Welcome back to Behind the Blocks, where we dive into the journeys of the talented individuals shaping the future of Chorus One. In this series, we highlight their stories, explore their roles in decentralized technology, and share why Chorus One is the perfect place to make an impact in Web3.
Today, we’re thrilled to feature Maria, a Software Engineer at Chorus One. From running a kindergarten in Romania to discovering her passion for Web3 development, Maria's journey is a testament to adaptability, resilience, and the transformative power of curiosity.
Q: Can you tell us a bit about your role as a Software Engineer at Chorus One and what drew you to join the team?
Maria: My journey into Web3 started during a transitional phase in my life. After co-founding a kindergarten and working at a startup focused on pre-school education, COVID forced me to pivot. I started learning how to code in 2020 and about a year and a half later, I discovered DappCamp, a Web3 bootcamp.
I didn’t know at the time that the scholarship I received for the course was sponsored by Chorus One, but it changed everything. Jen, a team member from Chorus One, approached me about interviewing for an engineering position, and I couldn’t turn the opportunity down.
The interviews were incredible—our CEO's focus on transparency and kindness stood out. I didn’t have much experience in Web3, but the environment at Chorus One is so welcoming and growth-focused. It’s been fascinating to work in a place where my voice is heard, there’s no unnecessary bureaucracy, and ownership over your work is encouraged.
Q: What does a typical day look like for you in this role, and what kind of projects do you usually work on?
Maria: My days are split between coding and code reviews —about 70% of the time—and meetings or interviews. I love that we keep meetings to a minimum, just twice-weekly team huddles where we connect, align objectives, and discuss architecture.
I’ve worked on ETH-based projects like a rewards reporting tool and monitoring solutions for our staking clients. One of the most exciting projects was the Opus pool, where I got to focus on monitoring tools and client-facing features. It’s a dynamic environment, and no two days are the same.
Q: What has been one of the most challenging projects you’ve worked on at Chorus One, and what did you learn from it?
Maria: The first project I worked on—the rewards reporting tool—was incredibly challenging. It involved reading, interpreting, and processing block data into a format that was useful for users. I had to learn about Ethereum protocol and the kind of information contained in a block.
That project taught me how to dig deep into blockchain mechanics, and it gave me a solid foundation for understanding how the networks operate.
Q: How does Chorus One support your professional growth, whether through learning opportunities, tooling, or other resources?
Maria: The learning budget here is a game-changer. I’ve taken courses, gotten coaching, and attended conferences—all encouraged and supported by the company.
Another key aspect is the variety of projects we work on. Each one introduces me to new technologies and protocols, keeping my work exciting and challenging. The team’s focus on certain networks also helps me stay sharp without being overwhelmed by the sheer scope of Web3.
Q: For engineers interested in Web3, what advice would you give about joining a company like Chorus One?
Maria: My advice is to build something concrete using Web3-specific tools. For frontend developers, experiment with libraries like RainbowKit, WalletConnect, Wagmi, or Viem to integrate wallets and build dApps, to understand the user flow.
I would use Infura to get nodes to read from, hardhat or foundry for developing and testing smart contracts, get used to using Etherscan to read contracts, view transactions etc.
A good resource: https://cryptozombies.io/. I also like Nader Dabit’s content.
If you’re into backend, create a monitoring tool that extracts and visualizes blockchain data—it’s a great way to show your skills. Develop a blockchain scraper, extract useful data from blocks, export the data as metrics to Prometheus, build a Grafana dashboard etc.
For DevOps, try hosting your own node and focus on one protocol to understand it deeply. Develop monitoring tools for it.
Having hands-on experience with Web3 tools is incredibly impressive in interviews.
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.
Berachain is officially live on mainnet. This marks the beginning of a transformative period for DeFi, where security and liquidity scale together under Berachain’s novel Proof-of-Liquidity (PoL) consensus.
The goal of Berachain’s proof-of-liquidity (PoL) consensus mechanism is to allow security and liquidity to scale together. In traditional proof-of-stake (PoS) blockchains, a substantial amount of capital is locked to ensure network security. This staked capital, while ensuring network security, remains idle, and does not contribute to the liquidity of the ecosystem. The fundamental idea behind proof-of-liquidity is to remove this trade-off between security and liquidity, by directly incentivizing DeFi activity with sustainable staking revenues.
Berachain’s economic design revolves around three distinct tokens:
Validators propose blocks based on their $BERA stake and distribute emissions of $BGT, which can be allocated to Reward Vaults. The amount of emissions they can distribute depends on their $BGT stake, if we want to mention this: (1) How often they propose depends on their $BERA stake. (2) How much $BGT they distribute upon proposal depends on their $BGT stake.Users providing DeFi liquidity can stake their receipt tokens in these reward vaults to be eligible for $BGT rewards.
BEX: The Berachain Exchange
BEX is a native decentralized exchange featuring House Pools and Metapools to enhance liquidity efficiency. Liquidity providers not only earn trading fees but also accumulate $BGT, which can be staked with validators to influence governance and optimize emissions.
Bends: Native Lending Markets
Bends allows users to borrow $HONEY against collateral such as ETH, BTC, and USDC. By interacting with Bends, users deepen liquidity while simultaneously earning $BGT emissions, creating a dual-incentive model for sustainable lending.
Berps: Perpetual Futures TradingBerps is Berachain’s native perpetual futures exchange, offering high-performance derivatives trading with deep liquidity and efficient capital deployment.
With Berachain’s unique emission mechanics, delegators need a sophisticated strategy to maximize returns. This is where BeraBoost comes in—an automated allocation algorithm developed by Chorus One Research that dynamically optimizes $BGT distribution to maximize rewards.
Validators on Berachain play a crucial role in emission allocation. Delegators who stake with a validator benefit from the validator’s strategy for directing emissions to Reward Vaults. BeraBoost takes this a step further by:
This mirrors how traditional DeFi yield farming strategies work but integrates them directly at the consensus level. As Camila Ramos highlighted in this thread, Berachain’s PoL effectively allows users to outsource their farming strategies to validators, providing an avenue for both sophisticated and unsophisticated users to optimize their returns without active management.
Learn more about BeraBoost here.
Berachain’s Proof-of-Liquidity introduces a fundamental shift in blockchain economics. By aligning security with capital efficiency, Berachain not only enhances validator incentives but also fosters deeper liquidity for the entire ecosystem. The introduction of BeraBoost further refines this model, allowing delegators to passively maximize returns while reinforcing the network’s decentralized security.With mainnet now live, Berachain is poised to redefine on-chain liquidity dynamics, governance participation, and validator incentives—all while maintaining seamless Ethereum compatibility. Builders, liquidity providers, and institutional players now have a powerful new platform to engage with.
To get started with staking or liquidity provisioning, reach out to us at staking@chorus.one and check out our staking guide here. The era of Proof-of-Liquidity is here.
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.
Welcome back to Behind the Blocks, where we explore the stories of the brilliant individuals powering Chorus One. In this series, we dive into their personal journeys, how they’re shaping the future of decentralized technology, and why Chorus One is the ideal place for anyone looking to make an impact in Web3.
Today, we’re speaking with Kam Benbrik, a Researcher who made the leap from traditional finance to the world of blockchain. In this interview, Kam shares his excitement for DeFi, what drew him to Chorus One, and how his work is making waves in the Cosmos ecosystem.
Q: How long have you been with Chorus One, and what’s your role here? What does a typical day look like for you?
Kam: I’ve been with Chorus One for just over a year now, and I’m based in Madrid. My role focuses on research—mainly looking at new staking projects and markets. My day typically revolves around digging into tokenomics, keeping an eye on networks we’re live on like Cosmos Hub and Celestia, and evaluating upcoming networks that could be a good fit for Chorus One. Additionally, I’m exploring new business opportunities for the company, including areas such as restaking or decentralized sequencers.
Basically, I get to dive into what’s valuable for validators and stakers, which is exciting because there’s always something new on the horizon.
Q: You come from a traditional finance background. How did you find your way into Web3, and what was that transition like?
Kam: It all started during the DeFi summer of 2020. I was working in risk management in banking at the time, but crypto was really catching my attention. I learned more about the concept of Decentralized Finance, and something clicked—I realized this was the future of finance. I started writing articles on protocols that interested me, and they gained some traction on Twitter, which was kind of a turning point. I knew then that I didn’t want to just watch the space grow from the sidelines—I wanted to be a part of it.
Chorus One really stood out to me as a place where I could dive into the deeper aspects of blockchain research. They have this incredible depth of knowledge across a wide range of topics, from blockchain infrastructure to Decentralized Finance, Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePin), and beyond. They’re very transparent about everything they do, which was important to me. Joining Chorus One just felt like the right move.
Q: What has been your favorite research project so far, and why did it stand out?
Kam: Definitely my work on Cosmos. I took a deep dive into the concept of Interchain Security (read more here) and found some gaps in the economic feasibility of how things were being run. It was a huge project because Cosmos is such a big ecosystem, and the article I published got a lot of attention—not just from the community but also from VCs and other key players. Seeing the feedback and the conversation it sparked was really rewarding. It’s moments like that where you realize the impact research can have.
Q: What’s the research culture like at Chorus One? How does the team approach these complex projects?
Kam: The culture here is incredibly data-driven and detail-oriented. We don’t just skim the surface; we go deep into every project, and the data is always at the core of what we do. What’s unique is the breadth of expertise across the team. You’ve got people focusing on different areas—whether it’s MEV, staking designs, or research on various ecosystems like Ethereum, Solana, and Cosmos. It’s this wide range of skills that really sets us apart. We can cover a lot of ground, and it shows in the research we publish. That’s a big part of why Chorus One stands out among validators.
Q: How does Chorus One help you maintain a good work-life balance?
Kam: One of the things I really appreciate is the flexibility. I actually moved from France to Spain during my time here, and Chorus One made that process super easy—seamlessly switching my contract over. The remote-first setup is a big win because it means I can work from anywhere, and the flexibility with time off has been a game-changer. I’ve even been able to take Spanish lessons, which is something I probably wouldn’t have had time for in a more traditional job. Chorus One really understands that balance and gives us the space to manage our lives alongside work.
Q: How do you stay on top of the latest Web3 trends?
Kam: Twitter is a big part of it for me—there’s always something happening there. But I also stay plugged into Telegram chats and discussions within the team. There’s so much information flowing in this space that it’s important to stay connected. Chorus One supports that by encouraging constant learning and dialogue. We’re always bouncing ideas off each other, so I’m never out of the loop when it comes to the latest trends or developments.
Q: How do you see your research evolving as the Web3 space continues to grow?
Kam: It’s getting more competitive, that’s for sure. There’s more attention on data and analytics now than ever before, and I think that’s where the future of research is headed—being able to back your findings with solid data. Companies that focus on building strong analytics tools will have a real edge. At Chorus One, we’re already ahead of the curve in that regard, and I think that’s going to be crucial as the space continues to expand.
Q: What makes Chorus One an attractive place to work for someone looking to make an impact in blockchain?
Kam: What really sets Chorus One apart is the transparency and the opportunity to make a real impact. It’s not just a job; you’re working on projects that are shaping the future of decentralized finance and blockchain infrastructure. If you’re passionate about deep research, and you want to be part of a team that’s at the forefront of the space, this is the place to be. You get to work with some of the smartest people in the industry, and there’s a genuine focus on innovation and growth. Plus, the remote flexibility and team culture make it a great environment to thrive in.
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.
Welcome to Behind the Blocks, a series where we spotlight the journeys and insights of the talented individuals powering our mission to build the decentralized future. Each story gives a behind-the-scenes look at what brought our team members here, the exciting challenges they tackle every day, and why Chorus One is the ideal place for those looking to make an impact in the Web3 space.
Today, we’re speaking with Mikolaj, our foundational platform engineer who transitioned from working in massive data centers at Amazon, Ask.com and Meta to helping Chorus One build decentralized infrastructure. In this interview, Mikolaj shares his thoughts on the cutting-edge challenges of Web3, why Chorus One is unlike any other company, and how the engineering team is building the foundation for the future of decentralized finance.
Q: How long have you been with Chorus One, and what’s your role here? What does a typical day look like for you?
Mikolaj: I’ve been at Chorus One for about 4 years, and I’m based in Poland. My role focuses on platform engineering, where I help ensure the stability and scalability of our infrastructure. A typical day involves technical discussions, meeting with the team, conducting interviews, and working on improvements for our systems. I also shadow my colleagues to stay aligned on projects and explore new solutions to keep our operations running smoothly.
Q: You’ve had experience working in large tech environments like Amazon and Meta. What drew you to Web3, and specifically to Chorus One?
Mikolaj: After years at Amazon, Meta, and Ask.com—each contributing to my growth in unique ways—I was ready for a role that combined technical challenges with flexibility. My experience at Ask.com laid the groundwork for my leap to Meta, where I achieved some of my most significant growth, thanks to the supportive teams along the way. Ultimately, I wanted to be closer to my family and explore an industry with more innovation. I was looking for something that combined technical challenges with flexibility. The tech industry, while stable, didn’t excite me in the same way crypto did. When I discovered Chorus One, it felt like the right fit—a small, dynamic company working at the intersection of decentralized technology and finance. The flexibility of remote work was a big draw, but so was the opportunity to work with an ambitious team. Meeting Brian and other stakeholders solidified that decision for me.
Q: What’s been your biggest accomplishment since joining Chorus One?
Mikolaj: My proudest contribution has been transforming our operational processes. When I joined, there was too much reliance on individual team members, which posed a risk. I drew from my experience at Meta, where I learned that single points of failure can be dangerous, and worked to balance workloads and introduce more resilient processes. This shift made us much more robust and scalable. It’s been rewarding to see those changes strengthen the company, especially as we’ve grown.
Q: As Chorus One continues to grow, what do you look for when hiring new engineering talent?
Mikolaj: We’re always on the lookout for engineers who can build systems from scratch. We don’t just need people who can use existing tools; we need builders—engineers who understand the fundamentals of systems, networking, and how the internet works. It’s not just about knowing cloud services; it’s about knowing the core principles. For example, Auri, one of our engineers, is a perfect example of someone who asks the right questions and digs deeper. We also appreciate candidates who come from backgrounds where small mistakes can have big consequences, like finance. Those individuals understand the importance of reliability and accuracy.
Q: What makes Chorus One’s infrastructure unique?
Mikolaj: Simplicity and reliability are our guiding principles. The simpler a system is, the less likely it is to break. That’s why we prefer to develop custom tools to address our specific needs instead of relying on off-the-shelf solutions. Building from the ground up gives us more control and allows us to avoid the limitations of generic software. Given the high-stakes nature of decentralized technology, mistakes can be costly, so having a custom-built infrastructure is crucial.
Q: How does Chorus One foster continuous learning and growth for its engineers?
Mikolaj: The workload can be intense, and the demand for automation is high. But that’s what makes it exciting—there’s always something new to work on. Our engineers are exposed to a wide range of skills, from on-chain analytics to automation. The more we accomplish, the more we push ourselves to explore new challenges. The engineering team manages a large infrastructure with a small group of people, and automation plays a big role in that. Engineers here never get bored because there’s always a new challenge to tackle, and that keeps us hungry for more.
Q: Why should someone join Chorus One if they’re passionate about making an impact in blockchain?
Mikolaj: Chorus One is the ideal place for engineers who thrive on solving complex, high-stakes problems. You’re not just maintaining systems here; you’re building them from scratch, developing custom tools, and making decisions that shape the future of decentralized networks. The team is small but dynamic, and the company culture encourages innovation and growth. If you want to push boundaries and make a real difference, this is the place to be.
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.
