FP Validated Joins the Optimum Testnet, Accelerating Blockchain Data Propagation, as a Node Operator

FP Validated has joined the Optimum testnet as a node operator to evaluate the reliability and performance of its RLNC-based data propagation technology under real-world operating conditions.

In this article, we explore the problem Optimum is addressing, how its core architecture works, why FP Validated decided to participate in the testnet, and how we view its long-term potential.

For a more in-depth analysis of Optimum, please refer to the FP Research here.

1. What Is Optimum?

Blockchain performance depends not only on execution and consensus, but also on how quickly and reliably blocks, transactions, and other critical data can reach nodes across the network. Most blockchain networks currently rely on gossip-based protocols such as GossipSub. As networks grow and payloads become larger, this model can lead to redundant transmissions and greater variation in propagation latency.

Optimum is a universal data acceleration network designed to address this networking-layer bottleneck. Rather than operating as a separate blockchain or consensus system, it runs alongside existing blockchains and helps critical data move between nodes faster and more consistently.

Its first data propagation protocol, mump2p, applies Random Linear Network Coding, or RLNC, to Ethereum. In early results published by Optimum, mump2p achieved an average block propagation time of approximately 150ms across 30 globally distributed nodes on Ethereum’s Hoodi testnet. This represented latency more than six times lower than the roughly one-second GossipSub baseline used in the test. These figures were recorded under a specific testnet configuration and will need to be validated continuously across a wider range of production environments. (Ref: Optimum’s Hoodi testnet results)

The key features of Optimum include:

1. Addressing the networking bottleneck: Optimum improves the data propagation layer without changing a blockchain’s execution logic or consensus rules, allowing existing systems to raise their performance ceiling.
2. Faster and more consistent delivery: Beyond reducing average latency, Optimum aims to limit the variance caused by geography and changing network conditions, creating a more predictable operating environment for node operators.
3. Low integration overhead: mump2p is deployed as a sidecar alongside an existing Ethereum client. It does not require operators to replace their consensus clients, alter their signing setup, or adopt protocol-level changes.
4. A universal data acceleration layer: Starting with Ethereum, Optimum is designed to support data movement across multiple blockchain environments. Its longer-term roadmap also includes products such as DeRAM and DeROM for decentralized data access and storage.

2. How Does Optimum Work?

Optimum’s mump2p protocol runs as a sidecar alongside an existing Ethereum node. The sidecar receives block data from the Ethereum client, encodes it using RLNC, and sends the resulting packets through the Optimum network. Gateways distribute these packets, and receiving nodes reconstruct the original block once they have collected enough independent coded packets.

Its core architecture consists of the following components:

1. Sidecar integration: The Optimum sidecar connects to an existing Ethereum client through an API and reads incoming or outgoing block data. It does not access validator keys, participate in signing, or modify the consensus process.
2. RLNC encoding: The original data is divided and converted into different linear combinations. Rather than waiting for a particular missing fragment, a receiving node can reconstruct the original data after collecting a sufficient number of independent coded packets.
3. Distributed gateway propagation: Encoded packets are transmitted through Optimum gateways distributed across different regions. Because each useful packet contributes to reconstruction, the network can use bandwidth more efficiently and remain resilient when some packets are delayed or lost.
4. Parallel delivery paths: mump2p operates alongside Ethereum’s existing GossipSub network rather than removing it. If the Optimum sidecar is interrupted, the node can continue communicating through GossipSub, preventing Optimum from becoming a single dependency for consensus participation.

3. Why Is FP Validated Joining Optimum Network?

FP Validated believes that improving the networking layer will be essential to the next stage of blockchain scalability. As blocks and blobs grow larger and more nodes participate from geographically distributed locations, the speed and consistency of data propagation increasingly determine the performance ceiling of the entire system.

Optimum presents a practical path to improving this layer without changing Ethereum’s execution or consensus architecture. Its sidecar-based approach allows node operators to test a new propagation network while preserving their existing client configurations and security setup.

Through our testnet participation, FP Validated will evaluate Optimum’s reliability, data propagation performance, and compatibility with existing node infrastructure. We will assess the sidecar’s operational stability and integration overhead across different network conditions, while examining how consistently RLNC-based propagation performs in a real node environment.

FP Validated’s role extends beyond reliable node operations. By combining our infrastructure operating experience with Four Pillars’ technical research capabilities, we will analyze Optimum’s technology in depth and share insights drawn from hands-on deployment. Through this collaboration, we aim to help next-generation infrastructure for blockchain performance move beyond research and testing toward real-world adoption.

4. About FP Validated

FP Validated is Four Pillars' institutional blockchain infrastructure arm, built on the company's research capabilities and extensive infrastructure operating experience. With a deep understanding of the protocols we support, we provide a broad range of services spanning validator operations, governance participation, and secure infrastructure deployment.

Our core infrastructure team brings more than four years of experience at one of Asia's leading blockchain infrastructure companies, where they collectively operated hundreds of networks. Drawing on this experience, we help institutions in Korea and across Asia participate in blockchain networks securely and in compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.

Ultimately, FP Validated aims to become the most trusted blockchain infrastructure partner connecting global protocols with institutions across Asia.