# Logarithmic Rewards - Protocol Enforced Decentralization?

**URL:** <https://forum.cosmos.network/t/logarithmic-rewards-protocol-enforced-decentralization/11549>\
**Category:** Hub Relations\
**Created:** [September 21, 2023, 3:42am UTC](https://forum.cosmos.network/t/logarithmic-rewards-protocol-enforced-decentralization/11549 "2023-09-21T03:42:50Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![The5thForce](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forum.cosmos.network/the5thforce/32/5667_2.png) [@The5thForce](https://forum.cosmos.network/u/The5thForce)\
**Post date:** [September 21, 2023, 3:42am UTC](https://forum.cosmos.network/t/logarithmic-rewards-protocol-enforced-decentralization/11549/1 "2023-09-21T03:42:50Z")

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There has been a long-standing concern with Cosmos blockchains which is that over time, the stake power tends to become centralized across a few of the top validators. There seems to be research which indicates that this is a likely outcome of proof of stake systems more generally.

In this short paper, I propose that these centralisation effects could be offset by a change to the reward mechanism. My method was essentially:

1. Write a very simple python state-evolution simulator
2. analyze a few different mathematical models for reward distributions
3. See which ones seemed to benefit the gradual decentralization of the stake

TLDR: A logarithmic reward distribution seems like a promising way to have a protocol-enforced mechanism for continuous pressure towards flatter, more decentralized stake distributions, even if user behaviour tends toward a centralized power-law stake distribution.

There are MANY issues with my original simulator. I put it together before I started full-time work with Notional and it lacks a lot in the way of nuance. BUT I felt it was important to approach this idea with evidence. It seems I cannot share links in these posts, but I will gladly share the full paper with anyone that is interested.

My first instinct is that this is the kind of research that the Interchain Foundation could be funding - how to make Cosmos blockchains more robust over time. But I welcome all thoughts and feedback on where (if anywhere) this research should go next.

Thanks for reading. \<3  
~Robin Tunley (Notional Labs)

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**Author:** ![jBQ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/46a35a/32.png) [@jBQ](https://forum.cosmos.network/u/jBQ)\
**Post date:** [September 21, 2023, 10:54am UTC](https://forum.cosmos.network/t/logarithmic-rewards-protocol-enforced-decentralization/11549/2 "2023-09-21T10:54:04Z")

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> [@The5thForce](#):
>
> Robin Tunley

hey, I am interested on your paper.

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**Author:** ![The5thForce](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forum.cosmos.network/the5thforce/32/5667_2.png) [@The5thForce](https://forum.cosmos.network/u/The5thForce)\
**Post date:** [September 22, 2023, 2:57am UTC](https://forum.cosmos.network/t/logarithmic-rewards-protocol-enforced-decentralization/11549/3 "2023-09-22T02:57:09Z")

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Cool! Apologies but I cannot post links in this forum at the moment. Can you send me a twitter account that I can DM?

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**Author:** ![Govmos](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forum.cosmos.network/govmos/32/5806_2.png) [@Govmos](https://forum.cosmos.network/u/Govmos)\
**Post date:** [November 25, 2023, 4:37pm UTC](https://forum.cosmos.network/t/logarithmic-rewards-protocol-enforced-decentralization/11549/4 "2023-11-25T16:37:45Z")

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nforcing this is challenging due to the pseudonymous nature of blockchain accounts. The discussion on this matter can only commence once a Decentralized Identity (DID) protocol with adequate capabilities emerges, preventing sybil accounts from circumventing the issue by splitting into multiple smaller accounts.

Nevertheless, should such a protocol emerge, further in-depth examination of the proposed system would be warranted.