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SovaSovaSova docs

What is Sova

Sova is an EVM chain that runs beside Zcash. Every Sova node runs its own Zcash node, so contracts can check real ZEC payments and every node checks every mint.

SOVA, the gas coin, is minted only by burning ZEC. One Sova block follows each Zcash block.

How it works

Section titled “How it works”
  • Burn to mine. A burn is one transparent Zcash transaction that pays ZEC to a provably unspendable script and names the EVM address to credit (SIP-1). Burning is the only way SOVA is issued.
  • One Zcash block, one Sova block. Each Zcash block is an epoch, so Zcash’s proof-of-work orders Sova. Burners rank by burn weight, and the top burner seals the block (SIP-2).
  • Exact mints. Each epoch’s reward is a 10% sealer tip plus a pool split pro rata by burn weight, paid as the block’s withdrawals. SIP-3 sets the schedule: 6,250 SOVA per epoch after a 20,000-epoch slow start, halving every 1,680,000 epochs.
  • Every node checks every mint. Each node runs its own zebrad, re-derives every mint from it, and rejects blocks that disagree, including the history a new node syncs.
  • Contracts that read Zcash. The SIP-4 precompile answers questions about transparent Zcash state (is this transaction mined, how deep, what does this output pay) as of the Zcash block each Sova block commits to. Shielded data stays shielded. Read Zcash from a contract.

Where to go next

Section titled “Where to go next”