Welcome to Behind the Blocks, our series showcasing the stories of the talented people behind Chorus One. We’re diving into their backgrounds, their day-to-day challenges, and what makes Chorus One an exciting place to grow.
In this second edition, we’re featuring Alexis Tabak, a member of our sales team who brings a unique blend of private investigation and sales expertise to the fast-paced world of crypto. Alexis shares her journey, her passion for authentic relationship-building, and her role in expanding Chorus One’s presence in the U.S.
Q: Could you share a bit about your role in the sales team at Chorus One? What does your typical day look like?
Alexis: I joined Chorus One to help expand our reach in the U.S., where the company had little presence. I came from a background in private investigation and security, and when my business slowed down around 2020, I started exploring crypto. I was fascinated by how retail users interacted with platforms, and I wanted to learn more. In 2022, a friend introduced me to Chorus One. I was impressed with the intelligence of the team and quickly realized Chorus One was truly crypto-native, with a finger on the pulse of the industry. I love the freedom and autonomy here and the ability to share the Chorus One vision with new markets. My role gives me the flexibility to travel, attend industry events, and connect with people globally to promote our work.
Q: What was your path to Chorus One like, and what excites you most about working in crypto?
Alexis: I spent years in private investigation and security, working with a range of clients, including high-profile security contracts and PPP loans. But as I started exploring crypto, I became captivated by AML patterns and retail engagement with platforms. I wanted to dive deeper, and when I learned about Chorus One’s reputation as a crypto-native company, I knew it was the place for me. The chance to bring Chorus One’s vision to the U.S. market and connect with a global team was too good to pass up. I love the authenticity of Chorus One—we care deeply about the ecosystems we support, and it’s clear we’re not here just for profit.
Q: Can you tell us about a memorable client interaction or project?
Alexis:One standout moment was at ConsenSys 2023. We wanted to make a splash, so we brought an alpaca to our booth, which ended up drawing clients and even press coverage from Coindesk. That sense of fun and originality is something I love about this industry. Another memorable interaction was with a VC fund manager who was initially hesitant. I followed his work closely, engaged with his writing on Twitter, and eventually met him at a dinner event. I joke that I was a “glorified stalker,” but it paid off—he ended up tripling his position with us. I love building genuine relationships, especially with smaller clients, because it gives us valuable feedback and a real sense of how we’re doing.
Q: How does your role contribute to Chorus One’s mission and the larger Web3 ecosystem?
Alexis: As a woman in a mostly male-dominated industry, I try to make sure our voice is heard at key industry events. I’m committed to representing Chorus One authentically. I speak on panels, promote my colleagues’ research, and even hosted a women’s dinner at Permissionless. The support from Chorus One has been fantastic; they genuinely encourage me to take the lead on these initiatives. Being out there, sharing our knowledge and transparency, adds to the demand for what we offer and builds trust in our brand. My goal is to educate myself on the staking ecosystem and ensure that I can convey what makes us unique.
Q: What makes Chorus One unique compared to other staking providers?
Alexis: Our knowledge and deep commitment to the networks we support set us apart. At Chorus One, we care about the broader impact of crypto. The founders didn’t come here to sell the company—they’re here for the technology and what it can bring to decentralized finance. Our research and ventures teams are central to this, too. We’re one of the few teams doing in-depth research on MEV and collaborating with foundations, and we onboard 3-5 networks per quarter. This is the kind of insight and dedication that our clients value.
Q: How does the sales team collaborate with other departments to bring value to clients?
Alexis: Collaboration with our research and ventures teams is essential. Our research team produces some of the highest-level content in the industry, and it’s a huge selling point for our customers. We’re the only staking provider with an MEV quant, and our researchers help us break down complex insights so they’re easier to communicate. This unique blend of research-backed sales and technical insight really sets us apart and gives clients confidence that we’re at the forefront of the space.
Q: What resources or support have been most valuable to you in achieving your goals at Chorus One?
Alexis: Leadership support has been invaluable. Our CEO’s experience in the space for over a decade has been a huge inspiration, as our Head of Sales’s technical expertise on the sales side. Beyond mentorship, Chorus One has provided great resources, like access to sales DeFi courses, industry meetups, and conferences that help deepen my Web3 knowledge. I’ve also had the opportunity to host Chorus One podcast which promotes our brand and connects with more people. These opportunities have helped me grow my skills and strengthen my understanding of the industry.
Q: What advice would you give to someone looking to join the sales team at Chorus One or in Web3?
Alexis: My advice is to bring your unique energy and strengths to the table—don’t hold back. Persistence and a strong work ethic are essential, especially in a fast-evolving space like Web3. Chorus One is crypto-native to its core, so it’s important to have a genuine passion for the industry. Be authentic, add a little “razzle-dazzle,” and show what makes you stand out.
Q: What are you most excited about in terms of Chorus One’s growth and the future of the industry?
Alexis: The growth potential is incredible. Staking is only gaining momentum, and traditional institutions are beginning to explore it too, which is a huge validation. I’m excited for Chorus One to expand our network support and see Chorus Ventures grow into a larger fund. As a top-tier staking provider, we are set up to support more traditional sophisticated institutions who are ready to stake, and I believe we’re on the path to achieving that. This industry is like a rocket ship—there’s no limit to where it can go, and I’m thrilled to be part of it.
About Chorus One
Chorus One is one of the largest institutional staking providers globally, operating infrastructure for over 60 Proof-of-Stake (PoS) networks, including Ethereum, Cosmos, Solana, Avalanche, Near, and others. Since 2018, we have been at the forefront of the PoS industry, offering easy-to-use, enterprise-grade staking solutions, conducting industry-leading research, and investing in innovative protocols through Chorus One Ventures. As an ISO 27001 certified provider, Chorus One also offers slashing and double-signing insurance to its institutional clients. For more information, visit chorus.one or follow us on LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), and Telegram.
We’re excited to announce a strategic collaboration with Ledger, a global leader in hardware wallet security. This collaboration empowers Solana (SOL) holders to stake their tokens securely via Ledger’s trusted hardware wallets while leveraging the high-performance, enterprise-grade infrastructure of our validator services.
This partnership represents a commitment to enhancing user security, simplifying staking experiences, improving network diversification, and delivering superior results for Solana stakeholders.
The integration of Ledger’s technology with our validator infrastructure delivers several benefits:
Chorus One has been an integral part of the Solana ecosystem since its inception, contributing not only as a high-performing validator but also as a thought leader and innovator in blockchain research and operations.
1. Superior validator performance
Learn more about our Solana validator performance: https://chorus.one/articles/metrics-that-matter
2. MEV expertise and innovation
3. Cutting-edge research and insights
We’ve published extensively on Solana’s architecture and performance:
4. Infrastructure excellence
Our validators are deployed with enterprise-grade hardware in geographically distributed data centers. Strategic location selection maximizes connectivity and performance. Key features include:
5. Solana ecosystem engagement
Staking your SOL with Chorus One through Ledger is simple and secure:
As one of the largest institutional staking providers globally, we’re proud to offer secure, innovative, and efficient staking solutions for Solana and beyond. For further insights into Chorus One’s work in the Solana ecosystem, explore our research articles or follow us on Twitter.
Chorus One is one of the largest institutional staking providers globally, operating infrastructure for over 60 Proof-of-Stake (PoS) networks, including Ethereum, Cosmos, Solana, Avalanche, Near, and others. Since 2018, we have been at the forefront of the PoS industry, offering easy-to-use, enterprise-grade staking solutions, conducting industry-leading research, and investing in innovative protocols through Chorus One Ventures. As an ISO 27001 certified provider, Chorus One also offers slashing and double-signing insurance to its institutional clients. For more information, visit chorus.one or follow us on LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), and Telegram.
We’re thrilled to announce our partnership with Northstake, joining their ETH Validator Marketplace as a trusted node operator. This collaboration represents a significant step forward in delivering secure, scalable, and compliant staking infrastructure for institutional clients.
The partnership brings together Northstake’s innovative staking model and Chorus One’s industry-leading validator infrastructure. Northstake’s ETH Validator Marketplace enables asset managers to trade ETH validator positions with top-tier market makers, including GSR, Nonco, DV Chain, and Keyrock. This approach provides a new layer of liquidity and flexibility for institutional staking—a key milestone for the $2.9 trillion staking market.
As a partner, we will power the marketplace with robust, reliable, and secure node infrastructure, enhancing the confidence of institutions in staking operations. Our expertise in Ethereum validator operations ensures reduced risk, including protection against slashing penalties, while providing clients with cutting-edge technology to support staking at scale.
Institutional staking requires more than just infrastructure—it demands compliance, reliability, and security. Together with Northstake, we are creating a foundation for regulated financial institutions to stake digital assets confidently, with the assurance of industry-best practices and safeguards.
Jesper Johansen, CEO & Founder of Northstake, shared his vision for the partnership:
“At Northstake, we are transforming how regulated financial institutions stake digital assets in a secure and compliant way. Partnering with Chorus One aligns perfectly with our goal of being the foundation for financial institutions as they incorporate staking into their products.”
Brian Fabian Crain, our CEO & Co-Founder, highlighted:
“Northstake’s ETH Validator Marketplace emerges as the leading staking solution for financial regulated institutions, who need access to liquidity and value regulatory compliance. We are excited to bring our expertise to this partnership, ensuring staking operations that meet the highest industry standards.”
With a proven track record of securing over $3.2 billion in staked assets across 60+ leading blockchain networks, Chorus One is proud to bring its expertise to support Northstake’s mission. We’re excited to embark on this transformative partnership journey! Learn more about Northstake: https://www.northstake.dk.
About Chorus One
Chorus One is one of the largest institutional staking providers globally, operating infrastructure for over 60 Proof-of-Stake (PoS) networks, including Ethereum, Cosmos, Solana, Avalanche, Near, and others. Since 2018, we have been at the forefront of the PoS industry, offering easy-to-use, enterprise-grade staking solutions, conducting industry-leading research, and investing in innovative protocols through Chorus One Ventures. As an ISO 27001 certified provider, Chorus One also offers slashing and double-signing insurance to its institutional clients. For more information, visit chorus.one or follow us on LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), and Telegram.
Behind the Blocks is where we highlight the extraordinary individuals who make Chorus One more than just a workplace—it’s a space where passion meets purpose. "When I joined in 2022," says Chief People Officer, Flora Bondici, "I was drawn not only to the innovative work in decentralized infrastructure but also to the opportunity to be part of something deeply meaningful. At Chorus One, a career is more than a job—it’s a journey of growth, learning, and making a real impact."
As a fully remote and globally diverse team, we empower our people to thrive on their own terms. In this series, you’ll meet inspiring team members like Thalita Franklin, who entered Web3 through a developer course we sponsored, alongside others who’ve forged unique paths into blockchain. Their journeys reflect a culture built on transparency, collaboration, and curiosity. Let’s dive into Thalita’s story and explore how her work is shaping the future of decentralized technology.
From Web2 to Web3: Thalita’s Journey to Chorus One
Today, we’re excited to feature Thalita Franklin, Networks Lead at Chorus One. From Brazil to Portugal, Thalita’s journey into Web3 started with a unique opportunity—a one-month Web3 developer course sponsored by Chorus One. Now a key leader in the company, Thalita shares how that opportunity opened the door to a thriving career in blockchain, and how her work continues to make an impact across the ecosystem.
Q: How long have you been with Chorus One, and what’s your role? What does your day-to-day look like?
Thalita: I’ve been with Chorus One for 2,8 years, but it all started when I applied for a one-month Web3 developer course. Chorus One sponsored 10 women, and I was lucky enough to be one of them. That experience introduced me to the world of blockchain and gave me a chance to prove myself. I started working on Solana as a Research Analyst, but now I’m the Networks Lead. My day-to-day involves a mix of deep work in the mornings, being in between the business and engineering, handling projects like staking research, and meetings with internal teams and external partners to explore investment opportunities or new networks we’re looking at.
Q: Can you tell us more about that initial course and how it shaped your journey?
Thalita: Absolutely. Before joining Chorus One, I was living in Brazil and didn’t have much experience in Web3. When I saw the opportunity for the Web3 developer course, I knew I had to apply. The fact that Chorus One was sponsoring women to join the space really stood out to me. During my initial 3 months with Chorus One, I found out about MEV and started working on a project focused on MEV (learn more), after I joined, which was my introduction to how complex and exciting the blockchain space has become. The course gave me the confidence and skills I needed to step into this field. It was an incredible launchpad that led to where I am today.
Q: What’s it like being a Networks Lead at Chorus One? Can you walk us through your typical day?
Thalita: Being a Networks Lead is both challenging and rewarding. I focus a lot on analyzing new staking opportunities and keeping up with our live networks like Solana and Cosmos. My mornings are all about focus—whether it’s research or preparing for the day’s meetings. I have most of my meetings around midday due to different time zones, and those can range from internal strategy sessions to calls with networks we’re looking to partner with. I also work closely with the ventures team to explore potential investments, which keeps things really interesting.
Q: What’s one of the most exciting projects you’ve worked on, and why did it stand out?
Thalita: I’d say the Solana project was the most exciting. When I first started, many people were skeptical about Solana’s potential, but Chorus One believed in it. I got heavily involved in the research and educational content creation for Solana, which was a big part of getting people to see the value in the project. Watching Solana grow and survive through challenges was incredibly fulfilling. It showed me that research and education could really make a difference. Plus, I enjoyed hosting podcasts about it—getting to communicate the value of these networks to a broader audience is something I love.
Q: Can you share a moment when your research directly influenced a major decision at Chorus One?
Thalita: A big one was our work on MEV. I was involved in researching and creating educational materials about it, and it became clear how important MEV was to the validator ecosystem. This work helped Chorus One adjust our strategy, not just in how we provide infrastructure, but in how we approach new networks and educate our partners and the broader community. It was one of those moments where you can see your research shaping decisions that impact the entire company.
Q: Beyond Chorus One, how does your work impact the broader ecosystem?
Thalita: Our role as validators goes beyond just running nodes. We try to contribute to the broader conversation around blockchain economics and how validators can provide more than just infrastructure. For example, our educational work on MEV and other topics has helped the community better understand the increasing complexity of the new trends. It’s important to me that the work I do has a ripple effect beyond Chorus One, whether it’s through writing articles, giving feedback to networks, or sharing insights on podcasts.
Q: You work closely with many teams across Chorus One. What’s been your favorite moment of collaboration?
Thalita: One of the best moments was to find myself having casual dinners at the beach with Gabriella, Maria and other team members. It’s through these informal moments that remind me how connected we are as a team. In terms of work, I’ve really enjoyed collaborating with the ventures team. We work together to evaluate potential investments and decide which networks we should get involved in. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see how those collaborations lead to tangible growth for Chorus One.
Q: How has Chorus One supported your career and personal growth?
Thalita: Chorus One has been amazing in helping me grow. When I first joined Web3, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to focus on development or something else, but they gave me the room to explore. Over time, I found my strengths in leading network research, and they’ve supported me all the way. On a personal level, moving from Brazil to Portugal was a big step, but the team was so supportive. Being closer to the team has helped me feel more empowered in my role.
About Chorus One
Chorus One is one of the largest institutional staking providers globally, operating infrastructure for over 60 Proof-of-Stake (PoS) networks, including Ethereum, Cosmos, Solana, Avalanche, Near, and others. Since 2018, we have been at the forefront of the PoS industry, offering easy-to-use, enterprise-grade staking solutions, conducting industry-leading research, and investing in innovative protocols through Chorus One Ventures. As an ISO 27001 certified provider, Chorus One also offers slashing and double-signing insurance to its institutional clients. For more information, visit chorus.one or follow us on LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), and Telegram.
