This post presents a combined overview of Gear releases v1.8.0 and v1.8.1 — two important updates that introduce critical protocol-level improvements and runtime refinements. Together, they signal a clear shift toward stronger execution guarantees, developer-friendly debugging, and tightened economic boundaries.

Gear Release 1.8.1 — A New Era of Reply Logic, Error Semantics & Economic Security

Technical Updates: Gear Release 1.8.1 | May 2025 Recap

Updates

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Developing your smart contract has never been easier! See a list of potential use cases below.

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Developing your smart contract has never been easier! See a list of potential use cases below.

Explore <text>Smart</text> <text>Contract</text> Ideas

<item>Battleship is a popular strategic board game in which two players compete to sink an opponent's fleet hidden from their view on the playing field. The game is optimized for mobile devices and operates entirely on-chain. Additional setup option allows to include vouchers to demonstrate pay-less user experience.</item>

Battleship Game

<item>The idea behind this smart contract example is using the concert tickets as gNFTs! It’s a simple distribution with converting fungible tokens (gFT) to non-fungible tokens (gNFT) in time.</item>

Concert (FT to NFT transition)

<item>Implementing your initial coin offering could never be easier! This use case was recently very popular for new projects to raise money for development and other purposes.</item>

Crowdsale mechanics

<item>Build your decentralized autonomous organization and enable individuals to work together in transparent ways that transcend traditional forms of collaboration! There’s no longer a need for centralized control as DAOs do not need a central authority as decisions are made collectively via group proposals and votes.</item>

<item>Decentralized Internet (DNS) demonstrates an on-chain server-less approach to web sites and web applications hosting. It brings all the benefits of decentralization such as censorship resistance, security resilience and high transparency.</item>

Decentralized DNS

<item>A decentralized exchange (DEX), is a peer-to-peer marketplace where transactions occur directly between cryptocurrency traders.</item>

<item>This type of auction shows the advantage of speed since a sale never requires more than one bid. Create and run it using Gear Protocol!</item>

Dutch auction

<item>An extension of standard Non-Fungible Token. It proposes an additional dynamic part that can change or evolve over time based on certain conditions or user interactions.</item>

Dynamic NFT

<item>Escrow is a special program that is stored on a blockchain that can receive assets (like tokens) from one actor and, when certain conditions are met, sends them to another. This makes issuing payments upon completion of tasks, easy, secure and autonomous.</item>

Escrow

<item>Experimenting with the unique possibilities of smart contracts can also be fun. Imagine making your own game! The opportunities are endless… What are you waiting for? Try it now!</item>

Game of chance

<item>gFT (Gear Fungible Tokens), similar to ERC 20 tokens, is a standard for issuing smart contracts on the blockchain. These smart contracts can then be used to create tokenized assets that represent anything that is fungible.</item>

gFT (analogue to ERC-20)

<item>A single deployed smart contract may include any combination of fungible tokens, non-fungible tokens or other configurations. This is an example of a standard interface for smart contracts that manage multiple token types.</item>

gMT - Multiple Token (analogue to ERC-1155)

<item>gNFTs (Gear Non-Fungible Tokens), similar to ERC-721 NFTs, are not only about digital art. Instead, they can represent anything that is not fungible, but has unique properties. The gNFT standard can be used in any network within the Dotsama Ecosystem.</item>

gNFTs (analogue to ERC-721)

<item>We all know that security is always a priority. Multisignature wallets provide double security as they require one or more private keys to sign and send a transaction. To make it even more secure it has more than one owner and it's impossible to make a transaction without the permission of all owners.</item>

Multisig Wallet

<item>Connect buyers and sellers in one easy and streamlined place! Buy and sell non-fungible tokens for fungible tokens! Learn how to create your marketplace smart contract as well as React application and connect it to an NFT smart contract running in the blockchain.</item>

NFT Marketplace

<item>The idea for this smart contract is taken from The Million Dollar Homepage. In short, this is a website with the 1000 by 1000 pixels canvas where 1 pixel on it costs 1 dollar. NFT pixelboard uses the same logic where purchased pixel blocks are NFTs.</item>

NFT pixelboard

<item>Here the token assets are stored directly on-chain. Check the code example and try how it works!</item>

On-chain NFT

<item>Blockchain oracles are a combination of smart contracts and off-chain entities that connect blockchains to external systems, allowing other smart contracts to execute depending on real-world inputs and outputs.</item>

Oracle

<item>There is nothing better than classics! Very simple, yet so accurate! “Hello world!” on the Gear Network! Build your PING-PONG smart contract now.</item>

PING-PONG

<item>An extension of the standard Non-Fungible Token. It introduces an additional role (user) that grants permission to &quot;use&quot; the NFT, but it does not allow the ability to transfer it or set other users. The granted permission contains a predefined expiration time for this role.</item>

Rentable NFT (analogue to ERC-4907)

<item>Is a special NFT protocol aimed for establishing a standard NFT cross-chain infrastructure on Kusama/Polkadot ecosystems. RMRK legos can be implemented using Gear Protocol and you can find out how!</item>

RMRK NFT standard

<item>A popular hand game originating from China, usually played between two people, in which each player simultaneously forms one of three shapes with an outstretched hand. In this example a game is managed by a single smart contract and allows several players play simultaniously.</item>

Rock Paper Scissors

<item>Ever made a bank deposit? Staking is pretty much the same thing but in a blockchain world. Build your Staking contract with your own terms and conditions and run it on the Gear Network.</item>

Staking

<item>Many web services in Web2 work on a subscription basis that implies subscription auto-renewal. This dApp example represents a video-hosting service (VaraTube) that enables watching videos with a valid subscription that can be renewed automatically.</item>

Subscription management and auto-renewal

<item>Supply chains are systems for tracking and delivering goods to end customers. Leveraging blockchain technology makes this process more efficient, reliable and transparent!</item>

Supply chain

<item>Syndote is the name of a Monopoly-like decentralized game that works completely on-chain. It has no backend or any centralized components, the user interface interacts directly with the smart contract uploaded in the Gear Network.</item>

Syndote (Monopoly game)

<item>Tequila Train is a dominoes game similar to the Mexican Train game wirth several differences in rules.</item>

Tequila Train Game

<item>An example of a zero-knowledge proof application designed for Gear-powered blockchains. It offers the capability to shift resource-intensive computations away from the blockchain while ensuring their integrity.</item>

ZKML

There are no contracts matching your parameters

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<item>The main engine of the Gear network is a smart contract module. In Gear's case, any smart contract is a WebAssembly program compiled in various languages, including Rust and AssemblyScript (with plans to support C and C++).</item> <item>It has a low entry barrier for developers from outside the crypto world because they can build smart contracts in a familiar environment. It is easier for developers to experiment with smart-contract programming languages.</item>

Easy to Develop

<item>At Gear Protocol, we understand the challenges of scalability in today's fast-paced digital era. That's why we have developed a protocol that goes beyond traditional limitations. By embracing the concept of shardability, our networks have the ability to infinitely expand and adapt to evolving needs.</item><item> The secret behind our exceptional scalability lies in the Actor model, a proven method in fast computing. This innovative approach enables efficient messaging and optimal memory utilization, while guaranteeing the utmost security, privacy, and faster networks. With Gear Protocol, you can unlock new possibilities and explore the true potential of decentralized applications.</item>

Easy To Scale

These are the Actor Model, Persistent Memory Concept and WASM. This combination provides asynchronous messages, parallel computation, allocation and deallocation of memory which brings unique speed and scalability. This way, the Gear Protocol will be the fastest L1 with Proof-of-Stake consensus.

A well-known approach used in high frequency parallel computation, this model ensures asynchronous messaging and memory parallelism by design.Ensuring security, anonymity, transaction efficiency and as a result network speed, it stands as on of the core pillars of the Gear Protocol. Want to learn more about how it works? Check our Wiki.

Actor Model

The Persistent Memory concept is another novelty we brought to Web3. It provides an innovative solution to program storage with clever and effective memory virtualization techniques. All you need is to code regular programs like in Web2 world, no need to be an expert in blockchain-specific programming. Check our Wiki to find more detailed information.

Persistent Memory

Offering Native speed execution and support for standard programming languages, WebAssembly has been integrated by Gear to create an environment for fast, secure and flexible execution not just for smart-contracts but for onchain programs. Opening the door to new generation of applications. Sounds interesting? Check Wiki to dive in!

WASM (WebAssembly)

The Gear Protocol technology is based on three pillars

Gear Protocol is an innovative Substrate-based WebAssembly smart contract platform that simplifies the transition from Web2 to Web3 development. lt offers a seamless experience for deploying smart contracts without the need to create an entirely new blockchain. Experience the advantages of blockchain technology and build dApps with efficiency and convenience

Smart Contract Engine Built on Substrate

Gear Protocol simplifies smart contract development. It provides an easy-to-use library and a custom runtime for programs. These use unique features and Substrate components, ensuring secure, fork-less upgradable networks, facilitating seamless integration with other Substrate-based networks. The protocol’s tech design and asynchronous programming allow infinite sharding, enabling truly decentralized use cases. This innovation opens doors to transitioning thousands of traditional Web2.0 businesses and services to Web3.

What is Gear protocol

Vara is the first deployment of Gear Protocol as a standalone network to demonstrate the power and potential of its innovative technology. Whether you're an experienced developer or just starting out, Vara offers a user-friendly and streamlined approach to blockchain development, empowering you to bring your vision to life on the blockchain.

What is Vara Network?

<item>Gear Foundation is dedicated to advancing the development and adoption of innovative blockchain solutions. Its primary mission is to foster collaboration and provide support to the networks based on Gear Protocol. <varaLink>Vara Network</varaLink> is the main focus for now, as it is the first deployment.</item> <item>Through research, education, and community engagement, Gear Foundation plays a vital role in driving the growth and success of decentralized technologies and empowers individuals and organizations to harness the full potential of blockchain technology.</item>

Gear Foundation: Accelerating<space></space>Web 3.0<space></space>Growth

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While we’re just scratching the surface of what this technology can do, here are a few ways people are using Gear.

An innovative organization represented by rules encoded into smart contracts that runs autonomously and without the requirement of centralised individuals and parties.

Decentralized Autonomous Orgs (DAOs)

A blockchain based form of finance that does not rely on centralized financial institutions, instead utilizing smart contracts and blockchain technology to empower users and transcend borders.

Decentralized Finance (DeFi)

A way to represent any asset on the blockchain, to enable easier and more efficient trade and management.

Non-fungible Tokens (NFTs)

An important third party service that provides blockchains and smart contracts with “off-chain” data from the physical world.

Oracles

A method that enables people to lock some of their cryptocurrencies as a way to contribute to securing a blockchain network.

A search engine that allows you to search for a particular piece of information on a blockchain.

Tools&Explorers

A device, program or service that securely stores an individual's cryptocurrency without third party sovereignty.

Wallets

The third generation of internet services for websites and applications that will focus on using blockchain-based technology to provide more intelligent, connected and open services.

Web3/eCommerce

Use Cases

Gear Technologies is collaborating with universities from all over the world to organize workshops for their students. The primary goal for this is to accelerate education about the Web3 industry.

Technical Updates: Gear Release 1.8.1 | May 2025 Recap

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