An Interview With SOON (Solana Optimistic Network)

In an exclusive interview with BitcoinWorld, we got the chance to speak with SOON (Solana Optimistic Network)

Joanna, SOON is focused on delivering a high-throughput, modular rollup framework using the Solana Virtual Machine (SVM) for various L1s. Could you start by explaining SOON’s core mission and how it aims to bridge ecosystems like Solana and Ethereum?

As Co-Founder and CEO of SOON, my 10 years in traditional finance, followed by Web3 roles at Coinbase, Optimism, and Aleo, reinforced the need for interoperable systems. I believed that one day TradFi would be replaced by DeFi. Since then, I’ve been working in this direction. Originally, SOON’s core mission was to develop the most efficient rollup stack for every L1 using the Solana Virtual Machine. We’ve launched the mainnet on Ethereum, BNB Chain and Base, delivering SVM’s high throughput of up to 30,000 transactions per second (TPS), with 50ms block times. This enables dApps to operate seamlessly across ecosystems, providing developers with a unified framework and users with efficient experiences, akin to traditional finance’s (TradFi’s) integrated financial networks. However, after building the infrastructure, we realised that wasn’t enough. Connection with users needs to be much stronger to drive real change. Trading remains the heartbeat of Web3 and the simplest gateway for mainstream users. And copy trading is the quickest way for everyday users to access this core Web3 functionality. So, we decided that our mission isn’t just about delivering the most efficient rollup but also about providing the best on-chain trading experience, one that’s truly built for driving mass blockchain adoption.

The SOON Stack is a central piece of your offering, enabling developers to deploy SVM-based L2s. Can you elaborate on how this modular framework provides Solana-like performance (high speed, low fees) on different L1 blockchains and what specific advantages this offers to developers in DeFi, gaming, or even meme-driven applications?

The SOON Stack is a modular rollup framework that leverages the Decoupled SVM and OP Stack for parallel transaction execution, achieving up to 30,000 TPS and 50ms block times on L1s like Ethereum, BNB Chain, and Base, with fees often below a cent. Its configurable data availability layer, supporting Celestia or EigenDA, optimises efficiency. For DeFi, this supports fast, low-cost trading protocols. Our dApp Simpfor.Fun leverages this performance to offer real-time smart money copy trading with 50x leverage on assets like stocks, gold, and crypto, fully permissionless and on-chain. Gaming benefits from on-chain mechanics at low latency. Meme-driven apps handle high transaction volumes without delays.

Cross-chain interoperability is a significant challenge SOON addresses with “InterSOON.” How does this protocol facilitate seamless communication and asset transfers, and why is this crucial for fostering broader cross-chain innovation and liquidity?

InterSOON, powered by Hyperlane, facilitates seamless communication and asset transfers between SOON rollups and blockchains like Ethereum and Solana, processing over $200M in bridge volume. It enables decentralised apps (dApps) on one chain to interact with another in real time, such as a Solana-based game accessing an Ethereum DeFi protocol. This is critical to avoid fragmented liquidity and foster cross-chain dApps and shared liquidity pools. Drawing from TradFi’s interconnected markets, InterSOON promotes collaboration, enhancing innovation and user access across Web3 ecosystems.

SOON recently launched soonBase on Base, Coinbase’s Ethereum L2, on April 28th. What is the strategic significance of this launch, and how does combining SOON’s high-performance SVM with Base’s infrastructure enhance the Ethereum ecosystem?

The soonBase launch integrates SOON’s decoupled SVM with Base, which is significant because Base is the largest Layer 2 scaling Ethereum, providing over 20 million users access to SVM. It delivers sub-second transaction confirmations and high throughput. By deploying Solana-native dApps directly on Base, developers can access the entire depth of Base’s ecosystem while preserving SVM’s speed, concurrency, and composability. This also enhances experiences on Base by enabling Solana-like speed for DeFi, gaming, and social dApps while retaining EVM compatibility. Like TradFi’s adoption of efficient trading systems, soonBase scales Ethereum’s capabilities, aligning with SOON’s goal of high-performance, cross-chain infrastructure.

One of your key points is leveraging Solana’s fast SVM engine while maintaining Ethereum’s security. Could you delve deeper into how SOON achieves this synergy and why this combination is so powerful for the future of decentralized applications?

SOON achieves Solana-Ethereum synergy by separating the consensus and execution layers. Using the decoupled SVM for execution while anchoring settlement and data availability to Ethereum’s L1 or L2s, like Base, for security, This synergy is powerful because dApps require speed for user experience and security for trust, and SOON promises both! SOON’s stack can handle high-volume trades for DeFi, support real-time interactions in gaming, and grow at scale to support social apps.

You’ve highlighted the growing influence of a crypto-friendly regulatory environment in the U.S. How do you see evolving regulatory clarity, particularly around staking, airdrops, and corporate accounting, impacting institutional adoption and the long-term growth of projects like SOON?

It’s apparent that crypto no longer operates in complete isolation from traditional markets. Geopolitics, trade policy, capital controls and regulatory blocks now shape the movement of money and code. While it’s true that clear U.S. regulations on staking, airdrops, and corporate accounting will boost institutional adoption, clearly defined rules will encourage firms to secure networks, support community incentives and ease crypto integration into corporate finances, fostering long-term growth. However, recent turbulences like the ongoing trade war with China mean that builders need a new playbook—local execution with global coordination. This means building infrastructure that can deploy anywhere, work across chains, and stay resilient when governments tighten control. It’s important not to just react to volatility, but to build for it instead.

The prospect of a Solana ETF is generating considerable discussion. What are your thoughts on the potential impact of a Solana ETF on broader crypto adoption and how it might influence the Solana ecosystem and L2s like those built with SOON?

A Solana ETF would enhance crypto adoption by offering traditional investors exposure to SOL, increasing liquidity and interest in Solana’s ecosystem. Thus, it benefits the larger ecosystem and drives the adoption of Solana-based technologies more rapidly.  Similar to TradFi’s ETFs broadening investment access, a Solana ETF would validate Solana’s technology, strengthening SOON’s role in powering scalable dApps and driving mainstream adoption.

Looking at the broader trend of tokenizing real-world assets, stocks, and fractional securities, how do you see platforms like Ethereum and Solana, and by extension SOON’s infrastructure, leading this revolution and making finance more accessible?

When we look at the broader trend of tokenising real-world assets, it’s clear that this is about more than just bringing traditional finance on-chain. It’s about transforming how value moves, how users interact with assets, and ultimately, how we democratise access to financial markets. Ethereum’s security supports tokenised securities, while Solana’s speed enables high-frequency trading of RWAs. SOON’s SVM-based L2s deliver high throughput and low fees across L1s, supporting instant RWA transactions, like fractional real estate or stocks. This makes finance inclusive, allowing anyone with a wallet to invest. simpfor.fun V2 builds on this by allowing users to copy trades directly from live streams. Imagine a viewer on platforms like Twitch or SOOP being able to copy a trader’s moves in real-time, without needing any prior trading expertise. It’s about transforming content consumption into active financial participation – creating a superhighway from Web2 entertainment to Web3 finance. With our LiveTrade concept, we’re not just thinking about tokenised assets in isolation, but also about how users can interact with these assets. For instance, while many projects focus on fragmented social media channels or complex DeFi dashboards, we’ve chosen to integrate trading directly into live streaming, where authentic user engagement naturally happens. In this way, we’re not just building the most efficient rollup infrastructure. We’re building the best on-chain trading experience designed to truly drive mass blockchain adoption by making finance as interactive and engaging as entertainment.