Blockstream Launches R&D Center in Switzerland

Pharos, a parallel layer-1 blockchain, has successfully completed an $8 million seed funding round, co-led by Lightspeed Faction and Hack VC, with participation from SNZ Capital and others. The funding will be used to enhance the Pharos protocol and promote mass adoption in decentralized finance and real-world assets.

Ethereum L2 Lisk Partners with Rainbow Wallet App

Lisk, an Ethereum layer-2 solution, has integrated with the Rainbow wallet app, enabling users to manage tokens, NFTs, and DeFi positions seamlessly. This integration enhances asset management with features like in-app swaps and cross-chain asset bridging.

Huddle01 Collaborates with FanTV for Enhanced Videoconferencing

Huddle01, a decentralized videoconferencing platform, has partnered with SocialFi platform FanTV to offer real-time interactions with celebrities and content creators. This collaboration will strengthen the Huddle01 network by onboarding FanTV's large user base.

StakeStone Raises $22 Million for Omnichain Liquidity Infrastructure

StakeStone has announced a successful $22 million funding round led by Polychain Capital, with contributions from Binance Labs and OKX Ventures. The funds will support the development of its omnichain liquidity infrastructure.

Polkadot Blockchain Academy Launches New Course PBA-X

The Polkadot Blockchain Academy has introduced a new four-week course called PBA-X to enhance Web3 education. The course will cover various topics including Cryptography and Governance, with the first cohort starting on January 6.

Blockstream Opens R&D Center in Lugano, Switzerland

Blockstream, led by Bitcoin pioneer Adam Back, has inaugurated a new R&D center in Lugano, Switzerland, aimed at driving innovation in Bitcoin’s Liquid and Lightning networks. The center will collaborate with local startups and offer resources and mentorship to promising projects.

Eclipse Launches Hybrid Solana-Ethereum Blockchain

Eclipse has launched its long-anticipated mainnet, a hybrid blockchain integrating features from both Solana and Ethereum. This layer-2 network promises faster transactions and lower fees while maintaining compatibility with Ethereum.

Pond Secures $7.5 Million for Decentralized AI Model Layer

Pond has raised $7.5 million in seed funding to develop a decentralized AI model layer for the crypto space. The project aims to democratize AI model ownership and facilitate new applications in DeFi and trading.

Puffer Finance Launches Testnet for Ethereum Rollup 'UniFi'

Puffer Finance has announced the testnet launch of UniFi, a low-cost Ethereum rollup that allows for quick asset withdrawals from L2 to L1. The platform promises enhanced transaction confirmation times using Ethereum validators.

Cytonic Raises $8.3 Million for Layer-1 Blockchain

Cytonic, a layer-1 blockchain with a unique MultiVM design, has closed an $8.3 million seed round to enhance blockchain compatibility and reduce transaction times.

Algorand Prepares to Launch Inclusive Staking Rewards Program

Algorand is set to launch an inclusive staking rewards program in December, allowing real-time rewards for validators proposing blocks, with a gradual decay in rewards over time.

ARPA Network Partners with Tomo Wallet for On-Chain Randomness

ARPA Network has teamed up with Tomo Wallet to implement secure, on-chain randomness for decentralized applications. This partnership aims to enhance the security and reliability of random number generation in blockchain environments, benefiting various use cases such as gaming and lotteries.

ChainSafe Launches Web3 Gaming SDK

ChainSafe has unveiled a new SDK designed for Web3 gaming developers, providing tools and resources to create immersive gaming experiences on the blockchain. The SDK includes features for asset management, user authentication, and cross-platform compatibility.

Immutable X Expands NFT Marketplace with New Partnerships

Immutable X has announced several new partnerships to expand its NFT marketplace, collaborating with major gaming studios to bring more titles and digital assets to its platform. This move aims to enhance user engagement and broaden the ecosystem of NFT offerings.

Aave Launches Governance Token Staking

Aave has introduced a staking mechanism for its governance tokens, allowing users to earn rewards by participating in the protocol's governance. This initiative is expected to increase community involvement and strengthen the Aave ecosystem.

Solana Foundation Announces Developer Grants

The Solana Foundation has launched a new grant program aimed at supporting developers building on the Solana blockchain. The initiative will provide funding and resources to innovative projects that contribute to the growth of the Solana ecosystem.