### What is Cartesi?

Cartesi is a Layer 2 blockchain protocol that introduces a unique approach to decentralised application (dApp) development by integrating a full Linux operating system environment with blockchain infrastructure. It allows developers to build complex and computationally intensive dApps using familiar software stacks, tools, and programming languages like C++, Python, and TensorFlow—tools traditionally unavailable or impractical in standard smart contract environments.

By combining Linux-based software development with blockchain security guarantees, Cartesi aims to bridge the gap between traditional software development and decentralised systems. Its modular design, centred on Cartesi Rollups, makes it suitable for scalable and efficient Web3 applications across multiple Layer 1 and Layer 2 networks.

### How does Cartesi work?

Cartesi functions through a layered, modular architecture that offloads heavy computations off-chain while maintaining blockchain-level verifiability. Here's a breakdown of its key components:

- **Cartesi Machine**: A RISC-V-based virtual machine that emulates a Linux environment, allowing developers to execute complex logic and use mainstream development tools in a decentralised context.
- **Cartesi Rollups**: A Layer 2 scaling solution based on **optimistic rollups**, which assume transactions are valid by default and only trigger dispute resolution if challenged. This drastically reduces on-chain computation costs.
- **Cartesi Node**: Operates off-chain and handles Cartesi Machine execution. It monitors blockchain events, processes dApp logic, and submits results back to the main chain when necessary.
- **Data Availability and Dispute Resolution**: In the rare case of a dispute, Cartesi uses a step-by-step interactive verification protocol to resolve disagreements on-chain, ensuring correctness without overburdening the base layer.
- **Proof-of-Stake Consensus**: Cartesi uses a staking model where validators (called block producers or operators) participate in the system by locking up CTSI tokens and are incentivised to behave honestly through rewards and penalties.

Cartesi currently integrates with multiple chains such as Ethereum, Polygon, and Arbitrum, functioning as an application-layer scaling solution that enhances performance while maintaining decentralisation and security.

### What are the potential use cases for Cartesi?

Cartesi’s ability to run mainstream software within a decentralised context unlocks a broad range of real-world use cases across industries:

- **Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning**: Developers can integrate machine learning models directly into smart contracts for applications such as fraud detection, automated decision-making, or decentralised prediction markets.
- **DeFi (Decentralised Finance)**: Enables more sophisticated financial instruments, simulations, or risk modelling by using off-chain computation and high-throughput environments.
- **Gaming**: Supports complex game mechanics, physics engines, and AI opponents that would be infeasible to run directly on-chain. This allows for high-quality, fully decentralised gaming experiences.
- **Supply Chain and Logistics**: Enhances traceability and verification in logistics networks by handling large datasets and advanced validation logic securely off-chain, while anchoring proofs on-chain.
- **Scientific Computation and Data Analysis**: Provides a platform for decentralised scientific collaboration, enabling researchers to execute large-scale computations without trusting a central server.
- **IoT and Smart Cities**: Enables decentralised processing of large volumes of data from sensors and devices, with greater privacy, reliability, and scalability.

### What is the history of Cartesi?

Cartesi was founded in 2017 by a team of technologists and researchers, including **Erick de Moura (CEO)**, **Augusto Teixeira (Chief Scientific Officer)**, **Diego Nehab (Lead Software Architect)**, and **Colin Steil (COO)**. Initially, the team explored creating a decentralised marketplace for data science, where complex AI and machine learning models could be shared and executed securely.

As the project evolved, it became clear that existing blockchain platforms lacked the computational capacity and developer-friendly environments needed for such applications. In response, Cartesi pivoted to building a Linux-based infrastructure for decentralised applications, focusing on scalability, programmability, and real-world applicability.

Key milestones include:

- **2018–2019**: Conceptualisation of Cartesi Machine and development of early prototypes.
- **2020**: Launch of the CTSI token and introduction of Cartesi’s Proof-of-Stake staking system.
- **2021**: Release of Descartes, Cartesi’s original off-chain computation framework, followed by the deployment of Cartesi Rollups alpha.
- **2022–2023**: Technical Evolution Plan (TEP) introduced to standardise and expand Cartesi’s modular framework.
- **2024**: Launch of the Cartesi Ecosystem Grants Program and rollout of the first mainnet dApps built using Cartesi Rollups.

Cartesi is now positioning itself as a foundational protocol for building scalable and computation-heavy Web3 applications, with ongoing research and community-led initiatives supporting its development roadmap.

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