Why we invested in DSRV Labs, a blockchain infrastructure platform

Standardized infrastructure is becoming increasingly important for the deployment of block chain resources at scale. In today’s marketplace, a lack of standardization makes it time-consuming and expensive to run node infrastructure and connect to a blockchain network.

DSRV Labs, a start-up based in Seoul, South Korea, has a promising blockchain solution that is already being used on more than 20 networks. The potential for DSRV to disrupt the blockchain infrastructure market underscores why Samsung Next recently joined a Series A funding round that gave the company $23 million to accelerate its growth. Other leading investors include KB Investment, Naver, Terra, and Block Crafters Capital.

Besides its proven technology, we like the fact that DSRV’s team includes a number of Samsung alums. Co-founders Jiyun Kim, Jeongho Jeon, and Hyung-Kyu Choi all spent time working for Samsung. Since its launch in 2019, DSRV has rapidly become one of the leading developers of enterprise-level blockchain infrastructure.

DSRV has a team of experienced engineers that is already providing service to a diverse range of  global clients on more than 20 blockchains. Thanks to its core competencies in building infrastructure, we think DSRV has the potential to become the AWS of blockchain. Much like AWS has become synonymous with public cloud computing, DSRV is working to become the infrastructure backbone for blockchain.

DSRV provides a suite of infrastructure products for major blockchains, including staking tools and browser extension wallets that interface with D-Apps, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and decentralized finance (DeFi). DSRV facilitates the ability to stake cryptocurrency on more than a dozen networks, such as Terra, Celo, Near, and Flow.

Staking is a consensus mechanism that enables decentralized blockchains to validate transactions. On complex blockchains, such as Ethereum, proof-of-stake is the standard for validation. Validators are typically investors on a particular platform. On some networks, validators get a fixed percentage return in exchange for participating. 

Validators need network access, but running your own node has historically required a lot of development know-how and significant computing resources. Nodes are the backbone of blockchain, facilitating token exchange and transaction validation. DSRV is a validator and node operator, providing enterprise-grade services and support for token holders.

DSRV also has developed plug-and-play infrastructure for launching, monitoring and managing a blockchain node. The company’s node-as-a-service (NaaS) is designed for anyone who wants to run their own node. NaaS is ideal for node service providers, as well as for validators and developers who want direct, and secure, access to the blockchain network. DSRV’s pricing model is commission-based for both its NaaS platform and for its staking services.

In addition to its expertise in node infrastructure, the DSRV team also has developed a proprietary post-hack security solution for blockchain that helps to prevent the execution of malicious transactions. This promising technology won first place at two global hackathons in 2020: ETHOnline and Hack the Rainbow. 

DSRV is already an acknowledged global leader in the blockchain ecosystem. Looking ahead, we believe the company has the potential for rapid growth in the Web 3.0 distributed economy.

Hongyul (Harry) Yoon is Director, Samsung Next Ventures Korea

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