d

Darlington Kofa
Darlington Kofa / 26 Dec 2022

Parameter Timeline

Introduced
July 9, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 208)
July 29, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 208)
July 29, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 208)
July 29, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 208)
July 29, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 211)
August 13, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 211)
August 13, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 211)
August 13, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 211)
August 13, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 212)
August 18, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 212)
August 18, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 212)
August 18, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 212)
August 18, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 213)
August 23, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 213)
August 23, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 213)
August 23, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 213)
August 23, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 214)
August 28, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 214)
August 28, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 214)
August 28, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 214)
August 28, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 215)
September 2, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 215)
September 2, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 215)
September 2, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 215)
September 2, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 216)
September 7, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 216)
September 7, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 216)
September 7, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 216)
September 7, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 217)
September 12, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 217)
September 12, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 217)
September 12, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 217)
September 12, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 218)
September 17, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 218)
September 17, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 218)
September 17, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 218)
September 17, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 219)
September 22, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 219)
September 22, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 219)
September 22, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 219)
September 22, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 220)
September 27, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 220)
September 27, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 220)
September 27, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 220)
September 27, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 221)
October 2, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 221)
October 2, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 221)
October 2, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 221)
October 2, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 222)
October 7, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 222)
October 7, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 222)
October 7, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 222)
October 7, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 223)
October 12, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 223)
October 12, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 223)
October 12, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 223)
October 12, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 224)
October 17, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 224)
October 17, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 224)
October 17, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 224)
October 17, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 225)
October 22, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 225)
October 22, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 225)
October 22, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 225)
October 22, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 226)
October 27, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 226)
October 27, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 226)
October 27, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 226)
October 27, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 227)
November 1, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 227)
November 1, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 227)
November 1, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 227)
November 1, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 228)
November 6, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 228)
November 6, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 228)
November 6, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 228)
November 6, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 229)
November 11, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 229)
November 11, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 229)
November 11, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 229)
November 11, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 230)
November 16, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 230)
November 16, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 230)
November 16, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 230)
November 16, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 231)
November 21, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 231)
November 21, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 231)
November 21, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 231)
November 21, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 232)
November 26, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 232)
November 26, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 232)
November 26, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 232)
November 26, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 233)
December 1, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 233)
December 1, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 233)
December 1, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 233)
December 1, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 234)
December 6, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 234)
December 6, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 234)
December 6, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 234)
December 6, 2020
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Protocol Update (Epoch 242)
January 15, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 242)
January 15, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 242)
January 15, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 242)
January 15, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 243)
January 20, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 243)
January 20, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 243)
January 20, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 243)
January 20, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 244)
January 25, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 244)
January 25, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 244)
January 25, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 244)
January 25, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 245)
January 30, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 245)
January 30, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 245)
January 30, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 245)
January 30, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 246)
February 4, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 246)
February 4, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 246)
February 4, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 246)
February 4, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 247)
February 9, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 247)
February 9, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 247)
February 9, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 247)
February 9, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 248)
February 14, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 248)
February 14, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 248)
February 14, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 248)
February 14, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 249)
February 19, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 249)
February 19, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 249)
February 19, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 249)
February 19, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 250)
February 24, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 250)
February 24, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 250)
February 24, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 250)
February 24, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 251)
March 1, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 251)
March 1, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 251)
March 1, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 251)
March 1, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 252)
March 6, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 252)
March 6, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 252)
March 6, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 252)
March 6, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 253)
March 11, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 253)
March 11, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 253)
March 11, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 253)
March 11, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 254)
March 16, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 254)
March 16, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 254)
March 16, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 254)
March 16, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 256)
March 26, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 256)
March 26, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 256)
March 26, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 256)
March 26, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 257)
March 31, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 257)
March 31, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 257)
March 31, 2021
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Protocol Update (Epoch 257)
March 31, 2021
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d
Lido Minute Lido Minute Playing Animation
d
Lido Minute
Tags
Governance
Governance
2Lovelaces Creative
2Lovelaces Creative

As of this publication, Cardano has around 30 network parameters. These parameters are the mechanisms that control how the Cardano Blockchain works. Today, we are talking about one of the oldest parameters, the Decentralization parameter - also known as the “D” parameter. While the ‘D’ parameter has now been retired, it’s an interesting part of the origin story of Cardano.

So what was it for?

Every blockchain starts with a few people turning on the network. Then, slowly, others around the world can join that network. The job of the Computers on a blockchain network is to process messages and make sure everyone is playing by the rules. These computers govern the network.

Public permissionless blockchains like Cardano allow anyone - anywhere in the world - to run a copy of the blockchain software, and link their computer to the global Cardano network. The more computers there are connected and making changes to the network, the more decentralized the network is said to be.

When Cardano first opened its doors for anyone to join the network, it actually limited who could participate in making changes - also known as producing blocks. Anyone could join the network – but at first, only the founders and preselected computers participated in block production.

So, how did it move from this controlled and centralized system to a fully decentralized network? This is where the “D” parameter comes in. Every five days since the July 2020 launch of the Shelley era, the ratio of insiders vs everyone else was reduced by 2% - shifting away from insiders producing blocks, moving out to stake pool operators all over the world.

On March 31, 2021 - less than one year later - the ‘d’ parameter was set to 0. This meant that block production was no longer censored - at all. Now, anyone, anywhere in the world, can add their computer to the Cardano network and participate in block production.

This is interesting for two reasons:

The first is this: every blockchain network that exists starts with just a few computers. To grow from a single company server into a permissionless, public blockchain with the promise of an uncensorable data store that guarantees strong ownership and worldwide accessibility was a huge feat. One that required widespread community buy-in and global participation. For Cardano to achieve this goal in less than a year was exciting and impressive.

The second interesting thing about the ‘d’ parameter is that a parameter can actually change. That means that the founders of Cardano could have changed it – from a public permissionless network BACK to a permissioned network – where only pre-approved servers could manage the state of the network.

Fortunately for the Cardano community, the ‘d’ parameter was removed entirely with the September 2022, Vasil upgrade event.

Knowing about the origin of your favorite blockchain can help you understand its foundation and values, and maybe predict how it is likely to grow and change in the future.

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Playlist

  • EP5: pool_deposit

    Authored by: Darlington Kofa

    3m 19s
    Darlington Kofa

  • EP3: key_deposit

    Authored by: Darlington Kofa

    3m 48s
    Darlington Kofa

  • EP2: epoch_length

    Authored by: Darlington Kofa

    3m 24s
    Darlington Kofa

  • EP6: max_tx_size

    Authored by: Darlington Kofa

    4m 59s
    Darlington Kofa

  • EP1: 'd' parameter

    Authored by: Darlington Kofa

    4m 3s
    Darlington Kofa

  • EP4: epoch_no

    Authored by: Darlington Kofa

    2m 16s
    Darlington Kofa

  • EP7: Monetary Expand Rate

    Authored by: Darlington Kofa

    4m 3s
    Darlington Kofa

  • EP9: Maximum Block Header Size

    Authored by: Darlington Kofa

    4m 3s
    Darlington Kofa

  • EP12: Coins per UTXO word

    Authored by: Darlington Kofa

    0s
    Darlington Kofa

  • EP11: Protocol Major

    Authored by: Darlington Kofa

    0s
    Darlington Kofa

  • EP13: Tau

    Authored by: Darlington Kofa

    0s
    Darlington Kofa

  • EP14: Min_Pool_Cost

    Authored by: Darlington Kofa

    0s
    Darlington Kofa

  • EP15: Max_Epoc

    Authored by: Darlington Kofa

    0s
    Darlington Kofa

  • EP16: Gov_Action_Lifetime

    Authored by: Darlington Kofa

    0s
    Darlington Kofa

  • EP17: Governance_Action_Deposit

    Authored by: Darlington Kofa

    0s
    Darlington Kofa

  • EP19: K

    Authored by: Darlington Kofa

    0s
    Darlington Kofa

  • EP18: Max Lovelace Supply

    Authored by: Darlington Kofa

    0s
    Darlington Kofa

  • EP10: Max Block Body Size

    Authored by: Darlington Kofa

    4m 3s
    Darlington Kofa
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