ZK breakthroughs, onchain comebacks and stablecoin shakeups

Key Points

1. BOB deployed a hybrid rollup design combining zk finality with optimistic design, lowering the entry barrier for rollup participation.

2. Optimism’s Upgrade 16 introduced native cross-chain messaging, new bridge contracts, and a higher gas ceiling to meet rising demand.

3. Dogecoin developers proposed integrating zero-knowledge cryptography (DogeOS) to enable verifiable computation and smart contract capabilities.

4. Anchorage Digital and Ethena Labs collaborated under the GENIUS Act, with USDtb now minted by Anchorage’s federally regulated platform.

5. Polymarket acquired QCEX, a CFTC-registered exchange, to enter the US market, potentially bridging traditional and decentralized prediction markets.

6. Centrifuge launched v3 across six chains, creating interoperable RWA infrastructure with a $1b allocation from Janus Henderson.

7. A new L1 platform, Fogo, launched with a 40ms block time and integrated trading stack, targeting high-performance trading.

8. VeChain introduced a $15m staking program and TradFi partnerships, including BitGo and Franklin Templeton, as part of its Renaissance upgrade.

9. GameSquare acquired CryptoPunk #5577 in a $5.15 million equity deal, marking the first NFT-for-equity treasury play by a public company.

10. US ether ETFs saw $3.6 billion in net inflows from July 1 to July 22, indicating growing institutional interest.