Overview
SenseiNode is a staking service provider that operates in multiple Latin American countries, including Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Chile, Costa Rica, and Colombia. The company focuses on geographical and jurisdictional decentralization of blockchain networks.
Key Points
- SenseiNode provides staking services for various blockchain protocols.
- It strategically deploys its nodes in Latin American jurisdictions to promote network decentralization.
- The company utilizes local data centers rather than relying on major cloud services like AWS.
The Importance of Decentralization
There is significant attention on Bitcoin and its network decentralization. The narrative suggests that miners should establish operations in diverse locations to avoid regulatory capture. Following China’s ban on crypto in 2021, many mining firms were forced to relocate, enhancing geographical dispersion.
This consideration is less discussed in the context of Proof-of-Stake networks such as Ethereum and Solana; however, SenseiNode strives to bolster the resilience of these blockchains by creating validator infrastructure in Latin America.
“When we started, 99% of nodes were located in Europe, the US and some in Asia,” said SenseiNode CEO Pablo Larguia. “We were the first to bring geographic and jurisdictional decentralization to Latin America.”
Translation: When we began, nearly all nodes were in Europe, the US, and a few in Asia. We were the pioneers of introducing geographic and legal decentralization to Latin America.
As of now, SenseiNode has approximately $800 million in staked assets, ranking as the 15th largest staking firm worldwide, with the largest, Kiln, managing over $7 billion.
Operations and Costs
SenseiNode operates state-of-the-art nodes across Latin America and additional locations in the U.S. and Germany. It emphasizes the use of regional data centers to minimize centralization.
Among the challenges faced is the comparatively lower technology standard in Latin American data centers, necessitating SenseiNode’s involvement in educational endeavors to establish the infrastructure required for effective staking.
Costs for running nodes differ by protocol, with Ethereum costing about $300 a month for a validator while Solana’s validators run at $800 per month. Ethereum staking presents higher costs compared to Solana due to its limitations on delegated tokens.
Conclusion
Pablo Larguia states, “For Polkadot and Avalanche, we have two or three nodes, but for Ethereum we have like 9,000,” showcasing SenseiNode’s commitment to enhancing staking services in the region.
