World Chain, a Layer-2 (L2) blockchain linked to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, has unveiled Priority Blockspace for Humans (PBH). This is an innovative tool designed to prioritize real humans over bots in blockchain transactions. This open-source mechanism, implemented on the World Chain mainnet, aims to ensure faster transaction speeds for verified human users. It achieves this by reserving a portion of each block’s space exclusively for them.
Introducing Priority Blockspace for Humans (PBH)
The PBH mechanism is integrated into World Chain’s block-building logic. It reserves the top portion of each block for transactions initiated by Orb-verified humans. Hence, Orb verification is a process that confirms the authenticity of human participants, distinguishing them from automated bots.
This initiative reflects World Chain’s mission to build a blockchain ecosystem tailored specifically for human users. It addresses the growing issue of bot-driven congestion on networks.
The Bot Problem on Blockchains
Bots have become a significant challenge for blockchains, much like they are for other parts of the internet. Moreover, these automated programs often lead to network congestion, driving up transaction fees and degrading user experience.
One common example is trading bots, which execute repetitive tasks such as buying or selling cryptocurrencies on behalf of users.
According to Steven Smith, head of protocol at Tools for Humanity (TFH), a core developer behind World Chain, up to 80% of blockchain transactions are now automated. Artificial intelligence agents account for the majority of on-chain activity.
“While many bots serve valid use cases, unproductive ones like airdrop farming bots often lead to congested networks and high fees,” a spokesperson for World explained. “Ironically, this problem worsens as blockchains optimize for low gas fees and high throughput.”
Collaboration with Flashbots and Other Industry Leaders
The development of PBH was made possible through a collaboration with Flashbots, a leading Ethereum research and development organization. Flashbots focuses on miner/maximal extractable value (MEV). ME also refers to the profits miners can earn by reordering transactions within blocks. This is often exploited by bots to gain unfair advantages.
“The TFH team’s role as a core developer has been instrumental in improving its high availability and production readiness,” the Flashbots team said.
Other collaborators on the PBH project include:
- Optimism, an Ethereum L2 scaling solution.
- Alchemy, a blockchain development platform.
- Nethermind, an infrastructure provider.
This collective effort underscores the importance of addressing bot-related issues across the blockchain ecosystem.
Balancing Bots and Human-Centered Interactions
While bots can cause congestion, not all automated programs are harmful. Many bots perform useful functions, such as facilitating decentralized finance (DeFi) operations or enhancing network efficiency.
“World wants to help ensure that participants in the real human network can distinguish between human-centered and synthetic interactions,” the team stated.
However, some industry leaders, like former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao, have called for a complete ban on bots on platforms like X.
“From a technological standpoint, doing this is actually easier than people think,” said Nanak Nihal, co-founder of Holonym. “The question now is, will big tech genuinely start to prioritize the user experience?”
A New Dimension of Transaction Ordering
Unlike traditional systems that prioritize transactions based on gas fees or economic bidding, PBH introduces a novel dimension: humanness. Verified participants in the World network are guaranteed priority access, ensuring reliable transaction inclusion even during periods of high congestion.
“With PBH, Orb-verified World network participants aren’t competing with bots for inclusion,” the team emphasized.
This approach not only enhances the user experience but also aligns with World Chain’s broader vision. It aims to create a blockchain ecosystem designed for real human interaction.
Final Thoughts
The launch of Priority Blockspace for Humans (PBH) marks a significant step forward in addressing the bot-related challenges plaguing blockchain networks. By prioritizing verified human users, World Chain is setting a new standard for fairness and accessibility in decentralized systems.
As blockchain technology continues to evolve, initiatives like PBH highlight the importance of balancing innovation with user-centric design. Therefore, with collaborations from industry leaders like Flashbots, Optimism, and others, World Chain is paving the way for a more inclusive and efficient blockchain future.
For now, the success of PBH will depend on its adoption and also effectiveness in combating congestion caused by bots. If successful, it could inspire similar mechanisms across other blockchain platforms.
