LayerZero Labs Announces Launch of Zero Blockchain with Backing from ARK Invest and Citadel Securities Targeting Institutional Markets in the United States

Blockchain developer LayerZero Labs is turning heads again, this time with plans for its own layer-1 blockchain named Zero.

The firm, best known for its cross-chain messaging protocol LayerZero, revealed on Tuesday that Zero is targeting a fall 2026 launch.

The project comes backed by high-profile investors, including ARK Invest and Citadel Securities, and aims squarely at institutional financial markets.

CEO Bryan Pellegrino described Zero as a game-changer, claiming its architecture “moves the industry’s roadmap forward by at least a decade.”

LayerZero is betting that the platform could eventually allow the entire global economy to operate on-chain.

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Lightning-Fast Scalability and Permissionless Governance

Zero promises scalability that could handle up to two million transactions per second, using zero-knowledge proofs and the new zero-knowledge virtual machine, Jolt, to bypass the replication limits that currently constrain most blockchains to under 10,000 TPS.

The blockchain will be divided into three permissionless “zones”, all interconnected through LayerZero’s native token ZRO, which also serves as the governance token.

These zones will allow interoperability across more than 165 existing blockchains, bringing a new level of flexibility and integration to the ecosystem.

In a statement, LayerZero Labs said the blockchain incorporates four 100x breakthroughs:

• Storage through QMDB

• Computing via FAFO

• Networking via SVID

• zk proving via Jolt Pro

Pellegrino added: “This isn’t just building a faster blockchain.

It’s about enabling the global economy to function on-chain with full transparency and efficiency.”

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Major Institutional Backing

Zero has quickly attracted attention from financial heavyweights.

ARK Invest, led by Cathie Wood, is taking equity in LayerZero and ZRO, while Citadel Securities has made a strategic investment in the token itself.

Tether’s investment arm has also announced its support.

Cathie Wood will join Zero’s newly formed advisory board alongside notable financial figures including:

• Michael Blaugrund, VP at Intercontinental Exchange (parent company of NYSE)

• Caroline Butler, former head of digital assets at BNY Mellon

These endorsements signal strong interest from traditional finance, highlighting the growing institutional push into crypto as regulations and infrastructure improve.

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Institutional Adoption on the Horizon

Zero isn’t just a playground for investors; major institutions are reportedly exploring its real-world applications.

• Google Cloud is testing how AI agents could use Zero for micropayments and bankless trading.

• Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) is evaluating Zero to support 24/7 trading and tokenized collateral infrastructure.

• Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) is exploring Zero for scaling its tokenization services.

• Global Token Exchange plans to use Zero to build the treasury layer for its decentralized system, Turbo.

These pilot programs show that Zero could bridge the gap between decentralized finance and traditional financial markets in unprecedented ways.

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Challenges and Considerations

Despite the hype, LayerZero Labs faces hurdles.

The technology is ambitious, and scaling to two million transactions per second is untested on a public network of this size.

Regulatory oversight will also be critical, especially as Zero targets institutional adoption in markets like the U.S., where securities laws are evolving around tokenized assets.

LayerZero must also compete with other layer-1 chains already exploring zk technology and cross-chain interoperability, including Ethereum’s upcoming upgrades and projects like Celestia and Polkadot.

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What’s Next?

LayerZero Labs plans a fall 2026 launch for Zero.

Between now and then, the team will likely focus on:

• Finalizing technical audits and security testing for Jolt and QMDB

• Expanding the advisory board to include more industry experts

• Partnering with additional institutional players to pilot real-world applications

• Engaging with regulators to ensure compliance for financial market adoption

Investors and crypto enthusiasts will be watching closely to see if Zero can deliver on its promises of speed, scalability, and global interoperability.

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Summary

LayerZero Labs is preparing to launch its layer-1 blockchain Zero, backed by ARK Invest and Citadel Securities, targeting institutional financial adoption and offering up to two million transactions per second using zero-knowledge technology.

With major institutions like ICE, DTCC, and Google Cloud exploring pilot projects, Zero aims to bridge DeFi and traditional finance.

Launch is set for fall 2026, with advisory board guidance from figures like Cathie Wood and Michael Blaugrund.