VanaEpoch

This smart contract manages the epoch system that governs DLP reward cycles in the Vana ecosystem, serving as the foundational timing mechanism for the entire incentive structure. The contract automatically creates epochs based on block numbers and maintains comprehensive records of DLP participation and reward allocations for each period. Each epoch has defined start and end blocks, a total reward pool amount, and tracks which DLPs are eligible for rewards during that timeframe, providing the temporal framework that coordinates all DLP performance evaluation and reward distribution activities.

The epoch management system plays a crucial role in implementing VRC-14's new incentive model by coordinating the timing of reward calculations and distributions. When an epoch ends, the contract receives final DLP performance scores from the DLPPerformance oracle and locks in the reward allocations for that period. The contract enforces that total allocated rewards don't exceed the epoch's reward pool and includes safeguards to prevent manipulation, such as requiring final scores to be submitted only after an epoch has concluded. Once finalized, an epoch's reward data becomes immutable and triggers the subsequent reward distribution process managed by the DLPRewardDeployer contract.

The contract supports VRC-14's vision of sustainable long-term planning by using quarterly cycles (91 days) that allow DLPs to implement more sophisticated strategies rather than optimizing for short-term gains. This longer cycle aligns with VRC-14's goal of creating stable, market-driven data ecosystems where DLPs can focus on building valuable datasets and sustainable token economies. The quarterly system also provides more predictable timing for the 90-tranche daily reward distribution mechanism, ensuring that reward deployment aligns properly with epoch boundaries and performance measurement periods.

The contract acts as the authoritative source for epoch timing and state management throughout the Vana ecosystem, providing other contracts with reliable information about current and historical epochs. It integrates closely with both the DLPPerformance contract (which submits scores) and the DLPRewardDeployer contract (which uses epoch data to manage reward distributions), creating a cohesive system that supports VRC-14's comprehensive transformation of the DLP incentive model. The system underwent a significant transition from the original 21-day epoch cycles (used in epochs 1-5) to the current 91-day quarterly system starting with epoch 6, reflecting the ecosystem's maturation and shift toward longer-term strategic planning.

For more details on how this epoch system enables the new liquidity-based reward distribution model, see the complete VRC-14 specification at: https://github.com/vana-com/VRCs/blob/main/VRCs/vrc-14.md

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Contract Address

Moksha: 0x2063cFF0609D59bCCc196E20Eb58A8696a6b15A0

Vana Mainnet: 0x2063cFF0609D59bCCc196E20Eb58A8696a6b15A0