Max Resnick: Ethereum Researcher Switches to Solana

Resnick’s New Role at Anza

On December 9, 2023, Resnick announced his transition in a post on X, stating, “I’m taking my talents to Solana.” This marked the beginning of his journey at Anza, where he aims to leverage his expertise in several crucial areas.

• Position: Head of Research at Anza
• Focus Areas:
  • Fee markets
  • Consensus implementations

During his first 100 days at Anza, Resnick will concentrate on drafting a technical specification aimed at enhancing Solana’s infrastructure. He believes that his work in these areas will allow him to make a substantial impact.

Anza’s Mission and Goals

Anza is known for developing Solana’s Agave client, which is designed to enhance the network’s resilience and uptime. This project aligns with Resnick’s vision of improving blockchain technology and client diversity.

Community Reactions

The reaction to Resnick’s move has been mixed within the blockchain community. Ryan Berckmans, a member of the Ethereum community, expressed satisfaction with Resnick’s departure, noting that he had recently criticized Ethereum’s layer-2 scaling strategy. Berckmans pointed out that scaling efforts should primarily focus on the base layer, similar to Solana’s approach.

“Critics like Max have frequently claimed that Ethereum needs to become more like Solana,” Berckmans stated in a December 9 post on X. He further remarked on the irony of Resnick’s shift, as he will now work to foster a robust research community akin to Ethereum.

Resnick’s Perspective on Consensus

In a discussion on the Ethereum-focused show Bankless on September 4, Resnick shared insights on the challenges of altering Solana’s consensus rules. He noted that substantial re-architecture would largely be beyond his control, highlighting the complexities involved in blockchain governance.

Industry Experts Weigh In

Despite the mixed reactions, notable figures in the blockchain space have viewed Resnick’s transition positively. Joe Lubin, co-founder of Ethereum, and Anatoly Yakovenko, co-founder of Solana, believe that this move will facilitate “cross-pollination” between the two ecosystems, ultimately benefiting the industry as a whole.

Advisory Role at Consensys

Interestingly, Resnick will maintain a connection to Consensys in an advisory capacity as a research fellow. He mentioned that the Special Mechanism Group, along with its new hires, including Mallesh Pai, will continue to make significant contributions within Consensys and the broader Ethereum community.

Implications for Solana’s Technical Roadmap

Resnick’s expertise could shine a spotlight on Solana’s technical roadmap. According to Kaito AI data, he holds the 34th largest mindshare on crypto X over the past 30 days, indicating his influence within the community. This transition could elevate the conversation around Solana’s capabilities and innovations.

Conclusion

Max Resnick’s shift from Ethereum to Solana represents a notable evolution in the blockchain research landscape. As he embarks on this new chapter at Anza, his focus on fee markets and consensus implementations may lead to significant advancements for Solana, potentially impacting the broader blockchain ecosystem.