Joshua Sum, CPO of Solayer: Driving Blockchain's Next Frontier with Unmatched Transaction Efficiency

Revolutionizing Blockchain with Unparalleled Transaction Speeds

Joshua Sum, Chief Product Officer (CPO) of Solayer, is on a mission to redefine blockchain technology. By focusing on performance, affordability, and user accessibility, Solayer aims to set a new standard for on-chain efficiency. "Our vision is to establish unparalleled benchmarks for blockchain performance," Sum stated during an interview with Block Media on October 9 at the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas in South Korea.

Founded in early 2022 as a blockchain staking research project on the Solana (SOL) network, Solayer began its journey by exploring methods to enhance transaction processing during periods of network congestion. This initial phase informed their unique approach to scaling.

"Our early experiments used staking assets to manage network traffic, but we quickly learned that localized fixes weren't enough," Sum explained. "True scalability requires structural innovation that delivers consistent speed and efficiency."

InfiniSVM: A Groundbreaking Layer-1 Blockchain

Through rigorous testing, Solayer identified fundamental limitations in existing blockchain frameworks, leading to the development of the "InfiniSVM" main chain—a new Layer-1 blockchain specifically designed for high-speed, scalable, and secure transactions.

InfiniSVM integrates two core components to achieve superior performance.

1. The "Sequencer" Layer

This layer functions as the transaction organizer, employing state-of-the-art networking technologies like InfiniBand and RDMA offloading in conjunction with customized hardware programming. By bypassing consensus bottlenecks, the Sequencer acts like a dedicated express lane, maintaining transaction fluidity even during heavy network traffic.

"The Sequencer is engineered to handle rapid scaling," Sum explained, "almost like a specialized freeway system for blockchain data."

2. Globally Distributed "Checker Nodes"

Checker Nodes bolster decentralization and security by performing random sampling verifications. This process ensures that transactions are executed accurately and fairly. "While the Sequencer ensures rapid scalability, Checker Nodes ensure trust and integrity," Sum elaborated, likening them to referees in a game who verify results.

The platform leverages the Solana Virtual Machine (SVM), renowned for its parallel transaction processing. This contrasts markedly with Ethereum’s approach of processing all transactions on a single ledger, which slows execution. "By utilizing Solana’s ecosystem and optimizing it for hardware acceleration, we achieve a superior level of performance," Sum explained.

This innovation has already delivered tangible results: Solayer's InfiniSVM blockchain achieved 100,000 transactions per second (TPS) under real-world conditions. Looking forward, the team aims to scale this figure to 1 million TPS in the mid-term, with a focus on developing an architecture that adjusts dynamically to traffic demands.

Foundations for On-Chain Finance: sSOL and sUSD

Beyond technical achievements, Solayer’s high-performance blockchain underpins its ambition to transform financial infrastructure. "Reliable and rapid blockchain performance is critical for developing advanced financial systems," Sum emphasized.

Introducing sSOL and sUSD

To this end, Solayer is spearheading innovation through two flagship financial tools:

sSOL: A liquidity staking token that not only generates staking rewards but also capitalizes on InfiniSVM’s unparalleled transaction efficiency. This infrastructure reduces complexity while improving returns, creating stability and reliability for users.
sUSD: A stablecoin pegged 1:1 to the U.S. dollar, but with a unique value proposition—backing by U.S. Treasury yields. This provides users with a predictable income stream alongside the benefits of digital currency.

"This approach transforms sUSD into more than just a stablecoin," Sum noted. "It becomes a financial tool that integrates seamlessly into lending platforms, payment gateways, and trading ecosystems, while also generating automatic yield for its holders."

Tackling Regulatory Compliance

Achieving widespread adoption of these financial instruments requires close adherence to evolving regulatory standards. "In regions with clear guidelines, we rigorously comply with established rules. In jurisdictions where regulations are still taking shape, we proactively collaborate with local authorities," Sum explained. Specifically, Solayer is engaging with local partners to develop frameworks for payment systems and stablecoin integration.

By balancing compliance with technological innovation, Solayer aims to bridge the gap between blockchain potential and real-world adoption.

A Vision for the Future: Scaling the On-Chain Economy

Sum shared a roadmap that focuses on both developer utility and user accessibility. "The future will belong to blockchain systems that offer unparalleled speed, high transaction throughput, and low latency," he stated. Solayer is prioritizing the development of trading platforms and payment applications designed to showcase the capabilities of its InfiniSVM infrastructure.

Building a Decentralized Financial Hub

While near-term goals center on launching pilot financial applications, Solayer’s overarching ambition is to serve as the foundation for a holistic on-chain financial ecosystem. "We envision Solayer as the cornerstone of an interconnected blockchain economy," Sum concluded.

By focusing on scalability, regulatory compliance, and financial innovation, Solayer is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the next era of blockchain technology.