Sahyadri Core introduces CSM — a sovereign digital money designed as a resilient, auditable, and highly accessible settlement layer. Sahyadri is a peer-to-peer monetary system built to enable trust-minimized value transfer at global scale while preserving simplicity, predictability, and broad participation. While avoiding the severe state-bloat of general-purpose Turing-complete smart contracts, the protocol focuses on secure, low-friction digital money coupled with native Web5 Decentralized Identity (DID) primitives.
Sahyadri is implemented on SahyadriDAG, a directed acyclic graph (DAG) data structure that permits parallel block creation by independent miners. Unlike traditional single-chain blockchains that discard concurrent blocks as orphans, SahyadriDAG embraces them: every valid block contributes to the ledger, and the Sahyadri Consensus protocol produces a single deterministic total ordering of all transactions. This eliminates the wasted-hash problem of single-chain designs.
The network is secured by SahyadriX — an application-layer Proof-of-Work combining Blake3 with an 8-stage XOR memory loop requiring 16 MB of random-access memory per hash operation. This architecture is genuinely memory-hard, compressing the performance gap between ASICs and general-purpose hardware, ensuring mining remains accessible to a broad population of participants.
Sahyadri operates on a hybrid Account + Object state model. Rather than tracking individual unspent outputs (UTXOs), the protocol maintains per-address balances and nonces. Each transaction atomically deducts from the sender and credits the receiver, with balance finality enforced at the block confirmation boundary. This model delivers account + object based ergonomics with the security of Proof-of-Work.
| Property | Specification |
|---|---|
| Ticker Symbol | CSM (Cryptographic Sovereign Money) |
| Smallest Unit | Kana — 1 CSM = 100,000,000 Kana (8 decimals) |
| Maximum Supply | 21,000,000 CSM (hard cap, protocol-enforced) |
| Block Time | 1 second (deterministic) |
| Throughput | 10,000 TPS (max_block_mass: 30,000,000) |
| Initial Block Reward | 0.08318123 CSM per block (8,318,123 Kana) |
| Halving Interval | Every 4 years (126,230,400 blocks) |
| Block Reward Split | 98% Miner / 2% Sahyadri Treasury |
| TX Fee Split | 90% Miner / 10% Sahyadri Treasury |
| Minimum TX Fee | 0.00001 CSM (1,000 Kana) — fixed flat fee |
| Consensus | Sahyadri Consensus |
| Mining Algorithm | SahyadriX (Blake3 + 16 MB memory loop) |
| State Model | Account + Object (balance + nonce per address) |
| Address Format | CSM32 (Bech32-derived, prefix: csm1...) |
| Network Ports | gRPC: 26110 | P2P: 26111 | wRPC: 27110 |
Sahyadri employs a hybrid Account + Object state model stored in RocksDB. Unlike pure UTXO systems which track individual unspent outputs, the account model maintains a global state table where each address has an associated balance (in CSM) and a monotonically increasing nonce. This eliminates the "dust" problem inherent in high-frequency UTXO systems at 1-second block times.
Each account entry in RocksDB contains:
When a transaction is confirmed in a block, the state transition is atomic:
The Object layer complements accounts by storing state commitments in a Merkle trie rooted in each block header. Each block header commits to an object-based state root — a hash cryptographically summarising the entire current ledger state. This enables efficient light-client verification via Merkle proofs, safe pruning once a state root is committed, and fast sync via verified state snapshots.
At 1-second block times and 10,000 TPS, pure UTXO models generate millions of small outputs ("dust") that fragment user balances. The account model resolves this: each address maintains a single unified balance. Atomic state transitions at block confirmation boundaries ensure that partial updates are impossible — either the full transaction succeeds or the state remains unchanged.
The Object layer serves as the cryptographic registry for Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs). Users can anchor their lightweight DID documents on-chain, acting as the foundational layer for Web5 Verifiable Credentials without congesting the consensus layer.
A Sahyadri transaction is a cryptographically signed state-transition instruction authorizing a transfer of value from a sender account to a receiver account, subject to nonce validation, balance sufficiency, and fee payment. Transactions are pending until included in a miner-confirmed block; only then do balance changes take effect.
The mempool is implemented as a PostgreSQL table (pending_transactions) rather than an in-memory structure. This provides persistence across node restarts, atomic conflict prevention via ON CONFLICT DO NOTHING, double-spend protection through locked-balance accounting, and 10,000 TX capacity per 1-second block.
Double-spend prevention in wallet_api.py:
Every account carries a monotonically increasing nonce. The wallet API validates that the submitted nonce equals the current on-chain nonce, and increments it immediately on mempool acceptance. This prevents replay attacks — the same signed transaction cannot be submitted twice:
Sahyadri uses a fixed flat fee of 0.00001 CSM (1,000 Kana) per transaction, regardless of transfer amount. This is the lowest transaction fee of any major blockchain:
| Method | Fee Model | Fee at $100 transfer |
|---|---|---|
| Sahyadri | Fixed flat (Kana) | 0.00001 CSM (constant & negligible) |
| Payment Application | Percentage-based | $1.50 – $3.00 |
| Bank Transfer (domestic) | Flat or percentage | $1.00 - $10.00 |
| Bank Wire (international | Flat + hidden fees | $15.00 - $50.00 |
| Money Transfer Service | Flat + percentage | $5.00 - $30.00 |
Even at CSM = $10,000 USD, the fee is only $0.10 per transaction. The fee is defined once in code and applies universally:
SahyadriX is the application-layer Proof-of-Work function used by the Sahyadri network. It combines Blake3 (a cryptographic hash function offering SIMD-optimized speed) with an 8-stage XOR memory loop operating over a 16 MB random-access memory pad. This construction is genuinely memory-hard: the evaluating device must maintain a 16 MB working set throughout computation, resisting ASIC implementations that rely on small, fast on-chip caches.
SahyadriX is cryptographically bound to the exact block template. Any change to block contents (transaction ordering, amounts) requires full recomputation — precomputation and silent reordering are infeasible:
SahyadriX differs from existing Proof-of-Work algorithms in both memory profile and hardware optimization goals.
The primary objective of SahyadriX is not to eliminate specialized hardware entirely, but to compress the efficiency gap between commodity hardware and ASIC implementations sufficiently to preserve broad mining accessibility.
| Device | Memory | SahyadriX Compatibility | Relative Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASIC (custom) | Limited on-chip | Constrained by 16 MB req. | ~2-3x GPU |
| GPU (consumer) | 4+ GB VRAM | Full parallel execution | Baseline |
| CPU (modern) | System RAM | Competitive single-thread | ~0.3-0.5x GPU |
The Sahyadri network operates as a fully decentralized peer-to-peer system. Nodes communicate over three primary channels: gRPC (port 26110) for client-node communication used by the indexer and wallet API; P2P (port 26111) for block and transaction propagation between nodes; wRPC/WebSocket (port 27110) for browser-based and light-client interfaces.
| Node Type | Data Retained | Use Case | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Archive Node | All blocks + full TX history | Explorer, auditing | Growing (GB–TB) |
| Pruned Full Node | Current state + recent blocks | Mining, validation | 5–10 GB stable |
| Light Client | Block headers + Merkle proofs | Wallet verification | Minimal |
Continuous state execution inside high-throughput DAG architectures introduces strict boundaries regarding block propagation times and state-bloat minimization. Traditional linear frameworks face critical architectural traps when trying to handle the high byte-load required by post-quantum cryptographic primitives like Crystals-Dilithium (ML-DSA) or SPHINCS+ (SLH-DSA). A standard 4KB signature block at a targeted 10,000 Transactions Per Second (TPS) results in a network overhead expansion of roughly ~40MB per slot, which chokes regular consumer internet configurations and violates the principles of pure decentralization.
To reconcile our hard design goals of 10,000 TPS, 1-second finality, and total network sovereignty, the Sahyadri protocol decouples client-side cryptographic latency from physical ledger mutations. Sahyadri executes a twin-tier evolutionary roadmap:
Sahyadri Consensus is a deterministic finality engine that operates on the SahyadriDAG data structure to produce a single, total, immutable ordering of all blocks and transactions. Unlike probabilistic longest-chain consensus, Sahyadri provides absolute finality: once a block is finalized, its position in the ordering is permanent.
Multiple miners may simultaneously mine different blocks at the same height. All valid blocks contribute to the ledger — none are discarded as orphans. The indexer handles parallel blocks with a second-buffer mechanism:
Sahyadri Consensus achieves BFT-equivalent deterministic finality through mathematical DAG ordering rather than validator voting. The Sahyadri Score calculation — defined as the size of the largest mutually-referencing finalized cluster within the DAG — is independently computable by every honest node without coordination or leader election.
Because every node deterministically derives the identical total ordering from the same finalized DAG structure, the network converges on a single immutable transaction history without requiring a validator committee, staking system, or delegated authority.
Under honest-majority assumptions, finalized blocks become computationally impractical to reorganize, providing deterministic finality characteristics comparable to Byzantine Fault Tolerant systems while preserving the permissionless security model of Proof-of-Work.
Transaction throughput is governed by max_block_mass in consensus parameters. Each account-model transaction has a mass of approximately 3,000 units:
Block creation occurs in ~1 second, but deterministic financial finality (where rewards are issued) is achieved within a few seconds based on Sahyadri Score confirmation.
| Property | Sahyadri | Bitcoin | Ethereum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finality type | Deterministic | Probabilistic | Probabilistic |
| Blocks for finality | 1 block | 6 blocks (~60 min) | ~12 blocks |
| Reorg possible? | No | Yes | Yes |
| Orphaned blocks | None (all contribute) | Yes (wasted hash) | Yes (uncles) |
The protocol’s theoretical throughput ceiling is derived from the configured max_block_mass parameter and transaction mass calculations. Based on current consensus parameters, the architecture is designed to support up to approximately 10,000 TPS under optimal conditions. Empirical benchmarking across geographically distributed live-node environments remains ongoing. Initial internal testing demonstrates stable high-throughput transaction processing under controlled conditions, while further public benchmarking and independent audits are planned.
Traditional blockchain architectures suffer from linear bottlenecks, where only one block can be processed and appended at a time. Sahyadri fundamentally shifts this paradigm by utilizing a Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) structure. In the Sahyadri network, multiple miners can propose blocks concurrently. Because parallel blocks are not orphaned but instead cryptographically woven into the DAG, the network's throughput increases exponentially. This parallel processing architecture allows Sahyadri to scale up to 10,000 Transactions Per Second (TPS) without compromising the decentralized, permissionless nature of Proof-of-Work.
Typically, Proof-of-Work relies on probabilistic finality (waiting for multiple block confirmations), which results in long settlement times. Sahyadri solves this by decoupling block generation from block finalization. While the PoW mechanism drives the rapid, parallel creation of blocks within the DAG, the Sahyadri Consensus algorithm calculates a deterministic 'Sahyadri Score' by weaving parallel blocks into a chronological order. Because the protocol relies on absolute mathematical ordering rather than probabilistic longest-chain rules, this hybrid approach delivers irreversible, BFT-grade deterministic finality within approximately 1 second—without requiring any centralized validator committee.
Once parallel blocks are proposed, the network's validation layer rapidly orders them and cryptographically attests to their position within the graph. Because BFT consensus relies on absolute voting thresholds rather than longest-chain rules, this hybrid approach delivers irreversible, deterministic finality within approximately 1 second. Users get the instant settlement of BFT with the robust security foundation of PoW.
In live network conditions, the Rust node accepts multiple parallel blocks per second (observed at ~5-10 BPS depending on hash rate), while the Indexer calculates deterministic Blue Score finality to issue rewards and state updates, perfectly maintaining the separation between rapid block creation and immutable financial finality.
Sahyadri's incentive structure combines predictable block issuance with a flat transaction fee. All monetary parameters are fixed at genesis and cannot be altered without a consensus-breaking hard fork.
| Epoch (k) | Block Reward (CSM) | Years | Annual Emission | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 (Genesis) | 0.08318123 | 0 – 4 | ~437,459 CSM | ~437,459 |
| 1 | 0.04159062 | 4 – 8 | ~218,729 CSM | ~656,188 |
| 2 | 0.02079531 | 8 – 12 | ~109,365 CSM | ~765,553 |
| 3 | 0.01039765 | 12 – 16 | ~54,682 CSM | ~820,235 |
| ... | ... | ... | ... | ... |
| 63 | ~0 | >252 years | ~0 | ~21,000,000 |
"Halving is triggered by Sahyadri Score, not raw block count. Since parallel blocks exist in the DAG, raw block count is higher than Sahyadri Score. Halving occurs when Sahyadri Score reaches 126,230,400 (representing ~4 years of chronological time), maintaining the strict 21M cap."
Because Sahyadri nodes prune old block data (retaining only current account state in RocksDB), a separate indexer captures and permanently archives the full transaction history in PostgreSQL. This two-tier architecture keeps nodes lightweight (5–10 GB) while the explorer maintains complete historical records.
| Table | Key Columns | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| blocks | block_hash, blue_score, timestamp | Block registry |
| transactions | tx_id, from_address, to_address, amount, fee, status, block_hash | All user TXs |
| pending_transactions | tx_id, from_address, to_address, amount, fee, nonce, status | Mempool queue |
| rewards | tx_id, block_hash, miner, amount, created_at | Mining rewards |
| accounts | address, balance, nonce | Current state cache |
| API | Endpoint | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Explorer (port 3000) | GET /api/blocks | Recent blocks with pagination |
| Explorer | GET /api/block/:hash | Block detail + miner reward |
| Explorer | GET /api/address/:address | Balance + TX history |
| Explorer | GET /api/stats | Supply, wallets, total TXs |
| Wallet API (port 5000) | GET /api/balance/:addr | Current balance |
| Wallet API | POST /api/send-csm | Submit pending transaction |
| Wallet API | GET /api/nonce/:addr | Current nonce for address |
| Wallet API | GET /api/fee | Current network fee info |
The protocol architecture cleanly separates what the node keeps (current state) from what the explorer keeps (full history). This design keeps nodes permanently lightweight regardless of network age.
Storage estimates: 1M transactions ≈ 500 MB. At 10 TX/sec sustained: ~432 MB/day. At full 10,000 TPS capacity: ~4.3 TB/day. Current testnet load (1–100 TX/sec) generates manageable growth suitable for Oracle Cloud Free Tier (200 GB).
High-throughput blockchains typically suffer from massive state bloat, making it prohibitively expensive to run a full node. Sahyadri addresses this through a strict Blue Score-based pruning architecture, separating lightweight consensus from archival storage.
Instant Payment Verification allows lightweight clients to confirm transaction finality without downloading the full blockchain. Because Sahyadri uses deterministic consensus rather than probabilistic longest-chain, finality is absolute: a transaction confirmed in a block cannot be reversed.
A light client verifying a payment needs only: the finalized block header (contains state root and block hash), a compact Merkle inclusion proof linking the TX to the block, and proof that the block has been finalized by Sahyadri Consensus. Sahyadri IPV is immediate: 1 block confirmation = absolute finality. This enables:
The Merkle inclusion proof consists of:
(01) the transaction hash,Verification requires O(log n) hashes — feasible on any mobile device or embedded processor.
Sahyadri extends the concept of sovereignty beyond digital money into digital identity by natively supporting Web5 protocols at the base layer. Traditional Layer-1 networks treat identity as an afterthought, often relying on centralized off-chain servers or state-heavy smart contracts. Sahyadri integrates identity directly into its Account + Object model without compromising its 10,000 TPS capacity or 30-hour pruning architecture.
Users can cryptographically generate and control a unique Sahyadri DID (e.g., did:sahyadri:csm1...). The DID document—containing only cryptographic public keys and service endpoints—is anchored in the Sahyadri Object state. This allows passwordless authentication and true self-sovereign ownership of digital identity.
To maintain high throughput and prevent state bloat, heavy identity metadata (such as profile information, KYC documents, or encrypted messages) is never stored on the Sahyadri blockchain. Instead, the network utilizes Decentralized Web Nodes (DWNs). The on-chain DID simply points to the user's off-chain DWN, ensuring the Sahyadri consensus node remains ultra-lightweight (5-10 GB) while users retain absolute, censorship-resistant control over their personal data.
Sahyadri's native DID support enables seamless integration with institutional platforms, payment gateways, and Centralized Exchanges (CEXs) through Verifiable Credentials (VCs). Users can cryptographically prove real-world attributes (e.g., KYC clearance or jurisdiction) to an exchange without exposing their underlying sensitive data. This provides a compliant, privacy-preserving bridge between sovereign digital money and regulatory frameworks, solving the compliance trilemma natively.
To complement the sovereign identity layer, Sahyadri implements a Local-First Data Architecture utilizing Decentralized Web Nodes (DWNs). This ensures that while the blockchain handles financial finality, the user's personal data remains under their absolute cryptographic control.
Privacy in Sahyadri is achieved by separating value transfer from identity. All transactions are publicly verifiable on the explorer, but the protocol does not associate transfers with real-world identities. Ownership is defined exclusively by cryptographic control of private keys (secp256k1 ECDSA).
Each user generates a CSM32 address derived from their public key. Users are encouraged to generate fresh key pairs for each receiving address. The Account model provides less transaction graph ambiguity than UTXO systems, but the protocol does not require identity disclosure. Sahyadri does not include built-in mixing or confidential transactions at the base layer — privacy emerges from standard cryptographic primitives and normal transaction behavior.
However, through the Web5 identity layer, users have the power of 'Opt-in Identity.' They can choose to selectively disclose verified attributes via Verifiable Credentials (VCs) when interacting with compliant entities or exchanges, maintaining a perfect balance between base-layer pseudonymity and institutional composability.
Each CSM32 address is a one-way hash of a secp256k1 public key. The mapping from address to real-world identity is never stored on-chain. Users are advised to generate a new address for each transaction to minimize transaction graph analysis.
Where s_0 = 0.08318123 CSM, H = 126,230,400 blocks (4 years at 1 BPS), k = halving epoch number.
| Daily TX Volume | Daily Fee Revenue | Miner (90%) | Sahyadri Treasury (10%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10,000 TX/day | 0.1 CSM | 0.09 CSM | 0.01 CSM |
| 1,000,000 TX/day | 10 CSM | 9 CSM | 1 CSM |
| 100M TX/day | 1,000 CSM | 900 CSM | 100 CSM |
| 864M TX/day (10k TPS full cap) | 8,640 CSM | 7,776 CSM | 864 CSM |
Double-spend attacks are prevented at four independent layers:
The P2P layer (port 26111) includes in-built IP banning for transaction flooding, protecting nodes from DDoS attacks at the network edge.
Sahyadri adopts a minimal governance model. All core monetary parameters are permanently fixed at genesis and not subject to modification through proposals or voting. The following are immutable at the protocol level:
Changing any monetary parameter requires a consensus-breaking hard fork, effectively creating a new chain. No central governance body, no token-weighted voting, and no on-chain governance process exists. The protocol evolves through rough consensus and running code.
[1] Nakamoto, S. (2008). Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System.
[2] Sompolinsky, Y., Zohar, A. (2015). Secure High-Rate Transaction Processing in Bitcoin (GHOST Protocol).
[3] Sompolinsky, Y. et al. (2020). PHANTOM and GHOSTDAG Protocols.
[4] O’Connor, J. et al. (2020). BLAKE3 Cryptographic Hash and PRF.
[5] W3C. (2022). Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs) v1.0.
[6] Aumasson, J. et al. RandomX Proof-of-Work Algorithm.
[7] TBD / Block Inc. Web5 Initiative — Decentralized Identity and Personal Data Sovereignty Architecture (2022).
[8] Dorsey, J. — Web5 and Decentralized Identity Discussions, TBD / Block Inc.
Sahyadri presents a comprehensive design for a sovereign peer-to-peer digital money system. By combining a directed acyclic graph data structure for parallel block production, a memory-hard Proof-of-Work algorithm for inclusive security, an Account + Object state model for simplified value transfer, and a fixed flat fee structure for predictable costs, the protocol achieves deterministic finality in seconds with high-throughput transaction processing. The strictly capped monetary supply, transparent halving schedule, and protocol-enforced immutable parameters provide a stable, auditable, and predictable foundation for global value transfer — digital money that works reliably, fairly, and forever.
Sahyadri Whitepaper
www.sahyadri.io