We are have plenty of scope to optimise block times further as is with 60 validators based close together like DYDX recommends
Check out Injective, they have 60 geographically distributed validators across the world amf are still able to achieve 0.6s block times
Happy to share the config changes necessary to achieve this.
We can even beat that, when all validators are based close together plus we can also do direct peering, etc:
Reducing the validator set will cause irreversible damage to the decentralisation score of DYDX and damage DYDX social reputation.
Hyperliquid are moving to a decentralised validator set model too, its already making progress, just check their github.
This was spurred on after being called our for being centralised publicly on twitter.