FAQ

General

What is Obsidian?

An EVM-compatible blockchain with native support for permanent, on-chain messages. Think Ethereum + built-in data layer.

Is Obsidian a Layer 2?

No. Obsidian is its own Layer 1 blockchain with independent consensus.

What can I build on Obsidian?

Anything needing permanent data: social apps, record systems, attestations, audit trails, and more. Plus all standard Ethereum dApps.

Messages

Are messages really free?

Yes, via the Standard Message Queue (SMQ). You compute a small VDF proof (~1-2 seconds) instead of paying.

What if I need fast inclusion?

Use the Priority Message Queue (PMQ). Pay a bid (minimum 0.001 OBS) for guaranteed priority.

How big can a message be?

Maximum 8 KB per message.

Can messages be deleted?

No. Once included in a block, messages are permanent and immutable.

Economics

Where do priority fees go?

• 30% to the block proposer

• 70% to the Archive Node Pool

How do archive nodes earn?

By storing and serving historical data. Rewards come from the 70% archive pool share.

What's the minimum PMQ bid?

0.001 OBS. Below that, use SMQ (free).

Technical

What's the Chain ID?

421 (0x1a5 in hex)

What wallets work?

Any EVM wallet: MetaMask, Rainbow, Coinbase Wallet, etc.

What libraries work?

All Ethereum libraries: ethers.js, web3.js, viem, web3.py, etc.

How long until finality?

~13 minutes (2 epochs), same as Ethereum.

Archive Nodes

Can I run a partial archive?

Yes! Sharded archives store specific epoch ranges with lower hardware requirements.

What do I need to run an archive?

• Full archive: 4+ TB storage, 16 GB RAM

• Sharded archive: 50-100 GB storage, 8 GB RAM

How do I claim rewards?

Call the Archive Pool contract's claim() function after registering.