Polymer Labs Raises $23M Series A for Modular IBC Protocol
Polymer Labs Raises $23M Series A for Modular IBC Protocol
馃攧 Polymer's $23M Privacy Play
Polymer Labs has secured significant funding to advance its modular blockchain networking protocol. Here are the key details:
- Series A Funding: $23 million raised
- Lead Investors: Blockchain Capital, Maven 11, and Distributed Global
- Notable Participants: Coinbase Ventures, Placeholder, Digital Currency Group, North
The protocol focuses on Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) technology, aiming to enhance blockchain interoperability. This development aligns with growing industry interest in modular and composable DeFi solutions, as evidenced by recent work from Inco Network and Circle Research.
Follow developments at @IncoNetwork for updates on privacy-focused DeFi innovations.
A new modular building block for composable, privacy-focused DeFi from @IncoNetwork and Circle Research 馃憞
Introducing the Confidential ERC-20 Framework @IncoNetwork and Circle Research release a new whitepaper and open-source repo on transforming ERC-20 tokens into confidential wrapped versions that preserve user privacy using fully homomorphic encryption (FHE) while maintaining
Intuit Integrates USDC Across QuickBooks, Credit Karma, and TurboTax
Intuit has integrated USDC stablecoin capabilities across its major platforms - QuickBooks, Credit Karma, and TurboTax. This partnership brings stablecoin-powered settlement directly into everyday financial workflows for millions of users. **Key Points:** - USDC now available on three major Intuit platforms - Enables fast, near-instant settlement for business transactions - Represents mainstream adoption of stablecoins in traditional finance tools This integration follows the recent launch of WalletConnect Pay, which allows business owners to accept USDC payments. The move signals growing acceptance of stablecoins in conventional financial services.
馃彟 Banks Shift Stablecoins from Pilots to Production
Circle gathered senior banking leaders in NYC to discuss institutional stablecoin adoption. The key takeaway: **banks now view stablecoins as infrastructure decisions, not experiments.** Four shifts are underway: - Regulation is **enabling** adoption, not blocking it - Always-on settlement is integrating with legacy systems - Tokenized money is moving from testing to production planning - Stablecoins are becoming recognized payment rails Banks are treating this as a competitive positioning decision as the internet financial system develops in real time. [Learn more about what's next](https://www.circle.com/current)
PEXX Integrates USDC for Cross-Border Treasury and Payout Settlement
**PEXX**, a Circle Alliance Program member, is integrating **USDC** into its global treasury and payout workflows to enable faster cross-border money movement. **Key developments:** - PEXX uses stablecoins for settlement across emerging markets - Integration aims to improve efficiency in international payment flows - Part of Circle's broader Alliance Program supporting stablecoin adoption **Context:** This follows similar moves by other Alliance members like SGB, which bridges traditional banking with digital assets through USDC-enabled settlement and real-time payment connectivity. The integration reflects growing adoption of stablecoins as infrastructure for global treasury operations, particularly in markets where traditional cross-border payments face friction. [Learn more about Circle Alliance Program](https://www.circle.com/alliance-program)
Circle Foundation Awards First International Grant to UN for Financial Inclusion
**Circle Foundation**, established in 2025 through Circle's Pledge 1% equity commitment, has announced its **first international grant supporting the United Nations**. - The foundation focuses on advancing **financial resilience and inclusion** for underserved communities globally - Key mission areas include strengthening financial systems for US small businesses, modernizing humanitarian aid infrastructure, and building economic participation infrastructure - Elisabeth Carpenter discusses the significance of this inaugural UN partnership The grant represents Circle Foundation's expansion from its domestic small business support to international humanitarian efforts, leveraging stablecoin infrastructure to improve how aid reaches communities worldwide.
馃敆 USDC Expands to Injective
**Circle is bringing USDC and CCTP to Injective**, a blockchain optimized for trading and real-world assets. **Key features:** - Use USDC as collateral with 24/7 support - Cross-chain liquidity with 1:1 capital efficiency via CCTP - Global fiat on/off ramps through Circle Mint This follows recent USDC integrations on Morph Network and EDGE Chain. CCTP saw $31B in USDC transfers in Q3, representing 740% year-over-year growth. **Current reach:** USDC is now supported natively on 32 blockchains and moves securely across 21 with CCTP. [Read more](http://circle.com/blog/usdc-cctp-are-coming-to-injective-what-you-need-to-know)