Community Moderation of Filecoin Storage with Optimistic Execution

# Community Moderation of Filecoin Storage: No Evidence of Optimistic Execution ## Executive Summary **Filecoin does not use optimistic execution for community moderation of storage.** Instead, the network relies on **cryptographic proof systems** (Proof-of-Replication and Proof-of-Spacetime) for storage verification, complemented by **Filecoin Plus** - a community-driven program where selected allocators moderate storage quality through datacap allocation. [Filecoin Spec](https://spec.filecoin.io/) ## Key Findings ### Cryptographic Proof System, Not Optimistic Execution Filecoin's storage verification is fundamentally different from optimistic execution models. The network uses: - **Proof-of-Replication (PoRep)**: Cryptographic proof that storage providers have physically stored unique copies of client data - **Proof-of-Spacetime (PoSt)**: Ongoing proofs that providers continue to store the data over time - **Slashing mechanisms**: Penalties for providers who fail to provide valid proofs This system requires **active, continuous proof generation** rather than the passive "assume valid unless challenged" approach of optimistic execution. [Filecoin Blog](https://filecoin.io/blog/posts/what-sets-us-apart-filecoin-s-proof-system/) ### Filecoin Plus: Community Moderation Mechanism The closest equivalent to community moderation is Filecoin Plus, which implements a delegated governance model: | Component | Role | Function | |-----------|------|----------| | **Allocators** | Community-selected entities | Verify storage clients and allocate datacap | | **Verified Clients** | Data storage users | Use datacap for quality-boosted storage deals | | **Storage Providers** | Network participants | Receive 10x power multiplier for verified deals | This system incentivizes storage of "meaningful and valuable data" through economic incentives rather than optimistic challenge periods. [Filecoin Docs](https://docs.filecoin.io/basics/what-is-filecoin/storage-market) ### Storage Market Process The Filecoin storage workflow follows a structured, non-optimistic process: 1. **Discovery**: Clients identify storage providers 2. **Negotiation**: Terms agreed upon off-chain 3. **Publishing**: Deal published on-chain with cryptographic commitments 4. **Handoff**: Data added to sectors with ongoing proof requirements 5. **Continuous verification**: PoSt proofs submitted regularly to maintain storage rewards ## Technical Implementation ### Proof Systems Architecture Filecoin's proof architecture is designed for **cryptographic certainty** rather than optimistic assumptions: - **Sector-based storage**: Data stored in standardized sectors (32GiB/64GiB) - **Sealing process**: Computationally intensive encoding that creates unique replicas - **Frequent proof submission**: Providers must regularly demonstrate continued storage - **On-chain verification**: Proofs are checked and recorded on the blockchain ### Programmatic Storage Capabilities With the Filecoin Virtual Machine (FVM), storage operations can be automated through smart contracts, but still rely on the same cryptographic proof foundation rather than optimistic execution. [Programmatic Storage Docs](https://docs.filecoin.io/smart-contracts/programmatic-storage) ## Community Governance Framework Filecoin's governance occurs through: - **Filecoin Improvement Proposals (FIPs)**: Formal process for protocol changes - **Allocator selection**: Community-driven process for Filecoin Plus participants - **Storage provider reputation**: Economic incentives align with quality service ## Limitations and Data Coverage **Data Completeness**: Research covered official Filecoin specification documents, GitHub FIPs repository, documentation, blog content, and recent Twitter discussions through January 2026. All sources consistently describe cryptographic proof systems without mentioning optimistic execution. **Temporal Relevance**: Data is current through January 2026, with no indications of upcoming changes to this architecture. ## Conclusion Filecoin employs a **cryptographic proof-based system** rather than optimistic execution for storage verification and community moderation. The network's security model requires active, continuous proof generation from storage providers, with community oversight primarily occurring through the Filecoin Plus program's allocator system. The absence of optimistic execution mechanisms aligns with Filecoin's design philosophy of providing **cryptographically verifiable storage guarantees** rather than relying on challenge periods or optimistic assumptions. This approach ensures strong security guarantees for stored data but requires more computational overhead from storage providers compared to optimistic systems.