LayerZero, known for its cross-chain interoperability protocol, has introduced a new Layer 1 blockchain called Zero, positioning it as foundational infrastructure for global financial markets. The company indicated that the new network is designed to resolve persistent scalability limitations that have challenged blockchain systems for years.
Unlike platforms primarily focused on decentralized applications, Zero is being developed with institutional finance in mind. The project is supported by several major industry participants, including Citadel Securities, The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, Intercontinental Exchange, and Google Cloud. According to the announcement, these collaborators are evaluating how the blockchain could integrate into trading, clearing, settlement, and broader financial workflows.
As part of the launch, Citadel Securities disclosed that it is making a strategic investment in LayerZero’s native token, ZRO. ARK Invest is also participating by acquiring both equity in LayerZero and holdings in the token.
Institutional Use Cases Under Exploration
Citadel Securities is assessing how Zero might support its operations across trading and post-trade functions. Meanwhile, DTCC is examining the network’s potential role in tokenized securities and large-scale collateral management. ICE, the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange, is evaluating whether Zero could contribute to modernizing infrastructure for continuous, 24/7 tokenized markets.
Google Cloud has joined as a partner to explore technological applications, including enabling artificial intelligence agents to conduct micropayments on-chain. This signals an interest in combining blockchain infrastructure with AI-driven financial automation.
LayerZero has also established an advisory board that includes ARK Invest founder and CEO Cathie Wood, along with current and former executives from ICE and BNY Mellon. In addition, stablecoin issuer Tether recently announced a strategic investment in LayerZero, although the size of the funding was not disclosed.
Technical Architecture and Performance Goals
At the technical level, Zero introduces a distinct approach to consensus and transaction validation. The development team explained that, rather than requiring every network node to replicate identical processes such as transaction validation and ledger updates, the system separates execution from verification through the use of zero-knowledge proofs. This structure is intended to reduce redundancy and enhance scalability.
— LayerZero (@LayerZero_Core) February 10, 2026
By combining this architectural model with improvements in computing power, storage systems, and networking capabilities, the team stated that Zero could potentially achieve throughput of up to two million transactions per second across multiple operational segments referred to as zones. These zones are described as permissionless environments governed by the network itself.
We’re excited to partner with LayerZero ahead of the Zero launch. Disruptive platforms evolve, and as more assets move on-chain, scalable, interoperable infrastructure becomes essential. We believe Zero has the potential to emerge as a leading smart contract platform in the next… https://t.co/FPs1Xn2vqt
— ARK Invest (@ARKInvest) February 10, 2026
For comparison, Ethereum currently processes approximately 20 to 30 transactions per second, while Solana reports throughput exceeding 3,000 transactions per second. Against this backdrop, Zero’s projected capacity represents a substantial increase, though real-world performance remains to be demonstrated.
At launch, the network will feature three initial zones. These include a general-purpose environment compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine, a privacy-focused payments configuration, and a trading-oriented zone designed to accommodate multiple asset classes. Governance of the network will be permissionless, with LayerZero’s native token serving as the mechanism for decision-making.
Through the introduction of Zero, LayerZero is signaling an ambition to extend blockchain utility beyond decentralized applications and into the core infrastructure of regulated financial markets. With backing from established financial institutions and technology partners, the project aims to redefine how scalable blockchain systems can support institutional-grade operations in an increasingly tokenized global economy.
