Zilliqa Blockchain Initiates v9.3.0 Upgrade, Binance Announces Support

Key highlights:

• Zilliqa just rolled out a major software upgrade called v9.3.0 to improve their coding language Scilla.
• This should make the platform even smoother and more user-friendly for developers building on top of it.
• In a show of confidence, crypto powerhouse Binance announced they’re fully supporting the upgrade.

The Zilliqa blockchain has initiated a major network upgrade with the release of version 9.3.0. In a sign of growing industry support, leading cryptocurrency exchange Binance has also announced that it will support the upgrade.

We’re thrilled to announce that the v9.3.0 mainnet upgrade is on the horizon and is set to go live today (January 3, 2024, 09:00 UTC).

This significant network upgrade embodies our continuous effort to enhance the Zilliqa network’s capabilities and efficiency. The network…

— Zilliqa (@zilliqa) January 3, 2024

What’s new in Zilliqa v9.3.0?

Zilliqa announced the impending upgrade via a tweet on January 3rd stating that the network will be upgrading its programming language Scilla to version 0.7.0. According to the project’s Github, the new version includes several developer-focused improvements such as simplified parsing, type checking, and tooling enhancements.

The upgrade represents the continued evolution of Zilliqa’s technology as it aims to court more builders to its platform. Scilla, Zilliqa’s smart contract language, has been identified as a key differentiator. With each new version, the experience for developers is refined. Like any complex software, upgrades are necessary to squash bugs, optimize performance, and take advantage of emerging best practices.

Binance throws support behind the upgrade

In a sign of confidence in Zilliqa, major exchange Binance announced that it will support the upgrade, scheduled for January 3rd, 2024 at 09:00 UTC. The exchange clarified that token deposits and withdrawals on the Zilliqa network would be suspended briefly during the transition period, but trading would not be impacted.

For users of Binance and other platforms, confirmation that services will continue uninterrupted removes the uncertainty surrounding the upgrade. It signals that, as with past upgrades, precautions are being taken to ensure a smooth transition. Progress often necessitates change, and industry leaders supporting positive network evolution give confidence to the overall lengthening and strengthening of the Zilliqa blockchain.

Courting a crypto-cloud computing giant

In another sign of increasing mainstream recognition, Zilliqa announced a multi-year strategic alliance with Google Cloud. In an AMA, Zilliqa Group CEO Matt Dyer said the partnership would enhance the availability and resilience of the network.

Image: Ziliqa and Google Cloud

Google Cloud also revealed that it would operate a Staked Seed Node on Zilliqa, helping to record historical transactions and secure correctness on the network – a role that provides confidence for users and builders. The tech giant affirmed its view that partnerships like these can help drive broader innovation in the emerging Web3 sphere.

The alliance represents a major endorsement of credibility for Zilliqa. By tapping into Google Cloud’s expanding infrastructure offerings, the scalability and uptime of decentralized applications on the network should receive a tangible boost. It’s the type of blue-chip backing that could see more traditional firms feeling secure to build on Zilliqa’s platform.

With progressive platform development and growing support from major industry entities, Zilliqa is signaling its ambition to establish itself as a leading smart contracts platform. With continued evolution and mainstream approvals, Zilliqa investors have reason to be optimistic about the network’s long-term prospects.

At the time of writing, ZIL is trading around $0.0227, down 12.27% over the last 24 hours alongside the broader crypto decline. In the short term, it’s likely the market will need more time to fully digest the implications of these developments. We may see some volatility as updates to the network take effect.