Stellar Protocol 24 Upgrade, Chainlink DataLink, Solana ETF & Kadena Update

What Shipped

In the ever-evolving world of blockchain and cryptocurrency, several exciting updates and developments have emerged recently. Among the most notable are advancements within the Stellar network, the launch of new decentralized finance (DeFi) tools, regulatory milestones, and changes in key blockchain projects.

Stellar, a blockchain platform known for fast and affordable cross-border payments, is preparing for a major update called Protocol 24. This upgrade promises to improve the network’s reliability and performance, addressing technical issues like state archival inconsistencies. These inconsistencies relate to how historical data is stored and accessed on the blockchain, which is crucial for developers and users relying on accurate transaction records.

Meanwhile, Chainlink, a leading decentralized oracle network that connects smart contracts with real-world data, has released its Q3 2025 review. Chainlink also recently won the Swift Hackathon 2025 Business Challenge, highlighting its growing importance in linking traditional financial systems with blockchain technology. Additionally, Chainlink introduced DataLink, a new tool designed to bring institutional market data directly onto the blockchain, making it easier for decentralized applications to access trustworthy information.

On the regulatory front, Hong Kong’s securities regulator has approved the first Solana-based Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF). An ETF is a financial product that allows investors to buy shares representing a basket of assets—in this case, the Solana cryptocurrency—making it easier for traditional investors to gain exposure to the crypto market.

In other news, the Kadena Foundation announced it will cease operations. Kadena is a blockchain platform focused on scalability and security. Although the core team will step back, the blockchain itself will continue running independently. This situation highlights the resilience of decentralized networks, which can operate without a central authority.

Lastly, Jupiter DEX, a decentralized exchange built on Solana, launched a new prediction market for the Formula 1 Mexico Grand Prix winner, powered by Kalshi. Prediction markets allow users to bet on the outcome of future events, and integrating them with blockchain technology ensures transparency and fairness.

Why It Matters

These developments are important for several reasons. First, the Stellar Protocol 24 upgrade addresses technical challenges that improve network stability and user experience. For people using Stellar for payments or building applications on it, this upgrade means faster and more reliable transactions.

Chainlink’s progress is significant because smart contracts—the self-executing contracts with the terms directly written into code—depend on accurate external data to function properly. By winning industry challenges and launching tools like DataLink, Chainlink strengthens the bridge between traditional finance and blockchain, enabling more sophisticated and trustworthy decentralized applications.

The approval of the Solana ETF in Hong Kong marks a growing acceptance of cryptocurrencies by mainstream financial regulators. ETFs lower the barrier for traditional investors to enter the crypto market, potentially increasing demand and liquidity for Solana and other digital assets.

Kadena’s transition away from its core team serves as a reminder of blockchain’s decentralized nature. Even without a central group managing the project, the blockchain can continue operating, illustrating the robustness of decentralized systems.

Finally, Jupiter DEX’s new prediction market showcases the expanding use cases for blockchain beyond simple transfers of value. It highlights how blockchain can create new, transparent, and engaging ways for users to participate in events and markets.

Builders’ Corner

For developers and blockchain enthusiasts, here are some concrete opportunities and takeaways:

Explore Stellar Protocol 24: Developers working on Stellar-based apps should review the upgrade guide released by Stellar Labs to ensure their projects are compatible and take advantage of new features. The guide can be found here.
Leverage Chainlink DataLink: If you’re building smart contracts that require reliable market data, consider integrating Chainlink’s DataLink to access institutional-grade information on-chain.
Consider Solana-based Products: With the approval of the Solana ETF in Hong Kong, developers and investors might see increased interest in Solana’s ecosystem. This could lead to more opportunities in DeFi and NFT projects built on Solana.
Monitor Kadena’s Decentralized Transition: Builders using Kadena should prepare for community-led governance and maintenance, as the foundation steps back. This might open doors for contributors interested in taking a more active role.
Engage with Prediction Markets: Jupiter DEX’s new F1 prediction market is a great example of how to build engaging dApps that connect sports and blockchain. Developers can explore similar ideas for other sports or events.

Quick Prices

Here’s a snapshot of some popular cryptocurrencies as of October 22, 2025, 05:03 ET:

Bitcoin (BTC): $108,285 (up 0.61% in 24 hours)
Ethereum (ETH): $3,858 (down 0.06% in 24 hours)
Ripple (XRP): $2.40 (down 0.28% in 24 hours)
Stellar (XLM): $0.31 (down 0.98% in 24 hours)
Hedera Hashgraph (HBAR): $0.17 (up 0.23% in 24 hours)
Flare Network (FLR): $0.017 (down 0.10% in 24 hours)
XDC Network (XDC): $0.062 (down 0.20% in 24 hours)

While prices fluctuate daily, it’s important to focus on the long-term potential and technology behind these projects.

What to Watch

Looking ahead, here are some key areas to keep an eye on:

Stellar’s Protocol 24 Upgrade Vote: The community will soon vote on the upgrade. Its approval and implementation will be critical for the network’s future.
Chainlink’s Continued Expansion: Watch for new partnerships and data products that could expand smart contract capabilities.
Regulatory Developments: The success of Solana’s ETF in Hong Kong might encourage other jurisdictions to approve similar products, which could influence market dynamics.
Kadena’s Decentralized Governance: How the community manages the network post-foundation will be a test case for decentralized project sustainability.
Growth of Prediction Markets: Success of Jupiter DEX’s F1 market could spark more blockchain-based prediction platforms across different industries.

TL;DR: Stellar is gearing up for a major network upgrade to improve performance, Chainlink continues to bridge traditional finance and blockchain with new data tools, Hong Kong approves the first Solana ETF signaling growing crypto acceptance, Kadena’s core team steps back but the blockchain remains operational, and Jupiter DEX launches an innovative prediction market for the F1 Mexico Grand Prix. These developments highlight progress in blockchain technology, expanding use cases, and increasing regulatory recognition, making now an exciting time for both new and experienced crypto enthusiasts.

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Stellar Protocol 24 Upgrade, Chainlink DataLink, Solana ETF & Kadena Update