Delegate Proposal - Gabriel Tramble / Shoal Research
Identity and Background
I am a six-year veteran crypto native with a background in tech before transitioning into the crypto space. I spent three years at Coinbase, where I led primary research diligence for asset listings, and supported the launch of Base.
Currently, I am the founder of Shoal Research, an early-stage DeFi and infrastructure research firm. Our focus is on identifying and tracking key ecosystem narratives, and we produce in-depth research in collaboration with protocols exploring new technologies, projects, or ideas. Additionally, we work with numerous protocols across DeFi and infrastructure to support their growth and strategic development.
Historical Contributions to the Jito Network
Yes, Shoal Research has actively contributed to the Jito Network by working directly with the internal Jito team to publish documents related to staking and ongoing initiatives. Additionally, we continuously aggregate, summarize and published key protocol updates across our distribution channels. As ecosystem participants, we are directly incentivized in the success of the Jito Network and are committed to supporting its growth and development.
Experience in Protocol Governance
While we have not yet engaged in governance roles identical to the Jito delegation, we have actively participated in financially incentivized governance within ecosystems such as Curve and Convex. Through this, we’ve learned that governance is best understood as a spectrum, offering the flexibility needed to suit the unique needs and objectives of each protocol.
Commitment to Jito Network and Solana
At Shoal, Solana is one of our core theses and areas of focus. We are fully aligned with the success of both Jito and Solana, actively contributing to these ecosystems. While there are several strong ecosystems in the space, none rival the strength and culture of the Solana community.
As individuals, we participate in active Jito staking and various DeFi operations. As a research firm, we have conducted deep dive reports on top projects within the Solana ecosystem, including Jupiter, Drift, Jito and others, to support their growth, innovation, and visibility.
How should JitoSOL validator delegation balance performance (yield) versus decentralization goals?
To strike an effective balance between performance (yield) and decentralization, we must recognize that these goals are not mutually exclusive but rather interdependent. Decentralization should be seen as ultimate goal for the network.
Our Approach:
We propose a data-driven delegation strategy that initially focuses on performance by leveraging on-chain validator history to understand and optimize yield. However, this approach should progressively incorporate decentralization metrics, such as geographic distribution and the inclusion of diverse operators, to ensure a robust network resistant to centralization risks.
While there may be a slight trade-off in yield when pursuing decentralization, the long-term structural advantages, such as enhanced network security, censorship resistance, and community trust, far outweigh the short-term performance losses. Therefore, the delegation strategy should evolve over time to balance these elements dynamically, using quantitative and fundamental frameworks to continually assess and adjust the mix of performance and decentralization to maximize overall network health.
What should be the priorities for JTO liquidity mining and DAO token grants?
We envision liquidity mining and DAO token grants should to be employed with a strategic, long-term perspective, focusing on producing sustainable growth by aligning performance incentives with the broader goals of the Jito and Solana ecosystems. To achieve this, allocating incentives in ways that drive growth, bootstrap liquidity, and support emerging protocols, such as JitoSOL-SOL liquidity pools and MEV-aware DeFi projects. Additionally, a data-driven approach with reviews should be used to assess the effectiveness of these programs to ensure success and sustainability. Liquidity mining should be selective, and can involve contributions from partners to maximize efficiency and sustain growth. In addition, grants should be awarded transparently to those who enhance the network, following a process based on milestones and vesting schedules.
What are your goals for the DAO as a delegate?
As a delegate, our primary goal is to support a decentralized and self-sustained ecosystem for Jito by focusing on transparent monitoring and reporting. This involves closely tracking Jito’s liquidity mining activities and providing regular updates on broader ecosystem developments, including new products and initiatives. We aim to foster growth by supporting use cases that enhance network security and performance while promoting collaboration with other Solana projects. Additionally, advocating for Jito-led standards in MEV practices and ensure that governance decisions are made with detailed due diligence.
- Shoal Research
Solana delegation address: 22ZLJf18DLhRiY7LqyFrBw2hZoyo72L9WKz7BsF3DNDC