Modular vs. Monolithic Blockchain Approaches

In this episode of Unchained, Anatoly Yakovenko, co-founder of Solana Labs, Nick White, COO at Celestia, and Chris Burniske, partner at VC firm Placeholder discuss the differences between modular and monolithic, or integrated, blockchains, with Solana epitomizing the monolithic approach and Celestia the modular one. They all agree that both approaches have their merits and will likely coexist, but argue each lends itself to specific use cases and developer preferences.They also discuss what will drive the next crypto bull cycle, and each gives their best predictions for a specific development in the crypto industry in the next few years. 

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Pandora, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Show highlights:

• Chris’s explanation of the modular vs. monolithic approach in blockchains
• What drove Anatoly to prioritize speed in Solana's architecture and its impact on the network
• What Celestia is and how it represents the first modular blockchain network
• Whether developers and users will gravitate more towards modular or monolithic blockchains
• How Solana, as one of the fastest blockchains, is gearing up to handle massive usage and scalability
• Why Chris views Celestia as a frontrunner in the data availability sector
• How Nick perceives the philosophical similarities and executional differences between Celestia and Solana
• Whether there's potential for Solana to transition into a modular blockchain in the future
• Why Chris believes that the Solana Virtual Machine (SVM) might surpass the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) in user adoption
• What challenges Bitcoin faces in developing actual Layer 2 solutions, especially considering its "doomers storage" issue
• What could drive the next crypto bull market
• Top predictions for 2024 and beyond 
• Anatoly’s perspective on how a significant hack could pose a serious setback for the entire industry 

Thank you to our sponsors!

• Arbitrum Foundation
• Popcorn Network
• iTrustCapital

Guests:

• Anatoly Yakovenko, cofounder of Solana Labs
• Previous appearances on Unchained:
• Anatoly Yakovenko on Solana’s Astounding Recovery and Its Future Plans
• Will Solana Be the Execution Layer and Ethereum the Settlement Layer?
• Can Solana Seize Marketshare From Ethereum With Serum?
• Anatoly Yakovenko on Why Solana Is Building the SAGA
• Chris Burniske, partner at Placeholder
• Previous appearances on Unchained:
• Two VCs on Why This Is the Perfect Time to Invest in Crypto
• 2022 in Review + How Cobie and Chris Burniske Are Playing the New Year
• Cobie and Chris Burniske on How to Navigate a Crypto Bear Market
• How To Value A Crypto Asset
• Nick White, COO at Celestia Labs

Links

Modular vs. monolithic

• Alchemy: Modular vs. Monolithic Blockchains
• Visa: Monolithic vs. modular blockchain
• Chris Burniske’s tweet on modular vs monolithic

“The horrific inefficiencies of monolithic blockchains” by polynya

• Blockworks: A spicy salvo launched in the monolithic vs modular debate
• Unchained: What Is the Blockchain Trilemma?

Celestia

• Celestia’s explanation of modular blockchains
• Data availability
• Data availability sampling
• An introduction to sovereign rollups

Spot Bitcoin ETF:

• Unchained: 
• Why The Spot Bitcoin ETF Is a Big Deal
• Deciding on Bitcoin: Should New Investors Jump In Now or Wait for an ETF?

Ledger ConnectKit incident

• Unchained: Ledger Library Compromised, Causing Confusion and Panic in Crypto Community

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