Testworld Mission 2.0: Protocol Performance Testing Program Terms and Conditions

Program Details

Testworld Mission 2.0: Protocol Performance Testing Program (the “Program”) is here. The goal of the Program is to support stress testing Mina Protocol with community members, so that this new code can be included in Mina Protocol’s upcoming hard fork with a high level of confidence.

The Program gathers experienced node operators to provide the network backbone for the testnet. Upon signup, over 260 node operators from the Mina ecosystem will be selected and become Testers. Based on the operation role assigned, Testers will conduct required testing for the entire Duration of the incentivized testnet.

To become a Tester, a member must be eligible, complete required applications, willing and be able to pass mandatory AML/KYC onboarding checks and provide requisite documentation, and agree to the Terms and Conditions below.

Tester Roles and Responsibilities

Selected Testers will be assigned with one of the following four Node Operator roles for this protocol performance testing:

A – Block Production
B – Load Testing
C – SNARK Work
D – Archive Node 

A. Block Production Responsibilities

Each Tester assigned with Block Production role shall conduct testing according to the manners set forth below during the Duration of the Program: 

• run 2 latest Mina nodes on a cloud provider or on a hosted solution of their choice from the beginning of the Program until the end of the protocol performance testing. Latest Mina Node version will be shared on Discord before the Program starts. 
• join the P2P network using seeds for bootstrapping. 
• run the latest Mina Node version. The notification regarding the latest Mina Node version will be shared on Discord channel, before the protocol performance testing starts.
• maintain at least 72 consecutive hours of logs at any time and set storage limit to 72 hours of logs. The Block Producer will be notified about how to configure Mina nodes for logging. Instructions about how to send the logs will be shared before the start of the Program. In order to be able to debug any abnormal behavior, the Block Producer shall send these logs upon request.
• upgrade Mina Node to the requested version within 24 hours if required. 
• Ensure and maintain high uptime % during the testing period (minimum of 90% uptime is required) as monitored by the snark-work-based uptime system.
• meet minimum hardware requirements: maintain 8-core processor, 16GB RAM and 10GB storage with at least 1 Mbps connection during the Duration of the program. 
• raise any abnormal behavior during the protocol performance testing on Github, using the label ITN- track 3- protocol performance testing.
• configure the Mina Node in accordance with instructions to be shared before the protocol performance testing starts. This includes, amongst others:
  • Graphql experimental control
  • Libp2p port 
  • Prometheus port 
  • Uptime data 
  • Node status collection 
  • Tracing and monitoring service 
• Such other services as may be reasonably requested.

B. Load Testing Responsibilities

Each Tester assigned with the Load Testing role shall conduct both baseline load testing and stress testing according to the manners set forth below during the Duration of the Program: 

a. Baseline Load Testing:

• run 2 latest Mina nodes on a cloud provider or hosted solution of their choice from the beginning of the Program until the end of the protocol performance testing. Latest Mina Node version will be shared on Discord before the Program starts. 
• join the P2P network using seeds for bootstrapping. 
• run the latest Mina Node version (The notification regarding the Mina Node version will be shared before the protocol performance testing starts on Discord).
• maintain at least 72 consecutive hours of logs at any time and set storage limit to 72 hours of logs. The Block Producer will be notified about how to configure Mina nodes for logging. Instructions about how to send the logs will be shared before the start of the Program. In order to be able to debug any abnormal behavior, the Block Producer shall send these logs upon request.
• upgrade Mina Node to the requested version within 24 hours if required.
• maintain high uptime % during the testing period (minimum of 90% uptime is required) as monitored by the snark-work-based uptime tracker.
• meet minimum hardware requirements: maintain 8-core processor, 16GB RAM and 10GB storage with at least 1 Mbps connection during the Duration of the program. 
• raise any abnormal behavior during the protocol performance testing on Github, using the label ITN- track 3- protocol performance testing.
• configure the Mina Node in accordance with instructions to be shared before the protocol performance testing starts. This includes, amongst others:
  • Graphql experimental control
  • Libp2p port 
  • Prometheus port 
  • Uptime data 
  • Node status collection 
  • Tracing and monitoring service 
• Such other services as may be reasonably requested.

b. Stress Testing:

During the Duration of the Program, roughly once every 2 weeks, the network will be stress tested for 48h hours each time. Testers assigned with the Load Testing role will get notifications 72 hours in advance in the dedicated Discord channel of time, date, specification of number and types of nodes to launch. Then each Tester assigned with the Load Testing role shall sync 10 extra block producer nodes to the network that meet or exceed the minimum hardware requirements as set forth above during stress testing and shall run the extra nodes in the same way set forth in the Baseline Load Testing as set forth above. 

C. SNARK Work Responsibilities 

Each Tester assigned with the SNARK Work role conduct testing according to the manners set forth below during the Duration of the Program: 

• Run a pool of snarkworkers and 1 SNARK Coordinator on a cloud provider or hosted solution of your choice from the start until the end of the protocol performance testing. 
• run the latest Mina Node version (The notification regarding the latest Mina Node version will be shared before the testing starts on Discord).
• join the P2P network using seeds for bootstrapping.
• maintain at least 72 consecutive hours of logs at any time (set storage limit to 72 hours of logs). The Block Producer will be notified about how to configure Mina nodes for logging. Instructions about how to send the logs will be shared before the start of the Program. In order to be able to debug any abnormal behavior, the Block Producer shall send these logs upon request.
• upgrade Mina Node to the requested version within 24 hours if required.
• maintain high uptime % during the testing period (minimum of 90% uptime is required) as monitored by the snark-work-based uptime tracker.
• meet minimum hardware requirements: maintain a 16 core/32 thread dedicated instance, 16GB RAM and 10GB storage with at least 1 Mbps connection.
• raise any abnormal behavior during the protocol performance testing on Github, using the label ITN- track 3- protocol performance testing.
• configure the snarkworker(s) and Snark Coordinator in accordance with instructions to be shared before the protocol performance testing starts, which includes, amongst others:
  • Libp2p port 
  • Prometheus port 
  • Uptime data 
  • Node status collection 
  • Tracing and monitoring service 
• Such other services as may be reasonably requested. 

D. Archive Node Responsibilities

Each Tester assigned with the Archive Node role conduct testing according to the manners set forth below during the Duration of the Program: 

• run the latest Mina Node version (The notification regarding the latest Mina Node version will be shared before the testing starts on Discord channel).
• join the P2P network using seeds for bootstrapping.
• maintain at least 72 consecutive hours of logs at any time (set storage limit to 72 hours of logs) 
• upgrade Mina Node to the requested version within 24 hours if required. 
• maintain high uptime % during the testing period (minimum of 90% uptime is required) as monitored by the snark-work-based uptime tracker.
• meet minimum hardware requirements: maintain 8-core processor, 16GB RAM and 10GB storage with at least 1 Mbps connection.
• raise any abnormal behavior during the protocol performance testing on Github, using the label ITN- track 3- protocol performance testing.
• configure the Mina Node in accordance with instructions to be shared before the protocol performance testing starts, which includes, amongst others:
  • Libp2p port 
  • Prometheus port 
  • Uptime data 
  • Node status collection 
  • Tracing and monitoring service 
• Such other services as may be reasonably requested. 

Incentives and Delivery Schedule

The incentives each Tester will receive are based on the roles assigned. Please note that the incentives outlined below cover an initial period of two months of testing (“Duration”). Upon selection and completing requisite onboarding requirements, Testers will be notified of a detailed initial period for renting servers, if applicable. The Program may be paused or extended in the event that critical bugs or issues on the network are uncovered. In such an event, Testers shall pause assigned testing or be required to participate for an extended testnet duration. 

A – Block Production: 850 USDC and 1,000 MINA per Tester.
B – Load Testing: 1,200 USDC and 3,000 MINA per Tester.
C – SNARK Work: 600 USDC and 200 MINA for each snarkworker allocated. The total incentives for Testers assigned with the SNARK Work role will depend on the amount of snarkworkers each Tester is allocated with. For example, if a Tester is allocated with 3 snarkworkers and successfully conducts testing accordingly, such Tester will be eligible for receiving 1,800 USDC and 600 MINA.
D – Archive Node: 500 USDC and 1,000 MINA per Tester. 

USDC grants will be distributed to each Tester in two settlements:

First settlement: 50% of the eligible USDC grant amount will be delivered to each selected Tester at the public wallet address provided by the Tester upon Testers’ role assignment and Tester passing KYC/AML verification on one of the designated AML verification provider platforms. 

Second Settlement: For Testers assigned with Block Production or Load Testing roles, the remaining 50% of the USDC grants will be delivered to the same public wallet address upon Tester’s successful completion of the Program and providing required onboarding documents. For Testers assigned with SNARK Work or Archive Node roles, the remaining 50% of the USDC grants will be delivered to the same public wallet address after the first month of testing. 

MINA grants are subject to a one-year lockup. MINA will be distributed to each Tester at the public wallet addresses provided by Tester on the date that is one (1) year anniversary from Program Completion Date. The Program Completion Date will be communicated to Testers. 

*All Testers are required to fulfill KYC/AML requirements in order for them to participate in the Program and/or receive grants. 

Terms and Conditions

These terms and conditions (“Terms”) govern the Program and form a binding agreement between you and Mina Foundation (the “Foundation”). By applying to participate in the Program, you agree to be bound by these Terms and the Privacy Policy.

1. To become a Tester you must:
   1. be at least 18 years of age and not be prohibited from participating in the Program by any applicable law or regulation;
   2. not be a citizen or resident of any jurisdiction subject to sanctions as enforced by the Office of Foreign Assets Control, including without limitation, Crimea and Sevastopol, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Syria, and you must not be named by OFAC as a Specially Designated National or Blocked Person; 
   3. not be an employee, contractor, shareholder, investor or other related party of Foundation;
   4. not be an employee, contractor, shareholder, investor or other related party of any company, organization or entity that operates a business as a miner, staker or other validator on a public blockchain, if another Tester shares the same affiliation(s) – i.e. only one person per company can be aTester;
   5. be willing and able to pass KYC checks and other verification required under applicable law by proving your identity, or if you represent an entity, by also providing the required corporate documents and proving the identity and other status of the ultimate beneficial owner(s) of the entity. If you are unable to pass KYC/AML verification during the Duration, or determined to pose KYC concerns by any one of the designated AML verification provider platforms, you will be removed as a Tester immediately and the grants will be forfeited as a result. In such an event, you agree to return any grants you have received from the Program. 
2. To the extent that the grant of tokens under the Terms would involve an issuance of securities, the parties acknowledge that Foundation has relied on Rule 701 adopted pursuant to Section 3(b) of the Securities Act of 1933 as an offer of securities made pursuant to the terms of this written contract relating to compensation.
3. You accept and acknowledge that Foundation does not control the market price or value of the tokens and the price of the token may fluctuate at any time. You accept and acknowledge that the Token may not be listed or may be de-listed from any exchange, brokerage or trading venue, and that Foundation may not be able to prevent this from occurring.
4. You accept and acknowledge that there are risks associated with using any cryptocurrency network, including, but not limited to, the risk of unknown vulnerabilities in or unanticipated changes to the network protocol. You acknowledge and accept the risks of future changes to the open-source, public Mina blockchain (the “Blockchain”) and agree that Foundation is not responsible for such operating changes and is not liable for any loss of value you may experience as a result of such changes in operating rules. You accept and acknowledge that Foundation will not be responsible for any losses, failures, disruptions, errors, distortions or delays you may experience when using Tokens or participating in the Blockchain and activities related to the Blockchain, however caused.
5. Foundation will not be responsible or liable to you for any loss and takes no responsibility for and will not be liable to you for any reason, including but not limited to any losses, damages or claims arising from: (i) user error such as forgotten passwords, lost or missing private keys, incorrectly constructed transactions, or mistyped addresses; (ii) server failure; (iii) corrupted wallet files; (iv) unauthorized access to applications; or (v) any unauthorized third party activities, including without limitation the use of viruses, phishing, brute forcing or other means of attack.
6. Foundation makes no warranty that the Blockchain or any version or aspect of it including wallets, nodes or any other software released by Foundation, are free of viruses or errors, will be uninterrupted, or that defects will be corrected. Foundation will not be responsible or liable to you for any loss of any kind, from action taken, or taken in reliance on material, or information, contained or made available through the program.
7. All programs, applications, software, documentation and other materials related to the Blockchain are provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis without any representation or warranty, whether express, implied or statutory. to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Foundation specifically disclaims any implied warranties of title, merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and/or non-infringement. Foundation does not make any representations or warranties that access to and part of the Blockchain or any of the materials contained therein, will be continuous, uninterrupted, timely, or error-free. except for the express statements set forth in this agreement, you hereby acknowledge and agree that you have not relied upon any other statement or understanding, whether written or oral, with respect to your application to or participation in the Program.
8. You represent and warrant that you are not a “Prohibited Person”, meaning that you are not (i) a citizen or resident of a geographic area in which use of tokens is prohibited by applicable law, decree, regulation, treaty, or administrative act, (ii) a citizen or resident of, or located in, a geographic area that is subject to U.S. or other applicable comprehensive country sanctions or embargoes, or (iii) an individual, or an individual employed by or associated with an entity, identified on the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Denied Persons, Unverified, or Entity List, the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Specially Designated Nationals or Blocked Persons or Foreign Sanctions Evaders Lists, or the U.S. Department of State’s Debarred Parties List  or the sanctions lists adopted by the United Nations and the European Union to such extent such sanctions are extended by the UK Government to its Overseas Territories, as such lists may be amended from time to time; or (iv) a person who acts, directly or indirectly, for a senior foreign political figure, any member of a senior foreign political figure’s immediate family or any close associate of a senior foreign political figure. No person or entity that controls, is controlled by or under common control with, the you are a Prohibited Person.
9. You will
   1. execute and deliver to the Foundation any and all documents related to the delivery of the tokens, as are reasonably requested by the Foundation;
   2. provide to the Foundation wallet address(es) controlled by you and/or account information that you have access to which the rewards will be sent;
   3. do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as the Foundation may reasonably request to comply with then applicable laws and regulations; and
   4. complete and deliver any and all forms, documents, processes and procedures which the Foundation determines, in its reasonable discretion, are reasonably necessary for the Foundation to comply with any applicable “anti-money laundering” and “know your customer” laws.
10. It is your sole responsibility to determine whether, and to what extent, any taxes apply as a result of your participation in the Program, including as a result of acquiring or staking tokens, and to withhold, collect, report and remit the correct amounts of taxes to the appropriate tax authorities. For the avoidance of doubt, Foundation does not provide investment, tax, or legal advice. You should consult with a professional tax adviser regarding your specific situation.
11. During the term of this Agreement and thereafter You (i) will not use or permit the use of Foundation’s Confidential Information in any manner or for any purpose not expressly set forth in the Terms, (ii) will hold such Confidential Information in confidence and protect it from unauthorized use and disclosure, and (iii) will not disclose such Confidential Information to any third parties except as set forth in this section and in Section 13 below. You will protect Foundation’s Confidential Information from unauthorized use, access or disclosure in the same manner as you protect your own confidential information of a similar nature, but in no event will it exercise less than reasonable care. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary in the Terms or any other agreement between Foundation and you, nothing in the Terms shall limit your right to report possible violations of law or regulation with any federal, state, or local government agency. “Confidential Information” as used in the Terms means all information disclosed by Foundation to you, whether during or before the term of this Terms, that is not generally known in the Foundation’s trade or industry and will include, without limitation: (a) concepts and ideas relating to the development and distribution of content in any medium or to the current, future and proposed products or services of Foundation or its subsidiaries or affiliates; (b) trade secrets, drawings, inventions, know-how, software programs, and software source documents; (c) information regarding plans for research, development, new service offerings or products, marketing and selling, business plans, business forecasts, budgets and unpublished financial statements, licenses and distribution arrangements, prices and costs, suppliers and customers; (d) existence of any business discussions, negotiations or agreements between the parties; and (e) any information regarding the skills and compensation of employees, contractors or other agents of Foundation or its subsidiaries or affiliates. Confidential Information also includes proprietary or confidential information of any third party who may disclose such information to Foundation or you in the course of Foundation’s business. Confidential Information does not include information that (x) is or becomes a part of the public domain through no act or omission of yours, (y) is disclosed to you by a third party without restrictions on disclosure, or (z) was in your lawful possession without obligation of confidentiality prior to the disclosure and was not obtained by you either directly or indirectly from Foundation. In addition, this section will not be construed to prohibit disclosure of Confidential Information to the extent that such disclosure is required by law or valid order of a court or other governmental authority; provided, however, that you will first have given notice to Foundation and will have made a reasonable effort to obtain a protective order requiring that the Confidential Information so disclosed be used only for the purposes for which the order was issued. All Confidential Information furnished to you by Foundation is the sole and exclusive property of Foundation or its suppliers or customers. Upon request by Foundation, you agree to promptly deliver to Foundation the original and any copies of the Confidential Information.
12. You shall have the right to disclose Confidential Information only to those of your employees, consultants, and agents who have a need to know such information for the purpose of performing in the Program and who have entered into a binding written agreement that is expressly for the benefit of Foundation and protects Foundation’s rights and interests in and to the Confidential Information to at least the same degree as this Agreement. Foundation reserves the right to refuse or limit your use of any employee, consultant or agent or to require you to remove any employee, consultant or agent already engaged in the performance of the Services.  Foundation’s exercise of such right will in no way limit your obligations under this Agreement.
13. You will indemnify and hold harmless Foundation, its affiliates, and their respective officers, directors, employees and agents (together, the “Released Parties”), from and against any claims, disputes, demands, liabilities, damages, losses, and costs and expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable legal and accounting fees arising out of or in any way connected with your participation in the Program, including any rewards accrued thereunder.
14. NEITHER THE RELEASED PARTIES NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN THE PROGRAM WILL BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, OR DAMAGES FOR LOST PROFITS, LOST REVENUES, LOST SAVINGS, LOST BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY, LOSS OF DATA OR GOODWILL, SERVICE INTERRUPTION, COMPUTER DAMAGE OR SYSTEM FAILURE OR THE COST OF SUBSTITUTE ACTIVITIES OF ANY KIND ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THESE TERMS OR YOUR PARTICIPATION IN, OR INABILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN, THE PROGRAM, WHETHER BASED ON WARRANTY, CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), PRODUCT LIABILITY OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY, AND WHETHER OR NOT FOUNDATION OR ANY OTHER PARTY HAS BEEN INFORMED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE, EVEN IF A LIMITED REMEDY SET FORTH HEREIN IS FOUND TO HAVE FAILED OF ITS ESSENTIAL PURPOSE. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
15. THE EXCLUSIONS AND LIMITATIONS OF DAMAGES SET FORTH ABOVE ARE FUNDAMENTAL ELEMENTS OF THE BASIS OF THE BARGAIN BETWEEN FOUNDATION AND YOU.
16. These Terms and any action related thereto will be governed and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to its conflict of laws rules or principles that would cause application of the laws of any jurisdiction.
17. You and we agree that any dispute arising out of or relating to the Program or these Terms, including, without limitation, federal and state statutory claims, common law claims, and those based in contract, tort, fraud, misrepresentation, or any other legal theory, shall be resolved through binding arbitration, on an individual basis. Subject to applicable jurisdictional requirements, you may elect to pursue your claim in your local small claims court rather than through arbitration so long as your matter remains in small claims court and proceeds only on an individual (non-class and non-representative) basis. Arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the American Arbitration Association’s rules for arbitration of consumer-related disputes. This agreement to arbitrate includes, without limitation, disputes arising out of or related to the interpretation or application of the Arbitration Agreement, including the enforceability, revocability, scope, or validity of the Arbitration Agreement or any portion of the Arbitration Agreement. All such matters shall be decided by an arbitrator and not by a court or judge.
18. The place of arbitration shall be in New York State. The language of arbitration shall be English. The arbitral award shall be final and binding upon both parties. TO THE EXTENT PERMISSIBLE BY LAW, ALL CLAIMS MUST BE BROUGHT IN A PARTY’S INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS, COLLECTIVE ACTION, OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING. THE ARBITRATOR MAY NOT CONSOLIDATE MORE THAN ONE PERSON’S CLAIMS OR ENGAGE IN ANY CLASS ARBITRATION. YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT, BY AGREEING TO THESE TERMS, YOU ARE WAIVING THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY AND THE RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN A CLASS ACTION.
19. These Terms constitute the entire and exclusive understanding and agreement between Foundation and you regarding the Program, and the Terms supersede and replace any and all prior oral or written understandings or agreements between Foundation and you. To the extent of any conflict or inconsistency between these Terms and any other documents or materials provided by Foundation, these Terms prevail. If any provision of the Terms is held invalid or unenforceable by an arbitrator or a court of competent jurisdiction, that provision will be enforced to the maximum extent permissible and the other provisions of the Terms will remain in full force and effect. You may not assign or transfer the Terms, by operation of law or otherwise, without Foundation’s prior written consent. Any attempt by you to assign or transfer the Terms, without such consent, will be null and void. Foundation may freely assign or transfer these Terms without restriction. Subject to the foregoing, these Terms will bind and inure to the benefit of the parties, their successors and permitted assigns.
20. Foundation’s failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms will not be considered a waiver of such right or provision. The waiver of any such right or provision will be effective only if in writing and signed by a duly authorized representative of Foundation. Except as expressly set forth in these Terms, the exercise by either party of any of its remedies under these Terms will be without prejudice to its other remedies under these Terms or otherwise.
21. With or without prior notice and at any time, any or all parts of the Program, including its Duration, may be modified or terminated, temporarily or permanently. Any notices or other communications provided under the Terms, including those regarding modifications to the Terms, will be directly communicated to Testers through Discord and email communications.