Chainlink

The Ethereum network recently underwent the Dencun upgrade, which introduced a feature called Proto-Danksharding. As a result, the gas costs for publishing Chainlink oracle reports on Layer 2 rollups such as Arbitrum, Base, and Optimism have decreased by up to 99%. This significant reduction in costs is expected to drive further adoption of decentralized applications (dApps) built on Ethereum and its Layer 2 scaling solutions.

Chainlink Labs has released a tutorial video guiding creators on how to produce, distribute, and sell their works as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) on the blockchain. The tutorial, presented by Elif Hilal Umucu, provides a step-by-step guide for creators to mint and sell NFTs without requiring any coding knowledge. This initiative aims to empower creators by leveraging the potential of NFTs and blockchain technology.

BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, has launched its first tokenized fund on the Ethereum blockchain. The BlackRock USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund invests in cash, T-bills, and repos, and distributes yield directly to investors' wallets on a monthly basis. Token holders can transfer their tokens 24/7/365. Carlos Domingo, co-founder and CEO of Securitize, the transfer agent and tokenization platform for the fund, noted that tokenization of securities could fundamentally transform capital markets.

Chainlink has announced that Origin, its decentralized platform for peer-to-peer commerce, is coming to the Arbitrum layer 2 network. Powered by Chainlink's Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP), this expansion aims to broaden Origin's accessibility. Chainlink will reveal its launch partners for this initiative over the coming weeks.

Chainlink's Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) has gained significant traction as a secure and reliable solution for cross-chain communication. Metis, a Layer 2 scaling solution, has integrated CCIP to enable a new frontier of multi-chain applications and asset transfers for its users. Additionally, Stake DAO has adopted CCIP across Arbitrum, BNB Chain, and Ethereum to facilitate cross-chain transfers of its SDT token. These developments highlight the growing adoption of CCIP as a trusted cross-chain protocol in the blockchain ecosystem.

A recent advisory from Chainlink highlights two critical moments when users should exercise caution to prevent crypto-related attacks: sending transactions and approving dApps. Attackers often exploit user mistakes during these steps, such as failing to verify destination addresses or granting unnecessary permissions. The advisory emphasizes the importance of double-checking details and revoking approvals after using dApps to mitigate risks.

GSU Protocol, the issuer of the ultra-low-volatility stablecoin GSUc, has joined the Chainlink BUILD program. This partnership will provide GSU Protocol with enhanced access to Chainlink's oracle services and technical support, helping to ensure the security and stability of the GSUc stablecoin. In return, GSU Protocol will allocate a percentage of its native token supply to Chainlink service providers and stakers. The collaboration aims to support GSU Protocol's mission of underpinning a stablecoin with superior price stability for all DeFi users, moving beyond fiat-pegged stablecoins and creating a more stable and efficient ecosystem.

John Wu of Ava Labs highlighted that traditional financial service providers are exploring ways to leverage blockchain technology to enhance capital markets. The Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) facilitated cross-chain settlement between tokenized assets and stablecoins for ANZ Bank, demonstrating the potential for blockchain integration in traditional finance.

Sergey Nazarov, a prominent figure in the blockchain industry, commented on the current state of capital markets. He observed that there is an ongoing effort to adapt existing legal frameworks, standards, messaging systems, and other technologies that have been successfully utilized in traditional finance over decades, and apply them to blockchains as a new platform for transactions.

Sergey Nazarov, the co-founder of Chainlink, emphasized the importance of robust security measures for institutions that have been handling valuable assets for decades. He stated that these institutions require a higher level of security as they have been targets of hacking attempts for a much longer period compared to newer blockchain projects. Nazarov's comments highlight Chainlink's focus on providing bank-grade security solutions to enable the integration of traditional financial systems with blockchain technology.