Ethos is an emerging Layer 1 blockchain designed to enhance the security infrastructure of other...
Get inspired by the talent and passion that drives Validation Cloud forward. Meet Dan, our skilled Principal Product Engineer based in Brooklyn, NY.
Dan was instrumental in Validation Cloud’s recent SOC 2 compliance achievement. Learn more about Validation Cloud’s compliance here.
Q: What inspired you to join the Validation Cloud team and how do you see your role contributing to the mission of the company?
A: I’ve been with the team behind Validation Cloud since 2020. I was inspired to join because of Validation’s unique vantage point within the crypto ecosystem. I got the impression the team (much smaller at the time) held a deep understanding of the industry, and I was eager to learn. I am constantly motivated by the mission to onboard the next billion users to Web3, and I am working to ensure we facilitate this in a robust and compliant manner.
Q: What is your role at Validation Cloud, and could you share some details about your previous experience and background?
A: As Principal Product Engineer, I work on a range of things from validator deployments and infrastructure management to leading our SOC 2 compliance implementation. I was introduced to Validation Cloud by a blockchain engineering-focused fellowship program in 2020, where I built a prototype for a decentralized credit protocol that incorporated KYC. Prior to this, I was developing tooling to detect crypto fraud schemes for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute which resulted in a published paper. The preceding four years, I was balancing engineering classes with a B2B social media startup.
Q: What are your thoughts on the potential impact of Web3 technology, and how do you think Validation Cloud can help organizations tap into its potential?
A: I truly believe that Web3 is an essential tool for society — among one of the most critically important tools that citizens across the globe can possess — that enables protection against authoritarianism, and ensures not just financial stability, but also democratic financial freedom for its users. The problem is that Web3 is still nascent, and not without its user experience drawbacks which hinder onboarding. Performance is a key driver for enabling that onboarding, and Validation Cloud is the most performant gateway available to users today.
Q: What do you think sets Validation Cloud apart from other Web3 infrastructure companies?
A: We possess a deeply technical understanding of not just any one blockchain — but of most structural paradigms available across the crypto ecosystem. Our experience of deploying node infrastructure across some of the most obscure, or even technically challenging networks since the dawn of PoS gives us a unique perspective when we approach new thematics and narratives. The team has been around since the early days of crypto, which has made us collectively battle-hardened. We are unphased by token prices, which allows us to dedicate more focus toward building.
Q: Which team values resonate with you the most, and why?
A: Determination is key for any successful company. It is very acceptable here to take time out of our days to dive into research, mock up prototypes, or solve nagging problems — if it means we can learn something that would benefit the rest of the team. We are not strictly boxed into roles, which allows us to take our determination towards pathways that might not have otherwise been possible.
Q: How do you plan on collaborating with other team members to deliver highly performant and customizable products in staking, node, and data-as-a-service?
A: I enjoy communicating ideas and technical needs with all our team members, from the business and marketing to the engineering and executive teams. I think it is critical to have transparent lines of communication across the entire company, especially in a remote-first environment.
Q: What do you like to do outside of work? Any hobbies or interests outside of Web3?
A: I like rock climbing, running, and playing piano.
About Validation Cloud
Validation Cloud is a Web3 data streaming and infrastructure company that connects organizations into Web3 through a fast, scalable, and intelligent platform. Headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, Validation Cloud offers highly performant and customizable products in staking, node, and data-as-a-service. Learn more at validationcloud.io| LinkedIn | X
