IC-Solana: Connecting the Internet Computer to Solana
Project highlights
IC-Solana is a solution that bridges the Internet Computer with Solana. It allows developers to build decentralized applications (dApps) on the Internet Computer with functionality comparable to traditional Solana dApps. This integration combines the capabilities of both blockchain networks, making it easier to develop cross-chain applications and expand the possibilities for decentralized solutions.
Target users
- Developers building cross-chain dApps that require access to Solana’s ecosystem.
- ICP projects that need to integrate Solana data and transactions.
- DeFi applications looking to expand interoperability between ICP and Solana.
Features
- Multi-provider RPC support: Queries multiple RPC providers.
- Quorum-based validation: Aggregates and validates responses across providers.
- Secure transactions: Submits transactions to the Solana blockchain directly from ICP via t-sigs.
- Logging and monitoring: Integrated metrics tracking and enhanced logging.
- Inspired by the EVM RPC Canister: Shares architectural elements with the EVM RPC Canister to deliver consistent developer experience.
Components
RPC Canister
The RPC Canister enables communication with the Solana blockchain, using HTTPS outcalls to transmit raw transactions and messages via on-chain APIs of Solana JSON RPC providers, for example, Helius or Quicknode.
Key functionalities include:
- Retrieving Solana-specific data, such as block details, account information, node statistics, etc.
- Managing Solana RPC providers, including registration, updates, and provider configurations.
- Calculating and managing the cost of RPC requests.
Wallet Canister
The Wallet Canister is used for managing addresses and for securely signing transactions/messages for the Solana blockchain using the threshold Schnorr API.
Key functionalities include:
- Generating a Solana public key (Ed25519) for a user on the Internet Computer (ICP).
- Signing messages using distributed keys based on the
Threshold Schnorrprotocol. - Signing and sending raw transactions to the Solana blockchain via the RPC Canister.
IC-Solana
A Rust library that provides the necessary tools for integrating Solana with ICP canisters.
Quick start
Add the following configuration to your dfx.json file (replace the ic principal with any option from the list of available canisters):
{
"canisters": {
"solana_rpc": {
"type": "custom",
"candid": "https://github.com/mfactory-lab/ic-solana/blob/main/src/ic-solana-rpc/ic-solana-rpc.did",
"wasm": "https://github.com/mfactory-lab/ic-solana/blob/main/ic-solana-rpc.wasm.gz",
"init_arg": "(record {})"
},
"solana_wallet": {
"type": "custom",
"candid": "https://github.com/mfactory-lab/ic-solana/blob/main/src/ic-solana-wallet/ic-solana-wallet.did",
"wasm": "https://github.com/mfactory-lab/ic-solana/blob/main/ic-solana-wallet.wasm.gz",
"init_arg": "(record {})"
}
}
}
Running the project locally
Requirements
Make sure you have the following installed:
- Rust
- Docker (optional for reproducible builds)
- PocketIC (optional for testing)
- DFINITY SDK
Building the code
Start a local replica listening on port 4943:
dfx start --clean --host 127.0.0.1:4943
Build and deploy canisters:
# Deploy the `solana_rpc` canister locally
dfx deploy solana_rpc --argument '(record {})'
# Deploy the `solana_wallet` canister locally
dfx deploy solana_wallet --argument "(record { sol_canister = opt principal \"`dfx canister id solana_rpc`\"; schnorr_key = null })"
All the canisters will be deployed to the local network with their fixed canister IDs.
Once the build and deployment are complete, your application will be accessible at:
http://localhost:4943?canisterId={asset_canister_id}
Replace {asset_canister_id} with the actual canister’s ID generated during deployment.
Usage examples
Use the Solana mainnet cluster:
dfx canister call solana_rpc sol_getHealth '(variant{Mainnet},null)' --wallet $(dfx identity get-wallet)
Use the Solana devnet cluster:
dfx canister call solana_rpc sol_getHealth '(variant{Devnet},null)' --wallet $(dfx identity get-wallet)
Use a single custom RPC:
dfx canister call solana_rpc sol_getHealth '(variant{Custom=vec{record{network="https://mainnet.helius-rpc.com/"}}},null)' --wallet $(dfx identity get-wallet)
Use multiple custom RPCs:
dfx canister call solana_rpc sol_getHealth '(variant{Custom=vec{record{network="mainnet"},record{network="https://mainnet.helius-rpc.com/"}}},null)' --wallet $(dfx identity get-wallet)
Use a single RPC provider (predefined providers: mainnet|m, devnet|d, testnet|t):
dfx canister call solana_rpc sol_getHealth '(variant{Provider=vec{"mainnet"}},null)' --wallet $(dfx identity get-wallet)
Documentation
- README file in the GitHub repo
[mfactory-lab/ic-solana](https://github.com/mfactory-lab/ic-solana)
Dependencies
- Rust 1.84.0 or later (stable): The project is written in Rust and is configured to use Rust version 1.84.0.
- DFINITY SDK: Required for deploying and managing canisters on the Internet Computer. It provides the dfx command-line tool used in the deployment scripts and local testing.
- Docker (optional): For reproducible builds, Docker is recommended.
- PocketIC (optional): Can be used for local testing, offering a convenient way to emulate the Internet Computer network environment.
License
This project is open source and licensed under the Apache 2.0 License.
Future plans
We are working on a series of improvements to the project:
- Implement transformation functions for each method to canonicalize the responses which allows ICP nodes to reach consensus.
- Ensure that provider costs are reflected in the HTTP outcall cycle cost calculation.
- Optimize performance and reduce cycle costs.
- Improve developer tooling and SDK support.
- Explore grant opportunities and community contributions.
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