Main to remember
- Google Cloud Strategy Head calls its new big universal book A Blockchain of Layer 1.
- The platform has already attracted significant institutional interests, with CME Group, one of the largest exchanges of basic products in the world, selecting GUCU to explore tokenization and payment solutions.
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Google Cloud is developing a layer 1 blockchain platform called Google Cloud Universal Ledger (GCU), designed for financial institutions and with intelligent contracts based on Python, Rich Widmann, global web3 strategy manager at Google Cloud, shared in a LinkedIn article.

Google Cloud Universal Ledger was unveiled for the first time in March thanks to a joint announcement with the CME group describing the tokenization and wholesale piloting plans on the new big distributed book.
Societies have not explicitly called GCUL A layer 1 blockchain announcing the initiative.
CME Group said that it had completed the first phase of integration and test, qualifying technology one step towards a low -cost and 24/7 regulation for guarantees, margin and costs. Direct tests with market players should start later this year, with new targeted services for 2026.
In his latest article, Widmann placed Gucul alongside layer 1 solutions developed by Circle and Stripe in a comparative graph originally shared by Chuk Okpalugo, product manager at Paxos. He said that layer 1 developed by Google aims to differentiate itself as a neutral infrastructure.
“TETHER will not use Circle’s blockchain-and Adyen will probably not use Stripe’s blockchain. But any financial institution can build with GCUL,” he said, adding that more specifications on the system should be released in the coming months.
After its successful IPO, Circle announced the upcoming launch of its layer 1 blockchain, ARC, set to deploy on the public test this fall with features adapted to Stablecoin payments, FX and capital markets.
Stripe also develops a new layer 1 blockchain called tempo, focusing on high performance payment solutions, which is compatible with Ethereum coding language.
The project, still in stealth mode, implies a partnership with paradigm and is part of the continuous expansion of Stripe in the field of cryptography.
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