LayerZero Introduces Zero Blockchain, ARK Invest’s Cathie Wood Joins Advisory Board

TheNewsCryptoPublished on 2026-02-11Last updated on 2026-02-11

Abstract

LayerZero has introduced a new blockchain called Zero, designed to support global financial markets with a claimed capacity of up to 2 million transactions per second. Developed in collaboration with institutions like Citadel Securities and ARK Invest, Zero uses a heterogeneous architecture that separates transaction checking and processing. It is set to launch in fall 2026 and will use its native token ZRO for governance and interoperability. LayerZero has also formed an advisory board including ARK Invest’s Cathie Wood, who has joined as an advisor and shareholder.

Blockchain Firm LayerZero has introduced a new blockchain, Zero, designed to help global financial markets. As the project is being developed in collaboration with major institutions backing it, including Citadel Securities and ARK Invest.

Two and a half years ago, after watching every chain hit the same wall, we bet everything on an idea most people told us was impossible.

Zero, the last blockchain. https://t.co/b4eGD1J0HO
— LayerZero (@LayerZero_Core) February 10, 2026

Zero Claims 2M TPS With Heterogeneous Architecture

LayerZero announced through an official press release on February 10, and said that major advancements in networking, storage, processing power, and zero-knowledge technologies were used in the design of Zero, and it is planned to launch in the fall of 2026

These improvements work together to enable the network to process up to 2 million transactions per second across several zones. As a result, Zero is capable of being up to 100,000 times quicker than Ethereum and roughly 500 times faster than Solana, as per LayerZero’s X post.

The press release mentioned, “Zero introduces the first ever heterogeneous architecture,” which separates transaction checking and transaction processing.

Further, LayerZero mentioned that Zero is a permissionless network that will initially launch with three environments called “zones.” The blockchain will use its native token, ZRO, for governance and to have interoperability between the zones, as well as across the more than 165 blockchains that LayerZero currently connects.

The Zero project is being partnered with leading finance and tech companies, including DTCC, Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), and Google Cloud. Which also includes Citadel Securities, which invested in ZRO, the network’s native token. With this, the launch of Zero Blockchain marks LayerZero’s growing push into institutional-grade blockchain infrastructure.

LayerZero Forms Advisory Board

Also, the LayerZero’s statement mentioned, “To support Zero, LayerZero has formed a new Advisory Board, convening three of the most respected voices in finance, including Cathie Wood (Founder, CEO, & CIO of ARK Invest), Michael Blaugrund (VP of Strategic Initiatives, Intercontinental Exchange), and Caroline Butler (former head of digital assets at BNY Mellon).”

With that, ARK Invest is also becoming a shareholder of LayerZero equity and $ZRO. According to Cathie Wood, quoted in the press release, “I am thrilled to join LayerZero’s advisory board and help accelerate the adoption of Zero by the largest markets and companies in the world.”

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