Austin Federa, former Head of Strategy at the Solana Foundation, is on the brink of revolutionizing blockchain communication with DoubleZero, a protocol he dubs as “crypto’s version of Flash Boys.” The innovative protocol aims to surpass the speed of the public internet, setting the stage for a new era in decentralized systems. First announced in December 2024, DoubleZero is gearing up for its mainnet launch in September 2025, with nearly 12.57% of SOL staked on its testnet.
A New Era in Blockchain Communication
DoubleZero is not just a technological upgrade; it represents a paradigm shift in how blockchains communicate and scale. “We’re building crypto’s version of Flash Boys,” Federa explained in an interview with CoinDesk. The protocol introduces a high-performance networking layer that connects users worldwide through a decentralized mesh of fiber networks. Unlike previous attempts, DoubleZero allows multiple independent contributors to join the network, eliminating the need for a single centralized company.
The technology is particularly appealing for high-speed blockchain platforms like Solana, which boasts a unique ratio of transactions per second to node count. “Solana is pretty unique,” Federa noted, adding that the faster a blockchain network becomes, the more challenging communication gets. DoubleZero aims to solve this bottleneck by providing a network faster than the public internet, without sacrificing decentralization. This follows recent developments where platforms like Gemini have introduced Solana staking for broader adoption.
Staking and the Road Ahead
Currently, DoubleZero’s testnet operates with about 3 million SOL, a fraction of the total 500 million SOL. As Federa pointed out, this small percentage initially aimed to subsidize validator costs but has since piqued interest among users eager to participate in the testnet. The mainnet, expected to launch in September, is set to feature over 50 fiber links—up from just eight—offering connections up to 200 gigabits, a tenfold increase in capacity.
The DoubleZero network will enable Solana’s protocol designers to significantly increase transaction limits, thanks to its greater capacity and lower latency compared to the public internet. This advancement raises questions about potential performance disparities among validators, but Federa is unconcerned. “Is the internet a centralizing force?” he asked rhetorically, emphasizing that the public internet remains a fallback option in case of issues within the DoubleZero network. For a broader context on blockchain integration, see our coverage of the US Commerce Dept.’s initiative to put GDP data on blockchains like Solana.
A Future Beyond Solana
While DoubleZero is starting with Solana, its applications extend far beyond a single blockchain. “We think DoubleZero has a lot more applications than just Solana, and a lot more applications than just blockchain,” Federa stated. In the coming weeks, rigorous testing and preparation will precede the protocol’s mainnet launch, along with a token launch slated for September.
As DoubleZero moves closer to its official debut, the crypto community is watching closely. The protocol’s potential to redefine blockchain communication could have far-reaching implications for decentralized systems, raising questions about how it will shape the future of crypto. Will DoubleZero’s high-speed network become the new standard, or will it face challenges in maintaining its decentralization ethos? Only time will tell, but one thing is clear: the blockchain world is on the cusp of significant change.
Source
This article is based on: ‘Crypto’s Flash Boys’: A Q&A With Austin Federa on DoubleZero
Further Reading
Deepen your understanding with these related articles:
- There Are Now More Than 90 Crypto ETFs Pending SEC Approval, Led by XRP and Solana
- Chainlink Partners With SBI Group to Advance Tokenized Assets, Stablecoins in Japan
- Bitcoin whales rotate into Ether, despite record $5B ETH validator exit queue: Finance Redefined
Steve Gregory is a lawyer in the United States who specializes in licensing for cryptocurrency companies and products. Steve began his career as an attorney in 2015 but made the switch to working in cryptocurrency full time shortly after joining the original team at Gemini Trust Company, an early cryptocurrency exchange based in New York City. Steve then joined CEX.io and was able to launch their regulated US-based cryptocurrency. Steve then went on to become the CEO at currency.com when he ran for four years and was able to lead currency.com to being fully acquired in 2025.
