In this exclusive interview, Josh shares his journey into blockchain, discusses the challenges and opportunities facing QuickNode, and offers valuable insights into the latest trends in blockchain technology. From the potential of rollups to advice for emerging talent, Josh provides a comprehensive look at the current state and future direction of blockchain infrastructure.

Join us as we delve into the world of blockchain development, exploring how QuickNode is working to make Web3 more accessible and efficient for developers and businesses alike.

Ishan Pandey: Hello Josh Neuroth, It's a pleasure to welcome you to our 'Behind the Startup' series. Can you share your journey into the blockchain space and what drew you to QuickNode?

Josh Neuroth: I’ve spent most of my career working on internet infrastructure, scaling networks, clouds, and data centers for leading technology companies. Web3 seemed the natural evolution: decentralized computing, allowing anyone anywhere to build applications and communities on chain! I started working on web3 stuff in 2019 and went full-time in early 2021. I joined QuickNode in 2023 because it was best positioned to help onboard traditional businesses into web3. The first place builders look at is getting access to the blockchain —which is QuickNode’s core product.

Ishan Pandey: With your extensive experience in scaling infrastructure, what do you see as the biggest challenges and opportunities for QuickNode in the current blockchain ecosystem?

Josh Neuroth: The amount of blockchains has exploded.. and now with rollup infrastructure, anyone can launch their own blockchain. One opportunity at Quicknode we’re focusing on is building the best place for businesses to build applications on blockchain tech. Developers need reliable infrastructure that just works. The biggest challenge currently facing us and the rest of the space is the lack of a regulatory framework. While we offer infrastructure and cloud services which are well understood by regulators, our customers need regulatory certainty.

Ishan Pandey: How does QuickNode’s advanced infrastructure differentiate it from other blockchain node providers in the market?

Josh Neuroth: QuickNode differentiates itself through its reliable, scalable, and user-friendly infrastructure. Our platform offers top-tier RPC access, node hosting, and API services that ensure high performance and reliability. What sets us apart is our focus on developer experience. We provide comprehensive tools like faucet services, marketplace add-ons, and advanced analytics, simplifying the development and deployment process. Additionally, our support for a wide range of blockchain protocols and our ability to handle high transaction volumes make us a preferred choice for enterprise customers and smaller development teams. QuickNode’s commitment to continuous innovation and customer satisfaction further strengthens our position in the market.

Ishan Pandey: Can you elaborate on the benefits of QuickNode’s Rollups-as-a-Service platform for developers, particularly in terms of flexibility and performance?

Josh Neuroth: QuickNode’s Rollups-as-a-Service (RaaS) platform offers significant benefits in terms of flexibility and performance. For developers, our RaaS platform provides essential tools such as high-quality RPC access, sequencer support, faucet services, and marketplace add-ons. These tools eliminate the need for extensive infrastructure management, allowing developers to focus on building and scaling their applications. The flexibility of our platform enables developers to customize and deploy rollups according to their specific needs, while our robust infrastructure ensures high performance and reliability. By handling the complexity of setting up and maintaining nodes, QuickNode significantly reduces development time and costs, helping developers accelerate their project timelines and bring their innovations to market faster.

Ishan Pandey: What new trends in technology are you particularly interested in, and how is your business leveraging these trends to enhance its services?

Josh Neuroth: I’m particularly interested in rollups, because it offers a new use case for web3 and the overall crypto ecosystem. Blockchain rollups —building a blockchain on top of another chain like Ethereum —  allow organizations and communities to monetize their block space by offering their chain as a form of serverless compute. In effect, it represents a new paradigm for computing. Think of a rollup as several technologies in one: Cloudflare Workers, Stripe Payments, and Reddit all in one. I think this opens many doors… imagine building an app for a gaming community in the Philippines and not having to think about credit card payments.

Ishan Pandey: What advice do you have for up-and-coming talent in the blockchain space, especially those looking to innovate in blockchain infrastructure and Web3 services?

Josh Neuroth: My advice for up-and-coming talent is to try to build something —even if it's just a side project. The blockchain industry is rapidly evolving, and staying updated with the latest developments and technologies is crucial. Use the tech, experiment, and try to understand what’s happening behind the interface. Many of my last hires stood out because they built something. Some of the projects were just proof of concepts. I’ve looked through thousands of resumes, and every person who built something got an interview.

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Vested Interest Disclosure: This author is an independent contributor publishing via our business blogging program. HackerNoon has reviewed the report for quality, but the claims herein belong to the author. #DYOR.