Libertaria Open Problems: Uncharted Waters

by Markus Maiwald

Libertaria Open Problems

Status: ACTIVE RESEARCH
Purpose: Community discussion forum for unresolved architectural challenges


These are not bugs. These are uncharted waters. We document unknowns so the community can navigate them together.


1. $STASIS BOND STORAGE ALGORITHMS (UNSPECIFIED)

Problem: RFC-0620 ($STASIS Bond Schema) and RFC-0850 (Archive Negotiation Protocol) both reference storage algorithms and proof mechanisms, but no canonical set of approved algorithms has been defined at the protocol level.

Current State

RFC-0620 mentions:

  • Storage proof mechanisms (implied)
  • Thermodynamic cost anchoring
  • Bond slashing on data loss

RFC-0850 specifies:

enum StorageProofType {
    MerkleInclusion { root, path, leaf_index },
    ProofOfRetrievability { challenge, response },
    AnchorProof { chain, tx_id, block_height, merkle_proof },
    MultiArchiveAttestation { attesters, signatures },
}

But no specification exists for:

  • Minimum acceptable proof-of-retrievability algorithms (PoR)
  • Challenge/response protocols (frequency, complexity, validation)
  • Merkle tree construction standards (hash function, balancing, depth limits)
  • Acceptable anchor chain standards (Bitcoin only? Kaspa? Chapter chains?)

Open Questions

QuestionImpactPriority
What PoR algorithms are protocol-approved?Archive Node interoperabilityHIGH
What is the minimum challenge frequency?Security vs. operational costHIGH
Can Archives use custom proof schemes?Flexibility vs. standardizationMEDIUM
What happens if proof schemes are deprecated?Long-term storage guaranteesHIGH
Should there be a “proof difficulty” standard?Prevent weak ArchivesHIGH

2. REPUTATION ORACLE CONSENSUS (UNDEFINED)

Problem: RFC-0120 (Quasar Vector Lattice) describes reputation as “emergent from attestations,” but does not specify:

  • How conflicting attestations are resolved
  • The threshold for “sufficient reputation”
  • Sybil resistance in reputation bootstrapping
  • The decay function for stale attestations

Current State

The QVL is described as “ambient,” but computationally undefined.

Open Questions

  • Is reputation global, Chapter-specific, or context-dependent?
  • How do we prevent “reputation inflation” (mutual back-scratching)?
  • What is the “right to be forgotten” in a permanent ledger?
  • How do negative attestations (slashings) propagate?

3. CHAPTER MERGE/FORK PROTOCOLS (INCOMPLETE)

Problem: RFC-0200 (Chapter Genesis) specifies creation and exit, but not:

  • How Chapters merge (federation expansion)
  • How Chapters split amicably (fork without feud)
  • Asset/reputation portability across merges
  • Dispute resolution when forks disagree on history

Context

The “right to fork” is sacred. But forking without protocol leads to Balkanization.

Open Questions

  • Should merged Chapters retain separate L2 governance?
  • How do we prevent “fork spam” (malicious Chapter fragmentation)?
  • What is the “genesis block” of a forked Chapter?
  • Can a Chapter “un-merge” later?

Call for Contributions

These problems require community wisdom. The Core Team will not dictate solutions.

To propose a solution:

  1. Write an RFC draft
  2. Post to the technical forum
  3. Tag with #open-problem-{number}
  4. Await peer review

The best solutions will be canonized. The rest will be documented as “considered alternatives.”


These are not obstacles. These are invitations to build.