### YouTube Description

In this episode of the TLD Podcast, host Dirt (aka Mike) sits down with Nicky Scanz, founder of Layer33 – a new coalition of independent Solana validators aimed at preserving and strengthening Solana’s decentralization.

Fresh off their indie SOL pool launch and a standout presence at Breakpoint, Nicky shares his journey into Solana: from minting Degen Ape Academy NFTs on the legendary Sollet mobile web app in 2021, to becoming CEO of DAA, working at Marinade, and now founding Layer33.

They dive deep into:

- Why 33% stake on truly independent validators is the key safety threshold for Solana’s long-term decentralization

- The alarming trend of independent validators shutting down and stake funneling toward institutional operators

- How Layer33 unites top indie validators to build products, pool resources, and compete for institutional stake

- Upcoming Layer33 tools (RPC service, transaction landing, and bigger secret projects)

- The future of staking innovation (shoutout to Pi Finance), institutional adoption, and whether the Solana Foundation should stick around forever

A must-watch for anyone who cares about Solana staying fast, cheap, AND decentralized for decades to come.

Timestamps

00:00 - Intro & Congrats on Layer33 Indie SOL Pool Launch

00:21 - Dirt or Mike? The host’s name transition debate

00:55 - Nicky’s origin story: How he got into Solana

01:10 - Discovering NFTs in 2021 via Degen Ape Academy & Sollet wallet

02:34 - From NFT collector → full-time at DAA → CEO → Marinade → Layer33

04:03 - Nostalgia for Sollet, Phantom, and early Solana wallets

05:27 - Why NFTs were the ultimate crypto onboarding experience

06:56 - The meaning behind the name "Layer33" (33% decentralization threshold)

08:55 - Technical explanation: Why 33% indie stake makes Solana "safe in perpetuity"

11:02 - Responding to the trend of indie validators shutting down

13:00 - Layer33’s vision: Multiple validator coalitions hitting 33% together

14:11 - Criteria for joining Layer33 (performance + resource commitment)

17:03 - Economic incentives, co-ownership, and revenue-sharing for validators

19:13 - Diversifying revenue streams to keep indie validators profitable long-term

21:45 - Early governance: Telegram channels, enthusiastic contributors, and post-Breakpoint momentum

25:32 - Nicky’s day-to-day as a new founder + funding possibilities

28:50 - Thoughts on Pi Finance and on-chain staking innovation vs. backroom deals

31:26 - Attracting institutional stake: Power, influence, and scale matter

34:51 - Current & upcoming Layer33 products (TX landing, global RPC service, secret big bets)

37:03 - Can Solana survive without the Foundation? (Spoiler: Nicky hopes it sticks around)

39:46 - Wrap-up, holiday cheers, and future conversations

🔗 Layer33: www.layer33.com

🔗 Follow Layer 33: https://x.com/layer_33_ on X

🔗 Follow Nicky: @NickyScanz on X

🔗 TLD Podcast: Subscribe for more Solana deep dives

#Solana #Layer33 #Decentralization #Crypto #Blockchain #SolanaValidators

Drop a like if you’re staking with indie validators 🚀

What’s your take on Solana’s decentralization – safe forever or still at risk? Comment below!