Sonic SVM To Launch HyperGrid Validator Node Sale

According to CoinDesk, Sonic SVM, a project aimed at enhancing the Solana blockchain's speed and throughput for gaming applications, is set to sell up to $12.8 million worth of validator nodes in its HyperGrid framework. The sale, scheduled for the week of Sept. 16, will feature 50,000 'HyperFuse nodes' across 20 pricing tiers. Proceeds will support the project's treasury, development team, and grants, as stated by CEO and co-founder Chris Zhu. Node sales have become a popular fundraising method for blockchain projects, aiding in network decentralization. For instance, Aethir, a decentralized GPU cloud infrastructure provider, raised approximately $126 million in Ethereum's ether by distributing over 73,000 node licenses. Other projects like Sophon, CARV, XAI Games, and Powerloom have also utilized this method to secure funding. Sonic SVM's node sale follows a $12 million Series A fundraising round led by Bitkraft, with participation from Galaxy Interactive and Big Brain Holdings. Node purchasers will receive token rewards and contribute to the HyperGrid network's security. The nodes can be operated on laptops or cloud servers, allowing operators to monitor the network state and participate in validation. The HyperGrid framework, described by Zhu as Solana's version of Optimism's OP Stack, enables the creation of new application-specific networks, or 'grids,' that ultimately settle transactions on the Solana blockchain. This architecture could support various domains, including gaming and AI networks. Layer-2 networks, like those built on the HyperGrid, are designed to scale blockchains by offering faster and cheaper transactions compared to main layer-1 blockchains. While Solana is already known for its speed and cost-efficiency, the HyperGrid framework aims to further enhance these attributes. Additionally, the sale offers a unique opportunity for individuals to acquire Sonic Tokens at a valuation lower than that offered to top venture capital firms in the recent Series A round. Although not officially confirmed, there are potential future airdrops for node operators, according to a press release.