Layerzero Introduced Zero, a New Blockchain to Target up to 2M Transactions per Second
LayerZero has unveiled Zero, a new blockchain architecture designed to reach up to 2 million transactions per second (TPS) per zone, marking one of the most ambitious throughput targets announced in the industry to date. Unlike traditional blockchains that rely on full replication of execution across every validator, Zero proposes a structural shift: execution and verification are separated through zero-knowledge (ZK) proofs, and validators are split into distinct roles. The result, according to the announcement, is what the team describes as the first “multi-core world computer.” Key Takeaways A Break From the Single-Threaded Model Most major blockchains today, including Ethereum, operate as single-threaded systems. Even when scaling solutions are introduced, they often fragment liquidity and state across Layer 2 networks or sovereign chains. Zero takes a different route. It introduces what it calls Atomicity Zones, which function like parallel processes running on multiple cores of a CPU. These zones are not independent chains or rollups. They are governed under one unified protocol and owned by the same base network. This horizontal scaling design enables concurrent execution across zones rather than forcing the entire system through a single execution pipeline. The ambition is clear: one blockchain, many parallel execution environments, unified state guarantees. Targeting 2 Million TPS Per Zone Zero’s roadmap sets an explicit goal of 2 million TPS per zone, positioning it well beyond the throughput figures typically cited by high-performance chains today. For context, most current Layer 1 blockchains operate in the hundreds to low thousands of TPS under real-world conditions. The network also claims transaction costs could fall to fractions of a cent—described as roughly 1/10,000th of a penny per transaction to the network—dramatically reducing the need for conventional gas pricing models. If realized, this level of performance would allow blockchain infrastructure to compete with modern web-scale applications in payments, tokenized assets, and high-frequency financial activity. Solving the Four Bottlenecks Zero’s architecture addresses four key constraints that traditionally limit blockchain performance: storage, compute, proving, and networking. Storage: QMDB State growth and write speed remain persistent issues for blockchains. Zero introduces QMDB, a new verifiable database system built to dramatically increase write throughput while preserving cryptographic guarantees. The team claims a 100x improvement over current state-of-the-art verifiable storage systems. Compute: FAFO Scheduling Parallelization requires careful orchestration. Zero introduces a compute scheduler known as FAFO, designed to manage concurrent execution efficiently across multiple cores without sacrificing atomicity or determinism. ZK Proving: Jolt Pro The network relies on real-time zero-knowledge proofs through a system referred to as Jolt Pro. By separating execution from verification, Zero reduces the need for every validator to redundantly execute every transaction. Instead, validators can verify succinct proofs. This decoupling is central to the design. It allows the network to move away from full replication while maintaining cryptographic assurance. Networking: SVID High throughput requires high-bandwidth data availability. Zero introduces SVID, which separates data availability from validation duties. This ensures individual nodes are not overwhelmed even when throughput scales into the millions of transactions per second. Together, these components form what the team describes as three 100x improvements in storage, compute, and networking — alongside a 100x end-to-end improvement in zero-knowledge proving. A Heterogeneous Validator Model Another major departure from traditional design is the validator structure. Zero separates the network into two classes: This heterogeneous approach aims to maintain decentralization without requiring every participant to run enterprise-level infrastructure. The network claims validation can run on minimal hardware, reducing the cost barrier to participation. By contrast, many high-throughput chains have faced criticism for concentrating validation among well-funded operators due to hardware demands. Ethereum Compatibility and Use Cases Zero maintains compatibility with Ethereum’s smart contract environment. Developers can deploy Solidity contracts directly, positioning the network as a general-purpose computing platform rather than a niche performance chain. The architecture is intended to support: Because zones are managed under a unified protocol rather than isolated chains, developers do not need to create or manage their own execution environments. Competing With Cloud Infrastructure One of the boldest claims in the announcement is that Zero could compete directly with centralized cloud providers. By removing redundant replication while retaining cryptographic verification, the team argues that decentralized infrastructure can finally achieve cloud-level performance and cost efficiency. The key economic argument is simple: when every node no longer has to execute every transaction, resource usage drops significantly. That cost reduction, if achieved in practice, would change the economics of decentralized systems. A High-Stakes Bet on Architecture The blockchain industry has spent years searching for a viable path to mass adoption without sacrificing decentralization. Zero proposes that the answer is architectural rather than incremental—moving from single-threaded replication to a multi-core, proof-verified system. The 2 million TPS target per zone sets a high bar. Achieving it in production conditions will determine whether Zero becomes a breakthrough or remains an ambitious blueprint. For now, LayerZero’s announcement signals a shift in how scaling is being approached: not as a patchwork of rollups and sidechains, but as a unified, parallelized base layer designed to operate at internet scale.
Blackrock Is Bringing Its Tokenized BUIDL Fund to Uniswap
BlackRock is taking a decisive step into decentralized finance. The world’s largest asset manager is integrating its tokenized U.S. Treasury fund, BUIDL, with Uniswap through UniswapX, a marketplace protocol designed to source the best execution from professional market makers. As part of the arrangement, BlackRock is also acquiring an undisclosed amount of Uniswap’s governance token, UNI—marking the first time the firm is holding a DeFi-native token on its balance sheet. The announcement sent UNI sharply higher. The token climbed more than 13% on Wednesday to trade around $3.80, according to CoinGecko data, though it remains down roughly 29% over the past month amid broader market weakness. Key Takeaways A Treasury Fund Meets DeFi Infrastructure BUIDL, BlackRock’s tokenized money market fund backed by cash and short-term U.S. Treasuries, currently has a market value of roughly $1.8–$2.1 billion, making it one of the largest tokenized real-world assets on-chain, according to RWA.xyz data referenced in coverage of the deal. Unlike most stablecoins, which simply track the U.S. dollar, BUIDL pays yield to eligible holders. Trading of BUIDL on Uniswap will be conducted via UniswapX, where market makers compete through a request-for-quote (RFQ) system to provide best pricing. The tokenization firm Securitize, which manages the BUIDL fund on-chain, will continue to facilitate issuance and compliance, including maintaining a whitelist of eligible institutional participants and approved liquidity providers such as Wintermute and Flowdesk. That structure means access will remain limited to qualified purchasers—typically investors with at least $5 million in assets—at least for now. While that narrows participation, the framework is designed to test how regulated financial products can function within decentralized trading rails. Uniswap Labs described the move as a step toward “bridging the gap between traditional finance and DeFi.” Securitize CEO Carlos Domingo framed it more bluntly: “This is the unlock we’ve been working toward: bringing the trust and regulatory standards of traditional finance to the speed and openness for which DeFi is known.” He added that the same model could be extended to other tokenized real-world assets. A Strategic Bet on DeFi BlackRock’s involvement goes beyond listing BUIDL on a decentralized venue. The firm confirmed it has made a strategic investment within the Uniswap ecosystem and plans to purchase UNI tokens. While details of the allocation were not disclosed, reports indicate the firm noted that any existing investment “may be discontinued at any time.” For Uniswap founder Hayden Adams, the collaboration is the result of roughly 18 months of discussions between the two firms. The pairing is notable: BlackRock, the $9 trillion Wall Street heavyweight, and Uniswap, one of the most recognizable decentralized exchanges built on Ethereum and long associated with crypto-native traders. Adams has argued that tokenization will eventually shift a broad range of asset trading onto blockchain infrastructure, citing faster settlement and more efficient capital usage as key benefits. BlackRock executives have expressed similar convictions. In a December column for The Economist, CEO Larry Fink and COO Rob Goldstein wrote that tokenization would represent “the next major evolution in market infrastructure,” pointing to instant settlement and broader access to investable assets. In its 2026 thematic outlook, BlackRock identified Ethereum—the network underpinning most stablecoins and a large share of tokenized assets—as central to this transformation. Uniswap launched on Ethereum in 2018 and recently introduced its own layer-2 network, Unichain. Robert Mitchnick, BlackRock’s global head of digital assets, said the integration is about interoperability: “This collaboration with Uniswap Labs alongside Securitize is a notable step in the convergence of tokenized assets with decentralized finance. The integration of BUIDL into UniswapX marks a major leap forward in the interoperability of tokenized USD yield funds with stablecoins.” A Controlled Experiment—For Now Despite the headline significance, the immediate trading impact may be modest. Participation will be restricted to a relatively small pool of institutions and approved liquidity providers. Still, the technical architecture is designed to scale beyond this initial cohort. Securitize’s Domingo acknowledged that large asset managers prefer to proceed cautiously, starting with qualified purchasers before expanding access. The infrastructure, however, is intended to support broader participation over time. There is already around $100 billion locked across DeFi platforms, according to industry estimates cited in reporting on the deal. The addition of a regulated, Treasury-backed yield product from BlackRock introduces a new category of on-chain asset—one that blends traditional fixed-income exposure with decentralized trading mechanics. For Uniswap and the wider DeFi sector, the significance lies less in immediate trading volume and more in validation. A firm of BlackRock’s scale committing capital and product to decentralized infrastructure signals that tokenization is moving beyond pilot programs into operational integration. Wall Street and DeFi have often operated at opposite ends of the financial spectrum. With BUIDL’s arrival on Uniswap, that divide is narrowing.
Jack Dorsey’s Cash App Offers Zero to Low Fees on Large and Recurring Bitcoin Buys
Cash App has introduced a revised Bitcoin fee structure that significantly lowers the cost of buying and using BTC on its platform, marking one of its most aggressive pushes yet to drive mainstream adoption. On Feb. 9, the Jack Dorsey-backed payments company rolled out what it described as “zero to low fee” Bitcoin purchases. The update eliminates fees entirely for large Bitcoin transactions above $2,000, recurring auto-buy orders, and Bitcoin payments made through the Lightning Network. Eligible users will also see higher Bitcoin withdrawal limits. For smaller transactions, a tiered fee model remains in place. Market buy and sell fees are set at 2% for purchases between $1 and $500, 1.5% for $501 to $1,000, and 0.9% for $1,001 to $2,000. Compared with competitors that often charge between 1% and 2.5% per transaction, Cash App’s revised structure positions it competitively, particularly for high-volume and automated buyers. Key Takeaways Incentives Designed to Drive Bitcoin Usage The zero-fee recurring buy feature stands out. Users who automate their Bitcoin purchases through Cash App’s auto-invest option will incur no transaction fees at all. This model encourages dollar-cost averaging, a popular strategy among long-term Bitcoin holders. Similarly, waiving fees for transactions over $2,000 creates a clear incentive for larger investors to route trades through Cash App rather than rival exchanges. While transaction fees have traditionally been a key revenue stream for crypto platforms, Cash App appears to be prioritizing user growth and transaction volume over short-term margins. Bitcoin spending via the Lightning Network also carries no fees under the new structure. Lightning enables near-instant, low-cost BTC transfers, and eliminating platform fees further strengthens the case for using Bitcoin in everyday payments rather than simply holding it as an asset. Dorsey reacted to the rollout with a single-word post: “math.” The message underscores the company’s strategy — lower fees can translate into higher participation, which may ultimately drive greater network activity and long-term revenue opportunities. 1:1 Bitcoin Custody and Withdrawal Access Cash App reiterated that all Bitcoin purchased on the platform is held on a 1:1 basis. In practical terms, this means the company maintains full backing for customer Bitcoin balances and allows withdrawals at any time, 24/7. The company also confirmed that certain services—including the Lightning Network, Square Bitcoin, and Bitkey—are not available to New York residents. Additionally, Bitcoin services remain subject to licensing restrictions in some U.S. states and territories. Market Context The announcement comes during a short-term pullback in the crypto market. Bitcoin is currently trading at $66,138.70, down nearly 5% over the past 24 hours. Despite the price dip, Cash App’s fee overhaul signals continued confidence in Bitcoin’s long-term role in payments. By reducing friction around buying, automating, and spending BTC, the platform is positioning itself as both an on-ramp for new users and a cost-efficient venue for seasoned holders. For Cash App, the strategy is straightforward: lower barriers, increase participation, and let the numbers speak for themselves.
