Cross-Chain Interoperability with CCIP

**Chainlink Rewards Season 1** has launched, offering community members new opportunities to earn rewards through ecosystem participation. **Key Features:** - Structured reward system for active community engagement - Multiple earning pathways for different participation levels - Integration with Chainlink's oracle network ecosystem **How It Works:** - Participants earn rewards through various activities - Season-based format with defined timeframes - Rewards tied to meaningful contributions to the network **Getting Started:** - Review eligibility requirements - Connect your wallet to participate - Track progress through the rewards dashboard This initiative builds on Chainlink's previous reward programs, expanding opportunities for community members to benefit from network growth while contributing to Web3 infrastructure development.

**Chainlink expanded its reach this week** with 9 new integrations spanning 5 services across 4 blockchain networks. **Networks involved:** - BNB Chain - Ethereum - Monad - ZKsync **New protocol integrations include:** - @ampli_inc - @HoldstationW - @monad - @perpltrade - @stakedotlink - @ThenaFi This follows recent strong adoption momentum, with Chainlink seeing **52 integrations** just two weeks prior across 15 different chains. The oracle network continues expanding its infrastructure to support cross-chain applications with reliable data feeds. Explore the complete ecosystem at [chainlinkecosystem.com](https://www.chainlinkecosystem.com/)

**Chainlink has successfully connected the Central Bank of Brazil and Hong Kong Monetary Authority** in a groundbreaking cross-border trade settlement experiment. The integration enables **delivery versus payment (DvP) settlement** across jurisdictions using blockchain technology. Key participants include: - **Standard Chartered** - Global bank with $800B+ assets - **Banco Inter** - Brazilian fintech serving 40M+ users - **GSBN** - Digital trade infrastructure consortium - **7COMm** - Technology provider for Brazilian financial institutions **Technical Implementation:** - Chainlink Runtime Environment (CRE) established interoperability between Brazil's Drex platform and Hong Kong's Ensemble Network - **Chainlink CCIP** enabled secure cross-chain communication - Automated workflow connects blockchain-based title registry with cross-chain payments This marks the **first time** such comprehensive blockchain infrastructure has been deployed for international trade settlement, potentially setting new standards for global commerce. Bruno Grossi from Banco Inter emphasized this creates "a more connected financial ecosystem that will underpin the future of global trade." *This development demonstrates real-world adoption of blockchain technology by major financial institutions and central banks.*

A **major crypto exchange** has fully integrated its EVM Layer 2 with Chainlink's infrastructure suite at SmartCon 2025. The L2 network made three key adoptions: - Joined **Chainlink Scale** program - Integrated **Chainlink Data Feeds** for price data - Selected **Chainlink CCIP** as canonical cross-chain infrastructure This comprehensive integration demonstrates the exchange's commitment to Chainlink's ecosystem for critical blockchain infrastructure needs. The move follows other major institutional adoptions announced at SmartCon, including WisdomTree's $130B+ AUM integration and Lido's upgrade to CCIP for wstETH cross-chain operations.

**Chainlink founder Sergey Nazarov** discusses the path to **mass DeFi adoption** in a recent Cointelegraph interview. Key factors driving mainstream adoption: - **Regulatory clarity** creating institutional confidence - **Traditional financial institutions** integrating DeFi protocols - **Infrastructure improvements** making DeFi more accessible Nazarov envisions a future where **regulated institutions and DeFi communities merge** into what he calls an "Internet of Contracts." This convergence could transform how **capital markets and governments** interact with decentralized finance, potentially bringing DeFi to billions of users worldwide. [Read the full interview](https://cointelegraph.com/news/defi-global-adoption-regulation-institutional-funds-chainlink-founder)