Archway is a delegated-proof-of-stake network built using the Cosmos SDK with Rust smart contracts compiled using the CosmWASM module, but it’s also much more than that.
Archway differentiates itself from other Cosmos SDK smart contract platforms with builder incentives plugged directly into the network itself. This is an exciting proposition to launch an application in the Cosmos Ecosystem using Archway. Specifically, there are three primary benefits specifically for smart contract developers on Archway:
Most blockchains allocate network inflation only to those securing the network. In a DPoS network, that would be validators and those that stake with them. Archway, however, sets aside a portion of inflation (25% to start) specifically for smart contract developers. When a user triggers a smart contract, the deployer of the contract owner receives a reward.
This aligns incentives with those that bring value to the network and those that receive newly minted tokens. Of course, there must be controls in place to prevent gaming the system, but generally speaking this is a great allocation of inflation.
Gas fees are typically either burned, given to network validators, or some combination of the two. With Archway, however, gas fees are initially split 50/50 between the contract owner and the network validators. This provides even greater incentive for smart contract developers to increase the activity on their apps.
Archway has a unique feature on-chain that allows 3rd party developers to contribute modular pieces of an app and get rewarded for doing so. Developers can set up a custom amount of fees to be collected for a particular smart contract. Modularity and custom fee enable several teams to collaborate on a single project on Archway.