DoubleZero (2Z): Decentralized Network Infrastructure for Blockchain Systems

DoubleZero is a decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN) that creates a high-performance fiber backbone optimized for blockchain validators and distributed systems. Founded by Austin Federa (former Solana Foundation Head of Strategy) along with Mateo Ward and Andrew McConnell from Malbec Labs, this platform has raised $28 million at a $400 million valuation from Dragonfly Capital and Multicoin Capital to solve blockchain's internet bottleneck problem. DoubleZero (2Z) will soon be available on Bitget!

What is DoubleZero (2Z)?

DoubleZero is a decentralized framework for creating and managing permissionless networks, optimized for distributed systems. The protocol enables contributors to provide network capacity and transaction-filtering services, coordinated by token-based incentives to ensure reliability, performance, and security.

DoubleZero addresses critical challenges facing blockchains and distributed systems including high latency and jitter in node communication from routing over the congested public internet, inability to incentivize quality bandwidth contributions for decentralized networks, and persistent spam and duplicate transactions slowing down consensus and block production.

Core Innovation: DoubleZero acts as a new type of decentralized internet layer tailored for fast blockchain and distributed system operation. Its positioning as an N1 layer underscores its ambition to be the global physical backbone for Web3 and distributed applications by building an optimized physical fiber backbone that bypasses internet bottlenecks.

Who Created DoubleZero (2Z)?

DoubleZero was founded by Austin Federa, Mateo Ward, and Andrew McConnell, with the DoubleZero Foundation established to oversee protocol development.

Austin Federa (Co-founder, CEO):

● Former Head of Strategy and Head of Communications at Solana Foundation/Labs

● Prior experience at Bison Trails (acquired by Coinbase) and Republic Crypto

● Specialized in blockchain product launches and go-to-market growth strategies

Mateo Ward (Co-founder, Core Developer):

● Co-founder of Malbec Labs

● Background in fiber infrastructure, global carrier relationships, and high-frequency trading technology from the late 1990s and 2000s

● Key driver of engineering operations, network security, and validator protocol design

Andrew McConnell (Co-founder, Core Developer/Malbec Labs CTO):

● Co-founder of Malbec Labs

● Background in distributed systems, infrastructure engineering, and high-performance networking

● Focus on hardware designs, edge device deployment, and protocol architecture

The founding team combines deep crypto ecosystem knowledge from Solana with hardware, edge computing, and distributed system engineering expertise through Malbec Labs partnership.

What VCs Back DoubleZero (2Z)?

DoubleZero has raised $28 million in its seed round at a $400 million valuation, with plans for additional strategic partner funding.

Funding Rounds:

● Seed Round (March 2025): $28 million at $400 million valuation

● Public Token Sale (April 2025): 150 million 2Z tokens offered via CoinList

Major Venture Capital Backers:

● Dragonfly Capital (lead investor)

● Multicoin Capital (lead investor)

● Delphi Ventures

● GSR

● MH Ventures

● Reciprocal Ventures

● Foundation Capital

● DBA

● Borderless Capital

● Superscrypt

● Frictionless

Strategic Partners:

● Jump Crypto (infrastructure partnership and network contributor)

● Malbec Labs (core technology partner)

● Anatoly Yakovenko and Raj Gokal (Solana co-founders, angel investors)

The funding round represents one of the largest raises for a DePIN protocol focused on blockchain networking infrastructure in 2025, with backing from top-tier crypto VCs closely linked to the Solana ecosystem and other major blockchain projects.

How DoubleZero (2Z) Works

DoubleZero operates as a decentralized network that uses underutilized fiber optic cables and specialized hardware provided by contributors worldwide to make blockchain connections faster, safer, and more reliable.

Dual Ring Architecture

DoubleZero uses a two-layer design with an outer ring that interfaces with the public internet through hardware like FPGAs at key entry points, filtering and verifying data while blocking attacks. The inner ring transports pre-filtered, validated blockchain data across a decentralized network of fiber links, directly connecting data centers, validators, and block producers.

DoubleZero Exchange Points (DZXs)

These act as regional network hubs similar to internet exchange points, allowing flexible connection between multiple data contributors, nodes, and edge resources for efficient global connectivity.

Decentralized Fiber Network

Network contributors provide physical connectivity through directly owned or leased fiber links, earning rewards for meeting quality and uptime requirements. This ensures bandwidth and low latency while building a broader internet backbone through community contributions.

Smart Contract Coordination

All network interactions, routing, service quality, and incentives are managed transparently through on-chain coordination using smart contracts that handle contributor authentication and quality enforcement in a permissionless environment.

Spam and Attack Filtering

The platform uses programmable hardware devices (FPGAs) at key entry points to filter spam, duplicate transactions, and attacks before they reach blockchains, supporting multicast and efficient data delivery with secure data propagation.

You can access the platform at www.doublezero.xyz.

DoubleZero Token (2Z) and Economics

The DoubleZero token, called 2Z, is the native utility asset for the DoubleZero network, underpinning the incentive and coordination system that enables the decentralized fiber infrastructure.

Token Details

● Token Name: 2Z

● Token Symbol: 2Z

● Total Supply: 10,000,000,000 (10 billion) 2Z tokens

● Blockchain Deployment: Issued as a Solana SPL token (Solana Program Library), making it compatible with Solana dApps, wallets, and validators

● FDV: $800 million

● Initial Market Cap: $277.6 million (34.7% initial circulation)

Token Distribution

● Foundation + Ecosystem: 29% (TGE 100% unlock)

● Jump Crypto: 28% (TGE 17.86%, 1-year cliff, 3-year linear vesting)

● Malbec Labs: 14% (TGE 0%, 1-year cliff, 3-year linear vesting)

● Team: 10% (TGE 0%, 1-year cliff, 3-year linear vesting)

● Institutions: 12% (TGE 0%, 1-year cliff, 3-year linear vesting)

● Builders: 2% (TGE 0%, 1-year cliff, 3-year linear vesting)

● Validators: 1% (TGE 0.7%, 1-year linear vesting)

Token Utilities

● Network Rewards: Contributors providing fiber links, edge hardware, and bandwidth earn 2Z tokens based on performance, uptime, and service quality

● Staking Collateral: Validators and service providers stake 2Z tokens to participate, with tokens at risk of slashing for poor performance or malicious behavior

● Network Payments: Users needing premium network services spend 2Z to access validator communication, block propagation, or RPC connections

● Governance: Token holders participate in protocol governance, helping shape upgrades and economic parameters

The 2Z token's utility-driven model ensures economic alignment between network growth, quality, and decentralized operation.

Why DoubleZero?

Traditional blockchain networking relies on congested public internet infrastructure that limits performance and scalability. DoubleZero addresses these fundamental challenges with breakthrough innovations:

Experienced Leadership: Founded by former Solana Foundation Head of Strategy Austin Federa and fiber infrastructure veterans Mateo Ward and Andrew McConnell from Malbec Labs, combining blockchain ecosystem knowledge with physical networking expertise.

Strong VC Backing: $28 million raised at $400 million valuation from Dragonfly Capital, Multicoin Capital, and top crypto VCs, plus angel investment from Solana co-founders Anatoly Yakovenko and Raj Gokal.

Strategic Partnerships: Integrations with Latitude.sh for validator hosting, Galaxy Ventures for institutional deployment, Firedancer for Solana validator optimization, and DeFi Development Corp for enterprise adoption.

Technical Innovation: First permissionless physical fiber backbone for blockchains with FPGA-powered edge filtering, on-chain service level enforcement through smart contracts, and programmable multicast routing for efficient global data delivery.

Multi-Chain Infrastructure: Initially focused on Solana with planned support for Celestia, Sui, Aptos, and Avalanche, enabling protocol-agnostic operation across high-performance distributed systems.

Live Network: Already operational in seven cities with expansion to ten more, live testnet deployments with Solana validators, and performance improvements for consensus speed and reliability.

Decentralized Physical Infrastructure: Community-driven network growth through permissionless fiber contributions and hardware deployment, avoiding centralized cloud dependencies while maintaining quality through automated enforcement.

The platform creates a dedicated high-performance backbone for blockchain infrastructure, solving the public internet bottleneck that limits distributed system scalability while maintaining decentralization through community participation and token incentives.

DoubleZero (2Z) Goes Live on Bitget

We are thrilled to announce that DoubleZero (2Z) will be listed in the Innovation and Public Chain Zone. Check out the details below:

Trading Available: 2 October 2025, 13:00 (UTC)

Trade 2Z/USDT on Bitget!

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are for informational purposes only. This article does not constitute an endorsement of any of the products and services discussed or investment, financial, or trading advice. Qualified professionals should be consulted prior to making financial decisions.