This was probably the most *alpha* packed episode of the entire NYC content series.
Jim literally spilled a massive, yet completely unknown opportunity in the world of onchain finance right now.
Throughout this episode, we’re unpacking Catalyst’s take on how solvers have evolved, the critical role they play in onchain interoperability, and what it all means for builders, traders, and enthusiasts alike.
Jim kicked things off by sharing how he built his personal brand around adding real value to the conversation—whether through early analysis of DAOs, NFTs, or providing key insights into emerging projects. His approach to being authentic and data-driven is something that resonates well in a space where everyone is constantly looking for that next edge.
Then, we got into the nitty gritty of the opportunity at hand: Solving.
The onchain solving space is still dominated by a few big players, and Catalyst sees decentralizing the solver network as a crucial step forward. Lowering the barriers to entry and creating more opportunities for new solvers to jump in is where the market could see its next big wave of innovation.
For builders, the message is clear: there’s still plenty of room to get involved. Solvers are still early-stage, and with a bit of capital and a solid strategy, even small teams can find their niche. Catalyst also pointed out that much like the evolution of MEV searchers, solvers are likely to see a handful of dominant players, but there will also be space for specialists focusing on niche areas.
Ding ding ding. This is the key part, and you must rewatch this segment!
By the end of the conversation, one thing was obvious—solvers are quickly becoming a core component of the chain abstraction stack, and for anyone building in this space, paying attention to how these protocols and their solvers evolve could be key to unlocking new opportunities.
We really enjoyed this, hope you do too!
The Rollup