Polygon Miden Releases New Version of Miden VM with Improved Performance

**Surf has launched AI-powered savings vaults for stablecoins on Polygon**, offering users non-custodial accounts to earn yield on USDC across lending markets. **Key features:** - Built on zkCross Network infrastructure with Guardian governance - Each user receives their own non-custodial account - Deployed through Morpho on Polygon - Cross-chain routing supported via LiFi Protocol and deBridge - Additional offerings planned for the roadmap The platform automates yield optimization while maintaining user control over their capital through non-custodial architecture.

**x402 joins major payment foundation** A new foundation has formed to build internet-native payment infrastructure, bringing together major players in tech and finance. **Key participants include:** - Coinbase - AWS and Google - Stripe, Mastercard, and Visa - Ethereum Foundation The x402 protocol aims to make global money transfers as simple as data transfers, enabling seamless payments for agents, APIs, and applications. The initiative builds on momentum from EFDevcon, where the ecosystem gained significant attention. The foundation is working on x402 and 8004 standards to enable trustless agent payments.

Polygon has launched a **private mempool service** that protects users from MEV (Maximal Extractable Value) attacks with a simple one-line code change. **Key Features:** - Free for all applications on the Polygon network - Enterprise tiers available for production workloads - Requires only swapping the transaction submission RPC endpoint - Prevents bots from front-running transactions and causing worse prices MEV attacks occur when bots monitor public transactions in the mempool and jump ahead to exploit price differences, resulting in users receiving unfavorable rates. Polygon's solution keeps transactions private until they're confirmed on-chain. Developers can implement the protection by updating their RPC endpoint to Polygon's Private Mempool service. [Learn more about the integration](https://polygon.technology/blog/polygon-launches-private-mempool-mev-protection-is-now-a-one-line-integration)

A new infrastructure integration allows transactions to bypass the public mempool and route directly to block producers with just one line of code. **Key features:** - Transactions remain invisible to bots until block finalization - Eliminates frontrunning and sandwich attacks - Minimal integration effort required This development addresses a major pain point in DeFi, where MEV (Maximal Extractable Value) bots have long exploited visible pending transactions. By keeping transactions private until they're included in blocks, users can trade without fear of being targeted by automated extraction strategies. The solution builds on previous infrastructure improvements for high-volume traders, offering a straightforward path to MEV protection without requiring complex changes to existing systems.

**Polygon has become the dominant settlement layer for Latin American crypto activity**, processing $730 billion in annual transaction volume according to a new Bitfinex report. **Key metrics:** - 89% of local-currency stablecoin activity runs on Polygon - $730B represents 60% year-over-year growth in LATAM crypto volume - Stablecoins now function as the region's primary financial rails **Major partnerships driving adoption:** - **Stripe** chose Polygon for USDC settlement across 3M+ merchants - Since launch: $92M+ in onchain volume through Stripe - Powers stablecoin subscriptions, payments, and cross-border settlement The data shows Polygon has captured the infrastructure layer for real-world money movement in Latin America, where stablecoins have evolved beyond speculation into practical payment rails. Stripe's decision to build on Polygon for merchant settlement validates the network's ability to handle enterprise-scale transaction volume. The 60% growth rate suggests accelerating adoption as businesses and consumers shift from traditional banking to stablecoin-based payments for everyday transactions.