XDC Network Announces 11 Trailblazing DeFi Startups to Join Third Accelerator Program in Silicon Valley

The world of decentralized finance (DeFi) is getting a fresh surge of innovation as Plug and Play announces the 11 startups joining the third cohort of the XDC Network DeFi Accelerator.

This latest program is designed to support projects that push the boundaries of on-chain finance and bring real-world assets (RWAs) into the DeFi ecosystem.

Focus on On-Chain Liquidity and Institutional DeFi

Unlike the previous two cohorts, which concentrated on tokenized assets and liquidity infrastructure, the third accelerator aims to strengthen on-chain capital markets.

Participating startups will tackle areas like lending, looping, yield generation, and interoperability across platforms within the XDC ecosystem.

The program specifically targets startups building:

• DeFi-native tools for RWA liquidity
• Institutional-friendly yield products
• Decentralized exchanges (DEXs)
• Lending and borrowing markets
• Cross-platform interoperability layers

By aligning with these priorities, XDC Network hopes to accelerate the adoption of blockchain solutions for real-world financial applications.

Meet the 11 Startups Shaping the Future of DeFi

The selected startups bring a variety of expertise and innovative ideas to the table:

1. Term Finance
2. Teller
3. Neurowatt
4. R2
5. Lantern Finance
6. Bond.Credit
7. Bulla Network
8. Teleswap
9. Superlend
10. Hashfire
11. Hawkish Capital

Each team will work closely with XDC leadership, Plug and Play mentors, and a global network of investors and corporate partners, gaining strategic guidance and opportunities for collaboration.

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Strategic Vision Behind the RWA Accelerator

The accelerator is a key part of XDC Network’s long-term plan to deepen DeFi adoption and integrate real-world assets into digital finance.

By participating, startups can leverage XDC’s infrastructure, access mentorship from industry experts, and connect with a broad corporate partnership network.

The program spans two months and culminates at the Plug and Play Silicon Valley May Summit, where startups will showcase their blockchain solutions to investors, Fortune 500 companies, government representatives, and academic institutions.

XDC Network: Infrastructure Built for Innovation

XDC Network is a Layer 1 blockchain optimized for trade finance and tokenization of real-world assets.

Its EVM-compatible architecture ensures seamless integration with Ethereum-based tools, while the delegated proof-of-stake (dPoS) mechanism provides fast, secure, and scalable transaction processing.

With this infrastructure, XDC supports a range of enterprise-grade blockchain applications, including tokenized RWAs, institutional finance rails, and next-generation DeFi protocols.

Impact and Consequences

This third cohort represents a major step in bridging traditional finance with decentralized ecosystems.

By fostering innovation in RWA tokenization and institutional DeFi tools, these startups are poised to enhance liquidity, transparency, and cross-platform interoperability, potentially reshaping how capital moves across blockchain networks.

What’s Next?

After completing the two-month accelerator, the startups will present at the Silicon Valley May Summit, opening doors to potential funding, partnerships, and real-world adoption.

Plug and Play and XDC Network are expected to continue expanding this program, with future cohorts likely to include even more global DeFi innovators.

Summary

The third XDC Network DeFi Accelerator introduces 11 startups focused on real-world asset integration, institutional DeFi, and cross-platform interoperability.

Over two months, these teams will collaborate with XDC leadership, mentors, and global investors, culminating in a showcase at the Silicon Valley May Summit.

The initiative strengthens XDC Network’s position as a premier blockchain for trade finance and enterprise DeFi solutions.

Bulleted Takeaways

• XDC Network launches third DeFi accelerator with 11 innovative startups
• Program emphasizes RWA liquidity, institutional yield products, and cross-platform interoperability
• Startups gain access to mentorship, corporate partnerships, and XDC infrastructure
• Accelerator ends with a showcase at Plug and Play Silicon Valley May Summit
• XDC Network leverages dPoS and EVM-compatibility for fast, secure, and scalable blockchain applications