As Axie Infinity creator Sky Mavis works to decentralize its Ronin network further, the Web3 startup has enlisted the assistance of one of the giant Web2 tech behemoths: Google Cloud.
Sky Mavis teams up with Google Cloud
Sky Mavis announced today that it had agreed with Google Cloud to run a validator node on Ronin through the cloud computing division of the international tech behemoth. That is, Google Cloud will assist in securing the sidechain network and processing transactions.
A Sky Mavis representative declined to discuss the deal’s specifics. According to a press release, Google Cloud has been the startup’s “strategic cloud partner” since 2020, but this is a new wrinkle in their relationship. Searce, a cloud solutions firm, will assist in the collaboration.
“Sky Mavis is a strong example of how the cloud can enable blockchain technologies to yield innovation and value creation for individuals,” said Ruma Balasubramanian, Managing Director of Google Cloud Southeast Asia. “We look forward to working with Sky Mavis and Searce as our implementation partner to accelerate its product roadmap and grow the Ronin network with secure infrastructure at its core. We’re also excited about the possibilities that could emerge from this latest collaboration, whether it’s new business models in the game distribution or entertaining experiences for users.”
Google Cloud will be the network’s 18th validator, more than doubling the number since the network lost $552 million in cryptocurrency in a high-profile March attack.
Five of the nine validators were compromised in that hack by using hacked private keys, and the U.S.
Treasury has blamed the incident on the North Korean state-sponsored hacking group Lazarus.
Sky Mavis hopes to have at least 21 validators for Ronin by the end of the year. In addition, the company has added companies such as Web3 gaming guild startup Yield Guild Games, blockchain analytics firms Nansen and DappRadar, and leading metaverse investor and game publisher Animoca Brands.
Google Cloud has previously collaborated with other blockchain and distributed ledger-based networks, validating transactions for video platform startup Theta Labs and joining Hedera Hashgraph’s governing council. Google Cloud announced in May that it had formed a Web3 team to assist in the powering of blockchain applications.
