Exclusive Interview with Kaspa Developer FreshAir
Date: October 15, 2023
Introduction to FreshAir and His Journey with Kaspa
In the fast-paced world of blockchain technology, where many come with skepticism and leave with enthusiasm, here’s a refreshing narrative. FreshAir, an M.Sc. in Computer Sciences with a deep interest in cryptography, shares his unique transition from a crypto skeptic to a key developer in the Kaspa ecosystem.
The Academic Anchor Point
How did you first get involved with Kaspa?
My journey began while at university, where I met Shai, one of Kaspa’s co-founders. Although initially dismissive of the crypto industry, my perspective shifted when I heard about Kaspa. I took my time to delve deeper, intrigued by the academic rigor behind the project, which aligned well with my studies in cryptography and blockchain technology.
Why Kaspa Captured His Interest
With an initial skepticism about cryptocurrencies, what was it about Kaspa that piqued FreshAir’s interest?
What draws you to work on Kaspa technology?
Kaspa stood out for its methodical, academic approach, which for me, contrasted starkly with the often hasty and profit-driven development in other crypto projects. Here, I saw real-world applications for the mathematics and cryptographic principles I studied, appealing directly to my academic background and personal interests.
Research, Development, and Innovation
FreshAir’s role in Kaspa has evolved significantly from mere interest to active contribution:
What has been your key role in the Kaspa community?
Currently, my role revolves around R&D for Kaspa’s smart contracts infrastructure. My aim is to develop enabling technologies so that DAOs, rollups, and other smart contract platforms can operate on top of Kaspa, leveraging its security and decentralization.
The KEF Research Grant
After engaging with Kaspa’s community and learning Rust, FreshAir approached Michael and Yonatan to deepen his involvement:
What are the details of your KEF grant?
The Kaspa Ecosystem Foundation (KEF) offered a research grant to fund my focus on smart contracts for Kaspa, allowing me the financial freedom to dedicate more time to this critical area. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance Kaspa’s utility and functionality.
Focus on Real-World Problem Solving
Kaspa aspires to be more than just another cryptocurrency; it aims to be a tool for everyone:
How do you envision your work contributing to everyday utility?
By making complex financial functionalities accessible to everyday users, not just corporations, we’re democratizing finance. Kaspa’s ability to handle high transaction volumes at low latency could be pivotal here.
Looking Forward: Global Adoption and Community Engagement
What role do you see for projects like Kii and KEF in Kaspa’s global adoption?
I envision these foundations not only supporting developers but also actively encouraging adoption through incentives and showcasing real-world use cases of Kaspa as an efficient and reliable payment method.
Culture and Community of Kaspa
What’s your take on the Kaspa community environment?
The Kaspa Discord has been a fascinating playground where academics and enthusiasts converge. It’s a unique tech-oriented environment, receptive even to well-constructed criticism, which I’ve found rare yet valuable.
This interview provides a glimpse into the mindset and contributions of FreshAir, whose work is helping to shape the future of decentralized finance with Kaspa.