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XDC Network Accelerator Expands into DeFi

In a significant move to boost decentralized finance (DeFi) solutions, Plug and Play has officially launched the third cohort of the XDC Network Accelerator. This program welcomes 11 innovative startups, each working diligently on creating groundbreaking applications within the DeFi space. After two previous successful cohorts that focused on Real-World Asset (RWA) tokenization, this new initiative highlights the importance of developing liquidity solutions, institutional DeFi infrastructures, and composable frameworks that merge tokenized RWAs into the DeFi ecosystem.

The XDC Network has rapidly evolved from a leading blockchain for RWA tokenization to a significant player in the institutional-grade DeFi market. This growth has been fueled by partnerships with major entities within the blockchain industry and a commitment to creating a compliant environment for innovative financial solutions. The third cohort is designed to expand on-chain capital markets, enabling significant operations such as lending, yield generation, and cross-chain interoperable solutions across the XDC infrastructure.

Billy Sebell, the Executive Director at the XDC Foundation, expressed that their ongoing collaboration with Plug and Play has yielded impressive results for founders utilizing the XDC Network. Sebell stated, "This third accelerator marks the next phase—bringing DeFi innovation to the forefront so tokenized assets on XDC can access deeper liquidity, stronger composability, and institutional participation at scale."

Among the 11 startups accepted into this cohort are:

• - Term Finance
• - Teller
• - Neurowatt
• - R2
• - Lantern Finance
• - Bond.Credit
• - Bulla Network
• - Teleswap
• - Superlend
• - Hashfire
• - Hawkish Capital

As this accelerator unfolds, it will place a strong emphasis on startups focused on developing DeFi-native tools aimed at enhancing RWA liquidity, creating institutional-friendly yield products, establishing decentralized exchanges, and establishing lending markets along with interoperability frameworks. Participants will have opportunities to closely collaborate with XDC leadership and connect with mentors at Plug and Play, along with an expansive network of investors and corporate partners.

From the previous cohorts, many startups successfully launched platforms dedicated to enhancing trade finance access and ensuring compliance within liquidity frameworks. The inaugural group produced impactful platforms that provided accessible marketplaces for institutional capital while validating supply chain processes—thus fostering a robust on-chain asset ecosystem. The second group further supported this evolution by introducing enhanced liquidity solutions and streamlined asset distribution methods.

The success of prior cohorts has led to partnerships with projects that continue to benefit from the XDC Network's efficient blockchain capabilities. Noteworthy participants such as Raze Finance, Brickken, Blockticity, and others have leveraged this platform to propel their initiatives forward. Collectively, those in the first two cohorts engaged in a notable number of venture capital placements and established significant connections to more than 70 corporate partners through Plug and Play's global initiatives.

Maximillian Jungreis, Head of Crypto & Digital Assets at Plug and Play, remarked, "Across the first two cohorts, we've seen projects launch on XDC, secure capital, and establish enterprise partnerships that are already driving real usage. By supporting startups focused on compliant liquidity and institutional-grade decentralized finance, we're strengthening the XDC ecosystem and helping create a more efficient, accessible global financial system."

This RWA accelerator serves as a key element of the overall vision for the XDC Network. Not only does it provide invaluable collaboration opportunities for the selected projects, but it also grants them access to Plug and Play's extensive corporate partnership landscape. After two months of collaboration within the accelerator, startups will showcase their blockchain-driven solutions at Plug and Play's Silicon Valley May Summit. This high-profile event will gather investors from top-tier venture capital firms, Fortune 500 companies, government representatives, and academic institutions.

For those interested in discovering more about the XDC Network's RWA Accelerator, further details can be accessed through the official site.

About Plug and Play

Plug and Play stands as the premier innovation platform, intertwining startups, corporations, venture capitalists, educational institutions, and governmental bodies. With headquarters in Silicon Valley and operations spanning over 60 locations worldwide, they offer extensive corporate innovation programs and play a crucial role in every stage of the innovation journey, from concept education to execution. Their accelerator programs have produced numerous successful companies, underlining their commitment to driving innovation across various sectors.

About XDC Network

XDC Network is tailored for trade finance and RWA tokenization, serving as a highly optimized, EVM-compatible Layer 1 blockchain. Utilizing a delegated proof-of-stake (dPoS) consensus mechanism, XDC Network ensures top-notch security, swift transaction speeds, and remarkable scalability, supporting a diverse range of pioneering blockchain applications.