Chromia is an innovative open-source public blockchain developed by the Swedish firm Chromaway AB. The Chroma token (CHR) made its debut in May 2019, serving as a fundamental component of this platform. The underlying technology of Chromia is a progression from an earlier project known as Postchain, which was specifically tailored for enterprise solutions by Chromaway AB.
Operating as a standalone Layer-1 blockchain, Chromia also functions as an EVM-compatible Layer-2 solution for both Binance Smart Chain and Ethereum. Its design focuses on improving existing decentralized applications (dApps) while enabling the creation of advanced dApps through enhanced scalability, refined data management, and customizable fee structures. At the core of its architecture is an innovative concept termed relational blockchain, along with a specialized programming language called Rell.
Rell is crafted to mirror SQL in terms of coding and functionality, empowering developers to harness blockchain's security and immutability while efficiently managing data akin to a relational database. Each dApp on Chromia operates on an individual sidechain linked to the primary blockchain, which allows for superior scalability and offers developers the flexibility to select from various fee models. For instance, one application might require users to pay transaction fees in CHR, similar to Ethereum or Bitcoin, while another could enable users to stake a sufficient amount of CHR to access unlimited transactions without incurring fees.
A diverse range of applications is already being developed on Chromia, leveraging its blockchain as a decentralized storage solution and utilizing its Layer-2 enhancements. Notable projects include the DeFi options trading platform Hedget, the immersive farming game My Neighbor Alice, and the government initiative LAC PropertyChain for land registries. Among the promising developments is a new NFT standard named Chromia Originals, which will serve both as a native standard on Chromia and as an enhancement layer for existing ERC-721 and BEP-721 tokens. This work is being carried out in collaboration with the team behind My Neighbor Alice.
The leadership of Chromia comprises seasoned experts such as Or Perelman, Henrik Hjelte, and Alex Mizrahi, who collectively bring rich experience from the early days of Bitcoin and Ethereum. Alex, in particular, has contributed significantly to the field, having authored pioneering academic works on Proof of Stake consensus and played a pivotal role in the Colored Coins project, which laid the groundwork for tokenization concepts later popularized by Ethereum.
In essence, Chromia represents a robust Layer-1 and Layer-2 blockchain solution that is continuously evolving, aimed at providing enhanced features and superior data handling capabilities for decentralized applications.