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Minima Protocol

Architecture, consensus, and technical specifications

📚 Primary Sources

🌐Edge Consensus Architecture

Minima implements edge consensus, where block production and validation are carried out by every device connected to the network. Unlike traditional blockchains that rely on specialized miners or validators, Minima enables universal participation: smartphones, Raspberry Pi, and IoT devices all contribute to network security on equal terms.

Key innovation: Through collaborative Tx-PoW, the complete blockchain state remains compact (~300 MB RAM), allowing any device to store and verify the entire chain history independently.

Source: Consensus, Forks and Immutable Protocols 

⛏️Tx-PoW: Collaborative Proof of Work

How Tx-PoW Works

Each transaction in Minima performs a small amount of Proof of Work (~10 seconds average work per device). When a Tx-PoW value meets the network difficulty threshold (~1 block every 50 seconds), that transaction also mines a block. Blocks store only transaction hashes (~10 KB per block), keeping the chain lightweight.

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Security Through Collaboration

Minima nodes collaborate rather than compete. The total network security equals the sum of all individual Tx-PoW contributions. More transactions = more secure network. This cooperative approach significantly reduces energy consumption compared to competitive mining systems.

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Source: Tx-PoW Documentation 

🗄️Efficient Data Structures

Cascading Chain with Superblocks

Minima's Cascading Chain structure efficiently manages blockchain growth through Superblocks. This approach keeps the chain compact and scalable without sacrificing security, enabling fast synchronization even on resource-constrained devices.

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Learn more: The Cascading Chain 

Merkle Mountain Range (MMR) UTXO

Minima utilizes a Merkle Mountain Range database to store only the UTXOs relevant to each node's private keys. This "storage-less" approach allows each node to operate with just ~300 MB RAM, making Minima highly resource-efficient.

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Source: MMR Database Documentation 

🧱Protocol Layers

LayerFunctionStatus
Minima (L1)Value transfer; flood-fill P2P backbone; all nodes validate all transactionsconfirmed
MaximaCommunication layer; point-to-point off-chain messaging between connected peersconfirmed
OmniaLayer 2 scaling; bi-directional payment channels (Lightning Network-style)in-development
MiniDapps (L3)Decentralized applications using value transfer (Minima) + messaging (Maxima) + scaling (Omnia)confirmed

Source: Network Overview 

⚙️Technical Specifications

Tx-PoW Difficulty

~10 seconds average work per transaction; ~1 block every 50 seconds network-wide

Block Size

~10 KB (stores transaction hashes only); adaptive based on network activity

RAM Requirement

~300 MB per node using MMR UTXO storage optimization

Consensus

GHOST protocol for fast block times with secure finality

Quantum Resistance

KECCAK hashing + WOTS signatures for post-quantum security

Source: Core Features Overview 

👥Network Participation Requirements

To maintain network health and personal security, Minima users should connect their node at least once per week. This ensures:

  • Updates to MMR proofs for owned UTXOs
  • Contribution to collective Tx-PoW security
  • Synchronization with the latest chain state

Note: There are no miners, no token incentives for validation, and no ever-growing database. Every user runs a Complete node. Forever.

⚠️Disclaimer:This site does not represent the official Minima team. All information is compiled from publicly available sources. Learn more

Last updated: April 21, 2026