In recent years, the blockchain industry has evolved at a rapid pace, enabling new forms of decentralized applications and financial systems. However, one persistent challenge remains: efficiently accessing and processing vast amounts of data across chains to power advanced dApps—especially in areas like decentralized finance (DeFi), AI, and real-time analytics.
Enter Space and Time (SXT), a next-generation decentralized data platform designed to bridge the gap between on-chain and off-chain data. By combining cryptographic verification with scalable data processing, SXT empowers developers to build trustless, data-driven applications without relying on centralized intermediaries.
Understanding Space and Time
Space and Time is a decentralized data warehouse that brings zero-knowledge proofs (ZK-proofs) and SQL-based querying together in a unified architecture. Unlike traditional systems that rely on centralized databases or slow oracle networks, SXT enables smart contracts to securely query both blockchain and external data sources—with cryptographic proof of accuracy.
At its core, the platform uses a novel mechanism called Proof of SQL, which functions as a sub-second ZK coprocessor. This allows smart contracts to ask complex questions about historical or real-time data and receive cryptographically verified answers within a single block. The result? Trustless, high-speed data access that scales across multiple blockchains.
👉 Discover how decentralized data processing can transform your next dApp project.
Founding and Development Timeline
Space and Time was co-founded in 2022 by Nate Holiday, Scott Dykstra, Jay White, and Craig Holiday—veterans in distributed systems and enterprise data infrastructure. Since inception, the project has raised over $50 million in funding from top-tier investors including Framework Ventures, Lightspeed Faction, Arrington Capital, and Hivemind Capital.
A major milestone came on August 27, when Space and Time Labs announced a $20 million Series A round, signaling strong market confidence in its vision for decentralized data infrastructure.
How Does Space and Time Work?
The platform operates on a dual-layer architecture consisting of two primary components: the Validator Layer and the Decentralized Data Warehouse. These layers work in tandem to ensure secure, scalable, and verifiable data processing.
The Decentralized Data Warehouse
This layer serves as the backbone of the SXT ecosystem. Built on a Web3-native Hybrid Transactional/Analytical Processing (HTAP) engine, it handles large-scale data operations across multiple chains. Each warehouse consists of network clusters managed by independent node operators who contribute storage and compute resources.
Key functions performed by the data warehouse include:
- Data Ingestion: Collecting off-chain data from major blockchains such as Ethereum, Bitcoin, Polygon, Sui, Aptos, and ZKsync.
- Data Transportation: Securely moving data between nodes and clusters.
- Data Storage: Storing structured blockchain data with full historical context.
- Data Transformation: Cleaning, aggregating, and joining multi-source datasets for analysis.
- Data Serving: Delivering query-ready data via APIs and caching layers.
By leveraging HTAP technology, the warehouse efficiently manages both transactional workloads (like recording new blocks) and analytical tasks (such as computing user behavior trends), all while maintaining performance at scale.
The Validator Layer
Acting as the protocol’s central nervous system, the Validator Layer ensures integrity, coordination, and security across the network. Its responsibilities include:
- Routing: Directing user queries to appropriate warehouse instances seamlessly, abstracting complexity from end users.
- Streaming: Handling high-volume event streams using Kafka for durability and fault tolerance.
- Consensus: Employing Byzantine fault-tolerant mechanisms to validate data inputs and outputs, preventing manipulation.
- Query Proofing: Generating cryptographic proofs for SQL queries using Proof of SQL, ensuring tamperproof results.
- Table Anchoring: Anchoring database table states on-chain via Merkle trees, enabling trustless audits without transferring bulk data.
Together, these components create a system where every query is not only fast but also provably correct—without requiring trust in any single entity.
Core Features of Space and Time
Proof of SQL: A Breakthrough in Trustless Querying
One of SXT’s most innovative features is Proof of SQL, a zero-knowledge proof system tailored for SQL queries. When a developer submits a query (as a Verifier), the database (the Prover) returns results along with a cryptographic proof. This proof can be validated against an on-chain commitment, ensuring the result hasn’t been altered.
This interaction occurs in two phases:
- Data Ingestion: The client submits data; the Verifier generates a commitment hash and stores it for future verification.
- Query Request: The Verifier requests analytics; the Prover computes results, generates a proof, and returns both. The Verifier then validates the proof using the original commitment.
This mechanism is ideal for applications requiring verifiable analytics—such as DeFi risk scoring or NFT provenance tracking—where data integrity is paramount.
SXT Chain: A Testnet for Innovation
The SXT Chain is a ZK-proven blockchain testnet designed for developers, node operators, and community contributors. It allows early adopters to experiment with dApp development, provide feedback, and help refine the platform ahead of mainnet launch.
Verified Blockchain Data & Pre-Built Web3 APIs
SXT indexes real-time and historical data from leading blockchains—including Ethereum, Bitcoin, Polygon, Sui, Aptos, and ZKsync—and exposes it through ready-to-use Web3 APIs. Paired with Chainlink integration, these APIs allow smart contracts to pull verified data directly into on-chain logic.
👉 Unlock access to ZK-verified blockchain data for your next smart contract.
Use Cases Across Industries
DeFi and Lending Platforms
Developers can use SXT to build decentralized credit scoring models by combining real-world credit data with on-chain transaction history. This enables more accurate risk assessment for lending protocols—without compromising user privacy.
Gaming and NFTs
Game developers benefit from real-time analytics on player behavior and in-game transactions. With SXT, they can mint rewards based on verifiable gameplay events, analyze terabytes of activity logs, and power dynamic NFTs with off-chain intelligence—all backed by cryptographic proofs.
AI and Machine Learning
By providing tamperproof access to both on-chain and off-chain datasets, SXT becomes a foundational layer for training ML models in Web3 environments. Developers can build AI-driven prediction markets, fraud detection systems, or personalized recommendation engines with guaranteed data authenticity.
The SXT Ecosystem
SXT supports a growing ecosystem spanning DeFi, AI, gaming, social protocols, infrastructure tools, and real-world asset (RWA) tokenization. Its interoperability with major blockchains ensures seamless integration across platforms, paving the way for a new generation of cross-chain dApps.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What problem does Space and Time solve?
A: It solves the challenge of securely accessing and processing large-scale blockchain data by offering a decentralized, cryptographically verified data warehouse with SQL support.
Q: How is Proof of SQL different from traditional oracles?
A: Unlike oracles that deliver pre-processed data without verification, Proof of SQL provides cryptographic proof that query results are accurate and untampered—with sub-second latency.
Q: Can anyone run a node on the Space and Time network?
A: Yes—node operators can join the decentralized data warehouse network permissionlessly, contributing resources in exchange for incentives.
Q: Is SXT available on mainnet yet?
A: As of now, SXT operates on testnet (SXT Chain), with mainnet launch preparations underway following successful funding rounds.
Q: How does SXT ensure data privacy?
A: While query results are publicly verifiable, sensitive raw data can remain encrypted or off-chain. Access controls and zero-knowledge techniques help protect confidentiality.
Q: What makes SXT suitable for enterprise use?
A: Its hybrid transactional-analytical engine, compliance-ready architecture, and support for complex SQL queries make it ideal for enterprise-grade dApps requiring scalability and auditability.
Core Keywords: Space and Time, SXT, decentralized data warehouse, Proof of SQL, ZK-proof, Web3 APIs, blockchain indexing, smart contract data
👉 Start building with verifiable, high-performance data today—explore what's possible on OKX.