What began as an AI company trying to seek solutions in order to pay remote (unbanked) workers, Near AI became, in 2018, Near Protocol. Its sharded design was inspired by modern database architecture and large language model (LLM) training. Near Protocol aimed to solve the scalability trilemma, through a modular approach, combining data availability sharding with stateless validation. By abstracting away archaic blockchain standards, Near basically enabled decentralised full stack development and, in terms of UX, a distributed custodial solution via chain abstraction and account aggregation.

We were joined by Illia Poloshukhin, co-founder of Near Protocol, to discuss Near’s journey, from AI company to high-throughput L1 blockchain, and how LLM training influenced the modular design choice.

Topics discussed in this episode:
- Illia’s background in AI & ML
- Scaling large language models (LLMs) and the role of attention
- Stochastic Parrot vs. Understanding spectrum
- From Near AI to Near Protocol and the role of LLMs
- How Near abstracted the blockchain away and enabled decentralised full stack development
- Defining ecosystem standards to improve UX
- Chain abstraction, account aggregation and interoperability
- Chain threshold signature
- Near’s intent layer
- Near’s modularity, Nightshade sharding & stateless validation
- EigenLayer integration

Links mentioned in this episode: 
- Illia Poloshukhin on Twitter: https://bit.ly/3S7lz2P
- Near Protocol on Twitter: https://bit.ly/3tFpYAR

Sponsors: 
- Gnosis: Gnosis builds decentralized infrastructure for the Ethereum ecosystem, since 2015. This year marks the launch of Gnosis Pay— the world's first Decentralized Payment Network. Get started today at gnosis.io - 
- Chorus1: Chorus One is one of the largest node operators worldwide, supporting more than 100,000 delegators, across 45 networks. The recently launched OPUS allows staking up to 8,000 ETH in a single transaction. Enjoy the highest yields and institutional grade security at chorus.one -

This episode is hosted by Felix Lutsch & Meher Roy. Show notes and listening options: https://epicenter.tv/529

Epicenter - Learn about Crypto, Blockchain, Ethereum, Bitcoin and Distributed Technologies

#529 Illia Poloshukhin: Near Protocol – From AI to High-Throughput Blockchain

An hour guest mix of fresh drum and bass mixed by Asha FM and Laylow resident, Stateless.

@stateless0
www.instagram.com/statesdnb/

Listen live: www.threadsradio.com
For more shows: @threadsradio

Stateless Threads 27-03-24

The initial scaling roadmap for Ethereum featured execution layer sharding. However, the rapid advancements of layer 2 scaling solutions in general, and zero knowledge proofs in particular, caused a restructuring of the original plan. The reason was that rollups would have required less changes made to Ethereum’s base layer, hence lower risks. On the other hand, Near Protocol was designed from the ground up as a sharded system, capable of withstanding billions of transactions simultaneously, without sacrificing decentralisation or security.

Topics discussed in this episode:
- Illia’s & Alex’s backgrounds
- Sharding and blockchain scalability
- Challenges of building a sharded blockchain
- Near namespace
- Shard security & validator sampling
- Stateless validation and data availability
- State witnesses and chunk producers
- Block production
- Shards vs. Rollups
- How Near could further improve
- Leaderless chunk production
- Chain abstraction

Links mentioned in this episode: 
- Illia Polosukhin on Twitter: https://bit.ly/3S7lz2P
- Alex Skidanov on Twitter: https://bit.ly/3wsIcXt
- Near on Twitter: https://bit.ly/3tFpYAR

Sponsors: 
- Gnosis: Gnosis builds decentralized infrastructure for the Ethereum ecosystem, since 2015. This year marks the launch of Gnosis Pay— the world's first Decentralized Payment Network. Get started today at gnosis.io - 
- Chorus1: Chorus One is one of the largest node operators worldwide, supporting more than 100,000 delegators, across 45 networks. The recently launched OPUS allows staking up to 8,000 ETH in a single transaction. Enjoy the highest yields and institutional grade security at chorus.one -

This episode is hosted by Meher Roy. Show notes and listening options: https://epicenter.tv/546

#546 Alex Skidanov & Illia Polosukhin: Near Protocol – Blockchains Cannot Scale Without Sharding!

Live at Love Shack 01.02.25 with Witchwood Audio, with DRNO1 and SNAGGA1 tearing it up on MC duties. Don't watch the feedback.

Live at Love Shack

Welcome to the episode 62 of ZZGO Radio!

I don't know about you, but February was super busy for me.  At the start of the month I helped run Tree Burn, a fundraiser for my Burning Man camp Cosmic Creatures.  I managed two sound systems, DJed a bit, ran the lasers, and had a lot of fun overall despite the hard work.

In other news, I'm getting back to work on my Cosmic Zome project, getting an upgraded version ready for Burning Flipside here in Central Texas at the end of April.  The Cosmic Zome is my 20 foot or 6m wide dome that I designed and built along with some friends and projection mapped the inside.  It came out super well last year, but I have a brand new set of projectors so I'm working on getting those integrated.  Tons of work to do, but it's a lot of fun.  You can check out my Instagram if you want to see pictures.

Check out the description for the track listing more details on the mix.  Thanks for listening and I'll see you again next month.  Take care!

Track IDs:
Hicky & Kalo - Gateway (Mihai Popoviciu Remix) [Warung Recordings]
GMJ, Matter - Conduits (Extended Mix) [Meanwhile]
Zankee Gulati - Magnetic Island (Original Mix) [Meanwhile]
Ezequiel Arias - Arcoiris (Extended Mix) [Odd One Out]
Lost Desert - When Sun Rises (Volen Sentir Extended Remix) [All Day I Dream ]
Poli-Poli - LD in Your Face (Original Mix) [Voodoo & Prayers]
Secretly Famous - Yeon (Mind of Us Remix) [Sound Avenue]
Murguía - Look For The Signals (Balcazar Remix) [MNL]
Stateless - Bloodstream (Alto Astral Unofficial Remix) [SoundCloud]
Moodfreak, Campaner (BR) - Borderline (Original Mix) [YOMO Records]
Allan McLoud - Connecting Dots (Leah Marie Remix) [YOMO Records]
Jerome Isma-Ae, JES - Come Alive (Extended Mix) [JEE Productions]
Estiva - Rays (Extended Mix) [Anjunabeats]

ZZGO Radio Episode 62 - Progressive & Melodic House Mix February 2025

Mix platform, heavyweight soundsystem and creative collective.

~ Stardust on My Shoes ~

DJ, Producer, and Visual Artist in Austin, Texas, USA.  Progressive house, melodic house, deep house, trance, techno, and more.

* Founder & resident DJ at Flow ATX
* Former resident DJ at Maeve in San Antonio, Texas and Coconut Club in Austin, Texas
* Sound and stage lead for the Burning Man camp Cosmic Creatures.

I design and build custom LED and projection mapped art, including a 20 foot (6m) projection mapped dome, two 8 foot (2.5 m) tall glowing towers, mirror cubes, etc. If you're into that sort of thing, check out my Instagram.

I post a monthly mix show on SoundCloud that focuses on melodic and progressive house. ZZGO Radio celebrated its five year anniversary in September 2024!

Epicenter is a podcast about the technologies, projects & people driving decentralization and the global blockchain revolution.

Epicenter is hosted by Brian Fabian Crain, Sebastien Couture and Meher Roy. Every week, we find the most interesting people in the industry for in-depth discussions about their projects, ideas and stories.

📡 www.laylowlondon.co.uk - Live Weds 6-8PM
📷 instagram.com/statesdnb/
🔈    www.asha.fm

New tracks tagged #stateless