Aleph Zero, a blockchain startup, has launched its Ethereum-compatible layer-2 solution. The move aims to boost privacy and speed in blockchain transactions. The new layer integrates Arbitrum Orbit technology. It also uses zero-knowledge operating system (zkOS) tools. Aleph Zero's layer 2 will run on top of its existing blockchain. This setup should cut block times to a mere 250 milliseconds. "AZERO, the ecosystem token, will be used on the Layer-2 to power all gas transactions," the company said in a statement. The project is a team effort with Gelato, a rollup-as-a-service provider. It's designed to make Ethereum app development easier. Aleph Zero plans to roll out its zkOS privacy toolkit in Q4. This should speed up zero-knowledge proofs and beef up privacy features. In a parallel move, the firm announced a $50 million funding program. It's meant to attract developers to build on the platform. Antoni Zolciak, Aleph Zero's co-founder, told Cointelegraph the program aims to "fund innovations from developer teams." The cash isn't just grants, but wider support. Zolciak also dished on privacy in crypto. He reckons most users don't get Web3 privacy. They're cool with trading privacy for free stuff. "There's a split between privacy tokens and privacy-enhancing blockchain infrastructure," Zolciak explained. "Most folks don't see the difference."

Ubisoft, the French gaming giant, is launching a new game on Ethereum's layer-2 solution, Arbitrum. This move marks a significant shift in the GameFi landscape, which is hard to overestimate even if you're a radical sceptic about web3 and other blockhain technologies. Here is why. The game, Captain Laserhawk: The G.A.M.E., is based on a Netflix show. It's a nod to a Far Cry 3 expansion from a decade ago, one of the most popular games ever, in case you have forgotten. The title will feature characters from Ubisoft's popular franchises like Rayman and Assassin's Creed. GameFi has been on a roll lately. The sector exploded earlier this year, thanks to Telegram. The messaging app became a hotbed for blockchain gaming. Simple earning minigames using native cryptocurrencies have taken off. Titles like Hamster Kombat and Notcoin have attracted hundreds of millions of players in months. It's been a wild ride. Now, big names from traditional gaming are jumping in. This trend shows no signs of slowing down. Ubisoft's entry could be a game-changer. Details about gameplay are scarce. The community is hoping for a serious effort, not just a cash grab. Ubisoft's reputation is on the line here, as the company has had its ups and downs and some rather complicated periods in relationship with its massive and very pro-active game audience. The company is known for hit franchises like Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and Tom Clancy. Their involvement suggests this won't be another low-effort play-to-earn game. At least, that's what fans are banking on. GameFi is still in its early days. There are some enjoyable titles out there leveraging blockchain tech. But they often lack the polish of modern PC or console games. That's why Ubisoft's move is both exciting and nerve-wracking for GameFi enthusiasts. It could show other big developers that Web3 gaming is legit. Or it could flop spectacularly, just as some other Ubisoft products have done throughout the years - some gamers will never forget and, what's more important, will never forget that.

Ethernity has launched its testnet for Ethernity Chain. It's a layer two solution for entertainment brands. The chain is now part of Optimism's Superchain ecosystem. Ethernity Chain aims to be the entertainment layer in the Superchain. It joins big names like Coinbase's Base and Worldcoin. The Superchain uses Optimism's OP stack. It shares fees with the Optimism collective. The new chain tackles entertainment industry issues head-on. It's packed with consumer-friendly features. These harness Web 3.0 benefits. They also simplify complex processes. AI-powered DRM is a key feature. It protects intellectual property on-chain. This is crucial for safeguarding digital assets. Urv Goel from Optimism Unlimited is pumped. He said, "By joining the Superchain, Ethernity becomes part of a community of builders dedicated to scaling Ethereum and giving back to the ecosystem." The testnet is now live. Developers can start building and testing apps. Several entertainment projects are already on board. More launches are coming soon. Marcelo Pham, Ethernity's co-founder, chimed in. "Our goal is to bridge the gap between traditional entertainment and blockchain technology," he stated. Ethernity has some solid backup. Gelato is providing infrastructure support. They're offering Web 3.0 cloud services too. These enable zero gas UX and connect apps to Web 2.0 APIs. A developer grant program is in the works. It'll offer funding and resources. Marketing and technical support are part of the deal. Ethernity's no newbie to the entertainment scene. They've already brought big names like Lionel Messi onto the blockchain. Now, they're gearing up for the next level.

Irys, a data provenance startup, has launched a new layer-1 blockchain. The platform aims to provide integrated data storage solutions for developers building onchain products. The new blockchain supports multiple networks. These include Ethereum, EVM-compatible chains, Solana, Aptos, and Avalanche. Josh Benaron, Irys founder and CEO, stressed the need for permanent data solutions. He said, "Data integrity should be based on technological guarantees — but it's not." Benaron highlighted the risks of centralized data infrastructure. He pointed out potential issues with digital bank accounts and social media. The new protocol uses a dual-ledger system. Data is first stored in a "submit ledger" before moving to an immutable "publish ledger". Irys combines proof-of-work with staking to incentivize miners. This approach aims to ensure correct data storage. The move challenges traditional IT systems. Currently, these systems are highly centralized. Amazon Web Services dominates the market. Visual Capitalist data shows 30% of internet users interact with AWS-hosted sites daily. This concentration gives AWS and similar platforms significant control. They can potentially censor content or delete user data. Onchain storage has been prohibitively expensive. A 2022 study found storing 500 kilobytes on Ethereum cost $20,000. Costs have decreased since Ethereum's Dencun upgrade. However, storing large files remains pricey. This situation has created opportunities for alternative solutions. Platforms like Arweave, Internet Computer, and InterPlanetary File System aim to reduce reliance on Big Tech. Irys's launch is a big deal in this space. It's another player trying to shake things up in the world of data storage. The startup is betting on blockchain tech to solve real-world problems. It's a gutsy move, but only time will tell if it pays off.

Ethereum's onchain activity is booming, despite its price hovering around $3250, while we all hoped for $4000 since ETFs were approved. Layer 2 blockchains are driving this growth. They're transforming how transactions work on Ethereum. Users and investors are flocking to these solutions. The numbers are eye-popping. Ethereum and Layer 2 chains saw onchain activity jump 127% in early 2024. More users and higher transaction volumes are behind this surge. A Coinbase and Glassnode report highlights the trend. Daily active addresses on Ethereum and L2s hit record highs. Vitalik Buterin, Ethereum's co-founder, calls L2s the "ultimate playground for action". He's not wrong. These platforms are attracting individuals and profit-hungry institutions alike. L2 chains like Linea, Base, and Arbitrum are killing it. They boast 1.8 million active daily addresses. These solutions offer cheap transactions before finalizing them on Ethereum. It's a win-win for efficiency and security. The Ethereum Dencun upgrade in March 2024 was a game-changer. It slashed transaction fees by 58% in Q2. This happened even as transaction numbers went up. Lower costs made Ethereum more accessible. Users jumped at the chance to get involved. Ethereum's versatility is another draw. Lending, staking, and trading are just a few use cases. The report authors reckon adoption will keep growing. Existing apps are maturing, and new ones are popping up left and right. BlackRock's getting in on the action too. They've launched Ethereum spot ETFs. These products faced some hurdles, but investors are biting. The iShares Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHA) scooped up 77,000 ETH in days. That's about $277 million, folks. This move by BlackRock is a big deal. They're already top dogs in the Bitcoin ETF market. Now they're doubling down on crypto. It shows how traditional finance and blockchain are getting cozy. Nate Geraci from the ETF Store thinks staking in Ethereum ETFs is inevitable. He reckons it's a question of when, not if. That's good news for the Ethereum ecosystem. But it's not all smooth sailing. Tron's nipping at Ethereum's heels with 81 billion transactions. Competition in crypto is heating up. Blockchain innovation isn't slowing down anytime soon. Buckle up, it's gonna be a wild ride.