Well, @union_build is finally here, and the listing date is just around the corner! But let's explore why @union_build truly matters in the Interop race. Interoperability has consistently been one of blockchain's toughest challenges. Projects such as LayerZero, Axelar, and Wormhole have advanced the narrative; however, most still rely on off-chain actors, oracles, or MPC setups. But Union follows a different path. As a ZK interoperability Layer-1, it uses zero-knowledge cryptography to facilitate liquidity and settlement across various execution environments, without relying on trusted intermediaries. In simpler terms, Union is a new type of blockchain that allows many blockchains to exchange money and information directly. It employs smart math (zero-knowledge technology) to ensure transactions are private, secure, and do not require middlemen such as banks or exchanges." This distinction goes beyond the technical; it significantly enhances security and decentralization on a large scale. We've been engaging with its testnet for a while, resulting in over 325 million testnet transactions and 97% of foreign TVL on Babylon Genesis being routed via Union. As they progress, they've partnered with various projects, including Berachain, Arbitrum, Sui, Sei, and many others, with a $50 million TVL already active within BTCFi protocols. After a long wait, they've introduced $U, the native utility token of the network. Unlike speculative governance coins, $U is essential to the core mechanics of interoperability: - Gas: Used by relayers, provers, or chains for crucial actions like aggregating proofs or managing connections. - Fee Market: Prioritizes cross-chain operations for efficient and fair processing. - Staking: Validators and users stake $U to secure the network, earning fees and rewards. - Revenue Alignment: Products like Auro BTC add value back to the ecosystem. Regarding tokenomics, contributor and investor tokens are locked for 12 months following the TGE. Staking rewards for insiders are also locked and lent to the Foundation for ecosystem incentives, preventing early sales. Additionally, 8% of $U is reserved for upcoming airdrop seasons, with unclaimed tokens being rolled forward. Now, $U will exist alongside ZRO, AXL, and W. Instead of relying on middlemen (such as banks or custodians), Union utilizes zero-knowledge proofs. That could be its biggest advantage, especially as large financial institutions start investing in Bitcoin finance and the broader DeFi space. Now, we will wait for its launch and see how much of a difference it will make in the market.