Proposal: Terra Classic SDK v0.50 Upgrade by OrbitLabs
Executive Summary
OrbitLabs proposes upgrading the Terra Classic blockchain to the latest stable versions of:
- Cosmos SDK v0.50.x
- CometBFT v0.38.x
- Wasmd v0.54.x
- IBC-Go v8.5.x
This major upgrade will follow the successful Wasmd unforking process- Proposal 12142, which ensures compatibility with upstream modules and reduces technical debt. With the unfork completed, Terra Classic is ready to align with the Cosmos ecosystem and adopt the next-generation SDK stack.
This upgrade secures long-term sustainability, strengthens security, and positions Terra Classic at the forefront of Cosmos innovation
Team Capability & Track Record
OrbitLabs has an established record of successfully delivering complex upgrades within both the Cosmos ecosystem and Terra Classic. We possess a deep understanding of the full scope of this upgrade and the in-house expertise to execute it end-to-end.
Our engineers have hands-on experience with major SDK v0.50 upgrades, including:
- Composable Network (Picasso): SDK v0.50 Upgrade PR
- Fee Abstraction (Osmosis): SDK v0.50 Upgrade PR
With this proven track record, we are confident in our ability to deliver the Terra Classic upgrade securely and efficiently for the community.
Current Situation
Terra Classic is currently on Cosmos SDK v0.47.17, with Wasmd v0.46.0 and IBC-Go v7.10.0.
A forked Wasmd implementation has historically created maintainability issues. With the unfork complete, the path is now clear for upgrading to SDK v0.50.x.
Proposed Solution
Cosmos SDK Upgrade
- Current Version: v0.47.17
- Proposed Version: v0.50.x latest stable
- Key Benefits:
- This upgrade incorporates ABCI 2.0, providing advanced capabilities such as Optimistic Execution.
- Improve Modularity, by extracting core modules away from the SDK
- Security improvements, by upgrading the IAVL tree implementation to v1
Wasmd & WasmVM Upgrade
- Current Version: v0.46.0 / WasmVM v1.5.9
- Proposed Version: v0.54.x / WasmVM v2.2.x
- Key Benefits:
- Enhances smart contract execution speed and reduces transaction costs.
- Improves memory handling and execution safety for smart contracts.
IBC-GO Upgrade
- Current Version: v7.10.0
- Proposed Version: v8.5.x
- Key Benefits:
- Required for Cosmos SDK v0.50 compatibility: A part of migrating Terra Classic to SDK v0.50 is upgrading the IBC to v8.
CometBFT Upgrade
- Current Version: v0.37.15
- Proposed Version: v0.38.x
- Key Benefits:
- Enhanced security against malicious validators and improved consensus performance.
- Better network stability with reduced memory usage and enhanced validator tooling.
Phase 1: Core Upgrade Implementation (8 Weeks)
Objective: Deliver a fully upgraded codebase deployed on testnet and prepared for mainnet upgrade
Deliverables
- Upgraded codebase compatible with Cosmos SDK v0.50.x, Wasm v0.54.x, and IBC-Go v8.5.x.
- Documented breaking changes from the previous version, ensuring long-term maintainability.
- Verified deployment running reliably on rebel-2 testnet.
Phase 2: Validation & Mainnet Execution (4 Weeks)
Objective: Ensure execute the mainnet transition.
Deliverables
- Mainnet upgrade proposal with complete validator instructions.
- Executed mainnet upgrade for Terra Classic.
- Dedicated support for validators and dApps during and after deployment.
Budget
Total budget request: The payment will be divided into two phases and will be requested through two separate spending proposals.
Phase 1
Fiat value: $32,000 USD
Phase 2
Fiat value: $16,000 USD
Total fiat value: $48,000 USD
Note: The actual LUNC amount for each phase will be calculated according to the real-time price of LUNC when each spending proposal is submitted.
Risks & Mitigation
- Compatibility Challenges with SDK v0.50.x:
- Mitigation: Conduct thorough testing on both local, then testnet(
rebel-2) environment to identify and resolve compatibility issues before mainnet deployment.
- Mitigation: Conduct thorough testing on both local, then testnet(
- dApp Integration Concerns:
- Mitigation: Encourage developers to thoroughly test existing decentralized applications (dApps) to ensure compatibility with the upgraded network.
Community Impact
-
Enhanced Security and Stability:
- The upgrade will bolster the security and robustness of the Terra Classic network, safeguarding user assets and data.
-
Improved Developer Experience:
- By updating tools and streamlining codebases, the upgrade will create a more welcoming environment for developers, fostering innovation and growth within the ecosystem.
-
Seamless Cross-Chain Interactions:
- Upgrading IBC-Go will facilitate smoother and more efficient interactions with other Cosmos-based blockchains, expanding the network’s interoperability.
Timeline
- Weeks 1-8: Core upgrade execution, Testnet Deployment and Monitoring (Phase 1).
- Weeks 9-11: Validation & Mainnet Preparation (Phase 2).
- Week 12: Mainnet upgrade proposal and deployment.
Progress Updates
To ensure transparency and community involvement, the team will provide regular progress updates through multiple channels:
- Twitter Updates: Frequent milestone and development progress report with biweekly-reports
- GitHub Commits: Publicly accessible code updates with detailed commit logs.
- AMA: Hosting the AMA if the community requests
Conclusion
By completing the Wasmd unfork and now upgrading to Cosmos SDK v0.50.x, Terra Classic ensures long-term sustainability, modernizes its infrastructure, and regains a strong position in the Cosmos ecosystem.
We call on the community to support this proposal and participate actively in the upgrade process.