Arweave Ecosystem Highlights Week 17: AOX Cross-Chain Bridge and First Stablecoin USDA

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The Arweave ecosystem continues to evolve at a rapid pace, showcasing groundbreaking developments in infrastructure, decentralized finance, and cross-chain interoperability. This week marked several major milestones, including the launch of the first cross-chain bridge for the AO ecosystem—AOX—and the debut of Arweave’s first stablecoin protocol, Astro. With increasing user adoption, developer activity, and strategic integrations, Arweave is solidifying its position as a foundational layer for permanent data and next-generation dApps.

Weekly Network Overview

Arweave’s mainnet has now processed over 219.7 million transactions, with a weekly storage addition of 1.01 TiB. The current storage cost stands at 0.748 AR per GiB, making long-term data archiving more accessible than ever. Meanwhile, the network saw 747 new wallet addresses created last week, reflecting growing on-chain activity.

PermaDAO, a key contributor to ecosystem growth, distributed 144.67 $AR (valued at ~4,817 USDC) in grants to community members for their development and content contributions—further fueling innovation across the permaweb.

🔥 Top Ecosystem Highlights

AOX: AO's First Cross-Chain Bridge Launches

everVision has introduced AOX, the first cross-chain bridge built specifically for the AO computing environment. Designed to enhance everPay’s interoperability, AOX will enable seamless asset transfers between Arweave and AO.

The beta version is set to launch in mid-May 2025, starting with support for $AR token transfers. This development marks a significant leap toward interconnectedness within the Arweave ecosystem, allowing users and developers to leverage both persistent storage and high-throughput computation.

👉 Discover how seamless cross-chain transfers can unlock new DeFi opportunities on Arweave.

AO Surpasses 2 Million Daily Messages

AO, the actor-based computational layer built on Arweave, is now processing over 2 million messages per day, with testnet messages exceeding 37.7 million. This surge in activity underscores AO’s potential as a scalable, decentralized computing platform capable of supporting complex dApps and real-time interactions.

Astro Launches Testnet: Arweave’s First Stablecoin Protocol

Astro has officially launched its testnet, introducing USDA, the first stablecoin native to the Arweave ecosystem. Users can mint USDA by depositing tAR (testnet AR) into the protocol, paving the way for stable-value transactions and DeFi applications on permaweb.

This milestone opens doors for lending, borrowing, and yield generation—all anchored in Arweave’s immutable data layer.

Adot Secures $3M Pre-A Funding

Adot, a decentralized AI inference network, raised $3 million in Pre-A funding**, led by Hash Global with participation from gumi Cryptos Capital and Xin Family. This brings Adot’s total funding to **$6 million, reinforcing its mission to decentralize AI model execution using blockchain technology.

With growing partnerships and developer support, Adot is positioning itself at the intersection of Web3 and artificial intelligence.

🧩 Project Updates & Milestones

🤝 Strategic Integrations & Partnerships

Collaboration remains a driving force behind Arweave’s expansion:

These integrations reflect a broader trend: Arweave-based projects are no longer operating in isolation but forming interconnected ecosystems that span AI, DeFi, storage, and identity.

📚 Ecosystem Education & Thought Leadership

Thought leadership continues to thrive:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is AOX and why does it matter?

AOX is the first cross-chain bridge connecting Arweave and AO. It enables asset transfers—starting with $AR—between persistent storage (Arweave) and high-performance computation (AO). This integration unlocks new possibilities for dApps requiring both durability and speed.

How does USDA maintain its peg?

While still in testnet phase, USDA aims to maintain stability through over-collateralization with tAR deposits. Future plans may include algorithmic mechanisms or multi-asset backing once mainnet launches.

Can anyone participate in RedStone Miners?

Yes! The RedStone Miners Ambassador Program is open to all community members. Participants complete tasks across five tiers to earn points and rewards. Applications close on April 28 (CET).

Is Astro available on mainnet?

No—Astro is currently live only on testnet. Mainnet deployment will follow after thorough testing and audit processes.

How can developers start building on AO?

Developers can access AO documentation via ao.link, join the official Discord server, and experiment with message-based programming models. The high daily message volume indicates robust infrastructure readiness.

Why is Glacier integrating with Bitcoin via Babylon?

By leveraging Babylon’s protocol, Glacier can utilize Bitcoin’s hash power for enhanced security without modifying Bitcoin itself—offering stronger validation guarantees for Arweave’s ecosystem.

👉 Explore how top-tier blockchain tools are converging on next-gen Web3 infrastructures.

Core Keywords

The momentum within the Arweave ecosystem shows no signs of slowing down. From foundational upgrades like AOX to financial innovations like USDA, the network is maturing into a full-stack Web3 platform capable of supporting AI, DeFi, permanent storage, and secure cross-chain communication.

As developers continue to build on AO and users adopt permaweb tools like ArDrive and Akord, the vision of a permanently accessible internet becomes increasingly tangible. With strong funding rounds, strategic partnerships, and active community programs, Arweave is not just preserving data—it's powering the future of decentralized innovation.

👉 Stay ahead of the curve—see how leading protocols are shaping tomorrow’s Web3 landscape today.