Dmitry Zhelezov is the cofounder and CEO of SQD, a company that develops a decentralized data indexing platform for Web3 applications. His work focuses on creating scalable solutions for blockchain data extraction and transformation, enabling developers to build more efficient decentralized applications. ^[4]

Overview

Dmitry Zhelezov has established himself as a notable figure in the blockchain technology space, particularly in the area of data indexing and processing. At SQD, he leads the development of technology that allows for high-performance data indexing while maintaining decentralization principles. The platform aims to replace traditional RPC (Remote Procedure Call) methods with more permissionless and trustless approaches to data access, enhancing Web3 scalability. Under his leadership, SQD has developed innovative solutions including a decentralized data lake and the SQD Portal (formerly Gateway 2.0), which provides developers with tools for streaming, decoding, and aggregating blockchain data ^[1].

Education

Zhelezov holds a PhD in Mathematics from Chalmers University of Technology, which he earned between 2011 and 2016. Prior to his doctoral studies, he obtained a Master of Science degree in Financial Mathematics from Halmstad University (2010-2011). He also holds both a Master's degree (2008-2011) and a Bachelor's degree (2004-2008) in Physics, Mathematics, and Computer Science from Saint Petersburg State University. ^{[2] [4]}

Career

Zhelezov began his professional career in software development, working as a Java Developer at DataArt from 2007 to 2008. He then moved to GGA Software Services, where he served as a Senior Java Developer from 2008 to 2011. During this period, he gained experience in developing pharmaceutical and web applications, which served as a basis for later work with blockchain technology ^[3].

Following his early software development roles, Zhelezov transitioned to academic research. From 2011 to 2016, he worked as a PhD Researcher at Chalmers University of Technology. Later, from 2017 to 2019, he served as a Wallenberg Research Fellow at the Renyi Institute of Mathematics, where he conducted research in arithmetic combinatorics and graph theory ^[3].

Zhelezov's entry into the blockchain space began with his role as a Full Stack Developer at Purple Scout in 2016-2017, followed by a brief stint as a Trading Analyst at KapitalTrading in 2016. His deeper involvement in blockchain technology started when he joined Helix Cognitive Computing GmbH as Chief Scientist from 2018 to 2020, where he led the development of a distributed messaging protocol ^[3].

From 2020 to 2021, Zhelezov worked as a Hydra Core Developer at Jsgenesis, focusing on a query node framework for Substrate-based blockchains. This experience further solidified his expertise in blockchain data processing and indexing solutions ^[2].

SQD

In May 2021, Zhelezov co-founded SQD (formerly known as Subsquid), where he initially held the position of Philosopher before becoming CEO. At SQD, he has been instrumental in developing the company's vision for a decentralized data indexing platform that addresses the scalability and efficiency challenges faced by Web3 applications.

Under his leadership, SQD has developed several key technologies, including:

1. A decentralized data lake that serves as a repository for various types of blockchain data;
2. SQD Light Clients, which aim to bring SQLite-like functionality to Web3;
3. SQD Portal, a comprehensive ecosystem of data tools built on top of the SQD Network's low-level interface.

In May 2024, SQD launched its native token, which is designed to incentivize network participation and ensure the decentralization of the platform. ^{[1] [4] [3] [5]}

Zhelezov is based in Landerneau, Bretagne, France. He co-founded SQD with Marcel Fohrmann, who serves as a co-founder of the company. SQD is headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, and operates in the blockchain and cryptocurrency industries ^[3].

In addition to his technical work, Zhelezov has contributed to the blockchain community through writing and speaking engagements. His approach to blockchain data indexing emphasizes the importance of decentralization without sacrificing performance, focusing on creating solutions that align with Web3 values while addressing practical challenges faced by developers. ^{[4] [6] [7] [8]}

Interviews

BlockHash Podcast Interview #01

On November 29, 2024, Dmitry Zhelezov participated in an episode of the BlockHash Podcast, where he provided an overview of his professional background and discussed the development of SQD, a data infrastructure initiative within the Web3 sector.

During the discussion, Zhelezov recounted his initial involvement with cryptocurrencies, which began in 2014 through the purchase of Bitcoin. This experience led to further exploration of blockchain technology and subsequently to the creation of SQD. He explained that the project was conceived to address perceived limitations in the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) model traditionally used for accessing blockchain data. The proposed alternative, as described by Zhelezov, involves a decentralized and scalable data layer designed to improve data access efficiency and reliability.

Zhelezov elaborated on the technical structure of SQD, outlining its emphasis on maintaining a balance between security, scalability, and decentralization. He introduced the SQD Software Development Kit (SDK), which provides tools intended to facilitate the development of applications that utilize on-chain data. Additionally, he mentioned that future updates planned for 2025 would focus on enabling real-time data access through a specialized portal.

Throughout the interview, Zhelezov discussed various challenges and considerations relevant to the blockchain industry, including the necessity of technical proficiency, the increasing demand for streamlined data retrieval methods, and the complexities involved in aligning decentralization with performance requirements. He also referenced the importance of community involvement in the ongoing development of blockchain-based solutions.

Looking forward, Zhelezov stated that SQD plans to incorporate on-chain metadata capabilities, improve interoperability with external data systems, and explore a framework for token-based incentives. These developments, according to Zhelezov, are intended to support the project’s continued adaptation to the requirements of the Web3 environment. ^[9]