Adrian Brink Unveils Anoma’s Groundbreaking Vision for Blockchain Innovation

Adrian Brink, co-founder of Anoma, recently shared the groundbreaking vision and objectives of the blockchain protocol in an interview with Block Media. Anoma is pioneering a shift from traditional chain-centric models to an app-centric approach, emphasizing "intent-based" blockchain architecture. Positioned as a "decentralized operating system" that interlinks multiple chains, Anoma promises to redefine blockchain development by removing infrastructure selection hurdles and placing user intent at the center.

“We’re offering developers a paradigm shift, akin to the Windows 95 moment for digital assets,” Brink explained, referencing an era when Windows simplified software development. He asserted that Anoma’s ultimate goal is to become the true "world computer," bridging the gap between Web2 and Web3 technologies.

Adrian Brink’s Journey to Blockchain and Bond with Korea

Adrian Brink’s blockchain journey began in 2015 when he co-authored research on censorship-resistant electronic voting using Ethereum (ETH). That experience led to his role as the third core developer for Cosmos (ATOM), where he contributed to constructing a full-stack blockchain ecosystem.

Brink’s connection to Korea dates back to 2017, during Cosmos’ inaugural event. Since then, his fondness for the country has grown, and he makes it a priority to visit annually. “The energy and engagement within Korea’s blockchain community are unmatched,” he shared.

The Birth of Anoma: Addressing Blockchain's Limitations

By 2020, Brink observed stagnation in the digital asset industry, which inspired the creation of Anoma. “The industry was simply repackaging Ethereum smart contracts into new EVM chains and labeling it innovation,” he said. Anoma was conceived to tackle three major shortcomings:

1. The absence of decentralized counterparty discovery.
2. Limited generalized intent infrastructure.
3. Constraints on combining resolution mechanisms seamlessly.

He critiqued Ethereum’s unfulfilled promise of becoming a "world computer" and presented Anoma’s vision of a decentralized operating system designed to unify Web2 and Web3, empowering users while solving liquidity and interoperability challenges across ecosystems.

The Intent-Centric Architecture: Redefining Blockchain Transactions

Anoma’s architecture transcends existing blockchain paradigms by focusing on user intent rather than mere transactions. Brink categorized blockchain evolution into three stages: Bitcoin (BTC) as the first generation, Ethereum (ETH) as the second, and the likes of Solana (SOL) or Base as iterations that tweak speed and cost without addressing fundamental infrastructure limitations.

The intent-centric model reimagines blockchain interaction. Instead of executing single-purpose transactions, users can express intents, such as "wanting to trade Bitcoin for Ethereum." Current decentralized applications (DEXs, multisig wallets, etc.) already incorporate partial aspects of this concept, but Anoma seeks to complete it. “This approach introduces a versatile system design rooted in user needs,” Brink said.

A Simplified Developer Experience: The "Windows 95 Moment"

Presently, blockchain developers must decide on infrastructure—like Solana or Ethereum—before starting. Brink likened this to needing to select a specific CPU chipset before writing a software program. This decision-making process burdens innovation and creates inefficiencies. Anoma eliminates this challenge by functioning as an OS that runs seamlessly across multiple chains.

“Developers can now write decentralized applications (dApps) once and deploy them universally on platforms supported by Anoma,” Brink explained. Future blockchain layers can integrate effortlessly, ensuring that existing applications remain operational as the ecosystem expands. Addressing liquidity fragmentation and operational complexity, Brink called this innovation the "Windows 95 moment" for blockchain development.

Solvers: Enhancing User Intent Processing with Decentralization

User intents, such as "offering Asset A for Asset B under specified conditions," require fulfillment mechanisms. This is where "solvers" play a central role. Solvers aggregate intents from multiple users, determining ideal pathways to meet them under defined constraints.

“The key principle is that solvers must strictly adhere to user-provided constraints,” Brink emphasized, underscoring the emphasis on security. To avoid centralization, Anoma incorporates "composable solving" capabilities. For instance, a solver might merge two intents (A→B and B→C) into a new intent (A→C), then transfer it to another solver for execution. This decentralized structure not only improves collaboration but also ensures solvers share transaction fees equitably.

XAN Token and Anoma’s Path to Community Governance

Central to Anoma’s ecosystem is the forthcoming XAN token. Beyond its utility functions, XAN empowers community governance by allowing holders to influence project decisions and prioritize development objectives. Brink underscored the importance of decentralized governance, emphasizing that it ensures alignment between Anoma’s growth and community consensus. Achieving robust participation forms a cornerstone of the system's evolution.

Overcoming Challenges: Bridging Web2 and Blockchain Adoption

One of the greatest hurdles Anoma faces is convincing Web2 enterprises to adopt its decentralized model. Brink cited a general reluctance from companies—like Samsung—to entrust critical processes to global decentralized infrastructures such as Ethereum's or Solana’s.

To address this, Anoma offers flexibility: enterprises can run independent, localized chains while still harnessing the interoperability benefits of decentralized systems. This "best of both worlds" model enables enterprises to maintain control while enjoying blockchain’s inherent efficiencies.

Brink also framed open-source collaboration as an essential strategic pillar. Drawing parallels with Linux’s success, he envisions Anoma gaining traction through grassroots adoption, starting with hyper-local initiatives such as neighborhood payment systems—expanding towards enterprise adoption.

A Call to Korea’s Blockchain Community

In his final remarks, Brink acknowledged Korea’s flourishing blockchain culture and encouraged deeper engagement with the technology beyond financial trading. “It’s vital to move beyond viewing blockchain as just an investment vehicle. Operate infrastructure, set up full nodes, and explore the codebase,” he urged.

Recalling Ethereum’s early meetups where blockchain enthusiasts learned through hands-on sessions, Brink emphasized that such practical experiences create a genuine connection to the technology’s foundational values. “The magic lies in understanding and building—this is where the real fun begins,” he concluded.