SettleMint becomes XDC Network master node validator

SettleMint has signed an MoU with XVC Tech to join XDC Network as a strategic master node operator, expanding the network’s push into tokenized real-world assets and institutional finance. The move comes as XDC says tokenized value on its network has topped $1 billion and it targets regulators, banks and market infrastructure providers across Asia and the Middle East. Why it matters: - SettleMint’s move gives XDC Network another institutional validator as the blockchain pushes deeper into tokenized assets, payments and trade finance. - The partnership is aimed at helping regulated market participants build and access compliant infrastructure for real-world assets, stablecoins and credit markets. - XDC says tokenized value on its network has already crossed $1 billion, making institutional adoption more material for the ecosystem. What happened: - XVC Tech and SettleMint signed a Memorandum of Understanding to support XDC Network’s tokenization drive. - SettleMint will act as a strategic master node operator on XDC Network. - The arrangement was announced in Dubai on June 17, 2026. - SettleMint is headquartered in Belgium and has offices in the UAE. - XVC Tech is the venture capital arm of XDC Network and is headquartered in Dubai. The details: - The partnership is designed to support regulators, financial institutions and market infrastructure providers across Asia and the Middle East. - SettleMint will support tokenized real-world assets and regulated digital asset products built on its Digital Asset Lifecycle Platform, or DALP. - The collaboration also covers onboarding institutional participants, stablecoin liquidity and XDC-based credit markets. - XDC Network says its validator incentives, tokenized assets and credit markets are built to work together from the outset. - XDC Network said tokenized value on the network crossed $1 billion in May 2026. - On-chain composition at that point was 71.5% real-world assets, followed by stablecoins, staking, FTP and DeFi. - XDC says the network joins institutions such as Animoca Brands, BCW Group, Clearpool, Credora, Deutsche Telekom, HashKey Cloud, RedStone, Republic Crypto, SBI Holdings, stakeFi and UOB Venture Management as recently onboarded institutional validators. - XDC Network is focused on trade finance, cross-border settlement and tokenization of real-world assets. - The company describes XDC Network as an open-source, EVM-compatible Layer-1 blockchain with high throughput, low fees, enterprise-grade security and ISO 20022 compliance. - SettleMint is the company behind DALP, which lets financial institutions, market infrastructure operators and governments build, deploy and manage digital assets and blockchain applications at scale. Between the lines: - The deal reflects a broader shift from blockchain experimentation to production-grade financial infrastructure. - XDC is trying to use institutional validators as a credibility signal for regulated use cases, especially where tokenization and settlement overlap. - The scale of tokenized value cited by XDC and the growth projections cited for the Asia Pacific market suggest the company is positioning for a larger addressable market, not just a network upgrade. - A direct quote from SettleMint CEO Adam Popat framed the partnership as a way to help institutions deploy tokenized assets and build scalable credit and liquidity markets on XDC. - A direct quote from XDC Network co-founder Ritesh Kakkad said the integration aims to make it easier for regulated market participants to access blockchain infrastructure built for real-world assets, payments and trade finance. What’s next: - XDC and SettleMint will work to bring more institutional participants onto the network. - The partners will focus on regulated digital asset products, tokenized RWAs and credit-market infrastructure. - The collaboration is expected to deepen XDC’s validator base and broaden its tokenization offering as more financial institutions move from pilots to production. The bottom line: - SettleMint’s new role on XDC Network is another sign that blockchain infrastructure is being reorganized around institutional tokenization, not retail speculation.