Protocol Labs and Chainlink Labs form strategic alliance

**Chainlink Rewards Season Genesis** wrapped up with strong participation metrics from the Space and Time collaboration. **Key Results:** - 11,000+ eligible claimers participated - 73 million SXT tokens claimed - 44% of SXT stakers used Chainlink Rewards Space and Time committed **4% of their total token supply** to the Chainlink Build program, with half made available to eligible LINK stakers in May 2025. As one of the earliest Build program members since September 2022, Space and Time has accelerated ecosystem growth through this partnership. **Looking Forward:** The pilot launch provided valuable insights for program evolution, including plans for a more advanced claiming mechanism that will incorporate multiple Chainlink Build projects. The success of Season Genesis sets the foundation for expanded community engagement and rewards distribution across the Chainlink ecosystem.

**Chainlink launches Runtime Environment (CRE)** to accelerate institutional blockchain adoption. The platform enables financial institutions to: - Build complex workflows in **days instead of months** - Connect to any system, data source, or blockchain - Deploy tokenized banking solutions onchain Chainlink positions CRE as the next evolution after COBOL and Java, targeting the **institutional finance sector** with cross-chain connectivity. The development aims to bridge traditional finance with blockchain infrastructure through simplified integration tools.

**Blockchain transactions are evolving rapidly** through Chainlink's expanding capabilities. The progression shows clear stages: - Basic smart contracts - **Chainlink data integration** with smart contracts - Cross-chain functionality added - Full orchestration including **compliance and privacy** This evolution enables smart contracts to operate across multiple blockchains while maintaining security and regulatory compliance. The integration of real-world data through Chainlink oracles creates more sophisticated decentralized applications. *Key advancement*: Smart contracts can now access external data, communicate across different blockchains, and handle complex compliance requirements in a single orchestrated system.

**S&P Global Ratings** has partnered with **Chainlink** to publish its Stablecoin Stability Assessments (SSAs) onchain for the first time through DataLink. **Key Details:** - Over 2,400 institutions and developers can now access these assessments across 40+ blockchains - S&P brings 1 million+ credit ratings and 1,500+ analysts to onchain finance - SSAs evaluate stablecoins on a 1-5 scale based on asset quality, governance, and liquidity **Market Context:** - Stablecoin market exceeds $300 billion, nearly doubling from last year - GENIUS Act provides first U.S. federal regulatory framework for stablecoins - Institutions need transparent risk data for responsible stablecoin integration Chainlink's infrastructure secures nearly $100 billion in DeFi TVL and has enabled $25+ trillion in onchain transactions. This partnership represents a significant step toward institutionally validated risk data becoming the foundation of onchain finance. [Learn more](https://press.spglobal.com/2025-10-14-S-P-Global-Ratings-and-Chainlink-Collaboration-Brings-S-Ps-Stablecoin-Stability-Assessments-On-Chain?utm_medium=organic&utm_source=social)

**Plasma**, a layer 1 blockchain designed specifically for stablecoins, has become a **Platinum sponsor** of SmartCon 2025. The blockchain joins other major sponsors including: - Polygon - low-cost blockchain serving millions - Aptos - Move-based L1 focused on scalability **SmartCon 2025** takes place November 4-5 in New York City, bringing together traditional finance and decentralized finance leaders. The event represents a key convergence point where **TradFi meets DeFi**, with Plasma's stablecoin focus adding another dimension to the discussions.