Sandeep Nailwal is an Indian entrepreneur, software developer, Co-founder, and Chief Business Officer (CBO) of Polygon Labs. Nailwal is also the founder of India's Crypto Covid Relief Fund and Scopeweaver, India's largest marketplace for professional services. ^[1][19]

Education

At the National Institute of Industrial Engineering (Nitie), Nailwal majored in computer science and earned his MBA with a focus on information technology in 2014. ^[2]

Career

Nailwal began his career in 2010 as a software developer at Computer Sciences Corporation. He later worked as a consultant at Deloitte from 2014, focusing on program management and management consulting, and served as head of technology and supply chain at Welspun Group between 2015 and 2016. His early work in technology led him to co-found ScopeWeaver in 2015, a professional services marketplace in India where he implemented blockchain-based solutions.

In 2017, Nailwal co-founded Polygon (initially known as Matic Network) with Jaynti Kanani, Anurag Arjun, and Mihailo Bjelic, assuming the roles of CEO and later COO. The team developed a blockchain scaling solution for Ethereum, initially raising funds through friends, family, and an early exchange offering on Binance. Polygon expanded its scope in 2021, offering multiple scaling solutions and positioning itself as a suite of options for developers building on the Ethereum network. Nailwal’s leadership has focused on the strategic development of zero-knowledge (ZK) technologies, including Polygon CDK, enabling new layer-2 chains and interoperability between chains.

Nailwal has led collaborations with major partners, including Reliance Jio in 2025, to integrate blockchain into services for large user bases. He also initiated a COVID-19 relief fund in India, raising over $2.2 million and coordinating donations, including oxygen supplies, and support from notable figures such as Vitalik Buterin.

As an investor, Nailwal has made over 30 investments in blockchain and tech startups and co-founded Symbolic Capital in 2022, raising $50 million to support Web3 projects, particularly from emerging markets. In June 2025, he assumed sole leadership of the Polygon Foundation, directing strategic and operational decisions that focused on scalability, zero-knowledge technology, real-world assets, stablecoin payments, and advancing the broader vision of an internet of blockchains. ^[4][5]

Interviews

Fireside with NodeOps

In June 2025, Nailwal sat down with Naman Kabra (NodeOps) to discuss the challenges of scaling decentralized infrastructure and the onboarding of a billion users to Web3 technologies. Nailwal highlighted the significance of finding successful use cases within the blockchain space, particularly emphasizing the potential of decentralized infrastructure (DePIN) in various sectors, such as gaming. He expressed that while Web3 is still developing its foundational infrastructure, successful projects will likely come from traditional Web2 builders who can harness blockchain technology to enhance existing applications. The conversation also touched on how the focus within the crypto realm is gradually shifting from speculative narratives to sustainable revenue models, highlighting the need for robust financial systems that underpin the long-term viability of blockchain applications. Nailwal concluded that the revitalization of interest in blockchain projects would largely depend on their ability to demonstrate real-world adoption and revenue generation. ^[6]

Surviving Web3 Madness

On the Bill It Up podcast in July 2025, Nailwal shared insights on his rapid journey in the blockchain industry, which saw Polygon's market cap soar from $26 million in 2019 to $30 billion by mid-2022. Despite this success, he recounted experiencing significant stress and anxiety due to the pressures of media attention and the fast-paced nature of the crypto market, leading him to seek therapy and explore meditation. Nailwal emphasized the importance of self-regulation and ethical discipline for those entering the crypto space, particularly in light of regulatory uncertainties. He also addressed the challenge of scaling teams and maintaining organizational culture during Polygon's rapid growth, while encouraging future founders to remain mindful and reflective about their decisions. He advocated for meditation as a tool for better mental health and leadership effectiveness. ^[7]

Building Polygon

On the Building in Public podcast in January 2025, Nailwal recounted the challenges faced by the Polygon ecosystem over the past year and a half, emphasizing the importance of difficult decisions, such as layoffs and project cancellations, in building character and strengthening the organization. He highlighted the transition from a growing team and culture to a need for cohesion among employees, ultimately leading to the hiring of Mark as CEO, who was considered instrumental in navigating these challenges. Nailwal also articulated Polygon's vision of establishing a sustainable ecosystem within the blockchain space, focusing on the development of a multi-chain architecture and the AggLayer, which he views as a crucial element in creating a trustless internet of value. He acknowledged the early stages of decentralized physical infrastructure (DePIN) projects launched on Polygon. He expressed optimism for long-term growth in this area, although he recognized the challenges posed by established industries. Overall, he underscored a commitment to shaping the future of decentralized networks while remaining aware of the competitive landscape. ^[8]

Presentations

Polygon

At ETHDenver 2022 in February, Nailwal provided an overview of Polygon's journey since its inception in 2017 and its evolution from Matic to Polygon in 2021. He highlighted the development of various products within the Polygon ecosystem, emphasizing its role as an aggregator of multiple networks built on Ethereum. Nailwal discussed the unique governance structures that exist within these networks, contrasting on-chain governance via smart contracts with off-chain governance driven by community validators. He acknowledged the challenges faced by decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs), such as the difficulty of eliminating centralized power and the complexities of decision-making within governance. Throughout his presentation, he underscored the concept of progressive decentralization, suggesting that while it is essential to decentralize operations, doing so too quickly can hinder decision-making and affect innovation. He concluded by noting the evolving tools and methods for decentralized governance and the increasing importance of delegation in decision-making processes within DAOs. ^[9]

Panels

Scaling the Next Users

At the TOKEN2049 conference in Dubai in May 2025, a panel discussion focused on the performance and scalability issues in blockchain technology, particularly regarding Ethereum and its competitive landscape. Panelists included Jason Yanowitz (Blockworks), Keone Hon (Monad), Shuyao Kong (MegaETH), and Nailwal. The conversation highlighted the challenges Ethereum faced as it sought to enhance its performance while preserving its decentralized nature. The panelists debated whether Ethereum should focus on execution or remain a settlement layer, with differing opinions on the impact this might have on its credibility and market position. They acknowledged the growing competition from newer chains and the necessity for Ethereum to enhance its transaction capacity to attract more users. There was a consensus on the importance of innovation and adapting to user needs, with many participants expressing optimism about the future of the crypto space and the potential for meaningful growth and application development over the next year. ^[10]