Eltoo Burst Mode & Continuations



Summary:

Eltoo channels can be continued without having to go on-chain, by signing a move to a new update key for the final update. This allows up to 32 bits worth of updates before forwarding to a new contract with an additional transaction fee. However, this method adds an additional CSV and increases resolution time linearly. To mitigate this, a "semitrusted burst mode" can be used with a counterparty, where parties move to sequence M+1 and pass through to a 2-step Eltoo update, allowing for 32 bits of sequences to blow through. The burst can be terminated at a certain internal state number, and the last state reflected in M+2. This protocol also improves privacy, as top-level state numbers do not reflect the number of payments strongly. There are mitigations against potential malicious attacks, such as only entering burst mode with long-lived peers, only entering when the initiator has more funds in the channel than you or has some ratio, and limiting the % of liquidity moved during a burst.


Updated on: 2023-06-03T05:07:57.564327+00:00