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Nethermind, the team behind one of Ethereum's most widely run execution clients, is shutting down its Decentralized Verifier Network (DVN) operations for LayerZero and joining Chainlink as a node operator, where it'll help secure the Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) and Data Feeds.
What's the Scoop?
- The move: DVNs are the independent verifiers that authenticate cross-chain messages in LayerZero's security model, and Nethermind was among its largest. Now Nethermind is consolidating its cross-chain infrastructure work under Chainlink, taking on two roles at once: a node operator securing CCIP and Data Feeds, and a "strategic technology provider" building developer tooling and integration support to help institutions build onchain.
- The resumé: Founded in 2017, Nethermind runs one of Ethereum's core execution clients (CEO Daniel Celeda says it now powers more than a third of the network) with infra supporting over 16,000 validators and +$5B in delegated assets for clients including Lido, EtherFi, StarkWare, and Arbitrum.
- The backstory: The move follows an April exploit that drained $292M from Kelp DAO's rsETH bridge, which ran on LayerZero-powered infrastructure. Kelp itself migrated to Chainlink afterward. Fast forward to today, and Chainlink's CCIP has already picked up many billions in TVL from teams leaving LayerZero.
- What wasn't said: Neither company disclosed financial terms, a migration timeline, or any specific technical complaint about LayerZero. Nethermind's announcement points only to an "extensive review."
