Weekly News from Kusama & Polkadot #74
1. Acurast Kusama has won the 76th parachain auction on Kusama
Acurast Kusama secured a parachain slot on Kusama by self-funding 32 KSM worth ~1 000 USD. The value of this parachain slot is in great contrast to some auctions, where winners used thousands of KSM. Knowing that only 32 KSM may be enough is quite interesting information for other parachain teams.
Acurast is an oracle parachain that transforms the delivery of data in a multi-chain ecosystem. It offers a streamlined marketplace for off-chain data and computation, including price feeds and random numbers, revolutionizing the way data is delivered.
Developers can access real-world data easily, with Acurast Oracle Pallet enabling verifiable off-chain data reception on Kusama and later also Polkadot chains. Decentralization is at the core of Acurast’s secure and verifiable platform, with no centralized approvals needed for accessing data or computation.
2. Astar Network’s Smart Contracts 2.0 launches on WASM Launch Day, bringing next-level interoperability and scalability to Web3 applications
Astar Network launched its Smart Contracts 2.0 on April 6th, which both run on the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) and the WebAssembly runtime environment.
This upgrade will support dApps and DeFi operations with lower gas fees, enhanced scalability, and an improved user experience compared to previous versions of smart contracts.
A virtual celebration called WASM Launch Day has been organized with the Polkadot community to discuss how Wasm will revolutionize blockchain. Developers can now create multichain applications and connect their projects to any Polkadot or EVM ecosystem with Astar Network’s Smart Contracts 2.0.
3. HydraDX launches OTC trading on Omnipool, offering premium swaps for bridged assets
HydraDX has launched over-the-counter (OTC) trading on its Omnipool DEX platform. With this new feature, users can swap bridged cryptocurrencies such as DAI and WBTC for native tokens like USDT and iBTC, as well as other trading pairs.
Traders can earn a 1–2% premium on their swaps, with a simple and straightforward process guided on the platform. HydraDX’s commitment to providing a seamless trading experience makes OTC trading a step in the right direction, with the platform positioned as a leading player in the DeFi space.
4. Zeitgeist’s ZTG to make its debut on HydraDX’s Omnipool DEX
Zeitgeist has announced a key integration with HydraDX’s Omnipool DEX, where ZTG, Zeitgeist’s native token, will be listed for the first time on a DEX. The integration will vastly increase liquidity across the Polkadot ecosystem, with ZTG being one of the first native Polkadot assets to be listed on Omnipool.
The listing is pending acceptance of Zeitgeist’s HRMP channel-opening request and allocation of ZTG through protocol governance.
Zeitgeist is a decentralized prediction market protocol committed to producing accurate forecasting data, governed by its users and experimenting with Futarchy.
5. Axel Springer unveils blockchain-based login service using KILT's identity technology
Axel Springer, one of the world’s largest digital publishers, has partnered with KILT Protocol to develop a decentralized wallet and login service using KILT's blockchain technology. The service allows users to create a decentralized wallet and securely log in to web applications, giving users full control over their personal data.
The prototype paves the way for further implementations of Web3 technologies, and Axel Springer and KILT Protocol plan to continue their partnership for long-term use cases. In a statement, Axel Springer’s CIO said that identity protection is critical for users, and decentralized identities will become more relevant in the future.
6. Brushfam and Phala Network partner to develop infrastructure tools for ink! ecosystem growth
Brushfam and Phala Network are teaming up to develop infrastructure tools for builders and drive growth in the ink! ecosystem.
Phala Network offers decentralized computing capabilities, while Brushfam onboards businesses to Polkadot and provides necessary development infrastructure and advisory services.
Through their partnership, they aim to empower ink!-based products and make the ecosystem more attractive to businesses. With their suite of Web3 products and services, Brushfam makes it easy to solve real-world problems using Polkadot tech.
7. Litentry launches IdentityHub Alpha: a secure and private identity management tool for Web3 applications
Litentry launches IdentityHub Alpha, an identity management tool prioritizing privacy and security for blockchain applications. With IdentityHub Alpha, users can link their identities, generate verifiable credentials, and create a Web3 user score for controlled access and data sharing without revealing personal information or wallet address.
Alpha testing, starting on April 13th, is currently invite-only, with participants receiving verifiable credentials as proof of participation. Litentry plans to enhance IdentityHub Alpha based on user feedback and industry standards to create secure and private identity management for the Web3 era.
Besides that, Litentry’s balance transfer feature has been enabled on its parachain, allowing for seamless transfer of funds between Litentry accounts after extensive rounds of testing and development.
8. HashKey DID expand decentralized identity services to the Moonbeam network
HashKey DID, a decentralized identity service utilizing NFTs, now supports Moonbeam Network, enabling users to sync data and interact with the ecosystem.
The HashKey DID service, powered by LayerZero Labs, offers decentralized storage and smart contract-based privacy technology, allowing users to own and control their data across multiple chains. HashKey DID provides multi-layered verification through KYA institutions in a privacy-preserving manner and is applicable to platforms with compliance needs, making it a valuable tool for managing one’s virtual identity and online data in the Web3 era.
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