Introduction
In this video, we will summarize the interview titled “cLabs Pirate Radio - Cross Chain League of Bridges Series: Interview with Anna Rose and Skale.” The interview features Anna Rose, the co-host of the podcast Zero Knowledge, and Constantine from Skale. They discuss Skale’s role and their journey from big data and AI to the world of crypto. Skale’s mission is to scale Ethereum and provide an Ethereum-compatible blockchain solution. They believe that the long-term viability of the blockchain industry lies in the growth of the Ethereum ecosystem.
Background and Shift to Crypto
- Constantine introduces himself as the co-founder and CTO of Skale, a tech-focused individual, while his friend is the CEO, handling the business aspects.
- They started Skale about four years ago after their big data and AI startup faced challenges.
- In 2017, when Ethereum gained popularity, they received advice from their venture capitalists (VCs) to pivot into crypto instead of shutting down the startup.
- Constantine attended Defcon in Cancun, where he realized the potential of the crypto industry and the importance of timing for a startup.
Skale’s Journey and Ethereum Compatibility
- Skale initially received seed funding from prominent VCs, Floodgate Capital and Founders Fund’s FF Science.
- They started with a big data platform and later pivoted to focus on scaling Ethereum due to the scalability problem faced by the blockchain.
- Skale’s vision is to be Ethereum-compatible, as they believe that Ethereum’s ecosystem, including the mainnet and zero ecosystem, will continue to grow in the long term.
- They acknowledge the existence of other blockchains but believe that Ethereum’s compatibility will play a crucial role in the industry’s evolution.
Skale’s Solution and Framework
- Skale aims to provide a secure and scalable solution for Ethereum-compatible blockchains.
- They have developed a framework by collecting cryptographic algorithms from academia and implementing them in their network.
- Skale’s solution is not limited to a single side chain but rather a collection of compatible blockchains.
- They emphasize that Ethereum’s smart contracts play a role in managing their network and deploying new blockchains.
Ensuring Security and Validators
- Skale takes a different approach to security by relying on multiple validators and a threshold signature mechanism.
- They emphasize the importance of having secure validators in the network to prevent malicious activity.
- Skale’s network can scale to include a million computers in the future, and anyone can become a validator by contributing their computers.
Interaction with Ethereum and Cross-Chain Future
- Skale bridges the gap between their blockchain and Ethereum by using threshold cryptography and collective signing of messages.
- They highlight that sending tokens is possible once the message transmission is established.
- Skale envisions a cross-chain future where decentralized platforms like Uber and Amazon can exist.
- They believe that blockchain technology extends beyond finance and has the potential for a much broader and exciting future.
Conclusion
Skale’s interview with Anna Rose sheds light on their journey from a failing big data and AI startup to becoming a player in the blockchain industry. They emphasize the importance of Ethereum compatibility and their aim to provide scalable solutions for Ethereum-compatible blockchains. Skale’s focus on security, multiple validators, and threshold signatures sets them apart in the industry. They envision a decentralized future where blockchain technology revolutionizes various sectors beyond finance.