As an EEA member, Toposware is part of the EEA community of organizations working to advance Ethereum and drive industry adoption. In the Q&A below, the EEA interviewed Toposware Enterprise Programs Lead Tom Harvey about how the organization contributes to the Ethereum business ecosystem. 

Please introduce your company and yourself. 

I build and deliver enterprise services at Toposware, where we are building Topos, the first Zero Knowledge ecosystem. Topos is a paradigm shift EVM infrastructure – enabling seamless collaboration using Zero Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs) as the endgame solution to concerns around interoperability, privacy, and scalability.

What first brought you to the EEA, and why did you decide to become a member?

Toposware’s EVM technology works seamlessly for those who are building solutions on Ethereum. We provide the expertise of our developers and cryptographers as the zero-knowledge resource to EEA members. ZKPs are going to change the way businesses interact, and Toposware will work with the membership to co-develop Zero Knowledge use cases to transform how they transfer information and value – while guaranteeing the security of data and IP, eliminating trust requirements and intermediation. Zero Knowledge is no longer an interesting option; it is the foundation for forward-thinking enterprises to ensure their most valuable asset: trust.

What are you currently working on with regard to Ethereum? How will end-users benefit from your work?

We’re just about to launch access to the Toposware Enterprise Early Access Program (EEAP) exclusively for Ethereum Alliance members. This program is designed to empower participants with invaluable insights and resources, positioning them as Zero Knowledge thought leaders in the rapidly evolving landscape of blockchain technology. Through a curated curriculum and hands-on experiences, members will gain comprehensive knowledge and expertise in Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs), positioning them at the forefront of this transformative technology. Members will have the unique opportunity to deploy and demonstrate ZKP solutions in a controlled and low-risk environment. This hands-on experience will not only deepen their understanding but also equip them with the practical skills needed to navigate real-world applications of Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs). Through collaborative efforts, participants will have the chance to co-develop paradigm-shifting zero-knowledge solutions. This collaborative environment encourages the exchange of ideas, fostering innovation and pushing the boundaries of what is possible with zero-knowledge technology.

How will the EEA enhance your organization’s current efforts?

Toposware is the first ZK ecosystem, and we’re confident that EEA will expand our role and reach as the essential Zero Knowledge leaders and teachers. We understand the transformative power of ZKPs for business – we will share that knowledge while learning from fellow members about their use cases that can be solved by this technology.

What EEA programs are you most excited about? 

We are confident that ZKPs will supercharge virtually all Ethereum solutions.  At the moment, I am particularly excited about EthTrust Security Levels and Crosschain Interoperability groups, which have many synergies with Toposware’s capabilities. Topos leverages Zero Knowledge as the solution to transaction security, and our technology is data-structure agnostic: all ecosystem members natively interoperate and inherit the network’s security – participants are never limited to the security of the weakest participant. 

Learn More and Connect with the EEA

The EEA enables organizations to adopt and use Ethereum technology in their daily business operations. We empower the Ethereum ecosystem to develop new business opportunities, drive industry adoption, and learn and collaborate. Join us and contribute to our work!

Learn more about EEA membership and contact [email protected].

Learn More About Toposware 

Website:  www.toposware.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Toposware
Github: www.github.com/ToposWare
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/toposware
Discord:

As an EEA member, Unicorn Ultra Network (U2U) is part of the EEA community of organizations working to advance Ethereum and drive industry adoption. In the Q&A below, the EEA interviewed Unicorn Ultra Network CMO Chloe Phung about how the organization contributes to the Ethereum business ecosystem. 

Please introduce your company and yourself. 

My name is Trang Phung, Chief Marketing Officer at U2U. I am also an experienced entrepreneur and manager with a tremendous passion for financial investment and technology, especially financial technology. 

U2U Network is a Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG)-based chain compatible with the EVM. Our primary focus is to deliver infinite scalability and decentralization on demand. We are dedicated to providing strong solutions for practical applications and aim to serve as a comprehensive solution for the needs of enterprise-level requirements.

Helios Consensus forms the backbone of the U2U Network, achieving up to 72,000 transactions per second (TPS) at launch. During a stress test on our development network, we achieved a peak of 500,000 TPS, thanks to sharding technology. This system ensures quick transaction finality, typically within just 650 milliseconds, and is fortified with a quadruple-layered aBFT consensus protocol that includes dPOS, POET, POR, and TEE. Additionally, integrating features such as the Multi Sharding Mechanism, Subnets Technology, and OstracismVM reflects our unwavering commitment to our network’s adaptability, efficiency, security, and scalability.

What first brought you to the EEA, and why did you decide to become a member?

As mentioned above, we are committed to delivering robust solutions for real-world applications and aspire to be the one-stop solution for enterprise-level needs.

Regarding the reason, with the mission of seamlessly merging proven business models and products with the Web3 space and expanding their reach and impact on a global scale, as well as being one of the EVM-compatible blockchains, Unicorn Ultra Network finds it crucial to work alongside the EEA to enable businesses to adopt and use Ethereum technology and create a world of collaboration built on a new foundation of trust. 

Besides the shared missions and visions with the EEA, Unicorn Ultra Network also aims to disseminate our cutting-edge technologies and knowledge to the EVM community within the Alliance and the global community via events and webinars organized by the EEA. We also aim to foster new collaborations and connections with like-minded partners. Furthermore, as a member, Unicorn Ultra Network also gains the right to vote on technical development work of the Alliance and the Ethereum community, contributing to advancing the global blockchain industry.

Unicorn Ultra Network has decided to join the EEA membership to acknowledge the alignment of our missions and the EEA’s benefits to our community in terms of scaling.

What are you currently working on with regard to Ethereum? How will end-users benefit from your work?

As mentioned, Unicorn Ultra Network is built with EVM-compatible capability. It is working toward a world where developers and dApps on the Ethereum network are supported seamlessly with advanced technologies and algorithms to achieve adaptability, efficiency, security, and scalability. 

With shared visions and missions, Unicorn Ultra Network and the EEA are advancing a future ecosystem where the end-user can enjoy the benefits of infinite scalability and decentralization on demand. 

How will the EEA enhance your organization’s current efforts?

Being a member of the EEA, Unicorn Ultra Network hopes to have connections with influential businesses in every sector from around the globe. EEA membership is expected to offer Unicorn Ultra Network exceptional access to cutting-edge advances in Enterprise Ethereum blockchain technology. Moreover, leveraging the extensive outreach and established connections of the EEA, Unicorn Ultra will have the opportunity to grow our community and expand our network, establishing a notable presence in the Ethereum community and enhancing our global brand recognition. 

Additionally, as a member of the Alliance, Unicorn Ultra Network gains access to the latest trends within the Ethereum ecosystem. This is particularly advantageous for us, given our primary focus on B2B enterprise business. EEA serves as an ideal bridge, enabling Unicorn Ultra Network to engage with a wide array of enterprises poised to embrace and implement emerging EVM trends.

What EEA programs are you most excited about? 

As Unicorn Ultra Network diligently focuses on constructing infinite scalability and decentralization on demand, our entry into the EEA has sparked great excitement, particularly concerning the DeFi and security projects within the Alliance. The programs that Unicorn Ultra Network is excited about include the DeFi Assessment, Management and Accounting (DRAMA) Working Group, and Ethereum Training Quality (ETH TQ). 

With numerous programs, Unicorn Ultra Network holds high expectations of establishing exceptional collaborations, participating in valuable learning experiences, and making meaningful contributions to these programs. Additionally, we look forward to becoming part of the talented developer community and hosting community hackathons, vital aspects of our partnership with EEA.

Learn More and Connect with the EEA

The EEA enables organizations to adopt and use Ethereum technology in their daily business operations. We empower the Ethereum ecosystem to develop new business opportunities, drive industry adoption, and learn and collaborate. Join us and contribute to our work!

Click here to learn more about EEA membership and contact [email protected].

With a focus on sustainability, UK-based embedded sustainability fintech, ekko, is partnering with Tusk, an African conservation firm, to enable banks, merchants and payment providers to embed new conservation-centric dimensions into their products and services.  

As part of the partnership, ekko and Tusk have curated a portfolio of African conservation projects that businesses can now support as they deploy ekko’s infrastructure to their end consumer. The portfolio consists of a range of projects spanning 13 nations and varied specialisms. It includes:

• anti-poaching
• conservation technology
• community-driven conservation

Additionally, it includes initiatives that support some of the most threatened species in the world like pangolin and mountain gorilla.

Support conservation case study

One such example is CLAWS, a project that combines technology for lion conservation and protecting local livestock without risking animal lives. By undertaking science-based projects, the organisation has been helping to reduce conflict between people and predators since 2014. Thanks to ekko and Tusk, the organisation will now receive additional backing to support this important effort.

Other projects included in the ekko and Tusk’s portfolio are South African-based vulture conservation organisation VulPro, Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association and Painted Dog Conservation, Zimbabwe. Together, the two companies are committed to amplifying conservation projects. As a result, this helps to preserve critical habitats, protect endangered species, and combat the illegal wildlife trade. All the while they empower local communities and promote environmental education.

One big step for sustainability

Speaking on the partnership, Oli Cook, CEO and co-founder of ekko commented: “The importance of this collaboration cannot be understated in the context of the sustainability movement. The intricate balance of animals, natural landscapes, and indigenous communities forms an essential pillar of the global ecosystem. Alongside Tusk, we share a commitment to nurture and safeguard our planet.”

Cook continued: “Fintech has an incredibly exciting role to play in our global challenge to be more sustainable. Combining forces with the incredible teams at Tusk to bring sustainability to every payment in the world has the potential to make a seismic impact on one of the most important challenges facing the global community.”

Speaking on the partnership, Dan Bucknell, executive director at Tusk commented: “Tusk is thrilled to join forces with ekko. Our shared mission is clear: we want to create profound, lasting impacts. Impacts that benefit both the vibrant communities and the diverse wildlife of Africa. This partnership signifies a bold step forward in our continued commitment to the continent’s enduring legacy.”

Charlie Mayhew OBE, founder of Tusk, added “The emerging potential of embedded fintech’s role in funding conservation is exciting to witness. This is a really promising partnership. We look forward to collaborating with ekko on the journey to a sustainable future for businesses and consumers.”

As virtual assets continue to surge in global prominence, the regulatory landscape governing them becomes increasingly crucial. The jurisdiction in which virtual asset service providers (VASPs) choose to operate can significantly impact their prospects – either nurturing innovation or stifling growth.

In the second instalment of our ‘Where to Relocate’ series, we turn the spotlight to the Cayman Islands as a VASP-friendly jurisdiction. Situated in the Caribbean, the Cayman Islands offer a unique blend of regulatory excellence, technological innovation, and a commitment to fostering the growth of digital assets.

Island paradise meets digital innovation

Renowned for its pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters, the Cayman Islands are also making waves in the digital asset landscape. This British Overseas Territory has been actively positioning itself as a leading global financial centre with a strong focus on providing a conducive environment for virtual asset businesses.

The Cayman Islands Government, in collaboration with the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA), has crafted a regulatory framework that welcomes VASPs while ensuring compliance with international standards. This framework is at the core of the Cayman Islands’ appeal to virtual asset businesses looking for a supportive yet regulated jurisdiction.

Cayman: where innovation and regulation converge

Having explored insights from industry experts, government officials, and leading service providers, it’s evident that the Cayman Islands is where innovation and regulation converge seamlessly in the virtual asset landscape. With a clear and robust regulatory framework, VASPs find a welcoming home here, fostering innovation while upholding the highest standards of compliance.

The Cayman Islands offer a thriving ecosystem where digital innovation thrives under the watchful eye of regulators committed to safeguarding the industry’s integrity.

In the following articles, our contributors offer in-depth perspectives, valuable insights and practical guidance for those considering the Cayman Islands as their preferred jurisdiction for virtual asset services.

They explore the dynamic synergy between innovation and regulation in the virtual asset landscape of the Cayman Islands

Hon André M. Ebanks MP, Cayman Islands’ Minister for Financial Services and Commerce, outlines the government’s vision for Cayman’s digital future, emphasising the importance of balancing innovation with robust regulation.

Explore the role of Cayman Finance, a non-profit membership organisation, in promoting the growth of the Cayman Islands’ financial services sector while safeguarding its reputation through strategic pillars like promotion, protection, and community engagement.

• Cayman Islands Monetary Authority

As a premier international financial hub and with new emerging trends constantly in flux, the Cayman Islands recognises the importance of staying at the forefront of global finance, all while ensuring a robust regulatory framework, explains the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority.

Learn how Carey Olsen LLP, a prominent offshore law firm, supports virtual asset businesses in navigating the complex legal landscape of the Cayman Islands, ensuring compliance with evolving regulations.

Discover how KPMG Cayman Islands, a leading professional services firm, provides comprehensive audit, tax, and advisory services to virtual asset businesses while upholding the highest standards of financial probity and transparency.

Matt McGuire, general counsel and chief compliance officer of Mauve Limited, shares how the company leverages Cayman’s regulatory framework to pioneer a noncustodial crypto exchange that prioritises user privacy while complying with stringent anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) regulations.