Clients submit cryptographically signed transactions, which validator nodes verify and record on an append-only ledger. Transactions include a sender’s signature, a payload hash, a nonce, and a timestamp; at least three validators must confirm a transaction before it is written to the chain. The network uses distributed proof-of-stake and reports finality in under five seconds, with an approximate base fee of $0.0008 per transaction.

The protocol is intended for applications including transcript delivery, patient-authorized medical record transfers, document signing, cross-border payments, and encrypted messaging. Its verification features allow recipients to check signatures and detect changes to transferred content. For messaging, encryption happens client-side, and the network routes ciphertext rather than plaintext. sum is currently in private beta and is onboarding beta testers and validator node operators. The project also provides documentation, test-network access, and updates on protocol development and network milestones.