What is Ika (IKA)

IKA: The Zero-Trust MPC Network Revolutionizing Cross-Chain Interoperability

IKA represents a paradigm shift in blockchain infrastructure by offering the first sub-second latency parallel Multiparty Computation (MPC) network capable of native cross-chain asset control. By eliminating traditional bridging solutions and wrapped tokens, IKA enables Sui-based smart contracts to securely manage native assets across major blockchains while maintaining cryptographic security guarantees. This article explores the project’s technical foundations, strategic partnerships, token economics, and significant developmental milestones, positing IKA as a key player in the advancing realm of multi-chain decentralized finance (DeFi) and decentralized custody.

Core Components of the IKA Protocol

1. Technical Architecture: Decentralized Key Management

IKA’s innovation primarily revolves around dWallets—decentralized, programmable signing mechanisms that act as “universal keys” for cross-chain interactions. These dWallets divide private keys into multiple cryptographic shares that are stored across a highly decentralized network, effectively eliminating single-point failures and facilitating collaborative transaction signing between users and validators. Unlike traditional MPC systems, IKA’s 2PC-MPC protocol breaks the common security-efficiency trade-off, achieving sub-second latency and scaling to 10,000 transactions per second, all while maintaining cryptographic non-collusion guarantees.

The protocol integrates seamlessly with Sui’s Mysticeti consensus and Move programming language, leveraging Sui’s parallel processing capabilities to achieve institutional-grade throughput. This architecture enables several critical features:

• Native Asset Control: Direct management of Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and other assets using Sui smart contracts.
• Programmable Security: Enforceable spending limits and recovery mechanisms defined through Sui logic.
• Institutional-Grade Custody: Secure multi-party key management tailored for high-value assets and protocols.

2. The 2PC-MPC Protocol

IKA’s cryptographic breakthrough comes from combining two-party ECDSA signatures with a network of validators acting as a second party. This unique design ensures the following benefits:

• Sub-Second Latency: Supports real-time cross-chain applications such as atomic swaps and enhanced security for AI agents.
• Linear Scalability: Efficiency remains intact as additional validator nodes are integrated into the system.
• Amortized Computation: Constant computational costs irrespective of network size enhance operational efficiency.
• Threshold Security: User engagement is mandated for all operations, establishing robust user involvement in protocol activities.

These features underscore a zero-trust architecture that incorporates cryptographic safeguards at every operational stage, removing the dependency on centralized oracles and traditional bridging protocols.

Project Vision and Strategic Impact

Founding Team and Vision

IKA was established in 2022 by Omer Sadika (CEO), David Lachmish (Product Lead), and Yehonatan Cohen Scaly (CTO). Their collective expertise spans advanced cryptography, distributed systems, and internet technology. Initially named dWallet Network, the project rebranded to IKA in 2024 to better represent its broadened focus beyond wallet infrastructure.

The vision of the founding team revolves around creating a universal access control layer for Web3. This ambitious objective seeks to empower assets and protocols to operate securely across various blockchains without sacrificing decentralization. This mission aligns with Sui’s dedication to high-throughput and developer-friendly infrastructure, placing IKA as an essential component of the Sui ecosystem.

Investment and Strategic Partnerships

Funding Timeline

Nurtured through phases of strategic investment, IKA has successfully garnered substantial support over time:

| Date | Round | Amount | Investors |
|—————-|——————|——————|———————————–|
| August 2022 | Seed | $5M | Node Capital, Lemniscap, Collider Ventures |
| May 2023 | Series A | $7.5M | Blockchange Ventures, FalconX, SolrDAO |
| April 2025 | Strategic | Undisclosed | Sui Foundation |
| Total | – | $21M+ | Various institutional investors |

The investment backing from the Sui Foundation in April 2025 represented a turning point, catalyzing IKA's launch of its parallel MPC network on Sui. This partnership positions IKA as foundational infrastructure for Sui's multi-chain ambitions.

Tokenomics: The IKA Utility Token

The native IKA token serves as the protocol’s principal utility, with an established total supply of 10 billion tokens. Key functionalities include:

1. Network Security: Validators stake IKA tokens to engage in the consensus mechanism, generating rewards for their participation.
2. Transaction Fees: Tokens must be used for dWallet creation, signature requests, and key resharing operations.
3. Governance: Token holders are endowed with voting rights regarding protocol upgrades and economic parameters.
4. Community Initiatives: Over 50% of tokens are allocated to community initiatives, including a significant planned airdrop at the mainnet launch.

This tokenomics model ensures sustainable network operations while incentivizing decentralized stakeholder engagement.

Technical Innovation: dWallets and 2PC-MPC

Decentralized Wallets (dWallets)

The dWallets are pivotal to IKA’s architecture, functioning as programmable smart contracts that govern key shares across IKA's validator network. Without traditional MPC wallet restrictions, dWallets empower the following capabilities:

• Cross-Chain Native Control: Users can directly manage BTC and ETH assets within Sui contracts.
• Smart Contract Logic: DWallets allow for the enforcement of spending limits, recovery mechanisms, and multi-signature requirements.
• Modular Components: These wallets can be transferred or integrated into DeFi protocols, providing additional adaptability.

This design allows developers to craft Wallet-as-a-Protocol (WaP) solutions, embedding wallet functionalities within application logic rather than maintaining them as standalone tools.

Performance and Scalability

IKA’s architecture achieves remarkable efficiency, evidenced by:

• 10,000 Transactions Per Second (TPS): This is attainable as the network scales with additional validator nodes.
• Sub-Second Latency: Promotes real-time applications, enhancing institutional-grade security and utility.
• Massive Decentralization: Security measures remain intact, even as the system accommodates hundreds of validator nodes.

Developmental Timeline

The journey of IKA can be encapsulated in several notable milestones:

| Date | Event | Impact |
|—————-|—————————————-|———————————————|
| 2022 | Project founded as dWallet Network | Initial focus on modular signature networks |
| 2023 | Series A funding secured ($7.5M) | Expanded research and development into cross-chain interoperability |
| 2024 | Project rebranded to IKA | Enhanced focus on integration within Sui’s ecosystem |
| April 2025 | Strategic investment from Sui Foundation | Enabled the development of the parallel MPC network |
| July 2025 | Mainnet Launch | Realized comprehensive functionality of dWallets and 2PC-MPC capabilities |

The mainnet launch on July 29, 2025, signified the culmination of these milestones, showcasing IKA's innovative approach in utilizing dWallets and 2PC-MPC for secure cross-chain interactions.

Strategic Partnerships and Ecosystem Growth

The mainnet launch has attracted various applications ready to leverage IKA's robust infrastructure across multiple domains. Key use cases include:

1. DeFi Innovations:

2. Institutional-Grade Lending: Projects such as Rhei Finance focus on multi-chain lending and borrowing systems.

3. Cross-Chain Automated Market Makers (AMMs): Implement solutions for native asset liquidity.

4. Custody Solutions:

5. AI-Driven Custody: Applications like Aeon ensure secure decentralized custody with programmable access controls.

6. Digital Asset Management: Effective legacy management solutions with enhanced security.

7. Institutional Applications:

8. Bitcoin-Backed Stablecoins: Projects like Nativerse eliminate synthetic token wrapping, maintaining native asset advantages.

These case studies highlight IKA’s integral role in establishing secure, reliable cross-chain interactions within the newest facets of the Sui ecosystem.

Conclusion: The Future of Cross-Chain Interoperability

IKA represents a critical advancement in blockchain infrastructure, addressing the longstanding trade-off between security, decentralization, and performance. By evolving beyond traditional wrapped tokens and centralized bridges, IKA unlocks unprecedented opportunities for:

• Institutional Adoption: Promoting secure asset management and multi-chain governance accessible to organizations.
• AI and Machine Learning Integration: Enhancing the security framework around AI by enforcing multiparty computational boundaries.
• Web3 Evolution: Facilitating complex protocols that engage multiple blockchains in an efficient and secure manner.

As IKA's ecosystem continues to mature, its community-oriented governance and developer-centric tools are likely to solidify its status as a foundational layer in the web3 landscape, proving to be pivotal in the ongoing evolution of decentralized finance and multi-chain interactions. With its mainnet now fully operational, IKA stands at the forefront of redefining how assets and applications interconnect across the blockchain spectrum.