Proof-of-Authority (PoA) Program Documentation

Overview

The PoA (Proof-of-Authority) Program is a Solana-based smart contract that allows registered Jito operators to execute specific on-chain instructions known as proposals. The execution of these proposals is subject to certain conditions, primarily that:

1. The signer must be a Jito operator registered in an NCN (Node Coordination Network) linked to the PoA state.

2. The operator must have a sufficient amount of delegated stake.

3. The proposal can only be executed once enough operators (as defined by the threshold in the PoAState account) have approved it.

This program is tightly integrated with the Jito Restaking Program and the Vault Program, ensuring that only valid, staked operators can authorize execution.

Architecture

PoA State Account

The PoAState account holds the configuration parameters that define how the PoA program operates. It includes:

• threshold → The minimum number of operators required to approve a proposal before execution.

• admin → The administrator of the PoA program.

• ncn → The associated NCN that determines valid operators.

• supported_token → The token that must be staked by operators to gain execution rights.

• stake_threshold → The minimum stake required for an operator to participate in PoA.

Proposal Execution Workflow

1. Operator Calls handle_proposal

   • The Jito operator initiates execution by calling handle_proposal.

2. Verification Process:

   • The program verifies that:

     • The operator is registered in the relevant NCN (NcnOperatorState).

     • The operator has enough delegated stake (VaultOperatorDelegation).

     • The vault and operator match expected values.

     • The operator is part of the PoA program.

3. Tracking Approvals:

   • The proposal remains pending execution until enough operators (determined by threshold) approve it.

   • Each operator approval is tracked.

4. Proposal Execution:

   • Once the required number of approvals is reached, the proposal is executed.

   • The execution may involve calling various Solana instructions.

This ensures that no single operator has unilateral control, reinforcing decentralization and security.