Ergo: How Protocol Technologies Connect

7-minute interactive map of blockchain architecture and component relationships

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Core Technologies

eUTXO Model

ErgoScript

Autolykos PoW

Sigma Protocols

Interactive Technology Map

eUTXO Model
core

Extended UTXO with smart contract capabilities

ergoscript
native-tokens
storage-rent
ErgoScript
core

Functional smart contract language

sigma-protocols
eutxo
ergotree
ErgoTree
core

Compiled smart contract bytecode

ergoscript
eutxo
Sigma Protocols
features

Zero-knowledge proof system

ergoscript
privacy
multisig
Autolykos
consensus

ASIC-resistant PoW algorithm

mining
difficulty
security
NIPoPoWs
infrastructure

Non-Interactive Proofs of Proof-of-Work

light-clients
autolykos
verification
Storage Rent
features

Economic mechanism for blockchain sustainability

eutxo
economics
miners
Native Tokens
features

First-class multi-asset support

eutxo
nfts
defi
Legend
Core Protocol
Consensus Layer
Key Features
Infrastructure
Direct Connection
Related Technology

Transaction Lifecycle

Transaction Creation

User creates inputs and outputs with ErgoScript conditions

Script Validation

ErgoScript and Sigma protocols verify transaction conditions

Block Inclusion

Miner includes transaction in block using Autolykos PoW

Network Finalization

Transaction becomes part of immutable blockchain state

Light Client Proof

NIPoPoW enables efficient verification without full node

Common dApp Patterns

DEX Order Pattern

Atomic swap execution using box chaining

1
Create order box with swap conditions
2
Matcher finds compatible orders
3
ErgoScript validates trade terms
4
New boxes created with swapped assets
Oracle Pool Pattern

Decentralized data feed consensus

1
Oracles collect off-chain data
2
Sigma protocols prove authenticity
3
Pool contract validates consensus
4
Verified data published on-chain
DAO Voting Pattern

Governance with quorum and timeouts

1
Proposal box created with conditions
2
Voting period with token locking
3
Quorum threshold verification
4
Execution or timeout handling

Strengths & Trade-offs

Key Advantages
Predictable Execution
eUTXO eliminates gas price auctions and reentrancy attacks
Formal Verifiability
ErgoScript enables mathematical proof of contract correctness
Parallel Processing
UTXO model allows concurrent transaction validation
Built-in Cryptography
Native Sigma protocols for advanced privacy features
Design Trade-offs
Learning Curve
Functional paradigm requires different thinking than account-based
UX Complexity
Box management adds complexity but enables powerful patterns
Storage Costs
Storage rent ensures sustainability but requires active management
Ecosystem Maturity
Newer ecosystem with growing but smaller developer tooling

Frequently Asked Questions

Technical Glossary

eUTXO
Extended UTXO model with registers and programmable spending conditions
Box
Ergo's equivalent of Bitcoin UTXO, containing value and data in registers
ErgoScript
Functional smart contract language with built-in cryptographic primitives
ErgoTree
Compiled bytecode representation of ErgoScript contracts
Sigma Protocol
Zero-knowledge proof system enabling privacy without trusted setup
Autolykos
ASIC-resistant Proof-of-Work algorithm ensuring mining decentralization
NIPoPoW
Non-Interactive Proofs enabling efficient light client verification
Storage Rent
Economic mechanism preventing blockchain bloat through UTXO recycling
Native Token
First-class tokens built into protocol without smart contracts
Light Client
Blockchain client that verifies transactions without full node data

Further Reading

ErgoScript Guide
Learn the smart contract language
eUTXO Deep Dive
Extended UTXO architecture
Documentation
Technical specifications
Source Code
GitHub repositories

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