World Chain will activate full block access lists based on EIP-7928 on August 17, becoming the first production Layer-2 network to stream this data within flashblocks every 200 milliseconds. The feature enables parallel block verification to increase throughput without requiring validator hardware upgrades.
Zero-knowledge proof technology, which allows users to verify information without revealing underlying data, is emerging as a key privacy solution in blockchain systems. Midnight blockchain is highlighted as a leading implementation enabling compliance and identity verification without data exposure.
Ondo Finance has launched the Ondo Network, a new execution layer designed to combine centralized exchange-like speed with non-custodial trading and onchain functionality. The company describes it as an evolution of Ondo Chain.
Tokenized real-world assets on Robinhood Chain rose roughly fivefold to about $70 million in less than two weeks, with tokenized GameStop leading tokenized-stock daily volume at $26.6 million. According to CryptoRank data cited by BeInCrypto, applications on the network generated $25 million in fees in the week ending July 24, ranking third behind Ethereum and Solana. FalconX research cited by TechTimes estimated that memecoin speculation accounted for more than 80% of the chain's cumulative decentralized exchange volume, which had surpassed $9 billion since launch.
Solana engineering teams released new versions of Agave and Firedancer validator clients, advanced program SDK releases, and progressed core protocol work including RPC 2.0 and developer tooling improvements.
Robinhood's Ethereum Layer-2 blockchain, launched July 1, 2026, has generated over $2 million in cumulative revenue and surpassed Coinbase's Base in daily active users, though on-chain data shows more than 80% of its $9 billion trading volume comes from memecoin speculation rather than its intended focus on tokenized stocks.
Coinbase has introduced three offerings that enable businesses to accept payments from AI agents, expand agent-assisted crypto trading and help developers integrate x402 payments. The company also said agent traffic exceeded human traffic on Base documentation pages for the first time.
Input Output announced it will transfer control of Cardano's Haskell node, Plutus platform, Daedalus wallet, and Hydra scaling tool to outside specialist companies starting in August, marking a major decentralization milestone.
Robinhood Markets launched Robinhood Chain, an Ethereum layer-2 blockchain built on Arbitrum technology for tokenized stocks and real-world assets. The network processed $3.1-4 billion in DEX volume in its first week, driven by memecoin trading and gas subsidies, with Uniswap collecting $4.38 million in daily fees from the platform.
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin published an updated roadmap for 'Lean Ethereum,' a comprehensive 3-4 year rebuild that will replace nearly every major component of the protocol. The overhaul, described as the network's biggest upgrade since the Merge, prioritizes quantum resistance and enhanced validator privacy.
Botanix, a Bitcoin scaling network focused on bringing DeFi utility to BTC without token incentives, announced it is winding down operations after four years, stating 'it did not work' in the current market.
ConsenSys CEO Joseph Lubin outlined a potential timeline for Ethereum to become a fully zero-knowledge proof-based protocol within 3 to 5 years, describing it as one of the most significant architectural shifts in blockchain history. Lubin also addressed recent Ethereum Foundation cuts, stating the Foundation's role should be narrower and focused on core technology stewardship.
Solana has activated its Alpenglow upgrade for live validator testing, with co-founder confirmation that near-speed-of-light finality could arrive as early as next quarter. The upgrade aims to dramatically reduce transaction confirmation times.
Anza and Jump Crypto's Firedancer introduced Falcon, a post-quantum signature solution for Solana. Falcon has the smallest signature among NIST standards, helping preserve Solana's high-throughput capabilities while addressing quantum computing threats.
Josh Stark, a key Ethereum researcher, is stepping down from the Ethereum Foundation. This marks the most high-profile exit from the organization since its restructuring in Q1 2025, amid ongoing changes including renewed focus on scaling and mainnet development.
