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Ledger by Chorus One: Announcing our collaboration with Ledger to deliver secure, high-performance Solana staking
We’ve proud to collaborate with Ledger, the global leader in hardware wallet security, to bring you the ultimate SOL staking experience.
December 19, 2024
5 min read

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.

What This Partnership Offers

The integration of Ledger’s technology with our validator infrastructure delivers several benefits:

  • Unparalleled security: Ledger hardware wallets store private keys offline, safeguarding user funds against online threats.
  • Top-tier validator performance: Chorus One operates one of the most reliable validators on Solana, offering high uptime, low latency, and consistent rewards.
  • Streamlined staking process: Users can stake their SOL with Chorus One directly from Ledger Live combining ease of use with institutional-grade reliability.

Chorus One’s Contributions to Solana

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

  • Our validator continues to process significantly more transactions than the Solana network average. If all validators performed at this level, Solana’s overall transaction capacity would increase by 11.4%, improving network scalability and efficiency​
  • Our multi-region infrastructure, combined with 24/7 monitoring and redundant backups, ensures near-zero downtime. This level of operational excellence is critical for maintaining consistent rewards for stakers.

Learn more about our Solana validator performance: https://chorus.one/articles/metrics-that-matter

2. MEV expertise and innovation

  • Open-source contributions: We developed Breaking Bots, an open-source prototype democratizing access to MEV opportunities on Solana.
  • Partnerships for MEV rewards: Our collaborations with Jito and Paladin allow delegators to maximize MEV-related rewards while reducing inefficiencies in transaction execution​

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:

  • Automated upgrades and failover systems to ensure uptime.
  • ISO 27001:2022 compliance for enhanced security​

5. Solana ecosystem engagement

  • Building Lido for Solana: We led the development of liquid staking infrastructure, enabling more efficient use of staked SOL.
  • Community education: Through podcasts with Solana Foundation, Marinade Finance, and Anatoly Yakovenko, we’ve aimed to foster greater understanding of Solana’s ecosystem​

How to Stake SOL via Ledger Live

Staking your SOL with Chorus One through Ledger is simple and secure:

  1. Acquire a Ledger hardware wallet (e.g., Ledger Nano X or Ledger Nano S Plus).
  2. Download and set up the Ledger Live app.
  3. Access the staking feature in Ledger Live and select Chorus One as your validator.

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.

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: Alexis’ journey from private investigator to crypto sales
In the second edition of Beyond the Blocks, we introduce Alexis Tabak - Business Development Manager, USA
December 19, 2024
5 min read

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.

Chorus One Joins Northstake's ETH Validator Marketplace As Node Operator
The partnership will strengthen institutional confidence in Northstake's solution with secure, scalable, and compliant infrastructure
December 9, 2024
5 min read

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.

Setting a New Standard for Institutional Staking

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.

Tezos Governance Milestone: Quebec Proposal Approved
An overview of the Quebec upgrade and its impact on Tezos governance, staking, and network dynamics
December 3, 2024
5 min read

Tezos governance has been very active lately. In June 2024, the Paris upgrade introduced important changes, including a new locked staking model and adaptive issuance that ties rewards to the ratio of staked XTZ.

Just a few months later, on November 24, 2024, another significant governance milestone was achieved with the approval of the Quebec proposal during Proposal Period 135. Quebec is anticipated to go live on Tezos in early 2025.

A Vote Between Two Proposals

Two proposals were up for consideration:

  1. Quebec – Proposed by Nomadic Labs, TriliTech, and Functori, with backing from the Tezos Foundation.
  2. Q3NA – A community proposal by Tez Capital.

Both proposals built upon the Paris changes but had no differences in approach besides in the adaptive issuance schedule. Ultimately, Quebec won with 187 million votes to 104 million, with a 33% participation rate among bakers.

Changes Introduced by Quebec

Lower Block Times

Reducing block times from 10 seconds to 8 seconds will enhance performance and improve UX by offering faster finality.

Increased Delegation Limit

Bakers can now accept delegations up to 9x their stake, up from 5x. This benefits bakers, allowing them to earn higher rewards by accommodating more delegated stake.

Reduction in Voting Power for Delegators

Paris introduced locked staking, incentivizing users to stake rather than delegate their XTZ, and reducing delegated voting power by 50%. Quebec takes this further, reducing the voting weight of delegated XTZ to 33% of staked XTZ.

This adjustment encourages delegators to transition to staking for full voting power and rewards.

If you're currently delegating your XTZ to a Chorus One baker, visit this website to learn how to start staking and maximize your rewards!

Adaptive Issuance

Quebec implements a more aggressive reduction in baking rewards to address sell pressure on XTZ. Under Quebec, if 50% of XTZ is staked, the yield is reduced to 1%, compared to 3% in the Q3NA proposal, as depicted on the graph below.

Some validators and community members raised valid concerns:

  • Can the network thrive with a 1% issuance rate if only 50% of XTZ is staked?
  • Smaller validators may face challenges as rewards decrease, potentially consolidating stake with larger validators.
  • Lower yields might drive some stakers to explore alternative networks with higher returns.

Supporting Quebec: A Long-Term Vision

While these concerns are noteworthy, the focus remains on the network's long-term health, and the community has clearly shown its preferred choice.

Despite some reservations about the steep reduction in issuance, Chorus One and other supporters voted for Quebec. This decision reflects confidence in the Tezos Foundation’s long-term vision and its alignment with the ecosystem's core contributors.

Action Required

If you're currently delegating your XTZ to a Chorus One baker, visit our guide to learn how to start staking and maximize your rewards!

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.

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