# Introduction

Tensora is an AI-focused Layer 2 (L2) built on BNB Chain using the OP Stack. It turns machine intelligence into a first-class onchain primitive by creating incentive markets—**subnets**—where model providers (miners) serve inference and data services, evaluators (validators) score quality, and rewards flow transparently in **TORA**. Tensora keeps full EVM compatibility, settles to BSC for security and finality, and uses BSC calldata for data availability.

At a glance:

* **OP Stack rollup on BNB Chain** with EVM equivalence and native bridge support
* **AI subnets** for inference, embeddings, analytics, and other intelligence tasks
* **Economic alignment** via staking, delegation, emissions, and slashing
* **BNB as native gas**, with **ERC-4337 Paymaster** so users can pay fees in **TORA**
* **Upgradeable protocol** using OpenZeppelin UUPS and timelocked governance

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#### Why Tensora <a href="#why-tensora" id="why-tensora"></a>

Most L2s only scale transactions. Tensora scales **intelligence**. By combining a performant rollup with markets for AI work, Tensora lets builders deploy applications that reason, classify, summarize, embed, and predict—without trusting a single centralized API. Quality is measured onchain through validator scoring and Yuma-style commit-reveal consensus, so rewards follow verifiable performance.

> In spirit: **Bittensor’s open intelligence economy, implemented for the EVM** and anchored to BNB Chain.

#### How Tensora works <a href="#how-tensora-works" id="how-tensora-works"></a>

* **Subnets** Independent, onchain-registered markets specialized for tasks such as LLM inference, embeddings, vision, time-series prediction, or data labeling. Each subnet defines parameters (tempo, commit/reveal windows, stake minima, fees, reward weights) governed by TORA holders.
* **Participants**
  * **Miners** serve model outputs (e.g., inference, embeddings).
  * **Validators** query miners, evaluate outputs, submit scores onchain.
  * **Delegators** stake TORA behind validators to amplify accurate scoring.
* **Consensus & rewards** Validators commit and later reveal their scores in **Yuma-style** consensus. Aggregated scores determine per-epoch emissions, split among miners, validators, and delegators. Misbehavior is penalized via slashing.
* **Gas model** The protocol executes with **BNB** as native gas (OP Stack convention on BSC). A **TORA Paymaster** lets users pay fees in TORA; the Paymaster settles BNB under the hood for seamless UX.
* **Governance & upgrades** All core contracts are **UUPS-upgradeable** behind a **Timelock + Governor**. Storage layout checks and upgrade tests are enforced in CI.

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#### High-level architecture <a href="#high-level-architecture" id="high-level-architecture"></a>

Copy

```
flowchart LR
  User -->|Tx or UserOp| Sequencer
  subgraph Tensora L2
    Sequencer --> L2Exec[(EVM)]
    L2Exec --> Subnets
    Subnets -->|scores| Consensus[Yuma Commit/Reveal]
    Paymaster --> L2Exec
  end
  Sequencer --> Batcher
  Batcher -->|calldata batches| BSC[(BNB Chain L1)]
  L2Exec <-->|bridge msgs| Bridge[L1/L2 Standard Bridge]
```

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#### Who should use Tensora <a href="#who-should-use-tensora" id="who-should-use-tensora"></a>

* **Dapp teams** that need onchain access to inference or embeddings without relying on a single vendor
* **AI providers** who want to monetize model serving in an open, verifiable market
* **DeFi/infra builders** integrating predictive or classification signals onchain
* **Researchers** testing incentive mechanisms for ML quality and robustness

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#### Key properties <a href="#key-properties" id="key-properties"></a>

* **EVM-native**: Solidity, Foundry, Hardhat, wagmi/viem, ERC-4337
* **Production-minded**: UUPS upgrades, timelock governance, storage-layout guardrails
* **Composability**: Use subnets like any onchain service, bridge assets with standard OP contracts
* **Transparency**: Emissions, scores, and rewards are onchain and auditable

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#### Quick start <a href="#quick-start" id="quick-start"></a>

1. **Connect** Add Tensora to your wallet using the RPC and chain ID above.
2. **Bridge** Wrap your underlying token to **WTORA** on BSC, then bridge WTORA to Tensora using the Standard Bridge.
3. **Build**
   * Call subnets from smart contracts or through SDKs.
   * Register a miner or validator and join a subnet.
   * Use the Paymaster to pay fees in TORA.
4. **Govern** Stake, delegate, and vote to evolve parameters, add subnets, or upgrade modules.

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#### Design notes <a href="#design-notes" id="design-notes"></a>

* **BNB remains the protocol’s native gas** for compatibility and reliability.
* **TORA is the network’s economic unit** for staking, rewards, governance, and optional gas via the Paymaster.
* **WTORA** on BSC is the canonical L1 token to ensure bridge safety even if the original token has transfer restrictions.
* **Alt-DA** paths are intentionally left open; initial DA is BSC calldata for simplicity.

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Continue to **Features** for a capability walkthrough, or jump to **Getting Started** to connect, bridge, and deploy your first contracts on Tensora.