Google Cloud has announced the launch of its Layer-1 blockchain dubbed Google Cloud Universal Ledger (GCUL). This protocol is designed to facilitate easy digital payment processes for financial institutions and enterprises. For now, the project is in the private testnet, but it will be made available to the public in the coming months.
On Aug. 26, Google Cloud’s Web3 Head of Strategy, Rich Widmann, announced that the firm is currently working on its blockchain network. This L1 has entered the private testnet phase, with its first pilot project involving the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME Group).
As recorded lately, more institutions are exploring faster and more transparent financial settlement systems. During the pilot phase of the GCUL, there will be a focus on two areas that have gained traction at this time: tokenization and wholesale payments.
According to his post on LinkedIn, GCUL was conceived from a desire to provide financial institutions with a “performant, credibly neutral” blockchain platform, particularly one that enables Python-based smart contracts. While other majority blockchain ecosystems rely on Solidity or Rust, Google chose to integrate Python.
This move is a reflection of its attempt to make development more accessible to enterprise engineers who have proficiency in widely used programming languages. Ultimately, it could play a significant role in lowering the barrier to entry for TradFi institutions exploring on-chain deployment.
Widmann described GCUL as a neutral infrastructure layer, while noting that this is “besides bringing to bear Google’s distribution.”
Based on its design, this L1 blockchain is nothing like any existing network. For more context into its functionality, he explained that “Tether won’t use Circle’s blockchain, and Adyen probably won’t use Stripe’s blockchain. But any financial institution can build with GCUL.”
In a space where most Traditional Finance (TradFi) institutions are exploring ways to get into crypto, Google Cloud has taken a more direct step towards the blockchain infrastructure sector. More recently, firms on Wall Street have made major moves towards building their corporate treasuries with cryptocurrencies.
In July, Nasdaq-listed Upexi Inc. announced a $500 million equity line agreement with A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners, aiming to raise capital to expand its Solana treasury strategy. This arrangement allows the firm to issue shares at its discretion, although it remains subject to certain restrictions and closing conditions.
