Web3 News for Devs - 9 Oct, 2023

ZK on Bitcoin, Backed Fi launches tokenized BlackRock's ETF on Base Network. Uniswap deploys V3 contracts on zkSync. Despite the venture funding dip, check out new grants in this week's newsletter!

Layer 1

• Vitalik on enshrining & de-enshrining features in the protocol

  •  account abstraction, zk-EVMs, proposer-builder separation, private transaction pools, liquid staking etc

Layer 2

• OP Stack fault proof system live on OP Goerli testnet, alpha

• Backed Finance Launches Tokenized Blackrock ETF on Base Network

  • This tokenization protocol has effectively converted to BlackRock's iShares bond ETF UCITS, which is designed to track a combination of short-term U.S. Treasury bills.

• Uniswap deployed its V3 smart contracts on zkSync, giving this rising blockchain ecosystem the joy of swapping and liquidity providing. 

• Base Network Surpasses ZkSync Era in TVL, Reaches $558M

• Chainlink's Oracle Network Rolls Out Integration for Scroll Foundation Developers

DeFi

• The THORChain-based decentralized exchange THORSwap has announced a temporary transition of its interface into maintenance mode due to a surge in potentially illicit funds passing through the platform.

  • These transactions are suspected to be linked to an FTX hack that occurred in November 2022, where an unidentified entity emptied multiple wallets, totaling approximately $600 million.

• Hong Kong Stock Exchange debuts ‘blockchain-based’ settlement system

• Manifold launches $50M MEV-optimized LST

  • The liquid staking token landscape is highly competitive and currently dominated by a handful of large players, such as Lido, Rocket Pool, and Frax. 

  • Manifold aims to elbow their way more deeply into the market with a focus on a new MEV auction system that will allow for “multiple winners per slot, as opposed to the current paradigm of one slot, one winner in the Flashbots MEV Boost system,” per the blog post

ZK

• Wirex is working on a noncustodial crypto debit card, using zero-knowledge proofs

• ZeroSync implements first Stark-based ZK client for Bitcoin

Grants & Hackathons

• Sui Foundation Announces Ecosystem Fund Worth Over $50M

• Mina Navigator - Hackathon and Onward Funding

• DFINITY Foundation Launches $20M ICP Asia Alliance Web3 Incubator

• Giza Grants: A month-long, paid virtual program designed to support developers in building end-to-end ZKML use cases., apply by 22nd Oct

Learning Cohorts

• Ethereum.org writers cohort 2 starts October 20

Funding

• Crypto venture funding has been trending downward since Q2 2022, and Q3 2023 marked lows in both funding and deal count not seen since Q4 2022. 

  • The majority of the deals are concentrated at the early stage. Seed funding was the most active stage with $488 million raised over 98 rounds.

  • Chain infrastructure and DeFi have attracted the most funding over the last 12 months.

Exploits

• Friend Tech clone dispels FUD from an exploit but in the end $3M was drained. 

Resources

• How to get Holesky (the testnet replacing Goerli) ETH

Other

• AI is the Key To DeFi Liquidity

• ConsenSys exec on MetaMask Snaps security: ‘Consent is king’

• Developer Group Ending Support for Terra Luna Classic App - Terra Station

• FTX used Python code to fake its insurance fund figure 

Jobs 

• Base, Senior Smart Contract Engineer, Remote US, $175,100

Job listings: $300 for four issues (100 character limit).  Email mail@alysia.tech