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Decoding Google’s Layer-1 blockchain: what it means and what we know

  • GCUL enters private testnet, aiming for 2026 commercial rollout.
  • Python-based smart contracts enhance developer accessibility.
  • Google-CME partnership tests 24/7 settlement for payments and collateral.

Google Cloud has officially stepped into the blockchain infrastructure space with its Layer-1 platform, Google Cloud Universal Ledger (GCUL), which entered a private testnet phase in late August 2025.

The move positions Google as an emerging competitor in the institutional blockchain market, offering neutral, high-performance distributed ledger technology designed for financial institutions and payment providers.

GCUL supports Python-based smart contracts, making it more accessible for developers and enabling sophisticated on-chain programmable logic.

What it means for financial services and blockchain adoption

Google’s GCUL is designed to serve as a neutral infrastructure layer, tackling a key challenge in existing blockchain ecosystems, where financial firms often hesitate to build on networks controlled by competitors.

For instance, stablecoin issuers like Tether typically avoid blockchains developed by rivals such as Circle, while payment providers like Adyen have been cautious about adopting Stripe’s blockchain solutions.

By maintaining neutrality, GCUL could drive broader institutional adoption, allowing any financial institution to develop blockchain applications without competitive conflicts.

The Google-CME Group partnership, announced publicly in March 2025, underpins GCUL’s early development and testing.

CME Group has completed initial integration and testing, focusing on using the blockchain to enable 24/7 settlement of collateral, margins, and fees, with the potential to reduce costs and improve liquidity.

Full testing with market participants and the commercial rollout of services are expected in 2026.

Google’s blockchain addresses the surging demand for stablecoin transactions and faster payment solutions.

According to a study cited by Google, stablecoin volumes tripled in 2024, reaching $5 trillion in organic transactions, while total volumes climbed to $30 trillion globally.

The report highlighted that fragmented payment systems continue to drive high costs and inefficiencies in cross-border trade, with potential global GDP losses projected at $2.8 trillion by 2030.

GCUL aims to tackle these challenges by providing a transparent, low-latency transaction infrastructure.

What we know about GCUL’s technology and market position

Technically, GCUL features Python-based smart contracts, supporting flexible and widely adopted programming standards.

The platform is built not only to streamline payments but also to function as an infrastructure hub for capital markets, enabling native commercial bank money on-chain and supporting agentic payment capabilities.

Google plans to expand GCUL across its broader cloud ecosystem, granting access to a wide network of institutional partners and developers.

Compared with other emerging Layer-1 blockchain projects, such as Stripe’s Tempo and Circle’s Arc, Google emphasizes GCUL’s role as a neutral player in financial infrastructure.

While Stripe’s blockchain prioritizes payment app performance and Ethereum compatibility, and Circle’s platform focuses on stablecoin transactions, foreign exchange, and capital markets applications, GCUL is designed as a more open, less vertically integrated Layer-1 solution, enabling interoperability across competing institutions.

The post Decoding Google’s Layer-1 blockchain: what it means and what we know appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Polygon integrates USDT0 and XAUt0 as stablecoin liquidity expands past $1.6 billion

  • XAUt0 adoption slower, with $2.5 million market cap according to CoinGecko.
  • Polygon supports over $1 billion in USDT liquidity and six million wallets.
  • Tether’s USDT surpasses $167 billion market cap, XAUT crosses $1 billion in August.

Polygon has become the latest blockchain to adopt USDT0 and XAUt0, the omnichain versions of Tether’s USDT and XAUT stablecoins, as the stablecoin market continues to expand rapidly.

The upgrade was announced by USDT0 operator Everdawn Labs, with the integration introducing new cross-chain liquidity standards built on LayerZero’s Omnichain Fungible Token (OFT) framework.

The move positions Polygon as a key hub for stablecoin payments, decentralised finance (DeFi), and enterprise use cases.

It follows a year in which Tether’s USDT reached a market capitalisation of more than $167 billion in August, and gold-backed XAUT crossed the $1 billion mark on 8 August.

USDT0 and XAUt0 expand across blockchains

USDT0 and XAUt0 differ from traditional stablecoins by not being directly backed by assets such as cash or gold. Instead, they are minted when users deposit USDT or XAUT into a specific contract on Ethereum, which serves as the “LockBox” chain for the ecosystem.

USDT0, launched in January 2025, functions as the omnichain version of USDT, enabling access to dollar-pegged liquidity across multiple networks. XAUt0 followed soon after, providing gold-backed liquidity in a similar format.

Polygon becomes the eleventh supported blockchain for USDT0 and the third for XAUt0, after earlier deployments on TON and Hyperliquid’s HyperEVM.

The tokens have expanded steadily: USDT0’s market capitalisation climbed to nearly $1.6 billion in just two months, while XAUt0 has so far reached $2.5 million, according to CoinGecko data.

Cointelegraph reports that Polygon’s integration also represents a milestone for XAUt0, marking its third blockchain expansion. By contrast, USDT0 has spread more widely, finding adoption across 11 blockchains since its January launch.

Why Polygon is central to stablecoin adoption

Polygon was selected for the integration due to its strong existing presence in the stablecoin ecosystem. The network already supports over $1 billion in USDT liquidity and more than six million wallets, making it a significant base for both retail and institutional adoption.

The network has also undergone major infrastructure upgrades such as AggLayer and the Bhilai Hardfork, which enhance its scalability and compatibility with cross-chain projects.

These upgrades have made Polygon an “ideal home” for omnichain stablecoins, with the upgrade ensuring that current Polygon-based USDT (PoS USDT) automatically becomes part of the USDT0 network without a change in contract address.

With this integration, both dollar-pegged and gold-backed liquidity become natively accessible on Polygon. This combination opens new possibilities for DeFi applications, payment systems, and real-world asset (RWA) adoption at an institutional scale.

A milestone in stablecoin interoperability

The integration is also notable for being USDT0’s second major upgrade involving more than $1 billion in liquidity, following its earlier launch on Arbitrum. Polygon now plays a critical role in providing the infrastructure for seamless stablecoin transfer across multiple chains.

Since Ethereum acts as the LockBox chain, all USDT0 and XAUt0 minted tokens across networks correspond to reserves locked on Ethereum. This system ensures that the supply across blockchains remains consistent with deposits on the base chain.

The broader context highlights the growing demand for stablecoins as a foundation for digital payments and tokenised assets.

With USDT’s dominance surpassing $167 billion in market value and XAUT gaining traction past $1 billion, the addition of omnichain liquidity tools like USDT0 and XAUt0 reflects a market increasingly focused on interoperability and scalability.

The post Polygon integrates USDT0 and XAUt0 as stablecoin liquidity expands past $1.6 billion appeared first on CoinJournal.

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JUP price rallies as Jupiter Lend public beta launches with $2M rewards

  • Jupiter releases Lend in public beta with $2M in incentives and over 40 vaults.
  • The addition introduces higher borrowing limits and simplified earnings with reduced liquidity risks.
  • Native JUP has turned bullish following the announcement.

While most cryptocurrencies traded with unclear trajectories on Wednesday, Jupiter Exchange’s native token led the upside with a 6.99% uptick on its daily chart.

The altcoin turned green after the DeFi ecosystem confirmed the Jupiter Lend public beta launch.

Termed as “the most advanced money market on Solana,” the new functionality comes after weeks of development with Ethereum-based developer 0xFluid.

The beta launched with more than 40 vaults and over $2 million in incentives.

After weeks of testing, audits, and feedback, we’re launching with 40+ vaults and $2M+ in incentives from Jup, Fluid, and partners.

Jupiter Lend aims to transform how users borrow, lend, and maximize returns in the cryptocurrency world.

Simplified participation will likely enrich Jupiter’s DeFi landscape.

The exchange’s native token extended its daily recoveries after the announcement.

It has gained 6.99% on its 24-hour timeframe to press time’s $0.4980.

Built with proven expertise

The partnership has marked the first time two renowned DeFi teams from diverse ecosystems have converged to launch a blockchain protocol.

While Jupiter brought its Solana-native know-how, 0xFluid leverages its 7-year experience in building Ethereum-based money markets to provide an advanced liquidation and lending infrastructure.

Besides user benefits, the launch has attracted attention as it marked the first time two teams from different ecosystems have teamed up to launch a protocol that promises fairness for borrowers and simplicity for lenders.

Jupiter’s team highlighted:

For the first time, two top-tier DeFi teams from two different ecosystems are joining forces. Lend was built together with 0xFluid – a team that has spent 7 years perfecting money markets on Ethereum. We’ve worked together for months to build a Solana protocol that is simpler for lenders and better for borrowers.

Meanwhile, the platform opened Jupiter Lend to the public after months of collaborative development.

Multiple users participated in stress testing, whereas Offside Labs and Zeninth256 performed audits.

JUP’s new utility as a collateral asset

The new feature has enriched JUP’s use cases. The platform confirmed that users can deposit the native token as collateral.

That means individuals can borrow stablecoins like USDC against their JUP holdings while bolstering the ecosystem’s growth.

Such a move reflects the exchange’s emphasis on boosting the community token’s utility as the central asset for the blockchain.

JUP price outlook

The native coin soared nearly 7% over the past 24 hours to $0.4980.

JUP remains poised to extend its rally in the short term as upside sentiments surface.

Buyers are targeting price levels above $0.54.

However, improved trading volumes remain paramount to support sustained rallies.

Also, decisive momentum shifts in the broader market are crucial for JUP’s trajectory in the upcoming sessions.

The post JUP price rallies as Jupiter Lend public beta launches with $2M rewards appeared first on CoinJournal.