Blockchain
Hyperledger Global Forum Provides Launch Point for Development and Deployment News from Across Expanding Ecosystem
Hyperledger Foundation, the open, global ecosystem for enterprise blockchain technologies, today announced news from across its diverse and expanding ecosystem at Hyperledger Global Forum 2022 (#HyperledgerForum, HGF). From launches and releases on the Hyperledger project front to new products, partnership, deployments and innovations from Hyperledger Members, there is a surround sound of developments being unveiled at this week’s event.
The opening keynote today addresses one of the biggest developments on the horizon. The talk, Hyperledger Besu and the Upcoming Merge, will feature Tim Beiko of the Ethereum Foundation and Hart Montgomery, CTO of the Hyperledger Foundation.
Other keynotes taking place today include:
- Blockchain as a Public Good: How Public Infrastructure Networks are Driving Adoption and Making an Impact across Europe and Latin America – Juan Jiménez Zaballos, Alastria; Ilan Melendez Lugo, LACChain / LACNet; Hilary Carter, Linux Foundation
- ESG with a Bit of Help from Indy – Dr. Andreas Kind, Vice President Cybersecurity & Trust, Siemens AG
- Decentralized Identity: Where We Are and Where We Going – Heather Dahl, CEO, Indicio; Kaliya Young, Identity Expert, Identity Woman; Marie Wallace, Distinguished Engineer, IBM; Drummond Reed, Director of Trust Services, Avast
Free live streaming of keynotes is available here.
“The energy and excitement of the global Hyperledger community is on full display here at Hyperledger Global Forum,” said Daniela Barbosa, Executive Director, Hyperledger Foundation, and General Manager Blockchain, Healthcare and Identity at the Linux Foundation. “From demos and workshops to keynotes and case studies, there is endless evidence of the scope and scale of what we are building together and the growing market impact of this collective work. And, as this line-up of news from across the community shows, we are just getting started. The innovation and adoption will only accelerate from here.”
Project and Ecosystem News
New Project: Hyperledger Solang
The Hyperledger Technical Steering committee approved a new project, Hyperledger Solang, which is a compiler for Solidity source code and targets different blockchains. The Solidity programming language is the most popular language for smart contracts, and there is clear interest from many blockchains to have support for it. Although some blockchains emulate an EVM environment to maintain compatibility with Solidity built with Solc, they then cannot access features that are missing from Ethereum. Hyperledger Solan offers the ability to compile Solidity to the native execution environment, opening up access to new features and creating many possibilities for innovation in the Solidity language.
Currently, Hyperledger Solang supports Solana and Polkadot (Substrate).
Hyperledger FireFly 1.1 Release
A new Hyperledger FireFly release, version 1.1, includes new functionality that makes it possible for FireFly users to deploy multiple blockchain applications connecting to multiple chains from a single console. The FireFly Supernode now supports two operation modes: Web3 Gateway and Consortium. Web3 Gateway mode configures the FireFly Supernode to connect to a number of chains with transaction orchestration and state indexing. A revamped and expanded connector framework now includes EVMconnect, a robust connector for simple connection management to public blockchains with templates available for Ethereum, Polygon, Avalanche, Optimism, BNB Chain, and more. Consortium mode activates a number of capabilities for FireFly nodes to connect in a B2B network and exchange data through off-chain and on-chain rails. FireFly also now supports multi-tenancy through the use of namespaces. These new features enable enterprises to accelerate their web3 adoption.
Creation of Hyperledger Cacti
In a Hyperledger first, the community has decided to merge two systems (architectures as well as code bases). Hyperledger Cactus and Weaver, a Hyperledger Lab, will come together to be Hyperledger Cacti, a multi-faceted interoperability platform that will draw on the cutting-edge technical features of Cactus and Weaver and provide a clear path forward for users of both technologies.
Hyperledger Besu Client Incentive Program Kicks Off
The Ethereum Foundation (EF) has opted to include Hyperledger Besu in the Execution Layer Client Incentive Program (ELCIP) to foster the community development of enterprise-grade blockchain software. The program, which kicks off with the Merge, will provide execution-layer client teams with locked ETH in the form of live validators to be released according to certain milestones, including post-merge performance and progress towards enabling withdrawals from the beacon chain.
Hyperledger Besu is one of the top three most popular Ethereum execution clients according to Ethernode. EF is making this strategic investment to engage the Hyperledger Besu community in ensuring a diversity of clients and overall health of the network.
“The diverse community is what makes Ethereum special, empowering from builders in underserved or emerging economies to leading enterprises and beyond,” said Aya Miyaguchi, Executive Director at Ethereum Foundation. “Similarly a diverse client distribution helps keep Ethereum distributed and healthy, and I applaud the Hyperledger Besu team for their Execution Layer work for Ethereum, and wish you all a great Global Forum this year.”
New, Free “Getting Started with Self-Sovereign Identity” Course
To make it easier for enterprises to implement Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) to put their users at the center of their digital identity, Linux Foundation Training & Certification has released a new online training course, Getting Started with Self-Sovereign Identity (LFS178x). The free, six-to-seven hour course is geared to business and government decision makers looking to get started with SSI on a solid foundation. The course provides a 360 degree overview of its evolutionary journey, key concepts, standards, technological building blocks, use cases, real-world examples and implementation considerations.
Hyperledger Foundation is also hosting an In-depth Member Webinar with Indicio on “Scaling verifiable digital credentials using open source technology” on October 5.
Hyperledger Member News
BTP – announced the general availability of its blockchain-backed, domain-agnostic provenance solution Chronicle. Organizations across industries can now take advantage of Chronicle’s capabilities, and keep immutable provenance records that capture the origin and life journey of their physical and digital assets, including ownership history. By recording it on a distributed ledger, provenance information becomes more trustworthy, and its management is more efficient. Chronicle is available with Hyperledger Sawtooth as its default backing ledger, with support for other industry-leading distributed ledgers in the pipeline. Read the full press release here.
BTP – upgraded its blockchain management platform Sextant, by adding support for the distributed ledger software Hyperledger Fabric 2.0. Fabric is now joining Hyperledger Besu and Hyperledger Sawtooth, which the company’s clients have already been using in production. Sextant’s makeover also includes a marketplace for deployments that will allow users to easily select the option that best suits their needs and use case requirements. Chronicle on Sawtooth will now appear as a new deployment option – in this marketplace – that clients can choose. Read the full press release here.
Espeo Blockchain – recently connected Microsoft Sharepoint technology with a transparent and immutable layer of Hyperledger Fabric for HLB, which is a global network of independent advisory and accounting firms. The new blockchain backend is a game changer in terms of transparency. It’s because only verified, approved and standardized data points will be added to the blockchain ledger. At the same time, users still work with the same Microsoft UI they are used to. That enables member firms to access and verify referral and project data in real-time. It also eliminates the need for a siloed process of reconciliation, which makes settlements far simpler and more reliable. More information is available at https://espeoblockchain.com/
Indicio – recently announced the launch of Indicio Proven™, a complete, open source solution for authenticating and sharing high value data in a privacy-preserving way using verifiable digital credentials. Built on Hyperledger Aries, Hyperledger Ursa, Hyperledger Indy, AnonCreds, and DIDComm, Proven is designed to make implementing and using these open source codebases simple, providing users with a fully-owned solution that’s easy to integrate with existing systems, to innovate on, and to scale. Proven uses the Indicio Network (TempNet, TestNet, DemoNet, MainNet), a professionally maintained, enterprise grade Hyperledger Indy-based network for the exchange of verifiable credentials. Learn more at Indicio.tech.
IoBuilders – has coordinated, designed and implemented a digital bond platform as partner of the Spanish Stock exchange BME. Using the platform, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), with the help of BBVA, issued a two year $10 million blockchain-based bond, the first Spanish bond to be listed on a regulated market. The platform uses a private network based on Hyperledger Besu Ethereum client, where the bond and the money are tokenized, and overall security and cash payment are settled. Read more about it here.
Kaleido – has introduced support for enterprise App Chains, an exciting technology allowing the creation of highly scalable, application-specific chains that can connect to the Web3 ecosystem via bridges or rollups. The first App Chain framework to be supported on the Kaleido Platform is Polygon Edge, and we have formed a partnership with Polygon to accelerate enterprise web3 adoption. Kaleido is also pleased to announce that Hyperledger FireFly version 1.1 is now supported on Kaleido’s Blockchain Business Cloud. With the new functionality in FireFly, users will be able to manage multiple blockchain use cases from a single console and connect with leading public blockchains including Ethereum, Polygon, Avalanche, Optimism, BNB Chain, Arbitrum, Moonbeam, Fantom and more.
The National FinTech Center at Morgan State University – announced The 3rd Annual National HBCU Blockchain and FinTech Conference. This conference is The Center’s premier event for connecting with university leaders, faculty, and students discussing today’s challenges and opportunities, and shaping the future of FinTech education and research. On November 06-08, 2022 in Orlando, FL, The National FinTech Center will provide a forum for the faculty, students, and administrators in the FinTech Center’s HBCU Network to hear and discuss the findings of sponsored research, outcomes of sponsored innovative blockchain projects at various HBCUs, FinTech workshops, and HBCU Presidents’ Summit: Digital Transformation, Research, and Education at HBCUs. Click HERE for more information. Any questions, please contact [email protected].
SIMBA Chain – recently released SIMBA Blocks, a Smart-Contract as a Service platform. Blocks allows users to build on private, public and hybrid chains, including Hyperledger Fabric, with no chain lock-in. The SIMBA Blocks platform auto-generates virtual REST APIs that connect to smart contracts on various protocols – letting you write once and deploy to many with minor configuration. These chain-agnostic APIs simplify application integrations, reducing deployment times by weeks or months. Learn why companies like Boeing (using Hyperledger Fabric to track F/A-18 parts across four data warehouses) rely on SIMBA Chain for their blockchain solutions at simbachain.com.
Zeeve – introduced a major upgrade to its platform, a best-in-class offering for enterprise-grade Hyperledger Fabric automation. Now users can add more organizations to their deployed Hyperledger Fabric networks on runtime and scale up/down the number of nodes. Zeeve has also improved network monitoring & alerting and added the ability to directly download connection profiles of Fabric networks to applications. In addition, in addition to support for Golang, Zeeve has added NodeJS chaincodes support in CD pipelines using Zeeve CLI. Learn more: https://www.zeeve.io/blockchain-protocols/deploy-hyperledger-fabric/
Zeeve – launched IPFS as a service for decentralized applications with two options:- endpoints and dedicated nodes. The focus has been to make it very easy for any business application to switch to the power decentralized file storage without having to worry about the learning curve of infrastructure or development. This has been possible with the ZDFS (Zeeve Distributed File System) service, which allows users to have dedicated or shared endpoint services for IPFS, while ZDFS SDK makes integration with IPFS very seamless. Users can create access credentials for their applications for data APIs as well as pinning services of IPFS. IPFS comes with console-based resource management and an in-depth analysis of consumption for ZDFS services. Learn more: https://zeeve.io/zeeve-distributed-file-system/
A Pivotal Moment for Blockchain’s Many Frontiers
Today’s briefing arrives at a crossroads in blockchain’s evolution. From AI-driven Layer-1 grant programs to gamified resets in Web3, from supply-chain trust revolutions to exchange-driven token incentives, and high-stakes regulatory leadership shifts, the industry is charting new territory on multiple fronts. As builders, investors, and policymakers navigate this shifting terrain, five stories stand out for their potential to reshape blockchain’s trajectory:
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Lightchain Protocol AI unveils a $150,000 developer grant program to onboard top builders in AI × blockchain.
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Blockchain gaming experiences its lowest engagement of 2025, signaling a sector reset toward sustainability.
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Norwegian Seafood Council research highlights blockchain’s trust-building power in global supply chains.
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MEXC Exchange announces the Einstein (EIN) listing on July 20, 2025, buoyed by a $50 million rewards event.
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Summer Mersinger, a US CFTC commissioner, is tapped as CEO of the Blockchain Association, marking a pivotal regulatory turn.
In this op-ed–style briefing, we’ll unpack each development, explore its implications for blockchain, cryptocurrency, Web3, DeFi, and NFTs, and assess how these narratives intersect to define today’s momentum.
1. Lightchain Protocol AI’s $150K Grant: Catalyzing Decentralized Intelligence
What happened: On May 15, 2025, Lightchain Protocol AI—a Layer-1 blockchain optimized for AI workloads—launched its Developer Grant & Ecosystem Incentive Program, pledging up to $150,000 in total funding to on-board teams building dApps, explorers, wallets, analytics dashboards, DeFi protocols, NFT platforms, and AI-powered modules on its network. Grants are milestone-based (up to $5,000 per milestone), accompanied by technical support, co-marketing, and ecosystem visibility. Source: Bitcoin News
Why it matters: Lightchain’s move underscores the growing fusion of AI and blockchain. By allocating resources to builders at the intersection of these technologies, the protocol signals that the next wave of innovation will hinge on intelligent smart contracts, federated learning coordination, and on-chain decision-making. For developers, this grant lowers barriers to entry and emphasizes sustainable, value-driven growth over token speculation.
> “We’re seeking impactful projects that align with Lightchain AI’s goal of bridging AI and blockchain—everything from AI prediction markets to compute marketplaces.” > — Lightchain Protocol AI Core Team
Implications:
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DeFi & NFTs: Expect AI-augmented lending protocols and NFT platforms with dynamic metadata driven by on-chain models.
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Ecosystem Growth: Lightchain’s aggressive grant strategy may spur competitors (e.g., Ethereum layer-2s) to bolster their own builder incentives.
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Governance & Sustainability: The milestone-based approach aligns funding with tangible progress, a model DeFi DAOs may increasingly adopt for resource allocation.
Source: Bitcoin News
2. Blockchain Gaming’s 2025 Low: A “Reset” Toward Quality
What happened: According to Crypto.news, blockchain gaming saw daily active wallets dip to 4.8 million in April 2025—a 10% month-over-month decline and the lowest point of the year for Web3 gaming. Share of the DApp ecosystem for gaming fell to 21%, now tied with DeFi, while AI projects surged to 16% of on-chain activity. Funding also plunged nearly 70% from March to $21 million in April, though Arbitrum Gaming Ventures deployed $10 million from its $200 million fund to support titles like Wildcard, XAI Network, and Proof of Play. Source: Crypto.news
> “Capital is harder to secure, but that’s not necessarily bad. Weak projects are falling away, and funds are flowing into builders laying the groundwork for the next generation of blockchain games.” > — Sara Gherghelas, DappRadar Analyst
Why it matters: The downturn reflects a market recalibration from token-centric models toward user engagement, game mechanics, and interoperability—key for mainstream adoption. High-profile missteps (e.g., Square Enix shelving Symbiogenesis, Sega’s experimental launch of KAI: Battle of Three Kingdoms) contrast with enduring partnerships like Ubisoft + Immutable’s Might & Magic card game.
Implications:
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DeFi and Gaming Convergence: As DeFi’s share remains steady, expect crossover innovations (e.g., on-chain staking integrated into gameplay).
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Investor Focus: Sustainable tokenomics over ‘yin-yang’ hype; capital will favor projects with robust retention metrics and revenue models.
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NFT Utility: Gaming’s reset may accelerate evolution of NFTs beyond collectibles into dynamic, utility-driven assets.
Source: Crypto.news
3. Deepening Trust in Seafood with Blockchain Transparency
What happened: Perishable News reported on May 15, 2025, that the Norwegian Seafood Council found 89% of consumers desire more information on seafood sourcing. Producers are piloting decentralized blockchain solutions to trace products “sea to shop floor,” sharing immutable data on species, harvest location, handling, and quality checks to reassure ethically conscious buyers. Source: Perishable News
Why it matters: While most blockchain discourse orbits finance and gaming, supply-chain applications represent a mass-market use case for Web3. Immutable provenance data combats fraud, illegal fishing, and mislabelling—an urgent concern as global seafood consumption climbs.
Implications:
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Consumer Engagement: Brands adopting on-chain traceability can premium-price products by verifying sustainability standards, fair labor practices, and environmental impact.
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DeFi Integration: Tokenized incentives could reward ethical producers or create staking mechanisms for supply-chain stakeholders.
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Broader Web3 Adoption: Success in seafood may catalyze blockchain tracking in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and luxury goods.
Source: Perishable News
4. MEXC’s Einstein (EIN) Listing & $50 Million Rewards Event
What happened: PR Newswire announced on May 16, 2025, that MEXC, a leading global crypto exchange, will list the Einstein (EIN) token on July 20, 2025 (UTC). To celebrate, MEXC has launched a $50 million EIN rewards event, offering incentives through trading competitions, referral bonuses, staking pools, and community tasks. Source: PR Newswire
Why it matters: Large-scale rewards events can drive short-term volume spikes and social engagement, but they also test community loyalty and tokenomics viability. EIN’s positioning as a “science-minded” utility token in educational and research partnerships adds thematic depth to what might otherwise be a routine exchange listing.
Implications:
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Trading & Community Growth: Expect surges in trading volume, potentially setting new ATHs for MEXC’s platform metrics.
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DeFi Crossplay: EIN holders may see integration into DeFi protocols for governance, liquidity mining, and educational grants.
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Regulatory Watch: Large-scale token events continue to attract scrutiny over securities classifications and promotional compliance.
Source: PR Newswire
5. Summer Mersinger Becomes CEO of the Blockchain Association
What happened: Gadgets360 reported that on May 14, 2025, the Blockchain Association confirmed that Summer Mersinger, currently a commissioner at the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), will step down on May 30 and begin as the Association’s CEO on June 2. Mersinger has championed balanced, consumer-focused digital asset rules and will spearhead advocacy for fit-for-purpose legislation alongside US regulators. Source: Gadgets360
> “Summer’s knowledge of how elected officials think through complex questions will be vital as we await next steps on stablecoin and market structure bills.” > — Blockchain Association
Why it matters: The appointment bridges regulatory expertise and industry advocacy at a moment when Congress is eyeing stablecoin frameworks and broader crypto oversight. Mersinger’s shift signals a blurring of lines between government and industry, with potential to accelerate law-making and foster public-private collaboration.
Implications:
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Policy Acceleration: Expect renewed momentum on stablecoin legislation, DeFi disclosures, and market-structure rules by August 2025, per administration timelines.
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Industry Confidence: Firms may feel emboldened to innovate under clearer regulatory signals, supporting growth in DeFi, NFT marketplaces, and tokenized asset offerings.
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Global Alignment: US-led regulatory frameworks often influence EU and APAC regimes—this leadership change could ripple through the international policy landscape.
Source: Gadgets360
Conclusion: Five Threads Weaving Tomorrow’s Blockchain Fabric
Today’s headlines paint a multifaceted portrait of blockchain’s ongoing maturation:
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Ecosystem Incentives: Grant programs like Lightchain’s signal a builder-first ethos, turbocharging AI × blockchain synergy.
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Quality Over Hype: Gaming’s dip reflects a necessary market reset, steering capital to sustainable, engagement-driven projects.
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Real-World Utility: Supply-chain transparency demonstrates blockchain’s power beyond finance, enhancing consumer trust.
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Tokenomics in Motion: Exchange listings and rewards events underscore the ever-evolving interplay between liquidity, community, and utility.
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Regulatory Convergence: Leadership moves like Mersinger’s appointment highlight the tightening feedback loop between policymakers and the Web3 sector.
As blockchain, cryptocurrency, Web3, DeFi, and NFTs continue to intersect, today’s developments underscore a pivotal shift: the industry is moving from speculative frontiers to pragmatic, real-world applications—backed by funding, governance, and policy frameworks that prioritize longevity and trust. Keep these threads in mind as we watch the next chapters unfold.
The post Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain – May 16, 2025 appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
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