Blockstream has launched a new research center in Lugano, Switzerland, to advance innovation in the Liquid and Lightning networks.
The center will work with local partners and startups, offering CHF 10,000 sponsorships to selected projects.
The center aims to leverage Switzerland’s position as a financial and blockchain hub, fostering applications of blockchain technology in the financial sector.
Following recent events such as the Plan B Forum in Lugano and the Liquid Developer Bootcamp in Viareggio, the center will collaborate with the Build On L2 community to further develop Liquid and Lightning applications.
Dr. Adam Back, Blockstream’s CEO, highlighted the center’s focus on blockchain-based solutions for traditional finance, particularly in Liquid and Lightning technologies.
Build On L2, which has collaborated with initiatives like Elements Academy, supports projects such as the $150,000 Validating Lightning Signer (VLS) integration into Greenlight, enhancing the Lightning Network’s capabilities.
The recent Liquid Developer Bootcamp, held on October 28th in Viareggio, provided hands-on training for over 20 developers in asset tokenization, Liquid-Lightning interoperability, and secure financial applications.
Through this bootcamp, developers connected with members of the Liquid Federation for potential collaborations.
In addition to technical support, the center will partner with the Plan B Network and Lugano’s POW.space Bitcoin hub to provide mentorship, resources, and access to development tools like the Liquid Wallet Kit and updated libraries.
Selected projects may also qualify for CHF 10,000 sponsorships, with travel and accommodations provided for invited teams to collaborate on-site in Lugano.
The center ultimately seeks to strengthen the Build On L2 community by encouraging developers and startups to contribute to financial innovation through blockchain.