LayerZero Reclaims Stargate in $110 Million Battle

* LayerZero regains control of the Stargate cross-blockchain protocol for $110 million after a contentious four-way bidding war. * Stargate's community secures the acquisition with a 95% approval vote on an amended proposal. LayerZero successfully reacquired Stargate, a protocol enabling blockchain interoperability, in a $110 million deal. On August 25, 2025, Cointelegraph reported that the agreement capped off intense competition from other blockchain players, including Wormhole, Axelar Network, and Across Protocol. Stargate's community played an integral role in the decision, giving 95% approval to LayerZero’s revised offer after the company addressed concerns about the original terms. LayerZero initially launched Stargate in 2022 to bolster cross-chain transfer capabilities, a burgeoning area of focus in blockchain technology. The bidding contest underscored this growing interest, with competitor Wormhole putting forth a $120 million all-cash bid. Meanwhile, Axelar Network and Across Protocol signaled their intent to make counteroffers if the vote were delayed, but the Stargate Foundation proceeded as scheduled. Community participation reached an all-time high with over 15,000 addresses casting votes, a milestone highlighted by LayerZero co-founder and CEO Bryan Pellegrino. As part of the accepted terms, circulating Stargate token (STG) holdings will convert into LayerZero's native ZRO tokens. This acquisition emphasizes the increasing significance of blockchain interoperability as decentralized ecosystems evolve.