LP-10009: Learning Path - Researcher

Abstract

"What's next?"

This path provides clean separation of theory vs production for academic exploration.

Motivation

Advancing the field requires deep understanding of current limitations and open problems. This path prepares researchers to contribute novel solutions.

Audience

Academics, PhD researchers, frontier protocol teams, R&D labs.

Prerequisites

Complete any production path first, then jump to research (+10000 offset).

Outcome

After completing this path, you will:

Understand research vs production boundaries
Navigate the +10000 research taxonomy
Identify open problems
Contribute to frontier research

Research Taxonomy

The +10000 Rule

Every research area mirrors its production counterpart:

Production	Research	Domain
0xxx	10xxx	Core/Meta
1xxx	11xxx	Platform/PXQ
2xxx	12xxx	Cryptography
3xxx	13xxx	Web3/DeFi
4xxx	14xxx	AI/Compute
5xxx	15xxx	(Reserved)
6xxx	16xxx	Bridges
7xxx	17xxx	MPC/Threshold
8xxx	18xxx	ZK/FHE
9xxx	19xxx	Trading/HFT

Research Entry Points

From Developer Path → DeFi Research

Order	LP	Title	Focus
1	LP-10095	Stablecoin Mechanisms	Algorithmic stability
2	LP-13xxx	AMM Research	Optimal bonding curves
3	LP-13xxx	Lending Research	Risk models

From Security Path → Crypto Research

Order	LP	Title	Focus
1	LP-10097	Data Availability	Sampling proofs
2	LP-12xxx	PQC Research	Lattice optimization
3	LP-12xxx	Signature Research	Aggregation schemes

From MPC Path → Threshold Research

Order	LP	Title	Focus
1	LP-17xxx	DKG Research	Asynchronous protocols
2	LP-17xxx	Resharing Research	Dynamic thresholds
3	LP-17xxx	PQ-MPC Research	Lattice-based TSS

From Privacy Path → ZK Research

Order	LP	Title	Focus
1	LP-18xxx	SNARK Research	Recursive proofs
2	LP-18xxx	STARK Research	Transparent setup
3	LP-18xxx	FHE Research	Bootstrapping efficiency

From Trading Path → Market Research

Order	LP	Title	Focus
1	LP-10096	MEV Research	Fair ordering
2	LP-19xxx	Microstructure Research	Optimal execution
3	LP-19xxx	Oracle Research	Price aggregation

Existing Research LPs

LP	Title	Domain
LP-10090	Research Index	Meta
LP-10091	Payment Processing	Core
LP-10092	Cross-Chain Messaging	Bridges
LP-10093	Decentralized Identity	Core
LP-10094	Governance Framework	Core
LP-10095	Stablecoin Mechanisms	DeFi
LP-10096	MEV Protection	Trading
LP-10097	Data Availability	Core

Contributing Research

To add a research LP:

Identify production LP it relates to
Add 10000 to get research LP number
Use status: Draft or status: Draft
Reference production LPs in motivation

Open Problems

Cryptography (12xxx)

Efficient lattice-based threshold signatures
Hybrid classical-quantum key exchange
Post-quantum aggregatable signatures

DeFi (13xxx)

MEV-resistant AMM designs
Capital-efficient lending protocols
Cross-chain composability models

MPC (17xxx)

Asynchronous DKG with optimal rounds
Proactive resharing under malicious adversaries
MPC with post-quantum security

ZK (18xxx)

Practical FHE for smart contracts
Recursive SNARK optimization
Hardware-accelerated proof generation

Trading (19xxx)

Provably fair ordering protocols
Optimal market making strategies
Oracle manipulation resistance

Security Considerations

None — this is a meta/organizational proposal.

Learning Path - Researcher