Web3 Project Updates and Developments

Caldera launched the Metalayer Token Launcher token issuance tool on April 8, enabling users to create MetaTokens without writing code. It supports two blockchain networks—Arbitrum and Ethereum—and offers near real-time cross-chain bridging. In the future, it will support more blockchain networks.

Standard Chartered Bank plans to restructure its holding of Zodia Custody Ltd., integrating its cryptocurrency custody business into the corporate and investment banking division, and expects to issue a related announcement within this month. Zodia Custody will continue to operate as an independent crypto-asset custody SaaS company.

Gate News message, April 8, SBI Ripple Asia has completed development of a token issuance platform based on the XRP Ledger, and has registered in Japan as a prepaid payment instrument issuer. The platform enables businesses to issue tokenized payment instruments.

Currenc Group Inc., a Nasdaq-listed company, engaged Securitize to tokenize its common stock, aiming to enable 24/7 trading and fractional ownership, and to advance decentralized finance (DeFi) applications. Securitize is a leading institution in the tokenization space, and it also participates in building a tokenized securities platform for the New York Stock Exchange.

On April 8, Polymarket announced the acquisition of DeFi infrastructure company Brahma, and the team will continue to handle key roles. This integration is intended to improve trade reliability and execution speed, reduce barriers for users, and enhance cross-blockchain interoperability.

Gate News, April 8, Aave officially stated that during the security-first growth phase, Aave V4’s deposit volume has already exceeded 10 million US dollars. As the system gradually matures, the supply and borrowing limits will be increased step by step.

SOL Strategies Inc. has acquired Darklake Labs for $1.2M to enhance zero-knowledge privacy on the Solana network, strengthening its position in decentralized finance and securing on-chain transactions. The move integrates Darklake's expertise, aiming to bolster financial security and advance product development.

SBI Ripple Asia announced that its token issuance platform based on the XRP Ledger has officially launched, marking an important application of blockchain in compliant financial services. The platform enables businesses to manage tokens directly on-chain and complies with regulatory requirements, improving payment and loyalty mechanisms. In the future, SBI will also optimize cross-border payments between Japan and Korea, driving XRPL’s adoption in the real economy.

World Liberty Financial borrowed more than $50 million in stablecoins on the Dolomite platform in the short term, drawing attention from the DeFi market. WLFI deposited large amounts of governance tokens as collateral, causing the liquidity pool utilization rate to exceed 100%, leaving liquidity nearly exhausted and pushing interest rates sharply higher. Analysis suggests this move could be intended to meet liquidity demand or to increase on-chain activity; investors should carefully assess the risks.

Pi Network is testing its Launchpad functionality, introducing a “12-grid” token distribution system where users can obtain and verify tokens by subscribing to projects. Test results show the system is stable and supports future ecosystem development. Although it is still on the test network, it has already laid the groundwork for the project’s token distribution and smart contract applications. Overall, the project is moving toward a complete blockchain ecosystem.

Mastercard’s cryptocurrency business partners number more than 100, covering multiple key areas and working toward becoming the connection layer in the payments pathway. Its strategy aims to lower the access threshold, expand network effects, and attract payment institutions and financial endpoints to join the network, which differs from the strategies of traditional payments giants.

AgentPay, launched by Alchemy, is designed to address interoperability issues between AI payment systems and provides a unified interface for multiple payment protocols. By simplifying payment integration through an API entry point, the tool enhances system security and scalability, promotes the fusion of AI with crypto payments, and helps drive the development of decentralized payment networks.

Gate News message, on April 8, a CEX founder recalled in a new book that from the very beginning, the exchange’s token was positioned as being bigger than the exchange itself. In the white paper, it states: The token does not represent equity. As a utility token, holders can enjoy trading fee discounts, and the token’s use cases will not be limited to the exchange; in the future, it will also expand into blockchain and the DeFi ecosystem.

Several Swiss financial institutions jointly launched a Swiss franc stablecoin sandbox test, aiming to build a blockchain-based digital settlement layer and promote stablecoin payments and asset transfers. This project is subject to regulation and will continue until 2026, to accumulate experience for future commercialization. This move strengthens Switzerland’s competitive edge in the digitization of finance and indicates that the global financial system is evolving toward “on-chain” development.

In 2026, the Korean crypto market will see significant changes, with USD Coin trading activity surging, reflecting growing demand for dollar-pegged stablecoins. Circle’s CEO will visit South Korea to discuss stablecoin use cases and partnerships with multiple banks. At the same time, South Korean regulators are strengthening stablecoin legislation, laying the groundwork for the digital asset market.

Cardano launches the Orion Fund in 2026, releasing 50 million ADA and shifting to an investment-driven expansion strategy. The fund size is $80 million, with the goal of activating Bitcoin liquidity, and the overall ecosystem expansion relies on the DeFi sector. At the same time, Cardano’s on-chain TVL target is $3 billion; stablecoin liquidity and real demand are key challenges.

Noos Protocol has partnered with Cluster Protocol to create decentralized AI applications by combining AI agents, blockchain technology, and decentralized computing. This collaboration aims to streamline Web3 development, allowing users to create and tokenize apps through simple prompts, ultimately enhancing user experience and pushing technological boundaries.

Ripple expects on-chain stablecoin trading volume to reach $330k at the Tokyo XRP Conference, emphasizing that stablecoins are evolving from auxiliary tools into liquidity infrastructure. As a bridge connecting traditional and digital finance, Ripple is helping bring stablecoins such as RLUSD to market and accelerating institutional adoption. With Japan’s regulatory environment being clear, it plays a key role in promoting the growth of the XRP ecosystem. If stablecoins achieve high trading volumes, it will change the way capital flows and how cross-border payments operate; XRP’s future price action will depend on institutional adoption and the growth of real trading demand.