Celereum

Abstract

1. Introduction

The Problem

Modern blockchain networks face a fundamental fairness problem. Bitcoin mining requires expensive ASICs and cheap electricity - excluding ordinary people. Ethereum's Proof of Stake requires 32 ETH (~$100,000+) to become a validator, creating a "rich get richer" dynamic. Even "accessible" networks often have hidden barriers: high staking minimums, complex hardware requirements, or governance dominated by whales. The result? A handful of entities control most networks, and the average person can only watch from the sidelines.

Our Solution: VRF Committee Selection

Celereum solves this through Verifiable Random Function (VRF) based committee selection. Instead of choosing validators based on wealth (stake) or computational power (mining), we select committee members randomly based on reputation. Everyone starts with 100 reputation points, and through honest participation, can earn up to 10,000. The selection is provably random using BLS12-381 cryptographic signatures, making manipulation mathematically impossible. Your chance of selection depends on your reputation relative to others - not how much money you have.

Key Features

• 800ms block time with ~1.6 second finality (2 blocks)
• VRF committee selection using BLS12-381 signatures
• 4 roles: Sequencer, Executor, Voter, DA Node
• Reputation-based selection (100 initial, 10,000 max)
• Adaptive difficulty for all device types
• 67% voter threshold for consensus
• No minimum stake required to participate

2. Architecture

System Overview

Celereum uses a modular architecture with clear separation of concerns. The system is built around the VRF committee selection mechanism, where 4 specialized roles work together to process blocks. Each role has specific responsibilities and rewards, creating a balanced ecosystem where every participant contributes to network security. The adaptive difficulty system ensures that devices of all capabilities - from smartphones to servers - can participate meaningfully.

Network Constants

The Four Roles

3. Consensus Mechanism

VRF Committee Selection

At the heart of Celereum is the VRF (Verifiable Random Function) committee selection. Before each block, the network uses the previous block's hash as a seed to generate a random value. This value, combined with each participant's reputation, determines who gets selected for each role. The selection is cryptographically verifiable - anyone can confirm the selection was fair and random.

• Selection probability proportional to reputation
• BLS12-381 signatures for VRF proofs
• Previous block hash as randomness seed
• Mathematically provable fairness
• No stake lockup required
• Anyone with reputation can be selected

Block Production Flow

Each block goes through a pipeline: First, the selected Sequencer collects pending transactions and orders them. Then, Executors receive this ordered list and execute each transaction, computing the new state. Next, Voters verify that the execution was correct by checking the state transition. Finally, if 67% of Voters approve, the block is finalized and DA Nodes store the data permanently.

• Sequencer orders transactions by priority
• Executor computes state transitions
• Voters verify and vote (67% threshold)
• DA Nodes ensure data persistence
• 800ms target block time
• Parallel execution where possible

Fast Finality

Celereum achieves finality in just 2 blocks (approximately 1.6 seconds). This is possible because the VRF selection is deterministic from the previous block's hash - there's no "race" like in Proof of Work. Once 67% of Voters approve a block, it becomes final. This fast finality makes Celereum suitable for applications requiring quick confirmation, from payments to gaming.

4. Cryptography

BLS12-381 Signatures

Celereum uses BLS12-381 signatures for validator operations, the same cryptographic scheme used by Ethereum 2.0. BLS signatures have a unique property: they can be aggregated. This means 300 voter signatures can be combined into a single signature, drastically reducing block size and verification time. For user wallets, we use standard ECDSA secp256k1 for compatibility with existing tools.

VRF Proofs

Verifiable Random Functions provide cryptographic proof that committee selection is random. Each participant generates a VRF proof using their private key and the block hash. This proof can be verified by anyone using the public key, confirming the randomness without revealing the private key. The VRF output determines selection probability when combined with reputation scores.

Security Properties

The cryptographic design ensures several security properties critical for a fair committee-based system.

• Unpredictable selection until block hash is known
• Non-manipulable random output
• Publicly verifiable proofs
• Aggregate signatures reduce data by 99%
• Post-quantum considerations for future upgrades

5. Network

Adaptive Difficulty

Celereum's revolutionary adaptive difficulty system measures each device's capabilities and assigns an appropriate difficulty level. The system evaluates CPU cores, RAM, storage speed, and network bandwidth to calculate a "power score." Devices with lower scores get easier tasks, while powerful servers get harder tasks. This ensures a smartphone user has the same probability of selection per reputation point as a datacenter server.

Participation Requirements

Unlike other networks with high barriers to entry, Celereum is designed for universal participation. There's no minimum stake, no expensive hardware requirements, and no technical expertise needed beyond running the node software.

Reputation System

Your reputation determines your selection probability. Everyone starts at 100. Performing your role correctly earns reputation (up to 10,000 max). Misbehaving loses reputation. Going inactive for 7+ days causes reputation to decay at -5 per day, down to minimum of 10. This creates a meritocracy where consistent, honest participation is rewarded over time.

6. Tokenomics

Token Overview

CEL is the native token of Celereum. Unlike Proof of Stake systems where you need to lock tokens to participate, Celereum requires no staking. Rewards are distributed to committee members who perform their roles correctly. The token has 10 decimal places (1 CEL = 10,000,000,000 smallest units).

Reward Distribution

Token Utility

• Transaction fee payment
• Committee participation rewards
• Reputation staking (optional)
• Governance voting (future)

Fair Launch

7. Security

Reputation Penalties

The reputation system naturally punishes bad actors. If you're selected for a role but fail to perform, you lose reputation. If you try to cheat (submit invalid blocks, double-vote, etc.), you lose significant reputation and may be banned. This creates a self-regulating system where honest behavior is the optimal strategy.

Attack Resistance

The VRF selection mechanism makes attacks extremely difficult. To control the network, an attacker would need to control 67% of the total reputation - but they can't buy reputation, only earn it through honest participation. Sybil attacks (creating many fake accounts) are prevented by the reputation system - new accounts start with only 100 reputation and take time to build up. The randomness from VRF makes it impossible to predict who will be selected, preventing targeted attacks.

8. Team

Celereum is built by developers who believe blockchain should be accessible to everyone, not just the wealthy or technically elite. The People's Edition represents our vision of true decentralization.

9. Roadmap

10. Conclusion

Celereum "People's Edition" represents a return to the original vision of cryptocurrency: a system where everyone can participate equally, regardless of their wealth or technical resources. Through VRF-based committee selection, adaptive difficulty, and a reputation-based meritocracy, we've created a blockchain that is truly of the people, by the people, and for the people. No expensive hardware required. No minimum stake. No barriers - just fair participation.