TLDR
- Citadel Securities has made a strategic investment in LayerZero’s ZRO token to support the launch of the Zero blockchain.
- LayerZero’s Zero blockchain is designed to handle up to 2 million transactions per second, offering scalable solutions for financial markets.
- ARK Invest and Tether have also invested in LayerZero, further solidifying the blockchain’s position in the financial sector.
- The Zero blockchain uses zero-knowledge proofs to separate transaction execution from verification, ensuring privacy and security.
- Key financial institutions like DTCC and ICE are exploring how Zero can enhance tokenization, collateral management, and 24/7 trading.
LayerZero Labs has announced the launch of Zero, a new blockchain designed to power institutional-grade financial markets. The unveiling was accompanied by a strategic investment from Citadel Securities in ZRO, the network’s native token and governance asset. This move highlights the growing interest from traditional market players in blockchain technologies, particularly for applications in trading, settlement, and clearing.
Citadel Securities Invests in ZRO Token and LayerZero’s Vision
Citadel Securities has entered into a strategic partnership with LayerZero and invested in its ZRO token. The firm aims to explore how Zero’s architecture could support high-throughput workflows, especially for trading and post-trade processes. Citadel’s involvement underscores the increasing adoption of blockchain by institutional investors as the industry seeks scalable solutions to meet the demands of modern financial markets.
LayerZero’s Zero blockchain is designed to scale to millions of transactions per second. The blockchain utilizes zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) to separate transaction execution from verification, ensuring privacy while maintaining data integrity. This innovation promises to revolutionize blockchain infrastructure by enabling more efficient and secure financial processes.
Citadel Securities’ partnership with LayerZero is set to support the exploration of blockchain solutions for clearing and settlement. The firm is particularly focused on leveraging the Zero blockchain’s high-performance features to enhance its workflows. With ZRO, Citadel aims to expand its capabilities and streamline traditional financial systems through innovative blockchain technology.
ARK Invest and Tether Make Strategic Investments in LayerZero
ARK Invest has also made a strategic investment in LayerZero Labs, adding to the growing list of institutional backers. Cathie Wood, CEO of ARK Invest, has joined LayerZero’s newly formed advisory board, further solidifying the blockchain’s appeal among traditional market players. In addition, Tether Investments, the investment arm of the leading stablecoin issuer, has confirmed its involvement with LayerZero.
The support from ARK Invest and Tether marks a strong endorsement of LayerZero’s innovative approach to blockchain technology. These partnerships come at a time when blockchain is increasingly viewed as a viable alternative to legacy systems. As more traditional financial institutions join the space, it signals the maturation of blockchain infrastructure and its potential to reshape the financial sector.
Zero’s launch is further backed by significant players in the financial industry. The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) has expressed interest in exploring Zero’s capabilities for tokenization and collateral management. Furthermore, the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) is looking into applications tied to 24/7 trading and tokenized collateral.
Zero’s High-Performance Architecture Powers Financial Markets
The Zero blockchain is built on LayerZero’s heterogeneous architecture, designed to handle high-performance workloads. With the ability to support up to 2 million transactions per second, the system is tailored to meet the needs of large-scale financial markets. Zero’s innovative use of ZKPs allows it to offer privacy-focused solutions without sacrificing scalability or performance.
As part of its launch, Zero will operate with three initial zones: a general-purpose Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) environment, a privacy-oriented payment system, and a purpose-built trading venue. Each zone will serve distinct use cases, optimizing the blockchain’s performance for various applications in finance and beyond.
The project has gained considerable momentum with the backing of key institutional partners. Google Cloud is collaborating with LayerZero to explore blockchain-based micropayments and AI-driven economies.




