Nomisma L1 Architecture
Nomisma is a project in development. Not all solutions presented in the following sections and subsections are implemented at this stage. The current and all subsequent sub-pages are subject to change.
Nomisma L1 – Coordination and Chain Abstraction Layer
Nomisma L1 serves as the primary orchestrator of the subchain ecosystem. It manages coordination between all subchains and handles the secure movement of assets and data across them. This layer abstracts the complexities of chain interactions, offering a unified experience for all users.
In addition to its routing and interoperability roles, Nomisma L1 validators oversee the collection and redistribution of dApp-level fees. These native dApp fees, set and collected within individual subchains, are allocated to the DAO Governance Treasury. Also, Nomisma L1 validators provide a cross-chain bridging to external EVM-compatible chains, currently including Ethereum and Binance Smart Chain.
Nomisma Incentivized Testnet debuts as a Single-dApp subchain on top of Chromia. On the 1st stage, Nomisma validators track subchain states and on-chain activity, and get a revenue share based on DAO Governance decision, while execution remains on Chromia.
NomismaOS – Execution Layer and Subchain Engine
NomismaOS is the runtime environment powering validator nodes across the network. It extends a modified version of the open-source PostChain framework, providing a tight integration between consensus and data management.
This operating system coordinates the entire lifecycle of transactions, from validation to data processing. Every transaction on a Nomisma subchain is expressed in Rell as database updates, executed by validators via NomismaOS logic, and recorded in a SubRelational database. These databases form the persistent on-chain state of each subchain, enabling structured, queryable storage natively accessible from smart contracts.
NomismaOS supports real-time indexing, rate-limiting, data sharding, and logic execution with relational consistency. By combining stateful logic with relational data primitives, developers can build complex dApps (AI-agents, dynamic NFTs, or DeFi order books) with fully on-chain infrastructure.
Rell – Relational Smart Contract Language
Rell is the native programming language of Nomisma, designed for building and managing smart contracts on relational databases. It blends SQL-like syntax with blockchain semantics, allowing developers to work with familiar data structures such as tables, columns, and relations while harnessing the security and immutability of blockchain.
The language operates on 2 main constructs:
Operations that modify the on-chain database state;
Queries that retrieve data from it.
Because Rell compiles directly to bytecode, it enables high-performance execution with low overhead.
Unlike key-value state models like those used in Ethereum VM, Rell supports efficient table-level operations, joins, and structured queries without relying on off-chain indexing or extra logic layers.
This approach accelerates development cycles, improves data integrity, and empowers developers to build dynamic, data-driven dApps at scale. It also allows for clear separation between logic and storage, resulting in maintainable and upgradable contract architectures.
nBFT – Nomisma Byzantine Fault Tolerant Consensus Engine
Nomisma's consensus mechanism, nBFT, is a tailored Proof-of-Authority implementation inspired by Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance (PBFT). It offers fast finality, predictable block production, and robust fault tolerance without the economic inefficiencies of Proof-of-Work or gas auctions.
When a transaction is broadcast, validator nodes validate it in parallel. Each block must receive a 2/3 majority approval to be finalized, ensuring both security and throughput. This structure not only prevents malicious actors from disrupting consensus but also enables consistent block times suitable for low-latency applications such as DeFi or AI automation.
By removing the randomness and latency associated with mining or staking-based systems, nBFT empowers Nomisma to scale through subchains without sacrificing decentralization or speed.
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