- The Google Cloud alliance aims to deliver improvements to the Zilliqa protocol.
- Google Cloud will take an active role in daily operations.
- Plans are afoot to change Zilliqa’s consensus mechanism.
Recognizing the disruptive potential of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology, tech giants are making concerted efforts to tap into the burgeoning sector. Among the titans of the industry, Google has been one of the more industrious, pursuing several blockchain initiatives as it seeks to expand into emerging tech while diversifying its revenues beyond ads.
In line with this push, Google has formed a strategic alliance with Zilliqa – a permissionless public blockchain platform known for its high transaction throughput and sharding capabilities. The partnership aims to leverage Google Cloud infrastructure to improve critical aspects of the Zilliqa network.
Zilliqa Eyes Technical Improvements
Utilizing Google Cloud’s infrastructure, the alliance will see Zilliqa accelerate growth while enabling sustainable development on the blockchain, according to the firm’s Head of Copy, Jamie McKane.
As part of the collaboration, Google Cloud will become a staked seed node (SSN) operator on the network. Additionally, Google Cloud will serve as Zilliqa’s primary cloud services provider, integrating tools like Kubernetes, BigQuery, and Security Command Center to enhance the efficiency, monitoring capabilities, and data transparency of Zilliqa’s architecture.
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James Tromans, Head of Web3 at Google Cloud, added that the companies plan to jointly develop solutions that improve the scalability and resilience of the Zilliqa base layer protocol. This includes research into improved sharding capabilities and enhancing the availability of blockchain datasets for improved accessibility and analysis.
Community members questioned whether the company paid for Google Cloud services or whether the partnership was genuine. Zilliqa clarified that it was a legitimate agreement to bring technical improvements to the blockchain and onboard Google Cloud as an integral part of the network infrastructure.
Amidst these developments, the Zilliqa community has proposed changes to the role of SSNs, which, if approved, will see even greater integration of Google Cloud.
Growing Role for Staked Seed Node Operators
Google Cloud is set to become the 29th SSN on Zilliqa, joining OKCoin and Huobi, among many others. Furthermore, plans are in place to adopt a hybrid consensus mechanism that would see SSNs play a role in validating transactions, subject to community approval.
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SSNs differ from seed nodes in that they provide public access to the Zilliqa network. This allows developers and users easy access to the blockchain without running their own seed node. In providing this service, SSNs earn a share of the block rewards despite not being actively involved in validating transactions.
On the Flipside
- Adopting Google Cloud infrastructure introduces centralization risk.
- Google has softened its stance on crypto advertising following a previous ban.
- Multiple blockchains collaborate with Google, including Solana, Aptos, HBAR, Tezos, and Polygon.
Why This Matters
Google Cloud’s alliance with Zilliqa lends legitimacy and further signals that major tech firms see real potential in blockchain technology. This will bolster confidence in cryptocurrency and blockchain among mainstream institutions and investors.
Learn more about Google’s involvement in blockchain and its other ventures here:
Google Play Pushes for Blockchain Support. Will Apple Respond?
Find out the results of Chainalysis’ latest Global Crypto Adoption Index here:Â
Grassroots Crypto Adoption Takes Lead in Central & South Asia
