# Introduction

# What is Rebus?

Rebus is a platform built to host blockchain applications (EVM) and native Vaults usable across multiple sovereign networks.

# Why Rebus?

Rebus is a sovereign public blockchain in the Cosmos ecosystem, aiming to provide an environment for the deployment of interoperable smart contracts. The network serves as a decentralized, permissionless & censorship resistant avenue for developers to efficiently and securely launch smart contracts using standard framworks.

# Inter Blockchain Communication (IBC) and Interchain Account (ICA)

At the heart of the Cosmos ecosystem is the Inter Blockchain Communication Protocol (IBC) and then the Interchain Account (ICA), which sets the table for an interoperable base layer 0 to now be used to transfer data packets across thousands of independent networks supporting IBC/ICA. This enables Rebus smart contracts and Rebus Vaults to interoperate with all IBC enabled networks.

# Cosmos SDK

The Rebus blockchain is built using the Cosmos SDK framework. A generalized framework that simplifies the process of building secure blockchain applications on top of Tendermint BFT. It is based on two major principles: Modularity & capabilities-based security.

# Tendermint

Agreement on the network is reached via Tendermint BFT consensus.

Tendermint BFT is a solution that packages the networking and consensus layers of a blockchain into a generic engine, allowing developers to focus on application development as opposed to the complex underlying protocol. As a result, Tendermint saves hundreds of hours of development time.

# EVM

Rebus is built on top of Ethermint and bring with it the EVM/Ethereum compatibility.