An exploration into emerging decentralized networks, the subtle revolution in blockchain utilization, and a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements in Layer 2 developments. This episode is sponsored by Consensus 2024  Follow the show here for more. In this installment of "The Protocol," hosts Brad Keoun, the founding editor of The Protocol Newsletter, and tech journalists Sam Kessler and Margaux Nijkerk,  explore the following stories: Infura's baby step toward decentralization. Infura, from the Ethereum developer Consensys, is so dominant it's been cast as a single point of failure. Now it's creating a "decentralized infrastructure network" to help protect against outages – with a "federated" group of partners. What are ‘Intents’? Intent-centric programs are quietly transforming how we use blockchains, but they bring risks as well as benefits. PROTOCOL VILLAGE SEGMENT   OKX Apes into L2 race PLUS a wrap of L2 developments including: Kinto Redstone Polygon's Ryan Wyatt joining Optimism Foundation in a growth role. "We're going to need a lot of L2s," he told CoinDesk TV. Plasma blockchain designs, all the rage after they were first invented in 2017, could come back in vogue after Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin wrote in a blog post-Tuesday that the category "opens the door to very large scalability gains." EPISODE LINKS |   Ethereum Platform Infura's Step Toward Decentralization Includes Microsoft, Tencent  'Intents' Are Blockchain's Big New Buzzword. What are They, And What Are the Risks? Cryptocurrency Exchange OKX Coming Out With Layer 2 ‘X1’ Built on Polygon Technology Blockchain Startup Kinto Plans 'First KYC'd' Ethereum Layer-2 Network After Raising $5M  Blockchain Developer Lattice Unveils 'Alternative Data Availability' Network for Optimism  Ex-Polygon Veteran Wyatt Joins Optimism Foundation Unit in Growth Role  Plasma: Scalable Autonomous Smart Contracts  Sign Up for THE PROTOCOL NEWSLETTER  From Our Sponsor:  CONSENSUS 2024 by Coindesk  Secure your $109 Developer Pass today and join us in Austin May 29-31 to explore the epicenter of blockchain innovation at Consensus. This is where the top blockchains show off their latest advancements, share their detailed roadmaps, dive deep with technical workshops and forecast the next wave of innovation. Don’t wait! These passes are limited. Learn more and register: https://consensus.coindesk.com/register/developer/ - The Protocol has been produced and edited by senior producer Michele Musso and our executive producer is Jared Schwartz. Our theme song is “Take Me Back” by Strength To Last. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.