We are thrilled to interview Sasha Ivanov, the founder of Units Network, a groundbreaking platform that’s changing how blockchains communicate and scale. Units Network is creating a truly interconnected ecosystem. Today, we’ll explore the innovations and strategic developments at Units.
Question 1: Sasha, can you tell us about the core mission of Units Network and how it meets the needs of the blockchain community today and in the future?
Sasha: The mission of Units Network is to enable a very simple and straightforward process of launching your own blockchain, properly decentralized and connected to all other blockchains within the network and beyond.
Question 2: What are some of the coolest features of Units Network that make it stand out from other platforms?
Sasha: The most salient feature of Units Network is the ability to get your own EVM chain simply by making a governance proposal in the ecosystem DAO. Once approved, your blockspace is launched within a few days. Additionally, all chains in the Units Network are connected to bridges, allowing trustless transfers between all ecosystem chains and re-staking of external ecosystem liquidity.
Question 3: How is Units Network making it easy for new users to adopt blockchain technology?
Sasha: It is important to simplify the process of obtaining your own blockspace. Public blockchains cannot accommodate all the projects in need of blockchain space; many projects can launch on their own chains connected to major public blockchains. However, the current process is very complex, and there is significant demand for simple, out-of-the-box solutions, which Units Network will provide.
Question 4: What interoperability challenges does Units Network address, and how do you solve them?
Sasha: Currently, the main scalability trend is launching Layer 2 blockchains connected to Ethereum L1. Unfortunately, the interaction between L2s and Ethereum is not truly trustless; for example, centralized bridges are typically used for liquidity transfer. Additionally, L2 chains are not interoperable amongst themselves and require external centralized bridges for interaction. To achieve full interoperability between all interacting chains and the base chain they are connected to, they must be part of one ecosystem by design, with their interaction based on the economic incentives and consensus of the base layer.
Question 5: Have there been any recent upgrades to the security features of Units Network that you’d like to share?
Sasha: The security model of the Units network is based on shared consensus guarantees. The consensus established in the base chain is “exported” to all the subchains in such a way that they become secured by the economic incentives of the base chain.
Question 6: Can you explain the economic model of Units Network and how it keeps the platform sustainable?
Sasha: Economics of Units Network is based on the Ecosystem DAO, which runs on Unit0 token (the token of the inaugural chain to be launched in September 2024). The DAO receives 10% of Unit0 supply to its treasury. Treasury funds can be used to incentivize the launches of new projects in the ecosystem. Also, the process of launching new chains is subject to DAO approval, which can be incentivized by the native tokens of new chains, and creates value for the DAO participants.
Question 7: How does Units Network handle regulatory compliance, especially with changing global laws?
Sasha: It is important to ensure that blockchain ecosystems, besides being compliant with regulation, are equipped with internal tools that prevent abuse and filter out bad actors. In the case of Units Network, this is the Ecosystem DAO, which governs the process of launching new chains and can step in in case of abuse..
Question 8: What technology stack does Units Network use, and why did you choose it?
Sasha: Units Network uses Waves blockchain as the base layer. Waves is a battle-tested layer one blockchain, launched in 2016, with a smart contract language and consensus algorithm well suited for the Units Network setup. Sidechains use the Ethereum execution client, which is probably the most well-tested piece of blockchain software.
Question 9: How do you build and maintain a strong community around the Units Network?
Sasha: Community building in Units Network will be centered around participation in the Ecosystem DAO and participating in the launches of new ecosystem chains. Holding Unit0 token can potentially lead to a diversified portfolio of other ecosystem tokens, which creates a chain of incentives, keeping users in the ecosystem and maintaining a strong community basis.
Question 10: What are your main goals when forming partnerships, and can you share some successful examples?
Sasha:
Units ecosystem will launch in about two months, so the time for partnerships is coming soon (at the same time, we’re, of course, onboarding new projects that plan to launch on Units when it’s live). Based on my previous experience with Waves, I think that the most important thing in partnerships is a clear understanding of the mutual benefits and a clear roadmap that benefits both parties.
Question 11: How does Units Network compete in the blockchain market?
Sasha: We want to become the go-to solution for quickly getting your own layer 1 blockchain. This is our USP, and we focus on it in terms of product.
Question 12: What solutions does Units Network offer for scaling blockchain applications?
Sasha: We believe that the Layer 2 narrative will lead to an “end game” for blockchain technology, completing the cycle that started with Bitcoin more than a decade ago. The most promising road to blockchain scalability now lies in creating fully interoperable sidechain ecosystems based on a robust base layer that provides consensus guarantees. Ecosystem sidechains use the economic incentives established in the base layer for consensus guarantees, are properly decentralized, and, in effect, become Layer 1 chains (not Layer 2). The base layer becomes Layer Zero, connecting all interacting chains into one coherent ecosystem.
Question 13: What future technologies are you excited about bringing into Units Network?
Sasha: In the future, we will incorporate ZK technology into Units, allowing for different interaction modes between the base and sidechain layers.
Question 14: What’s your long-term vision for Units Network over the next 5 to 10 years?
Sasha: The Units network will become a self-reliant and self-propelling ecosystem, providing the blockchain layer for various applications, from AI to real-world assets, and for all the new narratives that are about to emerge.
Question 15: Lastly, what advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs who want to get into the blockchain space?
Sasha: Try to look for new directions where blockchain can disrupt existing business models. The mass adoption of blockchain technology is exponentially increasing, and finding a new area for blockchain to disrupt can pay off many times over.
Sasha, it’s been great discussing Units Network and your visionary leadership. Your insights are invaluable, and I’m sure they’ve inspired many in our audience. For those looking to learn more about Units Network, please visit their website and follow their updates.
Sasha: Stay tuned for the launch of Units network and participate in the testnet campaign! Don’t lose your chance to become an early adopter and core community member, we’re just starting up!
