In the shadow of traditional validators, a silent revolution is unfolding: that of decentralized RPC operators. Lava Network is reinventing access to blockchains, and Snow-Fall is taking part.
The Current State: Lava Network in 2025
Lava Network is a modular decentralized protocol that optimizes RPC (Remote Procedure Call) and API access to blockchains. Rather than just another chain, Lava acts as an open cooperative of RPC operators, connecting developers, service providers, and blockchains in a permissionless and scalable network.
The Numbers Speak
Since August 2024, Lava has generated over $3.5 million in revenue, with $1 million already distributed to stakers and providers for chains like NEAR or Axelar. The network currently supports over 30 chains: Cosmos, Ethereum, Osmosis, Polygon, NEAR, Starknet, Arbitrum, and many others.
Far from being theoretical, this infrastructure processes millions of daily requests for dApps, wallets, and DeFi protocols that need reliable, fast, and decentralized access to blockchain states.
The Principle: An Anti-Fragile Infrastructure
Lava’s genius lies in its automatic selection algorithm for the best RPC providers. Gone are the catastrophic outages of a single provider (Infura, Alchemy) or the complexity of juggling multiple providers: Lava automatically relays requests to the best-performing operators. If one node goes down, another takes over — without extra cost, without friction.
For developers, it’s the promise of a unified multi-chain infrastructure: a single entry point for all swaps, gas estimations, balance checks, NFT minting, or staking operations.
RPC Restaking: How It Works
Unlike traditional restaking (à la EigenLayer), “restaking” on Lava involves staking LAVA tokens to activate an RPC provider that will serve requests relayed by the network.
The Role of an RPC Operator
An operator like Snow-Fall:
- Chooses the chains it wishes to support (Cosmos Hub, Ethereum, Osmosis, etc.).
- Launches operational RPC nodes for these chains (synchronized full nodes).
- Stakes LAVA via CLI, separately for each supported chain (e.g., Cosmos + Ethereum = 2 distinct stakes).
- Joins the Pairing List in the next epoch to start serving consumers (dApps, wallets, DeFi protocols).
The Technical Process
- Staking Command:
lavad tx pairing stake-provider [chain-id] [stake-amount] --from [vault] --provider [operator-address] --geolocation [geoloc] - Non-Custodial Management: The operator specifies a vault address to manage funds, and a distinct operational address for daily operations.
- Performance = Rewards: Revenue is distributed based on the CU score (Compute Units served) — the more quality requests you serve, the more you earn.
Snow-Fall is currently listed as an active provider on Lava Mainnet with:
- CU score: 909.80K
- Commission: 5%
- APR: 1.94%
Advantages of the Lava Model
For Developers and End-Users
| Advantage | Impact |
|---|---|
| Enhanced Reliability | No single point of failure: if a provider goes down, the network automatically switches to another. |
| Permissionless | Easy addition of new rollups or chains without prior authorization. |
| Cost Savings | On-chain funding via native chain tokens; competition among providers optimizes price and performance. |
| Native Multi-Chain | A single endpoint for all supported chains: no more multi-provider fragmentation. |
For Operators Like Snow-Fall
| Advantage | Impact |
|---|---|
| LAVA Revenue | Direct remuneration via consumer fees. |
| Non-Custodial | Full control over funds and infrastructure. |
| Scalability | Staking per chain = diversified and optimized revenue. |
| Existing Infrastructure | Re-use of full nodes already operational for other activities (validation, etc.). |
For the Blockchain Ecosystem
Lava solves the RPC fragmentation problem that hinders institutional and developer adoption. With thousands of rollups expected in the coming years (Optimism Superchain, Arbitrum Orbit, Polygon CDK, zkSync Hyperchains), RPC infrastructure must be modular, decentralized, and competitive. Lava is positioned to become the nervous system of the blockchain internet.
ROI: Where Do We Stand?
Current Figures
- Average APR for providers: between 1.94% and 4.76% depending on operators and chains.
- Snow-Fall specific: APR of 1.94%, commission of 5%, high CU score (909K).
- Ecosystem revenue: $3.5M generated, of which $1M distributed to stakers/providers.
Factors Influencing ROI
- Stake per chain: More supported chains = more revenue sources.
- CU score (performance): The more quality requests you serve, the more you maximize your rewards.
- Geographical location: Priority geolocations (defined by governance) receive more requests.
- Competition among providers: A healthy market where the best operators capture more volume.
Outlook
The current ROI is modest but real. However, the prospects are much more interesting:
- Exponential growth of rollups: Thousands of additional chains are coming.
- Incentivized Public RPC: Lava introduces payment programs for providers serving public access chains.
- Institutional adoption: Businesses and DeFi protocols are looking for reliable alternatives to Infura/Alchemy.
Snow-Fall’s bet: investing in RPC infrastructure today means positioning oneself in an exploding market, with recurring and decentralized revenues.
Snow-Fall and Lava: A Natural Synergy
For Snow-Fall, Lava embodies decentralization in its purest form: no vendor lock-in, no custodial risk, an open infrastructure where performance dictates success.
We already operate full nodes for our validation activities on Cosmos, Ethereum, Avalanche, and others. Lava allows us to monetize this existing infrastructure while strengthening the resilience of the global blockchain ecosystem.
It’s also a strategic diversification: while traditional staking can be volatile, RPC restaking offers recurring revenues tied to the actual use of blockchains — not just their speculation.
What Remains to Be Built
Lava is still young. The challenges ahead:
- Network scalability: Maintaining performance with thousands of chains.
- Increased competition: New operators join the network every month.
- LAVA volatility: ROI in fiat depends on the token price.
- Governance: Decisions on geolocations, incentives, and fees are critical.
But it is precisely in these building phases that early adopters position themselves for future gains.
Conclusion: The Invisible Infrastructure That Matters
Validators attract attention. Tokens make headlines. But RPC infrastructure is the silent nervous system that allows everything else to function.
Lava Network transforms this infrastructure into a decentralized, competitive, and profitable market. For Snow-Fall, it’s an opportunity to leverage our operational expertise while contributing to the decentralization of the ecosystem.
RPC restaking is not spectacular. But in a world where thousands of blockchains will coexist, those who master decentralized data access will master the future.
Snow-Fall — Master Your Decentralized Future.
