In this conversation with Andrew Huang, founder of Conduit, learn about the revolutionary rollup as a service that simplifies deploying custom rollups. He discusses the ins-and-outs of one-click Layer 2 and Layer 3 deployments, costs of running Superchain rollups, and data availability options like L1 and Celestia. Andrew shares his journey from backend engineer to leading a complex service, revealing critical insights into the evolving blockchain landscape and the importance of infrastructure and crypto economics.
Conduit's roll-up as a service simplifies L2 and L3 deployment, enabling developers to launch custom roll-ups with just a few clicks.
Andrew Huang's transition from backend engineering to founding Conduit highlights the importance of unique engineering strategies in the crypto landscape.
Understanding the costs associated with L1, L2, and L3 roll-ups helps developers make informed decisions for cost-efficient blockchain solutions.
Deep dives
Conduit: Simplifying Roll-Up Deployments
Conduit offers a unique 'roll-up as a service' that allows users to deploy their own roll-ups with minimal effort, only requiring a few clicks. By streamlining the deployment process, Conduit enables developers to bypass complex setups traditionally associated with launching Layer 2 (L2) and Layer 3 (L3) networks. The service not only provides the infrastructure needed for custom roll-ups, including dedicated block space, robust remote procedure calls (RPCs), and block explorers, but also supports various data availability options like Celestia and AnyTrust. This accessibility is expected to encourage more projects to operate on their own roll-ups, as it reduces the barriers to entry that previously hindered new developments in the blockchain ecosystem.
Andrew Huang's Background and Insights
Andrew Huang, the founder of Conduit, shared his journey from backend engineering roles at companies like Twitter and Pinterest to building a complex service like Conduit. His diverse experience has equipped him with the knowledge to navigate the unique challenges within the crypto space, where trustless systems require different engineering strategies compared to traditional infrastructure. Huang emphasized the need for developers to understand the dynamics of building on decentralized networks, describing the transition from managing trust in traditional systems to verifying every transaction within the blockchain. He also highlights how the rapid evolution of technologies in Web3 presents significant opportunities and challenges for new and existing developers in the field.
Cost Considerations for Roll-Up Deployments
Deploying a roll-up incurs various costs, which can differ based on the chosen infrastructure for Layer 1 (L1), Layer 2 (L2), or Layer 3 (L3). The podcast discusses the fixed costs involved in running roll-ups and how these can be more manageable on L2 compared to L1, particularly with options like Celestia and AnyTrust for data availability. The transmission of transaction fees from roll-ups back to their developers presents a significant financial incentive, giving teams the ability to recoup costs proportionately as their user activity increases. Huang mentioned that overall, the cost efficiencies and structure of using L3 for certain applications may make this option more attractive for developers, notably for those concerned about long-term expenses.
Advancements in Roll-Up Functionality
Conduit aims to offer advanced features like self-serve mainnet and simplified layer 3 roll-up deployments to streamline user experiences. Huang elaborated on how self-serve deployments allow developers to bypass lengthy sales processes, enabling quicker access to necessary tools and infrastructure. This flexibility is crucial for teams eager to launch their applications and respond to dynamic market conditions swiftly. The ongoing improvements in user experience and operational efficiency within the crypto ecosystem through platforms like Conduit signify a turning point, facilitating a broader adoption of custom roll-ups.
The Future of Custom Roll-Ups and Application Development
The podcast underscored the burgeoning potential of custom roll-ups, signaling a shift towards making them the default for application developers in the Web3 landscape. Huang noted that launching a custom roll-up early in development can offer inherent advantages, allowing for tailored experiences and cost efficiencies as applications grow. This proactive approach reduces the complexities of migrating from a shared environment to a custom solution, which can pose significant challenges later. Moreover, as the technology matures, instant access to bespoke roll-up solutions is likely to transform how developers conceptualize applications, pushing the limits of what's achievable on decentralized networks.
Conduit is a rollup as a service provider, which lets anyone deploy their own rollup in only a few clicks. Conduit operates Zora, Aevo, Mode, Frame, Public Goods Network, and several other rollups, and each of these ships with a suite of helpful infrastructure like robust RPCs, block explorers.
On this episode, Andrew and I discuss the ins-and-outs of 1-click L2 and L3 rollups deployments, the costs of running a Superchain rollup, and the different data availability options available today, including L1, Celestia, and AnyTrust. Andrew also shares how he gained the experience required to run a complex service like Conduit.
It was great getting a chance to learn from Andrew. I hope you enjoy the show.
This episode is sponsored by Daimo. Daimo is building a stablecoin personal bank. Their small team is shipping quickly and is looking to make their first engineering hire. Daimo prides itself on self-custody and free and open source software. Their mission is to deliver liberatory cryptography to a global audience. If you're passionate about real-world ethereum, reach out to founders@daimo.com. And if you'd like to know more about the founders DC and Nalin, you can search DAIMO on web3galaxybrain.com and listen back to the fascinating episode we recorded together a few months ago. My thanks to Daimo for sponsoring this episode. Email founders@daimo.com if you're an engineer interested in joining the team.
As always, this show is provided as entertainment and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice or any form of endorsement or suggestion. Crypto has risks and you alone are responsible for doing your research and making your own decisions.