Gelato H1 Product Roadmap Roundup

Hello Gelato Fam!

In 2023 we started the year with a clear mission, to accelerate the adoption of web3, and with it, drive the democratization of the internet. To achieve this, we are building core web3 infrastructure that enables developers to create augmented smart contracts that are automated, gasless & off-chain aware without sacrificing decentralization and censorship resistance.

As we reach the halfway point of the year, it's time to reflect on our progress and achievements. Our roadmap for the first half of 2023 focused on cementing Gelato as web3’s core decentralized backend by focusing on 3 key areas: utility, usability, and user experience.

Even though most web3 projects such as DeFi protocols and NFT marketplaces have seen a slowdown in usage in 2023 H1, Gelato continued to grow its user base with leading web3 projects such as Zora, GnosisPay, Balancer and many more integrating its services. With over 5.5 million transactions executed and over 8.5k unique addresses using Gelato, the need for decentralized web3 services platforms is more apparent than ever.

We set a new standard of usability of Web3 with Gelato's Web3 Functions, a new way to enable developers to augment their smart contracts by accessing off-chain data and computation without having to run any servers themselves.

We also improved the web3 user experience by providing a web2-like UX, with our Relay Kit powering the Safe Account Abstraction SDK, championing new use cases like Crypto Debit Cards by Gnosis Pay.

$GEL utility was enhanced by launching institutional staking, which serves as a stepping stone to furthering network decentralization, robustness, and performance while enabling GEL to become the backbone of the Gelato economy.

Alongside key milestones, we also made steady improvements to core Gelato services like Automate, Relay, and 1Balance further improving the existing developer experience and broadening the use cases Gelato can serve.

Gelato's Web3 Functions & Automate

Our private Beta of Web3 Functions V1 went live in Feb 2023. ICYMI; Web3 Functions empowers developers to connect real-world APIs to web3, apply custom logic, and securely push off-chain data on-chain in minutes.

1. Wider Network Support

Over the H1, the focus was on network expansion, launching on Ethereum mainnet, Ethereum Goerli and adding support for Arbitrum, Avalanche, Base Goerli, BNB Chains, Fantom, Linea, Optimism, Polygon, Polygon Mumbai and zkSync Era.

2. Support for creating Web3 Functions tasks via smart contracts

We’ve since added programmatic support for Web3 Function tasks in March. With this upgrade, developers can create a task that uses Web3 Functions directly via smart contracts, configuring triggers running your Web3 Function and the target smart contract to execute. To learn more about how to create tasks from smart contracts, check out our docs.

3. Task Watchlist

This UI feature enables developers to easily select the tasks they want to watch even if the address is not of the original creator. This is especially useful for teams where multiple developers are needed to monitor tasks.

The Launch of Web3 Functions Beta 2.0

4. Web3 Functions Beta v2

In May we released Web3 Functions Beta V2, including new features and security enhancements.

We’ve added a Multichain RPC Provider allowing you to fetch data from multiple networks, a default support for BatchExecuteCall allowing users to execute multiple function calls in a single transaction, enhanced granular access control by connecting secrets directly to specific tasks, added hardhat plugin support & a template to give developers a built-in testing framework, streamlined configurations, and better environment management. Within this update, we also shippend t the ability to create and maintain separate JSON configuration files for both secrets and user arguments and fortified the security through audit improvements.

For more details, read this blog post.

5. Support for Meta Web3 Functions

Meta Web3 Functions refer to the ability of Web3 functions to spawn and manage new Web3 functions tasks themselves! The magic here is that as tasks will be created by the user-dedicated msg.sender, they will be directly attached to the user himself. This is especially powerful for projects that run one task per user.

6. Web3 Functions Task Monitoring API

From June onwards, developers can monitor the status of their Web3 Function tasks via an API. By entering the ChainId and taskId, users get a clear view of their task's status and logs, making it easier to track progress.

7. Higher Resource Limit Subscription Plans

From June onwards, users looking to leverage Web3 Functions can now access higher run and resource limits via the monthly subscription plans

8. Private Web3 Functions Beta 2.0

Users can import private code at runtime into Web3 functions for use cases where it’s important to keep the application code private. Developers can conceal their code by storing it in for example a private Github Gist or their API, which enhances privacy while enabling Gelato to run the underlying logic.

Gelato Relay gives your users access to reliable, robust, and scalable gasless transactions via a simple-to-use API.

1. Expanded Network Support

Throughout H2, we've made Relay even more accessible by adding support for Chiado, Base Goerli, Linea Goerli, Polygon zkEVM mainnet & testnets, and zkSync Era.

2. Safe-Enabled Transactions

Support for Safe-enabled transactions has been added to Gelato Relay in June, allowing the dispatch of transactions from Safe smart contract wallets. By activating Safe-enabled transactions in the Relay Dapp configuration, users can utilize the sponsoredCall functionality. 3. Pro Tier and Custom Rate Limits

In H1 we introduced a new high rate limits tier for Relay, designed specifically for high throughput applications. This update has been pivotal in supporting applications with high transaction demands.

In H1, we continued to develop Gelato 1Balance, a unified multi-chain payments system that offers dApp developers an easy way to manage balance, simplifying the process of covering all your costs across all networks.

1. Web3 Functions Support

1Balance Payment rails were expanded from Relay to power Web3 Function payments.

2. Transaction History

In May we rolled out our most anticipated 1Balance update, enabling users to view their complete transaction history across various networks. With options for filtering and exporting, this feature aids in efficient Relay and Web3 Functions data tracking and analysis.

3. 1Balance Alerting

Along with transaction history, we’ve also rolled out 1Balance Alerts enabling real-time notifications for when 1Balance funds fall below a certain threshold. Users can configure and receive these alerts through Discord or Telegram, setting up specific thresholds for various tokens.

In June, Gelato has partnered with Safe, to build a fully-fledged Account Abstraction SDK, combining Gelato's industry best gasless transaction capabilities, with the industry's most secure smart contract wallet. All our popular Relay methods are available via the Account Abstraction SDK, including support for our 1Balance transaction sponsorship system. There are two main methods Gelato enables gasless transactions on the Safe SDK with Relay:

Gelato 1Balance

Execute transactions with a prepaid deposit, suitable for sponsoring transactions across Safes or using a Polygon deposit to cover fees on a different chain.

Gelato SyncFee

Pay transaction fees directly from your Safe's funds, regardless of holding ETH or the native blockchain token.

With the launch of the Safe Account Abstraction SDK, Gelato deprecated the Gelato Gasless Wallet.

In H1 we made a decisive step toward the decentralization of the Gelato Network with a majority vote from the Gelato DAO, introducing the first cohort of reputable node operators.

As of June, Bware Labs, Chorus One, P2P, Staking Facilities together with Gelato Digital GmbH are collectively securing the Gelato Network promoting greater decentralization, cryptoeconomic security and reliability for dApps. The GEL Staking Economics V1 warrants the creation of a robust staking and operator economy where the more projects use Gelato, the more revenue the network generates, the more Gelato node operators will be incentivized to stake GEL to grow their share of the network.

This is shaping the way for Gelato to establish its pole position as the web3 infrastructure powerhouse that boasts a steadily expanding and self-sufficient application and operator platform economy.

So there you have it, the highlights of our H1 Product Roadmap!

We’ve got a lot more coming soon in H2 and beyond, so make sure you’re subscribed to our newsletter and turn notifications on for Twitter to get every update as it comes.

Gelato is web3’s decentralized backend empowering builders to create augmented smart contracts that are automated, gasless & off-chain aware on all major EVM-compatible blockchains including Ethereum, Arbitrum, Polygon, Optimism, zkSync, and many more. Over 400+ web3 projects rely on Gelato for years to power the execution of millions of transactions across DeFi, NFT, and Gaming.

Gelato currently offers four services:

• Web3 Functions: Connect your smart contracts to off-chain data & computation by running decentralized cloud functions.

• Automate: Automate your smart contracts by executing transactions automatically in a reliable, developer-friendly & decentralized manner

• Relay: Give your users access to reliable, robust, and scalable gasless transactions via a simple-to-use API

• Account Abstraction SDK: Gelato has partnered with Safe, to build a fully-fledged Account Abstraction SDK, combining Gelato's industry best gasless transaction capabilities, with the industry's most secure smart contract wallet

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If you are interested in being part of the Gelato team and building the future of the internet browse the open positions and apply here.