Kadena Launches Chainweb EVM to Boost Institutional Blockchain Adoption

Kadena has introduced Chainweb EVM, a new execution layer designed to address long-standing challenges in blockchain development. This launch signifies a strategic shift in Kadena's approach to infrastructure, with the protocol's CEO, Stuart Popejoy, providing insights into the implications for developers.

In an exclusive interview, Popejoy explained that Chainweb EVM is an EVM-compatible environment aimed at eliminating the trade-offs developers face when building complex applications. Built on Kadena’s braided proof-of-work architecture, Chainweb EVM executes transactions in parallel across multiple chains, enhancing throughput while maintaining the security guarantees of proof-of-work. This feature is particularly important for applications targeting institutional capital.

Popejoy highlighted that many existing networks force developers to choose between performance and affordability. For sectors like real-world assets, the need for built-in compliance and reliability adds complexity that most EVM chains have not addressed at the protocol level. To address this, Kadena has developed native token standards that embed regulatory alignment directly into the protocol layer, allowing projects to meet institutional requirements without compromising on transparency, speed, or composability.

“Our native token standards integrate regulatory requirements directly into the protocol layer, not as afterthoughts. This enables applications that can handle serious institutional capital while maintaining the transparency and efficiency that makes blockchain compelling,” Popejoy stated.

To foster adoption, Kadena is launching a $50 million grant program, with half dedicated to Chainweb EVM to support teams focused on real-world utility. Since the testnet launch, over 50 projects have joined, many of which are migrating from environments where gas fees and execution limits influenced design choices.

Looking forward, Kadena is concentrating on mainnet readiness and cross-EVM interoperability. However, Popejoy emphasized that metrics like TVL or developer counts are not the ultimate goal. “The milestone that really matters is seeing these institutional applications go live,” he said. “Success isn’t measured by developer adoption metrics; it’s measured by whether we’re powering the infrastructure that brings serious institutional capital on-chain.”