The emergence of various blockchain networks has led to complexities in managing digital assets and transferring them between blockchains. Users who manage to transfer their assets face considerable risks, which include security concerns when navigating through different chains, a complicated user experience, and high gas fees.

These concerns call for innovation that simplifies this asset management into a seamless and secure process. On the top of these innovations is Kontos, the first user-focused omnichain infrastructure powered by Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKP).

What is Kontos Protocol?

Source: Kontos Official Website

Kontos is a Layer-2 account protocol aimed at simplifying cross-chain transactions, enhancing security, and creating a good user experience. Kontos has been able to solve the problem of complex and insecure account management, which involves non-human-readable addresses and private keys that are cumbersome to manage. The lack of user-friendly account management systems heightens the risk of losing access to assets due to lost or stolen keys.

To solve this problem, Kontos leverages its zk-based, intent-centric, omnichain capabilities by introducing an approach to revolutionizing the traditional crypto experience. This helps in enabling swift and streamlined transactions, providing users with unparalleled customization and control over their accounts. It supports universal asset transactions across various chains and deploys enhanced security measures.

History

Kontos, which launched on June 30, 2023, was built by the blockchain innovation company known as Zecrey Labs. Zecrey Labs has been a great platform committed to breaking down barriers in the web3 space with solutions that simplify cross-chain interactions via a user-friendly interface. Kontos Protocol is one of its innovative products and was built on these maxims.

Unique Attributes

The unique attributes of Kontos are as follows:

Simplified Account Management

The Kontos protocol simplifies interactions with blockchains by using popular Web2 tools and simplified interfaces. It involves using email addresses to secure wallets and creating user-readable blockchain addresses.

Universal Gas Payment Solution

Kontos also empowers users to pay gas fees in any cryptocurrency across blockchains. This helps remove the need to acquire several gas tokens, thereby streamlining transactions across multiple blockchains.

Seamless Cross-Chain Transactions

Kontos enables a seamless cross-chain experience while transferring assets across blockchains without the typical complexities and security concerns involved in conventional bridging modes. This is achieved by offering a relatable client-side interface with web3 capabilities.

User Cases

Kontos protocol can be used for the following:

1) Deposit Assets to Kontos Account: Facilitates seamless management of digital assets, and facilitation of cross-chain transaction.

2) Buy Assets on any Supported Blockchain: Users can seamlessly purchase assets on all supported blockchains.

3) Assets for Cross-Chain Expenditure: Assets deposited in the Kontos account can be used to pay for gas fees on different blockchains and can also be spent on other chains.

4) Seamless Utilization of the Kontos Protocol: Users can manage assets and execute transactions through the Kontos Bot on Telegram or Discord without downloading extensions or wallets.

How Does Kontos Work?

Source: @insiderclub.official.en/Kontos#o6l7">Teletype

Kontos has different parts that work in tandem to provide its core functionalities. The flow goes as follows:

a) The user begins interaction through Kontos platforms such as the Wallet, Telegram, and Discord bots created by the Kontos team.

b) The Task Board lists various tasks executed, such as Ethereum transactions and trading on Binance Smart Chain (BSC).

c) The tasks are then sent to the Broker Network and the Prover Network, which process them and generate zk proofs. The broker executes tasks from users, pre-pays other assets needed by the user, and redirects transactions to other blockchains.

d) The Relayer Network synchronizes the block headers of different blockchains, such as Ethereum and BSC, with the Kontos network.

d) Once these are completed, the Kontos network connects user tasks to blockchain networks.

Main Features of Kontos Protocol

Source: Kontos Official Website

Kontos is built on four abstractions to ensure a seamless user experience (UX) for Kontos users.

Account Abstraction

This abstraction allows Kontos users to access several blockchains with a single account, thus helping save time and simplifying the complexity involved with managing separate blockchain accounts. Users also register on Kontos with a human-readable and friendly account name in the name.os format. Kontos accounts are secured through an email address or another account.

Assets Abstraction

This enables users to trade and manage assets without the constraints of traditional blockchain boundaries. Kontos enables seamless asset cross-bridging operations, free from the hassles of incurring expensive gas fees from several blockchains and additional asset requirements.

Chain Abstraction

This abstraction allows Kontos users to easily access and interact with various blockchains. Kontos’ omnichain capability means you can focus on your trading intention, not the technicalities of chain interoperability.

The chain interoperability works on the following principles:

a) Lightweight Client Verification: Kontos runs a lightweight client for each external chain to obtain block headers and states, verifying their correctness on the Kontos chain, and allowing Kontos to validate the status of external chains.

b) Zero-Knowledge Proof Recursion: Kontos uses layers of zero-knowledge proofs to recursively prove its state, ensuring efficient off-chain cross-chain operation verification.

c) Broker Relay: When users execute cross-chain operations on external chains, the Broker service pre-pays fees and assets and reclaims them after execution on the external chain.

d) Message Relay: Using Kontos, users can relay messages between two chains.

Action Abstraction

Users can execute trades and actions with ease. Kontos simplifies the process, allowing users to concentrate on their investment decisions without worrying about the underlying blockchain mechanics. Kontos serves as an Intent-Centric Account Protocol, which supports users in achieving cross-chain value transfers and message relays rather than relying solely on transactions.

Kontos supports various behavior abstractions, including cross-chain asset transfers, cross-chain contract calls, message relays, native asset exchanges, and gas prepayment by the Broker service. The protocol’s core objective is to abstract complex operations into “one-click completion,” providing users with a simplified and user-friendly experience.

Kontos Wallet

Source: Kontos Wallet

Kontos Wallet stores crypto-assets and facilitates transactions on the Kontos Ecosystem. It utilizes an account model based on EIP-4337, an Ethereum Improvement Proposal that aims to introduce account abstraction to the Ethereum network. The wallet uses human-readable usernames and passwords instead of private keys. Also, it supports account recovery through the use of guardians while enabling multi-factor authentication and multi-party accounts.

A Guardian comes in handy when there is a need to request account recovery. They can be a Kontos account owned by you or someone you trust, such as your family, friends, or any other trusted individual, and their consent is sought on account recovery requests for accounts to be restored.

Creating a Kontos Wallet

To create a Kontos Wallet account, you would require the following:

a) A computer and stable internet service

b) An email address, a distinct username, and a secure password

c) Guardian’s Username (Optional)

Follow the steps below to create an account:

1) Visit the Kontos Wallet platform and click on “New Wallet”

Source: Kontos Wallet

b) You can choose to “Continue with Google” or “Register Now”

Source: Kontos Wallet

c) Choose a suitable and available username

d) Chose a secure PIN code

e) Add a “Security Email” or set up a “Guardian”

f) After adding necessary security measures, “Confirm Creation”

g) The Kontos Wallet has successfully been created and is ready for use

Kontos Bots

Kontos bots are private and specialized chatbots hosted on Telegram and Discord apps, designed to streamline users’ interaction across blockchains. Users of Kontos bots interact with the blockchain to create a Kontos account, execute cryptocurrency transactions such as cross-chain asset workflows, transfers, receive and purchase digital assets, and manage digital assets seamlessly.

To effectively use these bots, it is important that users have Telegram and/or Discord applications running on their devices and a valid Kontos Wallet account. Additionally, Kontos Wallet can be created using the Kontos bots.

Telegram Bot

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use Kontos Telegram bot:

1.Click on the official Kontos Telegram Bot

Source: Telegram

2.Click on the START button to launch the bot

Source: Telegram

3.Type the “/start” command to explore the chat prompts available on the bot

Source: Telegram

The bot contains the following commands: /start - to open the bot; /trade - to buy digital assets; /send - to transfer digital assets; /swap - to bridge your cryptocurrencies; and /new chat - to start a new chat with the bot.

Note that whenever you run a command on the Kontos Telegram Bot, it directs you to the Kontos Wallet within the Telegram app.

Discord Bot

Here is a step-by-step guide detailing how to use Kontos Discord bot:

1.Access the Discord bot from the official Kontos Discord Bot

Source: Discord

2.Navigate to bot-command

Source: Discord

3.Enter the command prompt to execute tasks on the bot

Source: Discord

Some of the commands on the Kontos Discord Bot are: /status - to check the current accounts’ status; /register - to register a new Kontos account; /recover - to recover your existing Kontos account; /trade - to buy/sell tokens; /send - to transfer assets within the same chain; and /bridge - to deposit to Kontos account.

Note that whenever you run a command on the Kontos Discord Bot, it directs you to the Kontos Wallet within the Discord app.

Kontos Gateway

Source: Kontos Gateway

Kontos Gateway is Kontos’ native cross-bridging platform used for bridging cryptocurrencies and depositing assets into Kontos Wallet from any of the supported blockchains. To use this service, it is necessary to have a Kontos Wallet address.

Follow these steps to use the service:

a) Visit Kontos Gateway and input the source blockchain

Source: Kontos Gateway

b) Input the destination Kontos Wallet

c) Copy the address and paste it into your DEX or CEX. Note that the copied address can only accept assets to the blockchain you chose. Mismatched address information may result in the permanent loss of assets.

Kontos Explorer

Source: Kontos Explorer

The Kontos Explorer decentralizedly monitors Kontos traffic and usage. It shows the number of accounts, AA smart contracts, tasks and bridges, cross-chain volume, supported chains, active brokers, and transactions executed on Kontos Protocol in real-time.

The explorer also monitors assets available on various supported chains on the network with their respective information and trend charts.

Partnership

Source: Kontos

Owing to the ingenuity of the web3 solution, Kontos has been able to attract key players in the industry, such as Binance Labs, Spartan, Shima Capital, Fundamental Labs, Fenbushi Capital, Youbi Capital, Amber, Avatar, Gate.io Labs, Mulana Capital, CMCC Global amongst others.

Speaking on the partnership, Bill Qian, Head of Binance Labs, said: “We strongly believe in the Zecrey team’s vision— providing a scalable and private multi-chain network solution for every user. Binance Labs has always been committed to supporting teams who have the potential to positively impact the crypto space, providing users a better experience and helping the BNB Chain ecosystem grow.”

Is Kontos a Good Investment?

Although Kontos is still in its early stages, the initial reaction from the crypto community makes it very promising. In addition, the zk-based, intent-centric, omnichain capabilities suggest a bullish use case, giving investors extra assurance that Kontos could be a worthwhile investment.

Thus, the future looks promising, with prospects for good ROI, particularly during the bull market as adoption grows. However, it is pertinent to understand that cryptocurrencies are very volatile, unregulated, and highly speculative, with no consumer protection. Investors are at significant risk of losing their capital. Hence, it is advisable to seek financial advice, effectively manage risks, and only invest what you can afford to lose.

Highlights

Kontos Rolls Out A New Challenge

Source: Kontos

Kontos launched her ‘Kontos Orbs Challenge,’ aimed at unlocking exclusive rewards on Kontos. Users who complete specific tasks earn energy points and unlock Energy Orbs, which are filled with surprises. To participate in the challenge, users must have a Kontos account, enter the campaign through the web app, finish tasks to earn energy points and get rewarded. This challenge helps the Kontos ecosystem reward committed users as well as increase her visibility.

Alchemy Pay Announces Partnership with Kontos

Source: Alchemy Pay

Kontos recently entered into a partnership with Alchemy Pay, a leading fiat-crypto gateway, with a view to complementing Kontos ecosystem with the integration of its On and Off Ramp solution. This gives users the ability to purchase KUSDT, a stablecoin, on the Kontos network using their preferred payment methods and fiat currencies via the Kontos Wallet with deposits facilitated through Alchemy Pay’s ramp support.