Blockchain
Sequoia Capital India Leads $450 Million Round for Polygon With SoftBank, Galaxy, Tiger, Republic Capital
Polygon raised about $450 million in a funding round led by Sequoia Capital India with participation from more than 40 major venture capital firms including SoftBank Vision Fund 2, Galaxy Digital, Galaxy Interactive, Tiger Global, Republic Capital and prominent investors like Alan Howard (co-founder, Brevan Howard) and Kevin O’Leary (Mr. Wonderful from ABC’s Shark Tank).
Polygon’s first major financing round since the project’s founding in 2017 has also attracted contributions from Alameda Research, Transcend Fund, Makers Fund, Animoca Brands, global video game leader and games industry investor Scopely, dune ventures, Union Square Ventures, Alexis Ohanian’s Seven Seven Six, Elevation Capital, Sino Global Capital, DCG, Standard Crypto, Celsius, Dragonfly Capital, Variant Fund, Blue Pool Capital, WorkPlay Ventures (led by Zynga founder Mark Pincus), and many more. The funds will be raised through a private sale of Polygon’s native MATIC token.
This will allow the team to consolidate its lead in the race to scale Ethereum, obviating the need for alternative blockchains and paving the way for mass adoption of Web3 applications. Polygon is building a suite of scaling solutions, including Polygon PoS, Polygon Edge and Polygon Avail, that is similar to what Amazon Web Services offers Web2 developers — a tool for every possible use case. The team is also investing in cutting-edge zero knowledge (ZK) technology that will be key to onboarding the next billion users to Ethereum.
Polygon has always been a community-first project and owes its success to the ecosystem of early believers, developers and stakeholders. This investment round is the tide that lifts all boats and exemplifies the role the community plays in making Web3 a reality.
“Web3 builds on the early Internet’s open-source ideals, enabling users to create the value, control the network and reap the rewards. Ethereum, scaled by Polygon, will be the bedrock of this next stage in the Web’s evolution,” said Polygon co-founder Sandeep Nailwal. “Technological disruption didn’t start with Web2, nor is it going to end there. That’s why we are very excited to see some of the same firms that funded the previous round of innovation now being our Web3 vision.”
The most pressing question for the Ethereum community has been how to increase the network’s capacity to handle more transactions. The skyrocketing popularity of new applications in decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) brought with it congestion and soaring fees. Polygon has stepped in with a broad range of scaling options and transaction rates that are among the industry’s lowest.
Over the past year, Polygon has attracted some of the biggest projects in Web3, from DeFi protocols such as lending platform Aave to luxury brands company Dolce & Gabbana and NFT marketplaces including OpenSea and Mark Cuban’s Lazy.com. Virtual worlds such as Decentraland and Animoca Brands’ The Sandbox are also laying the groundwork for the metaverse on the network. More than 7,000 decentralized apps (dApps) are currently building on Polygon, making it the main destination for Web3 platforms and developers.
“The platform of choice to build on the blockchain today is Polygon. Thousands of developers across a range of applications are choosing Polygon and their complete set of scaling solutions for the Ethereum ecosystem,” said Shailesh Lakhani, MD at Sequoia India. “This is an ambitious and aggressive team, one that values innovation at its core. Sequoia Capital India is thrilled to lead this significant financing round.”
Polygon PoS adoption has soared exponentially, with a billion transactions recorded last year. The network’s more than 130 million unique addresses and over 2.67 million monthly active users now generate some 3 million transactions per day, more than double the volume of Ethereum. Polygon’s native MATIC token has a market capitalization of over $12 billion.
To make sure the growth can continue into the foreseeable future, Polygon is making major investments into zero knowledge cryptography, a technology widely seen as the end game for blockchain scaling. The core development team made it a centerpiece of its strategic vision in the Zero Knowledge Thesis published in August. As part of that mission, the team has committed $1 billion, a significant portion of the treasury, to ZK-related efforts.
Polygon is now home to an unrivaled collection of ZK efforts. The portfolio includes a zkEVM being developed by Polygon Hermez, privacy-focused Polygon Nightfall rollup built in collaboration with EY, Polygon Miden’s general purpose STARK-based rollup and Polygon Zero team applying a technique called recursion to ZK proofs.
“Adoption by individual users and enterprises, the emergence of real-world applications like DeFi and NFTs, and broader involvement from the institutional community are all strong indicators that Web3 has passed a major installation milestone and is here to stay,” Galaxy Digital CEO Mike Novogratz said. “Together, Polygon and Ethereum are building the base layer for a new Internet, which is why we’re excited to play a role in this important fundraise.”
Blockchain
XChain, VARA’s Exclusive Transaction Monitoring Partner, Readies Rollout for Regional and Global VASPs
Global digital assets risk monitoring provider XChain, which has been working with Dubai’s VARA since 2022 as its exclusive forensic transaction monitoring partner, has announced the rollout of its services for institutional and retail Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) in the region. The public launch of XChain’s transaction monitoring services will benefit VASPs, and eventually traditional financial institutions venturing into digital assets, offering much needed lifecycle support in areas of crypto oversight, compliance frameworks and transaction monitoring forensics.
By providing the region’s VASPs full visibility on the necessary regulatory and compliance frameworks, XChain aims to solve for key risk factors in on-chain transactions, enabling service providers to ultimately gain real-time insights into their risk metrics. XChain’s early intervention efforts will further establish a reliable and transparent monitoring foundation for VASPs, preparing them for proactive risk management as it relates to their different business models.
Haydn Jones, the newly appointed Managing Director of XChain, said: “With an increasing number of companies looking to tap into UAE’s digital assets industry, we are privileged to continue our work streamlining access to on-chain transaction risk-based analytics. It is therefore imperative for the compliance functions within VASPs to have access to the latest thinking, and we are proud to be at the forefront of blockchain forensics and asset monitoring to build a trusted and reliable framework that offers end-to-end support.”
Matthew White, CEO of VARA commented: “At VARA, we are committed to fostering innovation while ensuring robust regulatory standards for the virtual asset ecosystem. XChain’s rollout of its transaction monitoring services represents a significant step forward in enabling VASPs to operate with enhanced transparency and confidence. We are pleased to collaborate with XChain in setting new benchmarks for regulatory technology, which will not only benefit the digital asset sector but also build bridges with traditional financial institutions exploring this space.”
Building the Gold Standard in Forensic Transaction Monitoring
VARA and XChain are also working on a regulatory dashboard tool to advance the existing on-chain transaction monitoring standards for the region’s digital assets ecosystem. The dashboard, expected to be launched in beta later this year, will offer real-time on-chain data and open-source intelligence derived from VASPs, enabling such institutions, as well as TradFi and professional services companies dealing with digital assets, to integrate a unified risk monitoring tool that adheres to the gold standard in Virtual Assets Regulatory Technology.
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Blockchain
Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain (Chainlink Labs, BlackRock, Fidelity, Dynamite Blockchain)
Exploring the Frontlines of Blockchain Innovation and Adoption
The blockchain industry continues to shape the future of finance, governance, and technology. Today’s briefing covers a range of key developments, from Australia’s crypto crackdown to Chainlink Labs’ expansion, Nevada’s innovative blockchain-driven electoral security, and updates on institutional Bitcoin adoption.
Australia’s Crypto Shakeup: A Looming Exodus for Blockchain Startups?
Australia’s blockchain and crypto sectors face a tumultuous period as nearly 30% of the country’s crypto-related businesses are projected to close operations by 2024. This decline follows increased regulatory scrutiny and diminishing investor confidence, as outlined in a report by KPMG.
The tightening regulatory environment has fueled debates about whether these measures protect consumers or hinder innovation. Advocates argue that clear regulations are crucial for building trust and stability in blockchain ecosystems, while critics fear they might stifle entrepreneurial spirit in the country.
This development could serve as a cautionary tale for other nations walking the fine line between fostering innovation and enforcing compliance.
Source: Cointelegraph
Breaking Down Institutional Bitcoin Adoption
Institutional adoption of Bitcoin is on the rise, marking a significant milestone for blockchain’s integration into mainstream finance. A new report reveals how companies are leveraging Bitcoin as a reserve asset, while financial giants explore Bitcoin-backed investment products to attract both retail and institutional clients.
While adoption is accelerating, barriers remain. Regulatory uncertainty, volatility, and infrastructure gaps hinder broader integration. However, with asset managers like BlackRock and Fidelity increasingly embracing Bitcoin ETFs, institutional interest appears to be solidifying the cryptocurrency’s position as “digital gold.”
This trend signifies blockchain technology’s growing legitimacy in traditional financial systems, offering a pathway for further innovation and integration.
Source: Bitcoinist
Nevada Implements Blockchain for Election Security
In a pioneering move, Nevada has integrated blockchain technology to enhance electoral security and prevent fraud. This development comes in response to a 2020 incident involving fraudulent electors, with blockchain now being used to verify the authenticity of electoral certificates and records.
The immutable and transparent nature of blockchain ensures tamper-proof data integrity, making it an ideal solution for secure electoral processes. Nevada’s initiative could serve as a model for other states and countries grappling with election integrity issues.
By leveraging blockchain for governance, Nevada showcases how this technology can go beyond finance to address critical societal challenges.
Source: 8 News Now
Dynamite Blockchain Rebrands and Charts a New Path
Dynamite Blockchain has announced a strategic rebranding initiative to align its corporate vision with emerging trends in decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and enterprise solutions. The rebranding effort includes an updated logo, a new corporate mission, and a pivot toward offering scalable blockchain solutions for businesses.
The company’s refreshed focus aims to position Dynamite Blockchain as a leader in enterprise blockchain adoption, helping organizations integrate decentralized solutions seamlessly into their existing frameworks.
This rebranding underscores the importance of adaptability in the rapidly evolving blockchain space, where staying relevant often means redefining one’s identity.
Source: GlobeNewswire
Chainlink Labs Expands to Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM)
Chainlink Labs, the developer of the blockchain oracle network Chainlink, has established a new presence in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). This strategic expansion aims to tap into the Middle East’s growing blockchain ecosystem and foster collaborations with financial institutions in the region.
By entering ADGM, Chainlink Labs signals its intent to advance blockchain-powered financial solutions, with a focus on enhancing smart contract utility and adoption. The move also underscores the region’s increasing role as a hub for blockchain innovation.
This expansion reinforces Chainlink’s position as a key player in bridging on-chain and off-chain systems, further enabling the growth of decentralized applications worldwide.
Source: PR Newswire
Emerging Trends and Insights
- Regulatory Challenges: Australia’s crypto downturn reflects the broader tension between innovation and regulation, offering lessons for global blockchain players.
- Institutional Momentum: The rising adoption of Bitcoin by financial giants suggests a pivotal shift in the role of cryptocurrencies in traditional markets.
- Blockchain Beyond Finance: Nevada’s electoral security innovation highlights blockchain’s potential to address societal issues beyond financial services.
- Corporate Evolution: Dynamite Blockchain’s rebranding illustrates the industry’s emphasis on staying agile and forward-looking.
- Global Expansion: Chainlink Labs’ move into ADGM underscores the Middle East’s emergence as a critical blockchain innovation hub.
Key Takeaways
- Blockchain’s application in governance and security, as seen in Nevada, demonstrates its potential for societal transformation.
- Institutional adoption of Bitcoin is solidifying its status as a mainstream financial asset, even amid regulatory hurdles.
- Strategic rebranding efforts, such as Dynamite Blockchain’s, reflect the dynamic nature of the blockchain industry.
- Expansions into regions like the Middle East signal blockchain companies’ focus on tapping into emerging markets.
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Blockchain
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