Distributed Threshold Signing Network (DTS)

Overview

DTS is a secure and decentralized threshold signing network implemented on the Stacks blockchain using Clarity smart contracts. The system enables distributed signing operations using a t-of-n threshold signature scheme with dynamic signer rotation, robust reputation-based governance, and comprehensive security measures.

Technical Architecture

Core Components

1. Signature Management

   • BLS threshold signature scheme (t-of-n)
   • Partial signature submission and verification
   • Signature aggregation mechanism
   • Configurable threshold parameters

2. Node Types

   • Primary Signers: Active validators with stake
   • Backup Signers: Ready for rotation
   • Watchtowers: Network monitors

3. Security Features

   • Stake-based participation
   • Slashing conditions
   • Multi-signature verification
   • Initialization protection
   • Emergency controls

Data Structures

;; Signer Node
{
    stake: uint,
    public-key: (buff 65),
    reputation-score: uint,
    last-active: uint,
    performance-metrics: {
        signing-speed: uint,
        uptime: uint,
        stake-duration: uint,
        accuracy: uint,
        total-signatures: uint,
        valid-signatures: uint
    },
    slashing-history: {
        total-slashes: uint,
        last-slash-height: uint,
        slashed-amount: uint
    }
}

;; Watchtower
{
    last-report: uint,
    reports-submitted: uint,
    accuracy-score: uint,
    is-active: bool
}

;; Partial Signature
{
    signature: (buff 96),
    message-hash: (buff 32),
    timestamp: uint
}

Features

Security Measures

• Minimum stake requirements
• Performance-based rotation
• Slashing for misbehavior
• Watchtower monitoring
• One-time initialization
• Length validation for cryptographic inputs

Performance Metrics

• Signing speed
• Node uptime
• Stake duration
• Signature accuracy
• Total participation
• Historical performance

Governance

• Dynamic signer rotation
• Reputation-based selection
• Automated penalties
• Performance thresholds
• Stake-weighted voting

Getting Started

Prerequisites

• Clarity CLI
• Stacks blockchain environment
• Node.js and NPM

Installation

# Clone repository
git clone https://github.com/yourusername/dts-network.git
cd dts-network

# Install dependencies
npm install

# Deploy contract
clarinet contract deploy

Contract Initialization

;; Initialize with default parameters
(contract-call? .dts initialize
    u100000  ;; minimum stake
    u3       ;; required signers
    u5       ;; total signers
    u144     ;; rotation period
    u3       ;; signature threshold
)

Usage Guide

Register as Signer

;; Register new signer
(contract-call? .dts register-signer <public-key>)

Submit Signature

;; Submit partial signature
(contract-call? .dts submit-partial-signature
    <message-hash>
    <signature>
)

Monitor Network

;; Register as watchtower
(contract-call? .dts register-watchtower)

;; Submit monitoring report
(contract-call? .dts submit-watchtower-report
    <signer>
    <uptime>
    <signing-speed>
    <valid-signatures>
)

Error Handling

Error Codes

ERR-UNAUTHORIZED (err u100)
ERR-INVALID-PARAMS (err u101)
ERR-INSUFFICIENT-STAKE (err u102)
ERR-INVALID-SIGNATURE (err u103)
ERR-INVALID-THRESHOLD (err u104)
ERR-WATCHTOWER-EXISTS (err u105)
ERR-NOT-ACTIVE-SIGNER (err u106)
ERR-ALREADY-REGISTERED (err u107)
ERR-INVALID-METRICS (err u108)
ERR-INVALID-SIGNATURE-LENGTH (err u109)
ERR-INVALID-KEY-LENGTH (err u110)
ERR-ALREADY-INITIALIZED (err u111)

Development Roadmap

Phase 1 (Completed)

• Basic contract structure
• Core data structures
• Initial security measures

Phase 2 (Current)

• Enhanced signature validation
• Improved type safety
• Robust error handling
• Initialization protection
• Map structure improvements

Phase 3 (Planned)

• Advanced governance features
• Performance optimization
• Enhanced security measures
• Cross-chain integration
• Event system implementation

Testing

Unit Tests

# Run test suite
clarinet test

# Run specific test
clarinet test tests/dts_test.ts

Security Considerations

• Regular security audits
• Formal verification
• Penetration testing
• Stress testing
• Performance benchmarking

Contributing

Please follow these steps:

1. Fork the repository
2. Create a feature branch
3. Commit your changes
4. Push to the branch
5. Create a Pull Request

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License.