Interchain Queries (ICQs) let developers securely retrieve data from remote zones via specific modules and IBC.
From a high-level point of view, ICQs do the following:
- They retrieve raw data and Merkle proofs from the storage of distant blockchains
- They verify raw data using Merkle proofs
- They process raw data into a useable form for developers and smart contracts
Neutron’s implementation is unique because it uses smart contracts instead of modules to process raw data into elegant data structures. It makes Neutron’s Interchain Queries much faster and easier to update, ensuring a more comprehensive range of supported ICQs and continued compatibility with the supported zones.