> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.rndrntwrk.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# VAP v2 Research

> Where the proof layer is going next

# VAP v2: Research Design

<Warning>This is a research document. VAP v2 is validated but **not deployed to production**. The current live system runs VAP v1 (see [VAP documentation](/protocol/vap)).</Warning>

VAP v2 is the next-generation proof layer for the RNDRNTWRK. After 14 weeks of research, the design has been validated with **234 tests passing** and **all 5 attack trees marked SECURE**.

## Design Principles

### Entity-Agnostic

Zero protocol components check entity type. No differential rates between human and AI participants. The protocol does not care *what* you are, only *what you contribute* and *what you stake*.

### Stake-Weighted Meritocracy

Participation requires skin in the game. Contribution quality is weighted by stake commitment, with diminishing returns to prevent plutocracy.

### Deterministic Economics

All economic parameters are formula-driven. No discretionary allocation, no manual intervention.

## Core Mechanics

### Epochs

* **Duration**: 6 hours (4 per day).
* **Boundary**: Settlement occurs at each epoch boundary.
* **Auctions**: Advertisers bid for attention credits within each epoch.

### Attention Credits (AC)

The atomic unit of verified attention.

* **Value**: 1 AC = \$0.001 USDC.
* **Source**: Burn \$555 at oracle price to mint equivalent ACs.
* **Usage**: Bidding unit in epoch auctions for verified airtime.

### The Burn Loop

```
$555 Token
  → Burn at oracle price
  → Mint equivalent Attention Credits
  → Advertisers bid ACs in epoch auctions
  → Contributors earn ACs from verified engagement
  → ARP (10%) distributed to audience
  → Remaining ACs redeemable for USDC
```

## Stake Model

### Parameters

| Parameter             | Value                  |
| :-------------------- | :--------------------- |
| **Minimum Stake**     | 55,555 \$555           |
| **Weight Formula**    | `ln(1 + S/27,778)`     |
| **Weight Cap**        | 5.0                    |
| **Activation Period** | 7 days                 |
| **Maturation**        | 90 days to full weight |

### Logarithmic Weighting

The formula `ln(1 + S/27,778)` ensures diminishing returns on additional stake:

* 55,555 \$555 (minimum) → weight \~1.0
* 500,000 \$555 → weight \~3.0
* 5,000,000 \$555 → weight \~5.0 (cap)

This makes Sybil attacks economically irrational, splitting stake across identities reduces total weight.

## ContributionProof

The v2 proof format is a 296-byte structure containing:

* Session identifier and epoch reference.
* Stake reference and weight at time of contribution.
* Engagement metrics (hashed).
* Ed25519 signature.

Entity-agnostic: the proof contains no field for entity type.

## Security Validation

### Attack Tree Results

| Attack          | Strategy                      | ROI      | Max Advantage                | Verdict |
| :-------------- | :---------------------------- | :------- | :--------------------------- | :------ |
| **Sybil**       | Split stake across identities | -81.7%   | 1.80x at 100 IDs             | SECURE  |
| **Fabrication** | Generate fake engagement      | -179.7%  | N/A                          | SECURE  |
| **Collusion**   | Coordinate manipulation       | Negative | Limited by stake             | SECURE  |
| **Eclipse**     | Network isolation             | Negative | Detected by epoch validation | SECURE  |
| **Griefing**    | Economic disruption           | Negative | Self-harming                 | SECURE  |

### Why Sybil Fails

At 100 identities (the point of maximum Sybil advantage), the attacker achieves 1.80x return. But:

* Each identity requires the minimum 55,555 \$555 stake.
* 100 identities = 5,555,500 \$555 at risk.
* The 1.80x advantage does not cover the opportunity cost of locked capital.
* ROI is -81.7% after accounting for stake requirements and gas costs.

## Governance

VAP v2 introduces a three-layer governance model:

### 1. ve\$555 DAO

Token-weighted governance for protocol-level decisions:

* Epoch duration adjustments.
* Fee schedule changes.
* Minimum stake thresholds.

### 2. Algorithmic Layer

Automated parameter adjustment within DAO-set bounds:

* Dynamic difficulty adjustment based on network load.
* Automatic stake weight recalculation.

### 3. Alice Layer

Real-time operational decisions within algorithmic bounds:

* Ad placement timing optimization.
* Engagement signal weighting.
* Anomaly detection and response.

## Migration Path

v1 → v2 migration will be phased:

1. **Parallel Run**: v2 runs alongside v1, validating results match.
2. **Gradual Migration**: Traffic shifted from v1 to v2 incrementally.
3. **Sunset**: v1 deprecated once v2 is stable in production.

No tokens at risk during migration. Stake activation begins after v2 goes live.