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Coinbase unveils x402 payment protocol.
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ZKsync is fully EVM Equivalent.
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Paradigm introduces Across Prime.
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Chainlink introduces a rewards program.
Coinbase introduced x402, an open-source payment protocol that enables onchain stablecoin transactions over HTTP using the HTTP 402 “Payment Required” status code. x402 turns the status code into a functional onchain payment mechanism, enabling frictionless, pay-per-use payments for APIs, AI agents, compute, and content. When a client requests a premium resource, the server responds with 402 Payment Required and includes onchain payment details. The client then pays by sending a signed stablecoin transaction via an HTTP header. The server then fulfills the request upon verifying the payment. Developers can now integrate x402 with minimal code, using existing HTTP infrastructure.
ZKsync is now fully EVM-equivalent at the bytecode level, allowing developers to deploy existing Ethereum smart contracts on ZKsync without code changes or recompilation. Standard Ethereum tools like solc, foundry, and hardhat now work out of the box for smart contract development and deployments on ZKsync Era. EVM equivalence was introduced in ZKsync Era protocol version 27 (ZIP-9) via a new EVM Bytecode Interpreter. The interpreter allows EVM bytecode to run on ZKsync’s native EraVM without altering its core execution model. No zk-specific compilers are required. ZKsync plans to expand this capability across the Elastic Chain network.
Paradigm released a white paper for Across Prime, a new capital-efficient, trustless, fast bridge model designed to improve upon existing intent-based bridges. Co-authored by Hart Lambur, Dan Robinson, Matt Rice, and the Across Protocol team, the paper proposes a solution to the fair exchange problem in cross-chain bridging. Across Prime introduces a bonded model in place of the traditional escrow-based design. In the bond model, users pay relayers directly, with the transaction secured by a relayer’s bond. Each relayer posts a bond for a specific origin-to-destination route. A Turnstile contract on the origin chain enforces security by ensuring the bond covers all active (unfulfilled) intents. A corresponding Fulfillment contract on the destination chain tracks completed orders. The system uses Merkle roots to maintain consistency between chains and is fully compatible with the ERC-7683 crosschain intents standard.
Chainlink launched a new community rewards program enabling LINK Stakers to earn tokens from Chainlink Build projects, which are startups and protocols supported through the Chainlink Build accelerator. Rewards are distributed based on a combination of time-weighted average LINK staking and fixed allocations for both historical and active LINK stakers.
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