All the key steps needed to finish the Babylon upgrade of the Radix Public Network are now complete. The Radix Babylon Mainnet Upgrade was successfully completed at 09:30 UTC Sept 28th 2023, the new iOS and Android Radix Wallets have been published, and core services such as the new Dashboard (a replacement for the Explorer) are up and running.
With the Radix Babylon Upgrade complete, the Full Stack for DeFi has come together for the first time, ushering in a new beginning for both existing users and those who were hesitant to embrace DeFi and Web3. A new ecosystem can now begin to be built - an ecosystem where builders can intuitively build and launch powerful and secure dApps and where our friends, family, and colleagues can confidently use them.
“Radix has been designed with a laser focus on the usability of crypto and Web3. The core philosophy of the platform is that until the user experience and developer experience of crypto are fixed, it will be impossible to take this technology mainstream. With hacks in DeFi topping $7Bn to date, we have to do something to change what is happening to users and developers every day. To do that, Radix has taken the radical approach of designing everything from scratch to create a tightly integrated stack that can deliver everything that is needed for consumers and businesses to use crypto confidently. We are so excited to see what the incredible Radix community is already doing with these new tools.” - Piers Ridyard, CEO, RDX Works.
What is included in the Babylon release?
The Babylon Mainnet upgrade enables powerful smart contract functionality for the Radix network, thanks to intuitive “asset-oriented” programmability with Scrypto and a new execution environment, Radix Engine v2. The upgrade also brings an end to blind signing with a new transaction model and a safer DeFi experience for users through native assets.
The Babylon Wallet marks a transformative leap in DeFi and Web3.0 user experiences. In a landscape often fraught with complexity and risk, the Baylon Wallet signifies a shift towards a more secure, accessible, and intuitive future for DeFi enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
The Babylon upgrade brings five new products for users and for developers.
Radix Mobile Wallet
The Radix Wallet is a mobile wallet for iOS and Android that provides a secure way to manage accounts and hold any kind of asset, such as tokens or NFTs, on Radix. It also provides a powerful way to log in to Web3.0 applications without a password called Personas and a radically better way to view and sign transactions with confidence, powered by the Transaction Manifest. The Radix Wallet takes advantage of several new features of the Radix Babylon network to create a more secure, user-friendly, and powerful user experience.
Radix Connector Extension
Radix Connector is a simple browser extension that sits in the background and allows users to connect their Radix Wallet to dApps on desktop browsers using a secure peer-to-peer connection using Radix Connect technology. This provides a secure and privacy-friendly way to interact with dApps via desktop while maintaining the convenience and security of the mobile wallet.
Radix Dashboard
The Radix Dashboard serves a dual purpose: Firstly, it functions as a comprehensive explorer for the Radix Network, enabling users to effortlessly search and access any information available on the ledger. This makes tracking transactions, balances, and other ledger-related activities a breeze. Secondly, for those who actively want to participate in the network's growth and security, the Dashboard offers functionalities to stake, unstake, and claim XRD from validators.
Developer Console
This tool provides functionality that will be useful for developers, such as a simple UI to deploy packages to the network. Another tool is the ability to send raw transaction manifests through the Radix Wallet during testing without having to construct a web frontend. Lastly, it provides a tool to allow developers to configure “dApp Definitions” that provide an on-ledger description of a dApp and a verified listing of all of the components, resources, and websites that are part of that dApp. Additional developer tools are planned to be added to the Developer Console in the future.
dApp Sandbox
This handy developer tool makes it easy for a developer to experiment with the kinds of requests that a dApp frontend can make to the Radix Wallet and see the results in the wallet and the format of responses. This includes requesting Persona logins, lists of accounts, and personal data.
Getting Started on Babylon
If you’re new to Radix, you can get started right away with the Radix Wallet on your iOS or Android mobile phone. A brand new wallet.radixdlt.com page will not just give you the download links but guide you through the quick installation and setup process.
Then, once you've set up your Radix Wallet for Babylon and the Radix Connect extension, you can experience the future of DeFi on Radix by trying the Gumball Club, the first dApp live on Radix!
Gumball Club lets you connect your wallet via Radix Connect, acquire Gumball Club tokens, and exchange them for Gumballs and more. This hands-on experience will help you become familiar with reviewing and approving transactions using the Radix mobile wallet. Make sure to share your experience using the new Radix Wallet and Gumball Club in the community channels!
If you’re already a Radix user and have the Radix Olympia Desktop Wallet, it’s a simple migration process to move control of your accounts to the new Radix Wallet mobile app. All of your tokens and stakes will be right where you left them.
If you get stuck at any point, you can find articles on the Radix Knowledge Base or ask for help in Telegram or Discord.
What Comes Next?
A new generation of dApps that Run on Radix will emerge in the coming weeks. These projects represent months of dedication, hard work, and passion from the ever-growing Radix developer community. Keep a close watch on your favorites, be among the first to explore them upon launch, and stay updated on new projects joining our ever-expanding ecosystem at RadixEcosystem.com.
The Radix Wallet will continue to be updated with new features, such as multifactor account control and recovery and support for dApps running on mobile. Stay tuned to our Twitter or Blog for an update in the coming weeks about what’s currently top-of-mind for the team and what you can expect to see next.
To the Radix Community
Thank you for being an integral part of this journey.
Everyone involved in the launch of Babylon would like to express their profound gratitude for the dedication and passion shown by the Radix community over many years. Without your unwavering support and enthusiasm, this significant milestone would have remained an unachievable dream. From every discussion in Discord or Telegram, posts on X (formerly Twitter), those who came to events, or the developer feedback that helped shape the network, the Radix Community has been the fuel propelling Radix forward. The successful launch of Babylon is a collective achievement and a testament to the power of this community.
Now, the next stage of the journey begins…