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Polygon & GSR Launch DeFi Chain ‘Katana’ on Private Mainnet

BBG News

🚀 Get Ready for Katana: The DeFi Chain That’s Here to Save Your Crypto Life! 💸

So, Polygon Labs and GSR decided to join forces, because why not? They’ve launched Katana, a shiny new DeFi blockchain that promises to tackle one of DeFi’s biggest headaches: liquidity that’s more scattered than my thoughts on a Monday morning. And guess what? It’s already live in a private phase, with a public launch set for late June 2025. Mark your calendars, folks! 📅

Katana is the first chain on Agglayer to use the CDK OP Stack. Sounds fancy, right? It’s like the Swiss Army knife of blockchain tech, ushering in a multistack era for Polygon’s zero-knowledge-powered interoperability layer. Because who doesn’t want their blockchain to sound like a techy superhero?

Developed with a little help from Conduit (the cool kids handling rollup and sequencing infrastructure), Katana is a proud graduate of Polygon’s Agglayer Breakout Program. You know, the one that helps launch high-impact projects. It’s like the Ivy League of blockchain, but with fewer student loans.

Now, let’s talk about the real issue: most DeFi platforms have liquidity spread thinner than my patience during a Zoom meeting. Katana is here to fix that by gathering liquidity in one place and making it work harder than I do on a Friday afternoon. 💪

Katana is here ⚔️

A DeFi-first chain with high yield and deep liquidity; deep enough to provide liquidity for the entire Agglayer ecosystem. @Katana is a paradigm shift—aligning apps, users, and chain revenue from day one.

Built by Katana Foundation, incubated by Polygon Labs…

— Polygon (@0xPolygon) May 28, 2025

At launch, it will connect with some top DeFi protocols—think lending app Morpho, exchange Sushi (yes, like the food), and trading platform Vertex. It’ll also support key assets like the AUSD stablecoin, liquid-staked Bitcoin (LBTC) from Lombard, and weETH from Ether.Fi. Because who doesn’t want a buffet of options?

Katana will also use VaultBridge, a bridging and yield-generating protocol, to route bridged assets into overcollateralized Ethereum-based strategies. The yield is then compounded back into the Katana ecosystem, distributed based on deposit share. It’s like a group project where everyone actually pulls their weight. 🎉

According to Polygon Labs CEO Marc Boiron, this model reduces reliance on short-term incentives and offers stable, sustainable returns. He claims it’ll bring long-term confidence to DeFi users and institutions alike. So, basically, it’s like a relationship that’s not just a summer fling.

To sweeten the deal, 15% of KAT tokens will be given to POL stakers on Ethereum as a reward for being early adopters. Right now, users can pre-deposit ETH, USDC, USDT, or WBTC during Katana’s private mainnet phase to earn KAT tokens, which will unlock over the next nine months. It’s like a crypto treasure hunt! 🗺️

Katana is also integrating with Chainlink’s oracle network and Universal’s cross-chain platform, allowing access to “blue-chip assets” like XRP, SOL, and SUI that aren’t native to the chain. Because who doesn’t want to play with the big kids?

GSR, with over a decade of experience in institutional crypto markets, will support Katana through liquidity provisioning, cross-chain execution, and business development via its venture arm. They’re basically the cool older sibling who knows all the right people.

In short, Katana aims to reshape DeFi with deep, unified liquidity, consistent yield, and a seamless cross-chain experience. It’s like the Swiss Army knife of decentralized finance, giving both retail and institutional players a more reliable way to engage with the crypto world. So, buckle up, buttercups! 🚀

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2025-05-28 19:49

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