Blockchain

Zircuit Raises Mainnet Funding Round With Participation From Binance Labs, Mirana Ventures, And Others

George Town, Cayman Islands, July 22nd, 2024, Chainwire

 

Zircuit, a fully EVM-compatible ZK rollup with AI-enabled sequencer level security, today announced it raised a Mainnet funding round with participation from Binance Labs, Mirana Ventures, Amber Group, Selini, Robot Ventures, Nomad Capital, Borderless Capital, and prominent angel investors including the founders of Renzo, Etherfi, Pendle, Parallel, LayerZero, Axelar, F2Pool, Nonce, KelpDAO, ETHGlobal, Maelstrom, and more. With this new funding, Zircuit will be able to supercharge ecosystem growth and activity on its network, building upon a strong technical foundation and over $2.9 billion in staked assets.

Since 2022, the Zircuit team has built a new L2 network that introduces a revolutionary new approach to onchain security. Zircuit protects dApps and their users from blockchain vulnerabilities through its novel infrastructure that is armored by sequencer-level security and built-in, automated AI techniques to guard against smart contract exploits and malicious actors. The network’s hybrid architecture also results in a fast, low-cost, and fully EVM-compatible ZK rollup, offering unparalleled security for users without compromising speed or compatibility.

Bolstered by its strong security infrastructure, Zircuit plans to become a central hub for restaked assets that features unparalleled security and allows users to earn industry-leading yields natively. The landscape of liquid restaking is still nascent and rapidly evolving and new LRT protocols are constantly emerging, making it challenging for even experienced users to track and choose the best and the safest protocols for deploying their capital. Zircuit aims to address this problem by becoming a major liquidity hub for restaked assets (ETH, BTC, LSTs, and LRTs) where users can easily allocate their capital and have peace of mind knowing that funds are deployed to the safest and highest quality protocols.

“At Binance Labs, we support projects that are innovating in Web3 and accelerating the blockchain industry. Through its integration of sequencer level security, Zircuit is providing a more secure L2 solution and we look forward to watching it grow and develop further,” said Yi He, Co-Founder of Binance and Head of Binance Labs.

“Security has been a persistent issue in the crypto space, with breaches occurring almost daily. Zircuit, founded by top security veterans, leads the industry with its best-in-class security architecture. The team’s clear growth strategy has led to explosive growth in assets locked since launch,” said Erick Zhang, Managing Partner of Nomad Capital. “We are excited to support and continue working with the Zircuit team.”

“As the web3 space accelerates toward mainstream adoption, Zircuit will empower this growth by providing the necessary infrastructure to onboard the masses. Our years of research into rollups and blockchain security have allowed us to build an L2 network with unparalleled security and scalability. We’re proud to have the support of Binance Labs, Mirana Ventures, and our other investors as we approach our first phase of Mainnet and establish Zircuit as a cornerstone in the industry,” stated Martin Derka, co-founder of Zircuit.

Zircuit’s Mainnet Phase 1 is set to launch in the coming weeks.

To learn more about Zircuit, users can visit zircuit.com or read the developer docs at docs.zircuit.com

To participate in Build to Earn, users can visit: https://build.zircuit.com/

To participate in Zircuit Staking, users can visit: https://stake.zircuit.com/

About Zircuit 

Zircuit is a ZK rollup with AI-enabled sequencer-level security and parallelized circuits. Built by a team of web3 security veterans and PhDs in computer science, algorithms, and cryptography, Zircuit’s unique architecture combines the best of both worlds of performance and security. To learn more visit zircuit.com or follow us on Twitter/X @ZircuitL2

 

Contact

Jessica
Zircuit
[email protected]

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Balancing AI Hype and Hope: Industry Leaders Unveil Growth Playbook at AI Apex Asia Capital Connect Forum

2024-09-27T15:37:40Z

Singapore, Sept. 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The AI Apex Asia Capital Connect Forum recently concluded, offering critical insights into navigating the fine line between AI hype and genuine opportunities. With global AI investments projected to reach $200 billion by 2025, industry leaders convened to discuss strategies for sustainable growth and realistic expectations in this rapidly evolving sector.

The forum featured two pivotal panel discussions: "Accelerating AI Growth: Founders and Investors Reveal Their Playbook" and "Decoding AI: From Hype to Hope," bringing together a diverse group of experts to share their perspectives on balancing optimism with pragmatism in AI development and investment.

Separating Hype from Hope: The Rise of Agentic AI

Alex Ren, Founding Partner of Fellows Fund, highlighted a paradigm shift that moves beyond the hype of generative AI: "We're witnessing a transition from generative AI to what we call 'Agentic AI.' This technology enables autonomous decision-making and task execution, opening up incredible opportunities for startups to create transformative enterprise solutions."

Alex further elaborated on the concept of 'vertical AGI' as a more realistic and immediately impactful approach: "We're pursuing companies achieving AGI-like capabilities in specific domains such as customer support, search, marketing, or accounting. That's where we see the next wave of innovation, rather than chasing the hype of universal AGI."

Grounding AI in Practical Implementation

Jianfeng Lu, Founder & Chairman of Wiz.AI, emphasized the importance of focusing on real-world applications over grandiose claims: "The first priority should be the user scenario and customer use case. What kind of data can we accumulate to build effective AI models?"

This sentiment was echoed by Shou Dong, CEO of ADVANCE.AI, who stated, "As an AI-powered fintech, we view large language models as tools to enhance efficiency and reduce costs. We're exploring applications in customer service, collections, and even telemarketing, always with a focus on measurable improvements in performance and efficiency."

Realistic Investment Strategies in an Evolving Landscape

Matthew Ma, Managing Director of Gaorong Capital, addressed the changing requirements for AI startup founders in light of more tempered market expectations: "Today's founders need to be well-rounded - they must understand technology deeply, have strong business acumen, and possess excellent fundraising capabilities. The days of securing funding based on hype alone are behind us."

Matthew also noted a shift towards more grounded valuation metrics: "For deep tech companies, valuations are now driven by the rarity of talent and technology rather than hype. Investors are looking for clear paths to commercialization and sustainable business models."


Balancing Innovation with Regulation

Helena Ma, Advisor at Milken Institute & AI Apex Foundation, highlighted the importance of regulatory frameworks in creating a sustainable AI ecosystem: "Stringent regulatory frameworks can foster a more mature and secure AI ecosystem." This perspective underscores the need for responsible AI development that can withstand scrutiny and deliver long-term value.

Identifying Real Opportunities in Emerging Markets

Shou Dong pointed out untapped potential that goes beyond the hype in Southeast Asia: "There's still enormous opportunity in sectors like SME financing. With over 60 million small businesses across Indonesia and the Philippines alone, there's a massive market for AI-driven financial services tailored to this underserved segment."

A Roadmap for AI's Future

Weiru Chen, Professor of Strategy at CEIBS, outlined three key milestones for AI's future that balance ambition with achievability:

1. Enhancing human productivity

2. Catalyzing new, high-growth business lines

3. Generating unprecedented value through disruptive innovations

Leo Jiang, Founder of AI Business Asia, emphasized the importance of grounding AI development in tangible outcomes: "The key takeaway for founders is to address clear market needs with demonstrable potential for unicorn-level growth, regardless of whether you're leveraging AI, blockchain, or any other technology. It's about solving real problems, not chasing buzzwords."

As the AI landscape continues to evolve, the AI Apex Asia Capital Connect Forum serves as a crucial platform for innovators, investors, and industry leaders to exchange ideas and shape a future where AI lives up to its promise without falling victim to unrealistic hype. By focusing on practical applications, long-term value creation, and ethical considerations, stakeholders can better position themselves to capitalize on the AI revolution while navigating its complex challenges and opportunities.

About AI Apex Asia

AI Apex Asia is a leading artificial intelligence community dedicated to advancing AI technologies and applications across Asian markets. With a focus on innovation, regional expertise, and responsible AI development, AI Apex Asia is committed to driving the adoption of AI solutions that address unique challenges and opportunities in diverse Asian industries.


CONTACT: Joy Li, Partnership Manager, AI Apex Foundation Ltd 
[email protected]

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