#966 Dmitry Shklovsky and Dan van der Merwe On Building Infrastructure In Crypto
5/17/2022 · 25 min · transcript via mlx
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Key topics
— QuickNode provides infrastructure and connectivity to various blockchains, similar to AWS for traditional computing, with continued strong user adoption even during market downturns.
— ICTools offers NFT data analytics and developer APIs, helping traders identify trading opportunities and developers build NFT applications; the platform reveals patterns invisible to the human eye.
— QuickNode acquired ICTools to combine infrastructure services with NFT-focused data tools, creating a more comprehensive platform for developers and traders.
— Market downturns actually drive increased platform usage among professional traders, DEX users, and arbitrage script runners seeking opportunities.
— Both companies emphasize that bear markets historically accelerate building activity; infrastructure and tools improve with each cycle, creating stronger foundations for mainstream adoption.
— NFT market remains in early innings (1–2), currently dominated by JPEG art but positioned to expand into ticketing, deeds, titles, and authentication use cases.
Market & price signals
— Price volatility is actually driving higher usage on QuickNode's platform—traders, professional users, and snipers increase activity during downturns. Lower prices create buying opportunities for those previously priced out and incentivize Web2 companies to explore Web3 applications. NFT volume has been inconsistent; December and January were strong, May saw peaks followed by dips, but the NFT market initially held firm during the recent market stress before ultimately declining alongside broader crypto assets.
Actionable insights
— If you are building a Web3 application or trading NFTs, infrastructure and data tools become more valuable during volatility; explore QuickNode's mempool services and ICTools' analytics to gain edges unavailable to casual users.
— Infrastructure and developer tooling companies typically profit from usage-based models rather than token price, making them more resilient in bear markets; focus capital on businesses solving genuine developer friction rather than speculative assets.
Episode sponsorships
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