In the fast-evolving world of blockchain, developers are constantly seeking ways to build sophisticated, data-driven applications that go beyond simple transactions. Enter Space and Time (SXT) — a groundbreaking infrastructure protocol that introduces the first verifiable, decentralized zero-knowledge (ZK) proof database in the crypto ecosystem. This innovative solution empowers developers to leverage secure, scalable, and cryptographically verified data processing, unlocking new possibilities across DeFi, gaming, AI, and enterprise applications.
With its unique combination of SQL compatibility, end-to-end verifiability, and a robust token-powered economic model, Space and Time is redefining how blockchain applications interact with data.
👉 Discover how blockchain’s first ZK-proof database is transforming decentralized applications.
Understanding Space and Time (SXT)
Space and Time is a decentralized database network designed to bridge traditional data systems with blockchain technology. It enables developers to run complex SQL queries on vast datasets and generate zero-knowledge proofs that verify the correctness of those queries — all without compromising speed, security, or decentralization.
The SXT token is the native utility token of the network, used for staking, governance, transaction fees, and incentivizing high-quality data contributions. Together, the protocol and its token form a self-sustaining ecosystem where data integrity is cryptographically guaranteed and trustlessly verifiable by smart contracts.
Key Features at a Glance
- First ZK-Proof Database: The only decentralized database in crypto that generates zero-knowledge proofs for SQL queries.
- SQL Proofs: Execute queries off-chain and verify results on-chain with cryptographic certainty.
- Verifiable Data Integrity: A validator network ensures data ingested into the system is accurate and tamper-proof.
- Hybrid OLTP/OLAP Architecture: Supports both real-time transactions and large-scale analytics.
- AI-Powered Query Interface: Natural language queries via "Houston" enable non-technical users to analyze blockchain data.
- Decentralized Access Control: Uses cryptographic "biscuits" to manage fine-grained permissions.
The Problem Space and Time Solves
Traditional blockchains struggle with data scalability. While they excel at validating simple transactions like token transfers, they lack the capability to process complex database queries efficiently. Every node must redundantly compute every operation, making large-scale analytics impractical.
Space and Time addresses this by introducing a ZK co-processor that allows:
- A single node to execute a SQL query.
- Generate a zero-knowledge proof confirming the query was run correctly on authentic data.
- Submit the result and proof to a smart contract for instant verification — no re-execution needed.
But for this system to be fully trustless, even the input data must be verifiable. That’s where the validator network comes in.
Validators index blockchain and off-chain data into immutable tables, participate in Byzantine fault-tolerant consensus, and produce cryptographic commitments representing the current state of data. These commitments serve as the foundation for all future SQL proofs — ensuring end-to-end verifiability from data ingestion to query output.
👉 See how ZK-powered databases are solving blockchain’s biggest data challenges.
Core Innovations Behind Space and Time
1. SQL Proofs: Zero-Knowledge for Database Queries
At the heart of Space and Time is SQL Proof, the world’s first ZK co-processor for SQL. This innovation enables off-chain execution of database queries while maintaining on-chain verifiability.
Developers can now write standard SQL queries (e.g., SELECT * FROM transactions WHERE amount > 1000) and receive results backed by cryptographic proofs. Smart contracts can then consume these results with full confidence in their accuracy — opening doors to advanced DeFi risk modeling, cross-chain analytics, and more.
2. Validator Network: Securing Data at Ingestion
Data integrity starts at ingestion. The validator network:
- Collects and indexes data from multiple blockchains and external sources.
- Stores it in immutable tables protected by cryptographic hashes.
- Reaches consensus on the global state using BFT mechanisms.
- Produces data commitments used as anchors for all subsequent proofs.
Validators must stake SXT tokens, creating an economic incentive to act honestly. Misbehavior leads to slashing — ensuring long-term network security.
3. Hybrid HTAP Architecture
Space and Time supports both:
- OLTP (Online Transaction Processing): Low-latency operations for real-time dApps.
- OLAP (Online Analytical Processing): Heavy-duty analytics over massive datasets.
This hybrid design allows developers to optimize performance based on use case — whether it’s tracking player stats in a game or analyzing DeFi lending positions across chains.
4. Universal Blockchain Indexing
The platform provides comprehensive indexing across major blockchains (Ethereum, Solana, etc.), capturing:
- Block and transaction metadata
- Smart contract events
- Custom user-defined tables
All accessible via standard SQL — no need for custom indexing scripts or GraphQL wrappers.
5. Immutable Tables & Verifiable Computation
Tables in Space and Time are append-only and cryptographically secured. Once written, data cannot be altered — providing a tamper-proof foundation for audits, compliance, and historical analysis.
These tables are also proof-ready, meaning any query executed against them can generate a ZK proof of correctness.
6. Biscuit-Based Access Control
Security meets flexibility with biscuits — encrypted bearer tokens that grant fine-grained access rights. Table owners can issue biscuits allowing specific actions (read, write, execute) to specific users or apps — all enforced at the protocol level.
7. AI-Powered Query Interface: "Houston"
Not fluent in SQL? No problem. “Houston” lets users ask questions in plain English like:
“Show me all NFT trades over $10K in the last 7 days.”
The AI translates this into executable SQL, runs the query, and returns results — democratizing access to complex blockchain analytics.
Real-World Use Cases of SXT Technology
🔹 DeFi Risk Analytics
Lending protocols can run real-time credit scoring models using verified on-chain activity — all proven via ZK proofs to eliminate manipulation.
🔹 Cross-Chain Data Orchestration
Apps can combine data from Ethereum, Arbitrum, and Solana into unified views — enabling seamless multi-chain portfolio tracking and arbitrage detection.
🔹 On-Chain Gaming
Game studios can store player inventories, achievements, and match histories securely while enabling provable leaderboards and anti-cheat systems.
🔹 Supply Chain Verification
Enterprises can track goods from origin to delivery, with every step recorded immutably and auditable via cryptographic proofs.
🔹 AI + Blockchain Integration
Machine learning models trained on blockchain data can output predictions that are themselves verifiable — enabling transparent, trustless AI agents.
🔹 Regulatory Compliance
Firms can generate tamper-proof audit logs for regulators — proving compliance without exposing sensitive data through ZK techniques.
SXT Tokenomics: Supply & Distribution
The total supply of SXT is capped at 5 billion tokens, distributed to ensure long-term sustainability and community ownership:
- Community (51.7%) – 2.58B SXT: Rewards for early adopters, stakers, developers, and contributors.
- Ecosystem Development (23.7%) – 1.18B SXT: Funding for partnerships, grants, and platform growth.
- Investors (25.9%) – 1.3B SXT: Seed, strategic, and Series A investors.
- Team (22.4%) – 1.12B SXT: Founders and core contributors at MakeInfinite Labs.
Unlock Schedule
- Community rewards: 100% unlocked at genesis
- Investors & team: 4-year linear vesting with 15% cliff after 12 months
- Ecosystem fund: 4-year linear release starting at launch
This structure promotes gradual decentralization and aligns incentives across stakeholders.
Role of SXT in the Ecosystem
1. Network Security via Staking
Validators must stake SXT to participate. They earn fees for processing queries and securing data — but face slashing if caught submitting false proofs or going offline excessively.
Delegators can also stake their SXT with validators to earn passive rewards — similar to PoS networks like Ethereum.
2. Incentivizing Quality Data Providers
Users who publish valuable datasets (as table owners) earn SXT when others query their data. This creates a market-driven economy where high-quality data is rewarded.
3. Protocol-Level Payments
All interactions on Space and Time require SXT payments:
- Querying data
- Inserting new records
- Running verifiable computations
Fees are distributed fairly:
- Query fees → shared between validator and table owner
- Insert fees → go to validators
- Data marketplace → rewards publishers directly
This ensures a sustainable flywheel of security, usability, and value creation.
Future Roadmap: Where Is SXT Headed?
The independent Space and Time Foundation now oversees the protocol’s evolution, focusing on:
✅ Ecosystem Growth
Funding hackathons, developer grants, and educational content to expand adoption.
✅ Technical Advancements
Improving ZK proof efficiency, expanding SQL support (joins, subqueries), reducing latency.
✅ Community Governance
Transitioning decision-making power to SXT holders through decentralized governance.
✅ Enterprise Adoption
Building compliance tools and integration APIs for traditional businesses exploring Web3.
✅ Multi-Chain Expansion
Extending indexing capabilities beyond Ethereum to Solana, Cosmos, Bitcoin Layer 2s, and more.
✅ AI + ZK Synergy
Exploring privacy-preserving machine learning models that run on-chain with verifiable outputs.
How Does SXT Compare to Competitors?
| Competitor | Focus Area | Key Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| The Graph | Blockchain indexing | No ZK proofs; trust in indexer honesty |
| Ceramic/Tableland | Decentralized storage | Lacks verifiable computation |
| zkSync/StarkNet | ZK rollups | Not designed for general-purpose DBs |
Why SXT Stands Out:
- End-to-end cryptographic verification
- Full SQL support for mainstream developers
- Unified layer for storage, compute, and proofs
- Economically secured via SXT staking
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What makes Space and Time different from traditional blockchain oracles?
A: Unlike oracles that push pre-aggregated data, Space and Time allows smart contracts to pull complex query results with full cryptographic proof of correctness — enabling dynamic, on-demand data access.
Q: Can anyone become a validator in the network?
A: Yes — but you must stake a minimum amount of SXT tokens and meet technical requirements. The network uses BFT consensus to maintain security even if some validators act maliciously.
Q: Is SQL Proof compatible with existing databases?
A: Space and Time uses PostgreSQL-compatible syntax, making it easy for developers familiar with SQL to adopt without learning new languages.
Q: How does the "biscuit" authorization system work?
A: Biscuits are cryptographically signed tokens that grant time-limited or action-specific access to tables. They’re revocable and do not require ongoing connection to an identity provider.
Q: Can I use Space and Time without holding SXT?
A: While read-only access may be free in some cases, performing queries, inserting data, or staking requires SXT — ensuring the network remains economically secure.
👉 Start exploring the future of verifiable data with OKX today.