Protocol Village: Crypto Platform Beluga Raises $4M, Led by FinCapital

Oct. 19: Beluga, a crypto platform for onboarding new users, raised $4 million in a seed round, according to a press release. The round was led by Fin Capital with participation from Anagram, UDHC, Dispersion Capital, Aptos Labs, 2 Punks Capital, Borderless Capital, Kyber Capital, 186 Ventures, W11 Capital and Rubik Ventures. “Angel investors include Charlie Lee, founder of Litecoin; Mike Lempres, former chief risk and legal officer of Coinbase; Brandon Gath, head of Kraken Ventures; Akash Garg, former CTO of MoonPay; Salil Pitroda, former Blockchain.com board observer; Howard Lindzon, co-founder of Stocktwits; and Jim Robinson, co-founder of RRE Ventures.”

Protocol Village is a regular feature of The Protocol, our weekly newsletter exploring the tech behind crypto, one block at a time. Sign up here to get it in your inbox every Wednesday. Project teams can submit updates here. For previous versions of Protocol Village, please go here.

Oct. 19: USDC stablecoin issuer Circle Internet Financial on Thursday released an upgrade for its Web3 programmable crypto wallet that allows merchants to take over and pay for their customers’ transaction fees. According to the press release, the new function called Gas Station lets businesses sponsor users’ gas fees – the cost for money transfers on blockchains – leveraging the ERC-4337 paymaster. $USDC

Copper Integrates Stacks Layer for Bitcoin

Oct. 19: Copper.co, a digital-asset custodian, has integrated Stacks, a network that enables the creation of decentralised applications (dApps) and smart contracts on top of the Bitcoin blockchain, according to a press release. “Through this integration, institutional clients gain the ability to safely custody, trade, and leverage Stacking with all existing and future SIP-010 tokens on the Stacks blockchain.” $BTC

Bitcoin Asset Manager Onramp Unveils Multisig Platform, Adds BitGo to Custodians

Oct. 19: Bitcoin financial services firm Onramp’s asset management platform has opened for business with BitGo among its custodians. Austin, Texas-based Onramp launched a spot bitcoin (BTC) trust in April targeting high-net-worth investors.

Anoma Foundation to Incent Namada Builders With 10M NAM

Oct. 19: Anoma Foundation announced new rewards for the Community Builders Program for Namada, the first multichain privacy protocol on Cosmos, according to the team: “The Anoma Foundation will also incentivize selected builders with 10 million NAM tokens (appx 1% of the total supply). It will be encoded into the genesis block of the Namada blockchain following the completion of the Retroactive Public Goods Funding (RPGF) Round.”

Coreum Blockchain Turns to BitGo for Custom Payments

Oct. 19: Coreum, an enterprise-grade layer-1 blockchain, announced a new partnership with crypto custodian BitGo, according to a message from the team: “This partnership with BitGo aims to create a highly secure and streamlined gateway for global institutions to leverage Coreum’s enterprise solutions. BitGo’s bank-grade custody services allows Coreum to offer novel blockchain-based solutions including custom payments, rewards programs, tokenization opportunities, and peer-to-peer insurance products.”

Primex Finance Deploys Mainnet App

Oct. 19: Primex Finance announced the deployment of its mainnet app, accompanied by a liquidity mining program, according to a message from the team: “This marks the most significant milestone for the protocol in the past two years. Commencing on Oct. 19, users will have the ability to engage in trading across multiple aggregated decentralized exchanges (DEXs). This includes features such as leverage, limit orders, and position management, mirroring the functionality and interfaces of centralized exchanges (CEXs), all powered by a decentralized trade execution mechanism.”

‘Ryder One’ Hardware Wallet Released

Oct. 19: Ryder announced the launch of the Ryder One hardware wallet, “introducing a new standard for Web3 self-custody that eliminates the complicated seed phrase process with novel TapSafe recovery,” according to a message from the team. “The launch of the wallet comes on the heels of Ryder’s close of a successful $1.2M raise from industry heavyweights Oak Grove Ventures, Co-founder of Trust Machines Muneeb Ali, and SBX Capital, Bitcoin Frontier Fund, among others.”

Quantstamp Adds ‘DeFi Protection’

Oct. 19: Quantstamp is announcing DeFi Protection, “a new security product that will reimburse users for their DeFi losses,” according to a message from the team. “DeFi Protection checks the safety of smart contracts, alerts users to any threats and provides 24/7 support from security auditors. Critically, the product also features a guarantee program that will reimburse DeFi Protection customers for any losses due to a gap in Quantstamp’s security services.”

Insomnia Labs Announces Blockchain Tech Stack ‘Loyalty+’

Oct. 19: Insomnia Labs, an NYC-based Web3 solutions firm dedicated to bringing brands into Web3, is set to announce the launch of Loyalty+, a next-generation blockchain-based tech stack aimed at transforming the landscape of brand loyalty, in collaboration with Web3 loyalty and rewards program provider Co:Create, Smart Token Labs, Cookie3 and Crossmint, according to a message from the team.

Helix, Injective-Based DEX, to Offer ‘Pre-Launch’ Token Futures, Starting With Celestia’s

Oct. 18: Helix, the decentralized orderbook exchange built on the Injective blockchain, on Wednesday announced plans for Pre-Launch Futures, according to a message from the Injective team: “Helix will be the first exchange to grant the general public access to the Celestia (TIA) token through its perpetual market through this new Pre-Launch Futures product. Traditionally, gaining access to assets before their official launch has been a privilege reserved for early contributors, VCs or wealthy insiders. Helix is aiming to disrupt this closed system by allowing, for the first time ever, the decentralized trading of popular upcoming tokens prior to their official launch or listing on a public cryptocurrency exchange.” $INJ

Masa Unveils V3 of its Dapp

Oct. 18: Masa, an on-chain identity infrastructure for Web3, has unveiled Masa Dapp 3.0, offering a simplified and improved user experience, according to the team. “The launch marks an evolution in their product suite and services, including Masa Analytics. Special limited-time reward campaigns with partners like Base Daily and QuickSwap are being introduced to celebrate the launch. Masa 3.0 also introduces a newly designed dashboard, streamlining user navigation.”

SYS Labs Announces Next Phase of Rollux Layer-2

Oct. 18: SYS Labs, a Web3 product suite powered by Syscoin, has announced the next phase of Rollux, an innovative EVM layer-2 solution, according to a message from the team: “Harnessing the strength of Bitcoin to optimize the performance of Ethereum network applications, Rollux has introduced a full suite of DeFi tools -including a ZK-lite client, cross-chain bridges, DEXs, liquidity protocols, yield aggregators and a launchpad- to lay the foundation of a comprehensive Web3 ecosystem.” $ETH $BTC

Hyper Oracle Launches OpML

Oct. 18: A message from the Hyper Oracle team: ” tweeted: ‘in a world of infinite AI content and avatars, only crypto will be used to ‘prove’ anything.’ And indeed zkML is all over X/Twitter being promoted as the solution. But does it work? It’s too early. Generating a zero-knowledge proof of a one-time Twitter algorithm inference would cost $80K. However, we can generate optimistic proofs with opML. OpML is to zkML, what optimistic rollups are to zk rollups, the efficient and cheap alternative. Hyper Oracle just launched opML and put a 7B parameter ML model onchain. With opML, we can bring unparalleled transparency into the AI space.”

Methodic CoinDesk ETH Staking Fund Launches

Oct. 19: Methodic Capital Management on Wednesday announced the launch of the Methodic CoinDesk ETH Staking Fund, designed to offer professional investors the total return of ether (ETH) by combining exposure to both the token itself and staking rewards.

API3 Deploys ‘Decentralized Data Feeds’ to 5 Chains

Oct. 18: According to a press release: “API3 recently announced the deployment of its decentralized data feeds (dAPIs) across five new chains: Base, Kava, Linea, Mantle and Rootstock. This significant expansion reflects API3’s commitment to revolutionizing decentralized finance (DeFi) by supporting as many chains as possible with verifiable, decentralized data feeds maintained on-chain directly by the data providers.”

Ether.Fi Rolls Out Liquid Staking Token eETH, to Be Restaked on EigenLayer

Oct. 18: Decentralized finance (DeFi) protocol ether.fi, which raised $5.3M in March in a seed round led by North Island VC, has rolled out a liquid staking token (LST) called “eETH” that allows users to generate rewards by staking ether (ETH). The plan “will allow users to stake their ETH to accrue staking rewards and automatically restake their ETH in EigenLayer,” according to a press release. “Ether.fi will be working with DeFi launch partners to create utility for eETH from day one, including Balancer, Gravita, Pendle and LayerZero.”

Cobo Launches ‘MPC Lite’ for Lower-Cost Crypto Custody

Oct. 18: Cobo, a digital-asset custody solutions provider, has launched Cobo MPC Lite, according to a message from the team: “The high costs and technical complexities associated with enterprise-grade MPC custody solutions have made them out of reach for many growing Web3 teams. To address this need, Cobo developed Cobo MPC Lite, paving the way for widespread adoption of enterprise-grade MPC custody.” MPC stands for “multi-party computation,” a cryptographic security measure that is used in a growing number of crypto wallets.

Bracket Launches Testnet for Arbitrum-Based Trading Platform ‘Passage’

Oct. 17: Bracket Labs, a finalist in Binance’s 2023 Summer Web3 Reality Show “Build The Block,” has launched the testnet for Passages, its Arbitrum-based volatility market product, according to a message from the team. “Built by a senior team with experience from D.E Shaw, Merrill Lynch, Barclays, Bloomberg, Consensys, DeerCreek and more, Passage is a new one-click range-bound trading platform with leveraged volatility options for any market condition.”

Taurus to Integrate Elliptic’s Wallet Screening Tool

Oct. 17: Taurus SA, a FINMA-regulated custody and tokenization technology provider, and Elliptic, a global leader in cryptoasset risk management, announced a partnership “to provide banking-grade security and compliance to the market,” according to the team. “As part of this collaboration, Taurus will integrate Elliptic’s wallet screening tool into Taurus-PROTECT, the European leading digital asset custody solution for banks and corporates. Merging Elliptic’s crypto screening capabilities with its custody platform will allow Taurus to seamlessly manage AML and fraud risks in full compliance with all applicable regulations.”

Spheron Embarks on Next Phase, Discloses $7M 2022 Fundraise

Oct. 17: Spheron, a specialist in Web3 infrastructure and “platform-as-a-service” or “PaaS,” has “embarked on a phase 2 of its roadmap with the primary goal of addressing the UX, security and reliability issues in the existing Web3 Infra layer,” according to a press release. The startup disclosed that it raised $7 million in a funding round in August 2022 from investors including Alphawave Ventures, NexusVP, Zee Prime Capital, Protocol Labs, ConsenSys Mesh, Paradigm Shift Capital,Matrix Partners India and Tykhe Ventures. Angel investors including Sandeep Nailwal, Aniket Jindal Julian Traversa also joined in the round.

ARPA Network’s Random Number Generator ‘Randcast’ Live on Optimism

Oct. 16: ARPA Network’s random number generator (RNG), Randcast, has gone live on Optimism, a layer-2 blockchain atop Ethereum. “Their aim is to foster a more secure, dynamic, and immersive experience in the world of on-chain games and autonomous worlds,” according to a message from the team. “Random Number Generation (RNG) is vital to many digital and online spaces, including the gaming industry. There is currently no mature and secure random number solution available on Optimism, which is why ARPA made this move.” $OP $ETH

Acme, Backed by Safe, Announces Beta Launch

Oct. 16: Acme, the intent-based network simplifying on-chain transactions, is announcing its beta launch onstage today at GITEX in Dubai, according to a message from the team. “Acme seeks to break down barriers to digital ownership, enabling secure digital asset transactions with one tap. Acme’s intent-based network is backed by Safe, the pioneering account abstraction infrastructure provider, and Gelato, the Web3 service provider enabling gasless transactions.”

Oct. 16: Internet Computer blockchain (ICP) contributor the Dfinity Foundation is developing a technology for a global standard to incentivize recycling activities.

Unstoppable Domains Integrates with Webacy

Oct. 16: Unstoppable Domains, a platform for user-owned digital identity with 3.9M domains, has announced a partnership and integration with the leading crypto-wallet security protocol, Webacy, backed by Gary Vaynerchuk, according to a message from the team. “This will enable users to assess the risk levels of wallets connected to their Web3 domains via a ‘safety score’ and inform them of potential financial risks based on a set of factors. It also gives users the power to trigger a Panic Button, enabling them to move assets in bulk to another wallet in case of a compromise.”

EOS EVM Releases Trustless Bridging of USDT From Native Layer

Oct. 16: The EOS Network Foundation (ENF) said EOS EVM v0.6.0 has gone live on the main network. “The highlight of this release is the trustless bridging of USDT from the EOS Native layer to the EOS EVM,” according to a message from the team. “The release also introduces mechanisms for cross-virtual machine communication, opening the door for novel use-cases.” $EOS

Contango Spreads to Optimism After Arbitrum Launch

Oct. 16: Contango, a decentralized market that builds futures on top of money markets, has brought its flasgship product, cPerps, to Optimism, after a successful launch on Arbitrum recently, according to a message from the team.”CPerps are built by automating a looping strategy on money markets using flash loans. Looping, also known as recursive borrowing and lending, is the DeFi-native way of leveraging on-chain. Currently Contango has integrated with Aave, the leading lending market in DeFi, to tap into its $4.6B liquidity. The team, however, plans to expand both horizontally, to more chains, and vertically, to more money markets.” (The debut of cPerps was reported in Protocol Village on Oct. 4.) $OP $ARB

Gnosis Developers Get Access to Moralis Web3 APIs

Oct. 16: Gnosis Chain, an EVM layer-1 blockchain, and Moralis, a leading Web3 data provider, “announced a collaboration to empower development of advanced Web3 solutions on Gnosis Chain. A response to substantial demand from the Moralis community, this partnership gives developers building on Gnosis Chain access to Moralis’ expansive suite of Web3 APIs, further solidifying the blockchain’s position as a developer-optimized, innovation-focused network.” Developers can access resources and tutorials at moralis.io/chains/gnosis/.

Edited by Bradley Keoun.