Chainlink

Chainlink Labs CBO Eid Johanns outlined the **second stage of blockchain evolution** at SmartCon 2025. The focus shifts from connecting crypto to crypto toward **bridging traditional finance with DeFi**. This represents a fundamental change in how blockchain infrastructure develops. Key points from the keynote: - Moving beyond internal crypto connections - **Integrating global financial systems** with decentralized finance - Creating a more connected global economy through Chainlink's infrastructure This strategic direction positions Chainlink as the **critical bridge** between legacy financial systems and emerging DeFi protocols, potentially transforming how traditional markets operate.

**Seven major Hyperliquid projects** have integrated Chainlink infrastructure to enhance their DeFi operations. **Key integrations include:** - **Kinetiq** ($1.8B+ TVL): Added CCIP for cross-chain kHYPE transfers and Data Streams for sub-second market data - **HyperLend** ($690M+ deposits): Upgraded to Data Streams for enhanced performance - **Hyperdrive**: Integrated Data Feeds for secure stablecoin lending markets - **PrimeFi**: Added Price Feeds and DataLink for institutional-grade pricing - **HyperUnit**: Now offers uBTC, uETH, and uSOL price feeds for developers - **Vision**: Expanded CCIP usage for HyperCore-HyperEVM transfers - **Looping Collective**: Uses new wHLP and lHYPE data feeds for tokenized strategies These integrations provide **faster data delivery**, **cross-chain functionality**, and **enhanced security** across Hyperliquid's growing ecosystem.

**Securitize**, the tokenization platform managing over **$4 billion in tokenized securities**, has integrated Chainlink's data standard to price tokenized funds used as collateral on Aave Horizon. The integration begins with **VanEck's VBILL**, a tokenized fund backed by short-term U.S. Treasuries. VanEck manages over $130 billion in assets globally. **Key developments:** - Aave Horizon has surpassed **$450 million in deposits** - Powered by Chainlink NAVLink with LlamaGuard NAV risk controls - Now the **largest RWA lending market** for institutional borrowing - Institutions can borrow stablecoins against tokenized assets This adoption significantly **expands utility and liquidity** for Securitize's tokenized assets, providing secure access to DeFi's largest decentralized liquidity market through Aave. The integration demonstrates the continued **convergence of traditional finance and DeFi**, with Chainlink serving as the infrastructure bridge between these ecosystems.

**Deutsche Börse Group** has integrated with Chainlink to deliver institutional-grade market data across **40+ blockchains**. Dr. Alireza Dorfard explains how this partnership brings trusted data from major trading venues including: - Eurex - Xetra - 360T - Tradegate The integration enables **2,400+ DeFi protocols** to access real-time, multi-asset class market data through Chainlink's DataLink platform. This marks a significant step in bridging traditional finance with blockchain infrastructure, unlocking new opportunities for **tokenized asset adoption** and institutional-grade financial products in Web3.

Chainlink launches **Rewards Season 1** on November 11, introducing a new community engagement program for LINK stakers. **How it works:** - Eligible LINK stakers receive **Cubes** (non-transferable points) - Cubes can be allocated to preferred Build projects - Token rewards are claimed based on proportional Cube allocation **Key Timeline:** - **Nov 3:** Snapshot taken for Cube balances - **Nov 11-Dec 9:** Allocation period (Cubes expire after) - **Dec 16:** Claim period begins **Nine participating projects** include Dolomite, SpaceandTime, Brickken, Folks Finance, and others across AI, DeFi, gaming, and NFT verticals. The program builds on Season Genesis success, offering LINK stakers more choice in selecting rewards from Build program projects. **Security reminder:** Only use [rewards.chain.link](http://rewards.chain.link) - beware of phishing attempts.

**Chainlink connects Brazil and Hong Kong central banks** in groundbreaking cross-border trade settlement. The Central Bank of Brazil and Hong Kong Monetary Authority completed the first automated workflow linking blockchain-based title registry with cross-chain payments. **Key participants:** - Standard Chartered ($800B+ assets) - Banco Inter (40M+ users) - Global Shipping Business Network - 7COMm technology provider **Technical breakthrough:** - Chainlink Runtime Environment enabled interoperability between Drex platform and Hong Kong Ensemble Network - CCIP synchronized contract execution across different networks - Automated electronic Bill of Lading transfers The solution enables conditional payments across digital currencies and tokenized reserves, translating messages into required formats like ISO 20022. *This marks a new standard for global trade settlement*, connecting previously isolated financial systems through a single automated workflow.

**FTSE Russell**, a leading global index provider with over **$18 trillion in assets under management**, has partnered with Chainlink to publish major market indices onchain for the first time. The collaboration brings seven key indices to **40+ blockchains** via DataLink: - **Russell 1000, 2000, and 3000 indices** (covering 98% of investable U.S. equity market) - **FTSE 100 Index** (top UK companies) - **WMR FX benchmarks** (global currency rates) - **FTSE Digital Asset indices** (institutional-grade crypto benchmarks) **Key Impact:** This integration provides financial institutions access to the same trusted data they use in traditional markets, now available onchain. The move accelerates institutional adoption by eliminating the need for custom infrastructure. **DataLink** leverages Chainlink's proven oracle network to help institutions seamlessly distribute data across blockchains while maintaining full control. This follows Deutsche Börse's recent partnership with Chainlink, signaling growing institutional interest in bringing traditional financial data onchain.

**Chainlink Build member xswap_link launched a token creation platform (TCP)** powered by Chainlink CCIP, enabling seamless cross-chain token creation on Base. The platform leverages **Chainlink's Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP)** as the interoperability standard, allowing developers to create tokens that work across multiple blockchain networks. This builds on xswap's previous integration of CCIP across seven major networks: - Arbitrum - Avalanche - Base - BNB Chain - Ethereum - Optimism - Polygon **Key benefits include:** - Secure cross-chain token transfers - Unified token creation experience - Multi-chain compatibility from launch The TCP represents another step toward **true blockchain interoperability**, making it easier for developers to build tokens that aren't confined to a single network.

**Chainlink sees major adoption spike** with 62 new integrations this week, up from just 17 the previous week. **Key highlights:** - Integrations span **24 different blockchains** including Ethereum, Solana, Arbitrum, and Base - Notable new adopters include Euler Finance, Ondo Finance, Stellar, and TON blockchain - Services range from DeFi protocols to trading platforms and stablecoins **Cross-chain expansion** continues as projects choose Chainlink's oracle infrastructure for reliable data feeds across multiple networks. Explore the full ecosystem at [chainlinkecosystem.com](https://www.chainlinkecosystem.com/)

**Major traditional finance players are backing Chainlink's SmartCon 2025.** Fidelity, FTSE Russell, Google Cloud, and GLEIF have signed on as **Gold sponsors** for the Nov 4-5 NYC event. The conference promises to showcase the **convergence of TradFi and DeFi**, bringing together traditional financial institutions with decentralized finance innovators. These sponsors join an impressive lineup of **Platinum sponsors** including: - The Graph (decentralized data protocol) - OKX (60+ million user trading platform) - Aptos (layer 1 blockchain) - Polygon (low-cost blockchain) - Plasma (stablecoin-focused L1) The event represents a significant moment for **institutional adoption** of blockchain technology, with traditional finance heavyweights actively participating alongside crypto-native companies.