Nick Dodson: Fuel Labs – Modular Execution Blockchains #474
Channel: Epicenter Podcast
Date: 2022-12-17

As crypto adoption increases, so does the pressing need for blockchain scalability. Monolithic blockchains provide data availability, consensus and execution on a single, base layer, which makes scaling them a difficult endeavour. Multiple layer-2 (L2) scaling solutions have been proposed to address computation and/or data availability, but they reach the same design bottlenecks: limited bandwidth, account state models, sequential transaction processing, etc. Modular blockchains separate the core functionalities, redesigning them as customisable building blocks. This allows for greater flexibility and scalability, adapting blockchain structure to its intended function.

We were joined by Nick Dodson, CEO and co-founder of Fuel Labs, to discuss modular execution layers and how they approach different aspects of blockchain design and scalability.

Topics discussed in this episode:
0:00 - Intro
01:49 - Nick’s background and founding Fuel Labs
05:20 - Why most blockchain designs are not scalable
11:32 - The vision behind Fuel Labs’ modular execution layer
14:02 - The difference between L2 roll-ups and modular execution layers
18:52 - Blockchain design philosophies and integrations
22:51 - UTXO and multi-thread parallel transactions
25:57 - UTXO vs. account model
30:25 - Fuel Labs’ own virtual machine (VM)
36:18 - Multiple native assets support
39:31 - Developer experience switching to Sway language
41:46 - Bridging to a settlement layer and interoperability
50:43 - Building on Fuel

Links mentioned in this episode: 
- Fuel Labs: https://bit.ly/3V7lieF
- Fuel Labs on Twitter: https://bit.ly/3FZ62vU
- Nick on Twitter: https://bit.ly/3WtTi6d

Sponsors: 
- Omni: Access all of Web3 in one easy-to-use wallet! Earn and manage assets at once with Omni's built-in staking, yield vaults, bridges, swaps and NFT support.
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This episode is hosted by Friederike Ernst & Sebastien Couture. Show notes and listening options: https://epicenter.tv/474