Protocol Village: Fantom Launches ‘Sonic Labs’ Accelerator With Andre Cronje as Mentor

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Dec. 4: The Fantom Foundation (“the Foundation”), the team supporting the development of the Fantom blockchain, today announced the launch of its Sonic Labs startup accelerator program to foster innovation within Fantom’s new Sonic technology stack and empower the next generation of Web3 founders with vital resources, guidance, and support, according to the team: “Through this accelerator program, the Foundation is identifying up to five projects to join Sonic Labs and receive grants from a pool of 1,000,000 FTM (~$294,000).” Developers can begin building their projects on Sonic starting on Friday, Dec. 15. (FTM)

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Umee UX Chain Proposes Merger With Osmosis, to Form Cosmos-Based DeFi Hub

Dec. 4: The Umee UX chain, the largest Cosmos-based lending protocol, announces a proposed merger with Osmosis, the leading Cosmos DEX, to form a unified interchain DeFi hub, according to the team: “This proposed merger involves a code transition where the UX chain will reimplement its code base on Osmosis, enabling advanced features including spot margin trading, interchain flash loans, MEV markets, and more. The merging of UX’s product features onto the Osmosis chain signifies a dedication to the flexible functionalities that can be offered on an integrated DeFi Hub.” (ATOM) (OSMO) UX

Mantle Releases Liquid Staking Protocol, Expanding Beyond Layer-2 Operator

Dec. 4: Mantle has launched Mantle LSP to give users instant and sustainable yields tapped directly from Ethereum’s PoS validator network, according to the team: “Mantle LSP aims to maintain the highest sustainable core yield through the exploration of MEV and Treasury yield sharing, while ensuring the wide adoption of $mETH across a diverse range of Mantle L2 DeFi applications, core technology partners and centralized exchange partners. It utilizes a modern design that places an emphasis on the integrity of the ETH: $mETH process on L1, without added complexities from other PoS tokens and chains.”

Dec. 4: Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire posted on X a whitepaper describing a “detailed Recoverable Token standard that enables transfers to be revoked through a variety of of configurations,” along with a separate whitepaper describing a “model for ‘R-Pools,’ which are effectively an insurance and liquidity model for Recoverable Tokens, enabling a holder of a Recoverable Token to redeem via an insurance pool.” The projects were developed in conjunction with Stanford’s Applied Cryptography Group, according to Allaire.

Dec. 4: Zodia Custody, a cryptocurrency storage provider backed by Standard Chartered (STAN), is joining Ripple-owned custody specialist Metaco’s network, which is designed to handle the safekeeping and settlement of digital assets for institutions around the world, the firms said Monday.

Blast, Envisioned as Layer-2 With Yield, Now Hiring

Dec. 1: Blast, the Ethereum layer-2 project criticized (even by one of its own investors) for accepting deposits with the network launch still months away, is now apparently hiring. The project’s website lists two open positions for a “Senior DevOps Engineer” and a “Senior Protocol Engineer.” The initial deposit contract has now garnered more than $650 million, a higher total value locked or TVL than Solana.

United Nations Development Programme to Launch ‘Algorand Blockchain Academy’

Dec. 1: The United National Development Programme is launching a blockchain academy in partnership with Algorand Foundation, according to a press release. “The Algorand Blockchain Academy will launch in 2024 and is designed to bolster UNDP staff capacity through education and training in blockchain technology and its practical applications for sustainable development.” Focus areas include financial inclusion, supply-chain transparency, real-world asset tokenization and digital identity. (ALGO)

Arbitrum Lands RARI’s New NFT-Focused Layer-3 Chain

Nov. 30: RARI Foundation, focused on NFT infrastructure, announced that it has used Arbitrum Orbit technology to create a new layer-3 chain, RARI Chain, and has just unveiled the test network. The project helps to guarantee creator royalties, taking a step further to build NFT infrastructure, according to the team: “Designed with creators and collectors in mind, the RARI Chain emerges as a key NFT infrastructure solution – an EVM-equivalent chain built on Arbitrum, designed to deliver a royalty-enforcing, high-speed, low-cost and developer-friendly network for creators, collectors, and builders. RARI Chain embeds royalties seamlessly on the node level, empowering creators with the freedom to create and fueling cross-market interoperability.”

Aragon Deploys on Layer-2 Arbitrum, After Previously Deploying on Polygon, Base

Nov. 30: Aragon has deployed its modular Aragon OSx DAO framework and no-code Aragon App on the layer-2 Arbitrum, opening the door for DAOs to interact with a thriving ecosystem of protocols, applications, and assets, according to the team: “Arbitrum’s rollup technology serves as a gateway to the largest layer-1 ecosystem – Ethereum – and Aragon’s user-friendly tech stack unlocks the mass adoption of DAO technology.” Aragon has already deployed on the layer 2s Polygon and Base. (ARB) (ANT)

American Cancer Society Running Quadratic Funding Round Using Gitcoin Grants Stack

Nov. 30: The American Cancer Society (ACS) is running a Quadratic Funding (QF) round using Gitcoin Grants Stack, with $75,000 in matching funds, according to the team: “Until Dec. 12, the ACS QF round will support multiple mission support programs across Patient Lodging, Health Equity, Cancer Screening and Cancer Research, aiming to bring DAO-driven grant allocation to the NGO sector. The ACS patient centered programming includes peer to peer support tools, assistance with travel and a place to stay during treatment, and providing educational materials on various types of cancer, treatment options and coping strategies.”

Provenance Blockchain Integrates With Leap Wallet

Nov. 30: Provenance Blockchain Foundation, focused on the regulated financial services industry, announced that Leap Wallet is now integrated with the Provenance Blockchain, according to the team: “The integration enables Leap as an option for managing and staking HASH, transferring assets, viewing and voting on proposals. Leap is an all-in-one wallet supporting 50+ Cosmos chains.”

Obligate Announces Deployment on Base, in Addition to Polygon

Nov. 30: Obligate, a pioneering on-chain debt capital markets platform, announces its deployment on Base, the Ethereum layer 2 incubated within Coinbase, according to the team: “This development marks the start of a new chapter for the institutional adoption of blockchain-native assets and on-chain capital markets through Obligate. By choosing to deploy on Base, Obligate is signifying its commitment to overcoming the unique challenges institutions face in on-chain capital markets.” Obligate is currently built and operating on Polygon.

Bastion Appoints Caroline Friedman as Chief Operating Officer

Nov. 30: Bastion, an enterprise-focused Web3 orchestrator, announced the appointment of Caroline Friedman as chief operating officer, after serving as head of operations since inception, according to the team: “Friedman will be responsible for managing the company’s compliance and regulatory matters, public policy, legal, people, and finance functions, ensuring that Bastion meets the highest standards of operational excellence and customer satisfaction.”

CORRECTION (14:44 UTC): RARI’s new chain will be a layer-3 on Arbitrum Orbit, not a layer-2 as initially reported.

Edited by Bradley Keoun.