Weekly News from Polkadot & Kusama #96
1. Energy Web X has won the 49th parachain auction on Polkadot
Energy Web X has won the 49th parachain auction on Polkadot thanks to approx 300k DOT worth $1.2M. The crowdloan was used by 114 contributors, where the users will be rewarded with 1 EWT per 1 DOT.
Energy Web X, a substrate-based public blockchain, empowers Worker Node Networks for enterprise energy solutions. It’s the next-gen platform driving clean and distributed energy’s business potential, uniting real-world projects. Worker nodes, linked via EWX “pallets,” boast decentralized identifiers, ensuring security. Enterprises configure worker logic through Energy Web Playground. Energy Web Tokens ($EWT) are integral for secure interactions within this ecosystem.
Energy Web Foundation (EWF) pioneers blockchain for the energy sector, aligning with regulatory and market needs. EWF’s vast ecosystem, involving 100+ energy market players, leads the way in decentralized energy solutions.
2. Astar Supernova unveils Astar zkEVM: pioneering Ethereum L2 with Polygon’s ZK Rollups
Astar Network has unveiled Astar Supernova, a game-changing collaboration with Polygon that introduces Astar zkEVM, an Ethereum Layer 2 scaling solution. This partnership opens doors for international businesses, gaming, and entertainment ventures to explore the Japanese market.
zk-rollups, a core component, enable speedy, cost-effective transactions while maintaining Ethereum’s security standards. Astar zkEVM boasts features like scalability, EVM compatibility, security, interoperability, and cost efficiency. It also introduces innovative use cases for the ASTR token.
With a testnet launch planned for Q4, this development marks a significant step towards blockchain innovation and interoperability between Ethereum and Polkadot.
3. Sony and Startale Labs unite to revolutionize Web3 with a new blockchain
Sony Network Communications and Startale Labs, a spin-off of Astar Network, are joining forces to create a blockchain that promises to be a cornerstone of global Web3 infrastructure.
The collaboration leverages Sony’s extensive experience in communication, IoT, AI, and more, alongside Startale Labs’ expertise in Web3 technology.
The joint venture, named “Sony Network Communications Labs Pte. Ltd.,” aims to pioneer Web3 use cases across industries. With Sony’s vast reach and influence, this venture could be a game-changer in the Web3 arena, potentially rivaling the success of platforms like Coinbase’s Base.
Sota Watanabe, CEO of Startale Labs, stated on X (former Twitter): “I am also excited to become one of the directors at the joint company. I will do my best to make both Astar and Sony’s chain as useful as possible. If you are interested in collaborating with us, please feel free to text me.”
4. HydraDX launched staking for HDX token
HydraDX introduces a comprehensive HDX staking program, incentivizing users to participate in activities beneficial to the Protocol.
Users can lock their HDX tokens, earning rewards gradually filled by Protocol revenue streams. Initially, LP fees from the HydraDX Protocol’s HDX LP position fuel the rewards.
Additionally, the community has approved subsidizing the APR during the first year with ~22M HDX from the HydraDX Treasury. Stakers receive rewards based on their stake size, but they must actively claim them.
Loyalty and gamification elements play a role, encouraging users to maximize their rewards by waiting for the optimal claiming time. Action points, earned through governance participation, accelerate reward claiming, making staking a dynamic process.
5. Zodia Custody and Parity Technologies forge alliance for institutional access to Polkadot ecosystem
Zodia Custody, a premier digital asset custodian with backing from financial giants like Standard Chartered and Northern Trust, is partnering with Parity Technologies to facilitate institutional access to the Polkadot ecosystem.
This collaboration includes secure custody services for Polkadot assets, ensuring regulatory compliance and enhanced security. Additionally, the partnership will enable institutions to stake Polkadot’s native token, DOT, while their assets remain in cold storage at Zodia Custody. This strategic move aims to bridge the gap between traditional finance and digital assets, fostering greater institutional participation in the evolving Web3 landscape built on Polkadot.
6. Polkadot’s sub0 developer conference returns to Lisbon, featuring visionary speakers including Polkadot co-founder Rob Habermeier
Polkadot’s sub0 developer conference is set to make a triumphant return to Lisbon’s LX Factory on September 19–20. The event, a magnet for Web3’s leading thinkers, attracts developers working across the Polkadot tech stack. It offers a platform for exploring the boundless potential of Polkadot’s secure, composable, and cost-effective blockspace.
The conference caters to Rust developers, blockchain engineers, smart contract developers, and those transitioning from Web2. It serves four core missions: fostering innovation and collaboration, serving as a knowledge hub for Web3 technologies, offering diverse workshops and talks, and showcasing the benefits of building on Polkadot and Substrate.
A stellar lineup of speakers, including Polkadot co-founder Robert Habermeier, promises to make this an event to remember, offering insights and trends from the forefront of Web3 innovation.
7. Fabian Gompf takes the helm as CEO of Web3 Foundation, charting a vision for Polkadot’s future
The Web3 Foundation, a steward of the Polkadot blockchain, announces Fabian Gompf as its new CEO. Gompf’s extensive Web3 expertise and deep industry knowledge position him to lead the foundation into Polkadot’s next phase. He succeeds Bertrand Perez, who served for two years and now transitions to an advisory role.
Gompf, previously VP of Ecosystem Development at Parity Technologies, expresses his commitment to expanding the foundation’s reach and collaborating with the Polkadot community for a more user-centric internet.
8. Manta Network’s Manta Pacific Testnet shows impressive growth ahead of Mainnet Alpha launch
Manta Network’s Manta Pacific Testnet has recorded remarkable success with 4 million transactions and 200,000 activated wallet addresses, highlighting community engagement and feedback. The network, designed for EVM-native modular execution with Celestia and ZK-as-a-Service, is now gearing up for its Mainnet Alpha launch. This phase will involve migrating smart contracts from the testnet, enabling a broader community to participate in on-chain activities. Manta Pacific aims to become a thriving ecosystem for Web3, focusing on ZK adoption and use cases with the help of Celestia’s data availability.
- Strengthen Polkadot by nominating your DOT tokens to POLKADOTTERS, community builders for the Polkadot ecosystem
- Support Polkadotters Shrimp and Polkadotters Octopus on Polkadot and be a part of a more secure Web3 future
- Delegate your DOT or KSM to Polkadotters for easy participation in the on-chain governance via Talisman or Nova wallet
