Securing a Blockchain: First impressions of a Midnight block producer with Bjarne of TECH Pool

In this episode of Unshielded: A Blockchain & Data Podcast by Midnight, host Anthony sits down with Bjarne from TECH Pool, an experienced Cardano stake pool operator, to explore the journey of becoming a Midnight block producer. Through a detailed live demo and practical insights, they discuss the technical requirements, operational differences between Cardano and Midnight nodes, and essential considerations for maintaining true decentralization. Whether you're a stake pool operator looking to expand your horizons or a tech enthusiast interested in privacy-preserving blockchain infrastructure, this episode offers valuable guidance on joining the Midnight Network's growing ecosystem of block producers.

In this episode of Unshielded: A Blockchain & Data Podcast by Midnight, host Anthony Day is joined by Bjarne from TECH Pool, an experienced Cardano stake pool operator who has recently joined Midnight as a block producer. They explore the technical requirements, operational differences, and practical steps for setting up validator nodes on the Midnight network.

What You'll Learn:

How to transition from Cardano stake pool operations to Midnight block production
The key infrastructure differences between running Cardano and Midnight nodes
Why decentralization matters in block production and how to avoid over-reliance on major cloud providers
The essential technical requirements for running a Midnight node, including CPU and RAM specifications
How to navigate the block producer registration process with a step-by-step demonstration
The importance of proper synchronization of DB sync, Kupo, and Obmios before node registration
The critical role of high-performance hardware (especially SSDs) in node operation
How established SPOs can expand their operations to include both Cardano and Midnight networks

Bjarne is a Cardano Stake Pool Operator (SPO) and founder of TECH Pool, specializing in blockchain infrastructure and community development. As one of the first Cardano SPOs to onboard as a Midnight block producer, he brings extensive experience in node operation, server maintenance, and blockchain tooling development. His contributions to the Cardano ecosystem include creating JetRadar, a monitoring tool for Djed and Shen transactions, and cglobe.io, an interactive visualization platform demonstrating Cardano's decentralization. With a strong commitment to true decentralization through avoiding major cloud providers, Bjarne focuses on building robust, independent infrastructure while actively engaging with the community through technical support and educational initiatives. His expertise in both Cardano and Midnight networks positions him as a valuable voice for those interested in blockchain infrastructure, decentralization, and privacy-focused technologies

Episode Resources:

Bjarne Social: https://x.com/CardanoTech
TECH Pool Website: https://cardanotech.io
Midnight Network: https://midnight.network

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