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George Town, Grand Cayman, March 7th, 2024, Chainwire

Zircuit, a zk rollup with parallelized circuits and AI-enabled security at the sequencer level, today announced its staking program has surpassed $500M in TVL. Currently in testnet phase, Zircuit is poised to hit a mainnet TVL on day one that surpasses major blockchains such as Linea, Manta, Mantle, Near, Scroll, Aptos, and zkSync.

Next week, Zircuit will integrate Ethena, adding to its growing list of supported protocols for Zircuit Staking. Users who stake USDe with Zircuit will earn Zircuit Points and 7x Shards (Ethena points). Ethena is a crypto-native solution to a yield-bearing synthetic dollar fully collateralized and freely composable onchain. Other protocols in the program include Renzo, Kelp, Etherfi, Lido, Swell, Eigenpie, and Liquid Collective.

Points programs have become a rising trend in crypto, offering a new way to incentivize users who contribute to a protocol. Zircuit Staking is an innovative program that allows users to deposit ETH, liquid staking tokens (LSTs), and liquid restaking tokens (LRTs) to earn Zircuit Points. Through the staking program, users can earn Zircuit points on top of any staking yield or points they are already earning. Users who opt-in to migrate their assets to the Zircuit Mainnet when it goes live are rewarded the most. Users can withdraw at any time and keep the points and yield earned, as ETH isn’t hard-locked like Blast or Mantle. 

After spending over a year and a half conducting L2 research, the Zircuit team created an L2 with a built-in AI-enabled sequencer that protects users by monitoring the mempool for malicious transactions. In comparison to typical security efforts that focus on the application and smart contract levels, Zircuit brings sequencer-level security (SLS). This means that every transaction on Zircuit will go through low-level security checks resulting in a more secure chain for projects and end users. Zircuit is also fully EVM-compatible, offers greater efficiency, and provides users with cheaper and faster transactions.

Backed by Pantera Capital, Dragonfly Capital, and Maelstrom, Zircuit is currently in testnet phase with mainnet expected to come later in 2024. To participate in Zircuit Staking, users can visit: https://stake.zircuit.com/ 

About Zircuit

Zircuit is a zk rollup with parallelized circuits and AI-enabled security at the sequencer level. Built by a team of web3 security veterans and PhDs in computer science, algorithms, and cryptography, Zircuit’s unique architecture combines the best of both worlds of performance and security. To learn more visit zircuit.com or follow us on Twitter/X @ZircuitL2

Contact

Jessica Graber
Zircuit
jessica@zircuit.com

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, March 5th, 2024, Chainwire

Sui is one of twelve networks that will be integrated at ZettaBlock’s Open Beta launch, giving builders seamless access to a powerful new source of Web3 data platform

Sui, the lightning fast, infinitely horizontally scalable layer 1 blockchain that has quickly become a leading destination for DeFi activity, has been announced by data platform ZettaBlock as one of the protocols chosen to be a foundational integration partner at the launch of its groundbreaking Web3 data platform. At the launch of ZettaBlock’s open beta, builders and developers will have seamless access to rich, high-quality data across more than 12 blockchains and 500 popular Web3 datasets, including Sui.

Established in 2022, ZettaBlock represents a major advancement in Web3 data handling. ZettaBlock’s full-stack, institutional-grade, unified platform provides rich on-chain data, both historical and real time, and allows users to bring their crucial, private data sources to the platform. Importantly, ZettaBlock eliminates the need for developers to deal with multiple data vendors, presenting them instead with a singular, scalable and adaptable data platform. Further, ZettaBlock’s platform is easy to use, offering a comprehensive library of pre-built APIs which encompass the most common use cases to allow developers to build quickly, while simultaneously enabling them to easily craft custom APIs based on any business or dApp logic via SQL generating one click ready GraphQL endpoints with no infrastructure overhead. 

In its short history, ZettaBlock’s robust data solutions have already powered the likes of Crypto.com, Chainlink, Forta and Artemis Analytics. On the partner side, in addition to Sui, ZettaBlock’s open beta offers seamless access to data generated by Web3 networks such as Polygon, Stellar, and zkSync. 

The platform that ZettaBlock has engineered powers interoperability that is fundamental to enhancing and growing ecosystems and pushing the boundaries of Web3 use cases. Through its early-stage partnership with ZettaBlock, Sui fills an essential role in breaking down barriers for developers who seek to innovate and expand beyond the current limitations of DeFi. In particular, ZettaBlock empowers developers by eliminating data and infrastructure challenges and enabling them to focus on innovating and building the next generation of Web3 apps. With the aid of innovations such as Sui’s zkLogin and zkSend, the integration of ZettaBlock’s technology will speed adoption from web2 and spur the ongoing growth of the burgeoning Sui ecosystem.

The announcement of Sui’s inclusion as a provider in ZettaBlock’s open beta comes after a number of key achievements in Sui’s own DeFi ecosystem. In January, Sui broke into the top ten of all chains by TVL and in the last month, according to Wormhole data, the network received over $310M in assets moving from Ethereum to Sui — more than every other blockchain combined.

“Being chosen as a founding member of the ZettaBlock platform is a powerful testament to how positively Sui and its ecosystem are viewed in the broader Web3 landscape,” said Greg Siourounis, Managing Director of the Sui Foundation. “Sui is pleased to be a part of ZettaBlock’s commendable efforts to remove the silos that separate Web3 ecosystems and to help strengthen our ability to advance the technology to solve real world use cases.”

With today’s open beta launch, ZettaBlock is now available for builders, analysts, and businesses across the web2 and Web3 landscapes.

“We are excited to partner with Sui, a leading Layer 1 in the industry with impressive underlying technology and proven reliability,” said ZettaBlock Co-Founder and CEO, Chi Zhang. “The success of ZettaBlock is built around partnerships with the most active blockchain ecosystems and protocols and we are integrating Sui as a foundational partner to make it extremely simple for developers to access that burgeoning ecosystem.”

Contact

Sui Foundation
media@sui.io

Paris, France, March 5th, 2024, Chainwire

Uniting Web3 Visionaries and Global Leaders

Following the success of its 2023 edition, the Proof of Talk summit, heralded as the Davos of Web3, is back for its second year and brings together thought leaders, investors, CEOs, founders, exchanges, digital asset managers, and regulatory authorities for networking and thought-provoking sessions. Held on 10 and 11 June at the historic Museum of Decorative Arts in the Louvre Palace at the heart of Paris, this summit has its sights on delivering a unique event with a highly-curated audience dedicated to shaping the future of blockchain and global policy.

Last year, Proof of Talk welcomed over 1500 ecosystem participants, including key figures from Binance, VanEck, Ripple, and the World Economic Forum, alongside CEOs and founders of leading blockchain companies and government representatives. After the event distinguished investor, venture partner, and Proof of Talk attendee Leeor Groen, Managing Director, Spartan Group, aptly noted that it was “where Web3 meets the spirit of Davos.” The summit facilitated crucial discussions on rebuilding trust within Web3, reflecting the industry’s need for a platform that encourages genuine engagement, meaningful connections, and strategic collaboration. 

With the SEC’s recent spot Bitcoin ETF approvals and the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation bringing more clarity to the space in Europe, the stage is truly set for widespread blockchain adoption and development of digital assets beyond cryptocurrency. This year’s conference harnesses and reflects this revitalization and will assemble blockchain and Web3 professionals from around the world to engage with C-level executives, explore partnerships, and generate investment opportunities that will reshape industries and create new paradigms.

The highly-curated 2024 forum seeks to welcome over 2500 participants. Combined with a speaker lineup featuring CEOs, founders, and leaders of the Web3 and digital assets industry, the summit features impact-focused networking and a refined agenda. A few of the speakers include:

·     Joseph Lubin CEO and Founder at Consensys

·     Jenny Johnson, CEO, Franklin Templeton

·     Tim Draper, Founder, DFJ

·     Ophelia Snyder, Cofounder President, Ark 21 Shares

·     Mihailo Bjelic, Co-Founder, Polygon

·     Raoul Pal, Crypto Macro Economist

·     Yat Siu, Chairman, Animoca

·     John Wu, President, Ava Labs

·     Justin Sun, Founder, Tron

·     Marieke Flament, former CEO, Near Foundation 

·     Dominic Williams, Founder, DFINITY

·     Björn Wagner, CEO, Parity technologies and Polkadot

·     Jon Fink Isaksen, Head of Policy, Uniswap 

·     Matthew Siegel, Head of Digital Assets, Van Eck

·     Christopher Donovan, COO, NEAR Foundation

·     Lex Sokolin, Managing Partner, Generative Ventures 

·     Digital asset leads from over 30 major TradFi banks

·     Partners from 100+ attending VCs  

The summit’s agenda also actively reflects Web3’s growing importance, with over 20 panels, 10+ workshops, and over five keynotes and firesides on key topics shaping Web3’s future. These include real world asset tokenization, AI-blockchain integration, gaming evolution, and smart contract security.

Zohair Dehnadi, Co-Founder, Proof of Talk and Partner, X-Ventures: “We are overwhelmed by the positive feedback we received from our 2023 summit, with some attendees even sharing it reminded them of the World Economic Forum’s early days. We’re also delighted at all the interest from both speakers and potential sponsors for this year’s edition. Right now, the industry is on the brink of a new era, and we’ve harnessed this enthusiasm to curate an event with the most influential people from Web3, digital assets, and traditional finance to shape the agenda of the future. It’s important to provide an inspirational forum for these players, from founders and funds to legal experts and regulatory authorities, to engage in high-impact networking, share best practices, and have those necessary but tough discussions that will safely move the space forward. I’m proud to offer the industry such an exclusive experience at one of Paris’ most iconic locations, and am looking forward to seeing everyone in June!”

About Proof of Talk

Proof of Talk is setting a new standard in the Web3 conference landscape, positioning itself not just as another web3 conference but as a pivotal forum where the promise of decentralization comes to life. The summit uniquely combines the essence of traditional economic forums with the dynamic, decentralized Web3 community, fostering an innovative ecosystem of dialogue and action. It stands as a platform for change, where every voice, from the seasoned economist to the radical Web3 founder, contributes to a collective vision of a decentralized economic future. By facilitating engaging discussions and unparalleled networking, participants shape this new landscape. Learn more at www.proofoftalk.io

 About X Ventures

 X Ventures is a Germany-based digital assets investment fund dedicated to supporting and empowering entrepreneurs in the Web3 industry. Alongside its investment activities, X Ventures founded www.xschool.io, aiming to provide accessible education to future leaders worldwide.

Contact

Shanna Molina
Cognito
shanna.molina@cognitomedia.nl
+31 6 18 72 87 55

Palo Alto, California, March 1st, 2024, Chainwire

Using OpenRank, developers and web3 companies can build consumer apps where people can discover, use, fund, read, or buy something on-chain without worrying about getting spammed or scammed.

Karma3 Labs has raised $4.5M in seed funding led by Galaxy and IDEO CoLab Ventures to build OpenRank, a decentralized reputation protocol. Using OpenRank, developers and web3 protocols can power consumer apps, communities and marketplaces with an open ranking and recommendation layer that provides users with security and peace of mind when making decisions onchain, without having to trust centralized gatekeepers. Some of the early use cases of OpenRank include leveraging a community rating system for App Marketplaces like Metamask Snaps; Ranking and Recommendation APIs for Lens and Farcaster; On-Chain discovery feeds for consumer apps and wallets; and reputation-based voting and governance. 

Introducing trust and reputation mechanisms is critical to web3, just as it has been for web2, where there have been countless use cases in decentralized peer-to-peer utility. For example, Uber decentralized taxi services because of driver ratings; AirBnB decentralized hotels because of host ratings; eBay decentralized the shopping mall because of seller ratings; Reddit decentralized gated community forums because of user karma badges; Google allowed for the practical use of the decentralized web because of PageRank. However, none of these services were able to be fully decentralized because a single entity owned the reputation scores. To prevent centralized gatekeeping, there is a need for decentralized reputation mechanisms. Such reputation systems need to be open-source, permissionless, flexible to different contexts, and Sybil-resistant.

OpenRank solves for this in web3, creating a decentralized reputation mechanism that sets the foundation for a future where peer-to-peer interactions and collective community intelligence power a decentralized web of trust, rendering centralized gatekeepers obsolete. The protocol aims for a scenario where Twitter’s Community Notes like system was possible, but not owned by a single company, openly and cheaply accessible to any developer, who could define their own algorithm of choice.

“A decentralized internet characterized by fairness and transparency hinges on the existence of a robust reputation system,” said Sahil Dewan, founder and CEO of Karma3 Labs. “We believe that on-chain social and consumer experiences will need a decentralized reputation protocol and we’re excited to onboard builders and developers for OpenRank.”

OpenRank enables any developer to permissionlessly compute on Reputation Graphs for ratings, ranking or recommendation for their apps or communities. These graphs can be constructed using on-chain or any peer-to-peer social graph data. Using graph algorithms, like EigenTrust, the OpenRank will enable verifiable compute on these reputation graphs.

OpenRank leverages zero-knowledge proving systems for running graph algorithm computations. Developers can use any on-chain data that suits their application context without having to worry about the cost or verifiability of computing on the data. Consumer applications and marketplaces will be able to integrate context-specific, native rankings and recommendations seamlessly. Moreoever, developers can also leverage rankings and reputation from other ecosystems and communities to bootstrap their own reputation system. OpenRank believes that a reputation compute layer in web3 would allow a broader range of useful applications, including those that resist cryptographic or game-theoretic mechanisms of trust. To achieve this, the team needs a system that is resilient to Sybil contexts, provides scalable compute and can be permissionlessly used by any developer.

“OpenRank represents a pivotal advance in web3 social and on-chain interactions. We’ve seen the impact PageRank has had in web2 and there is a massive opportunity to build a similar reputation primitive on-chain,” said Mike Giampapa, General Partner of Galaxy’s venture team. “We’re excited for the future of Karma3 Labs and what they’ve built with OpenRank, and are proud to lead the company’s seed round.”

The fundraise was led by Galaxy and IDEO CoLab Ventures, with participation from Spartan, SevenX, HashKey, Flybridge, Delta Fund, Draper Dragon, and Compa Capital. Angel investors from Xooglers Fund and veterans from Coinbase, ConsenSys, IPFS, along with Andrew Hong from Dune Analytics and Liang Wu from the Harvard Crypto Lab also invested in the seed round. The raise enables OpenRank to broaden adoption across early use cases and help launch protocol v1 for developers, ushering in a new era of permission-less and verifiable reputation computation.

“Karma3 Labs and the OpenRank protocol for reputation and trust will enable radical innovation around choice, personalization and safety for a rapidly evolving internet. We are excited to see OpenRank already being implemented to enable open marketplaces, spam reduction and choose your own algorithms. This only scratches the surface of what’s possible and we look forward to working with the Karma3 Labs team to bring these possibilities to life,” said Joe Gerber, Managing Director of IDEO CoLab.

About OpenRank

OpenRank is a decentralized reputation protocol founded by Karma3 Labs. OpenRank introduces decentralized reputation mechanisms that set the foundation for a future where peer-to-peer interactions and collective community intelligence power a decentralized web of trust, rendering centralized gatekeepers obsolete. With OpenRank, we can build a more reputable world.

Contact

Karma3 Labs
hello@karma3labs.com

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, March 1st, 2024, Chainwire

Ondo launches native access to tokenized real-world assets on Sui

Sui, the Layer 1 blockchain that offers industry-leading performance and infinite scaling, has announced that Ondo Finance’s yield-bearing stablecoin alternative is now live on the network and available for immediate use by builders, developers and their end users. Ondo’s US treasury-backed and interest-bearing token, USDY, is the Sui Network’s first native dollar-denominated token. 

Ondo’s expansion to Sui offers key functionalities enabling builders and developers within the ultra-composable Sui ecosystem to create decentralized applications with significantly more features. Sui’s fast-rising DeFi TVL and volume, along with its adoption by leading projects, including some from other platforms, indicates a network that is experiencing growing demand for its next-generation financial applications. 

Ondo Finance is the third-largest platform bringing tokenized forms of real-world assets onto public blockchains with $185M in TVL. Ondo’s flagship Treasury-backed tokens and other tokenized real-world assets will create countless new opportunities for teams building on Sui. At inception, DeFi protocols with immediate integrations of USDY include Aftermath Finance, Cetus, NAVI Protocol, Typus Finance, Bucket Protocol, Turbos and KriyaDEX.

“I am extremely excited to bring the unique benefits of Ondo’s treasury-backed, yield-bearing USDY token to the builders and developers on Sui,” said Ondo’s founder and CEO, Nathan Allman. “The combination of our technologies offers this group, which is already creating apps at the forefront of DeFi, a unique opportunity to leverage Sui to advance the industry even further.”

The tokenized treasury-backed offerings that now live on the Sui Network represent tradable tokens backed by real-world assets, marking a significant step toward growing DeFi in the ecosystem and across the industry.

“Sui’s rapid growth in decentralized finance, exemplified by the significant assets and projects coming to the ecosystem, is a clear illustration that the network is ready to incorporate the latest in tokenized real-world assets,” said Greg Siourounis, Managing Director of the Sui Foundation. “Having a version of Ondo’s USDY that is native to Sui will unlock exciting new opportunities for Sui’s builders and developers and new features for the users of their applications.”

Contact

Sui Foundation
media@sui.io