pool has 100,000 cell for rewards in the first year of the staking program. The APY is still high right now, from 600 to 800 percent. Don’t miss this opportunity!

You can find more details about how staking rewards are calculated in our article Tokenomics 2.0. We will post the link in the video description for this stream.

‌Also on the previous stream, we announced the launch of V3 staking. So now you can stake V2 LP tokens in a way that will automatically migrate them to the V3 protocol.

Also, you can now migrate V2 LP tokens to V3 without staking, if you don’t plan to stake your LP tokens.

We have also added another function: adding liquidity to LP tokens that you have already staked, to improve your position in the pool. This will increase your share of the rewards.

We do this to support our holders and help them avoid impermanent loss.

‌ KelVPN News

‌Our next topic: development news from the KelVPN team. KelVPN is decentralized VPN service built on a blockchain network. It is a parachain in the Cellframe network with its own token, KEL.

As I said in the previous stream, the next major KelVPN release will include the launch of the new mode that allows KelVPN to integrate with Cellframe Wallet and Cellframe Dashboard. When this mode is launched, the service will truly become decentralized for all participants in the process.

Users can choose the mode they want to work in, the server they want to use, and the amount of traffic they need. Those who provide their bandwidth will receive commissions for providing the service. And you will no longer need to purchase any serial numbers. ‌The KelVPN team has already built this feature, and are testing it now. We will announce the launch date separately.

On the KelVPN site, we have added the option to pay for subscriptions using the new BSC-network CELL token.

The KelVPN app now has an auto-update function. Now you can update to the newest version without leaving the app. Just click on the pop-up notification. This feature is now available for Android only, but soon will be available on other platform. We will make a separate announcement about this.

‌$KEL Migration

‌Now we move to another important topic — $KEL token migration.

We are now announcing the start of KEL token migration to new smart contracts, on both BEP-20 and ERC-20 networks.

Everyone who wants to participate in our LP staking program will need to migrate their tokens. The LP staking program for KEL tokens is now in development.

KelVPN will make an announcement when the program is ready for launch. Follow KelVPN Twitter and Medium channels for news about this

‌KEL Tokenomics

‌We are also pleased to announce that the new tokenomics for KEL staking is complete.

Stalking rewards will be distributed like this:

5M KEL for staking on ETH
4M KEL for single-token staking on CF20
3M KEL for staking on BSC

There will not be any differentiation between pairs. All available pairs can be used: ETH, BNB, USDT, USDC, BUSD, DAI and, of course, CELL. The total rewards will be divided among all pairs.

‌New Startup in the Cellframe Ecosystem

‌We are always looking for new partnerships and developing our network of collaborators. And, of course, we are always ready to support new projects in our ecosystem.

I am now participating as an advisor in a new partnership: a decentralized incubator for new startups in the Cellframe ecosystem.

The project founders are entrepreneurs who work with cutting-edge technologies, and they are working to implement hardware solutions to support the development and growth of the Cellframe network.

We can’t give all the details now, but I will be able to say a lot more about it in the next AMA session.

‌Artificial Intelligence t-dApps API

‌Now let’s talk about our new API for decentralized AI applications.

The recent success of machine learning algorithms is closely related to the increase in the total number of computations being done to train these algorithms, as well as the growth in the amount of data being processed for these algorithms — not something new in the algorithms themselves.

The cost of training algorithms such as ChatGPT has become too high for independent developers, and even too high for startups. The new generation of AI is in the hands of big corporations.

‌That’s why we have started to develop an API for a new category of services that will use the processing power of video cards for training and running machine learning algorithms.

The goal is to make machine learning algorithms transparent, community-controlled, and available to people. This will also help independent developers and startups compete with corporations in the field of AI.

In addition, we have initiated new research in the field of cryptography. For example: discovering how to use AI in the field of cryptoanalysis of new protocols. This research will help to take post-quantum security to a new level.

‌In the general context of the AI revolution, we have reached a point where leading AI technologies are available only to a small group of actors. Our initiative is to create a new, collective actor in this field. We want to give the opportunity for a decentralized version of ChatGPT to emerge. Our new partnerships will also help with this.

As we move to a new phase of Cellframe’s development — after mainnet launch — we want to offer as many opportunities as possible to developers to use Cellframe, and the AI field is one possible area for developers to build on Cellframe.

‌Cellframe Mainnet Roadmap

‌Now let’s discuss the Cellframe Mainnet Roadmap. We have a roadmap for mainnet development up to the middle of March. It can be adjusted and updated based on new circumstances, but in general we try to follow the roadmap closely.

On every AMA session we now discuss our progress on the roadmap and any new changes.

‌As we prepare for mainnet launch, we added new features to our SDK:

In the TON consensus, we added the ability for a variable number of validators to be used in each round.
Implemented processing of network-wide decrees for service providers
We are also refactoring the block consensus process (only 60% complete so far).
We are also adding commissions to staking transactions. This functionality is now being tested.

‌News from the Tech Support Team

‌We recently launched a help desk service for Cellframe and KelVPN. Now we will be able to collect and respond to user requests without missing any of them.

For Cellframe issues you can contact us using the feedback form on the site and leaving your email, or you can send an email to tech_support@cellframe.net, or write in the Cellframe Support Telegram group.

For KelVPN users we have a new Support link inside the new version of the app. This lets you interact with a support specialist via Telegram if you don’t want to leave your email. Also, we now have a Tech Support group for KelVPN on Telegram. You can find all the links in the video description here.

Now Let’s go to your questions!

When the mainnet goes live for KEL, will that also mean that staking will go live? Or are these 2 separate things?

‌These two things are related, but not closely related. The staking can go live before the mainnet. We are almost ready to release staking for KEL. KEL mainnet itself will be launched together with Cellframe Mainnet.

There have been multiple hacks reported that exploited bridges. How secure is the one being used by Cellframe?

‌This is a very big concern for us. We are constantly thinking, testing and making changes to the bridge to make sure it is totally safe. So far the security hasn’t been broken. Many of the hacks happen as a result of third-party components, and we don’t have many of those. That reduces the risks.

Could a feature like ZAP from Pancakeswap be possible for Cellframe?

‌Yes, it will be possible to have a feature like that in our DEX, where you can add liquidity with only one token. I think our single-token staking program for our native token could be used for ZAP for your stake, and you can add liquidity with a single token.

If I want to run a master node, do I need a static or dynamic IP address? What happens if there’s a network outage or a change of IP address?

‌You can update your IP address in the node list, but it’s better to have a static address. A change in the node address shouldn’t affect the functioning of the node; your identity is based on your key. But it should be predictable.

If you get disconnected from the internet, then that’s a problem, but it’s OK within limits. We’re now trying to improve the fault tolerance of our consensus algorithm. We don’t want to go the route of slashes for those who do not participate in consensus sometimes. We want people to be able to run a node using a basic home internet connection.

Is Cellframe looking to implement ZK proofs?

‌Cellframe’s wallet address structure was designed to integrate ZK snarks. You can see this structure already in our code repository.

‌We are only missing one element for ZK snarks — a PostQuantum ZK ring signature. There is no production-ready version of this available yet. The ones that exist so are far too large, heavy, and slow to use. So it’s hard to say when we will be able to do this, could be next month, could take years. So we’re not announcing ZK products yet, but we’re working hard on them. As soon as there is a viable PQ ZK signature available, we will integrate it very quickly. Everything is ready for this.

When will we have staking for KEL? Any date for mainnet launch?

I already answered some of this, but will repeat: staking will be in the nearest time, we’re finalizing it. And the mainnet launch date will be announced after we have a release candidate, which will be at the end of February, beginning of March.

I unstaked, but my rewards did not arrive. When will the team fix this problem?

‌The team has already fixed this issue. Your rewards will be sent to your wallets very soon, and maybe they are already there. If they did not arrive, please contact the support.

Can you please tell us more about the ZK rollups and whether this tech will be ready at mainnet launch or will it be a feature released at a later date?

Unfortunately it will be a later date because we still have no production-ready ZK Post-Quantum ring signature, which is the key element of the ZK snark.

Will KEL most likely be launched first/earlier to CELL?

They will be launched together. Maybe a little earlier, but probably it will be together. It doesn’t make sense to run it later, so most likely together.

Can we run GPT-NEOX (open source NLP) on the Cellframe platform? It has already been trained. Then user can use API to interact with the NLP.

Yes, already trained models can be used, but to run them you also need some significant resources. I recently read an article about open-source NLP and other models that could be used for open-source GPT. For running such a model you need about 4 Nvidia Ampere video cards. Because usually you don’t have such cards on your computer, you would look for a cloud service — or fog service provided by Cellframe users.

So if you were mining Ethereum with your video cards, and now you don’t know how to earn from them— please keep them. We’ll find a way for you to load them.

By the way, not only GPT-NEOX AI application could be launched; some other machine learning applications could be run and trained on Cellframe. So the answer is yes, the user can use API to interact with this model, but running it also takes resources.

When Marketing?

It’s already here, but most of it will be launched after mainnet launch.

Would it be a good idea to have these AMA sessions on twitter ? I think we can reach more people on this platform

I’ll think about how to translate to Twitter. Once we did run our AMA session on Twitter, so we have this experience. I don’t think we have a lesser audience here.

That’s all for now — see you next time!