LayerZero Labs on Tuesday launched Zero, a new blockchain designed to support institutional-grade financial markets, with backing from Citadel Securities and ARK Invest.
Citadel has made a strategic investment in ZRO, the network’s governance and staking token, and is working with LayerZero to evaluate how Zero’s architecture could support high-throughput trading and post-trade workflows.
ARK Invest also participated in the raise, investing in both ZRO and LayerZero Labs’ equity. CEO Cathie Wood has joined a new advisory board, alongside ICE executive Michael Blaugrund and Caroline Butler, former head of digital assets at BNY Mellon. Tether’s investment arm also made a separate strategic investment, the company announced earlier today.
The Zero blockchain introduces what LayerZero calls the first “multi-core world computer,” using a heterogeneous validator model that separates execution and verification. This structure departs from traditional homogeneous blockchains like Ethereum or Solana, where all nodes redundantly execute the same transactions.
Several major institutions are partnering with LayerZero to explore real-world use cases for Zero. DTCC is evaluating the blockchain for tokenization and collateral applications, while ICE is exploring 24/7 trading and tokenized asset workflows. Google Cloud is also working with LayerZero to test blockchain-based micropayments and resource exchanges for AI agents.
