Nikolaj Rosenthal, CEO of Myrmidon, on Ethereum, Staking Services, Non-Custodial Staking, and the Ethereum Exchange-Traded Fund | Episode 325

From Hockey Player to Crypto Entrepreneur

Nikolaj Rosenthal, former ice hockey star and CEO of non-custodial staking provider Myrmidon, shared his journey from professional sports to the world of cryptocurrency. Here are some key points from his interview:

• Becoming the first athlete to accept BTC as salary in 2017
• Establishing Myrmidon, a non-custodial staking provider
• Insights on Ethereum and its position in the market
• Opinions on Ethereum ETF and its implications
• Discussion on different staking types: solo-home staking, staking-as-a-service, pooled staking, and centralized staking

Transition to Crypto

Rosenthal highlighted the challenges athletes face post-retirement and his proactive approach to building a career beyond sports. His early involvement in the crypto space led to pioneering decisions like accepting Bitcoin as salary.

Ethereum Dominance

According to Rosenthal, Ethereum remains a leading blockchain despite competition from other layer-1 chains. He emphasized the importance of recent Ethereum upgrades and the community’s successful adoption of these changes.

ETFs and True Ownership

Rosenthal expressed concerns about ETFs conflicting with the core principles of crypto, emphasizing the value of owning and controlling one’s assets. Myrmidon’s non-custodial solution aims to empower users to stake ETH securely while retaining ownership.

The Four Staking Categories

Rosenthal outlined the pros and cons of different staking methods, ranging from solo home staking to centralized staking. He discussed the trade-offs between decentralization, security, and ease of use in each category.

Expanding Support for Chains

While Myrmidon’s focus has been on Ethereum, Rosenthal revealed plans to support additional chains in 2024. The company recently launched support for Cardano and Concordium, with more networks expected to follow.

About Nikolaj Rosenthal

Nikolaj Rosenthal, Co-Founder and CEO of Myrmidon, brings a unique background of professional sports and crypto entrepreneurship. His early adoption of Bitcoin and commitment to non-custodial solutions reflect his innovative approach to the industry.