In July 2023, after a year of building in stealth mode, HeLa Labs emerged with a bold mission: bring Web3 to the real world through a blockchain that actually solves real-world problems—scalability, transaction fee volatility, security, and privacy.
Fast forward to 2025, and HeLa has delivered on that promise with remarkable speed. From winning prestigious awards and launching a fully operational mainnet, to pioneering AI-blockchain integration and securing partnerships with aviation authorities and enterprise AI platforms, HeLa has accomplished more in 18 months than most blockchain projects achieve in five years.
This isn't another blockchain with a flashy whitepaper and empty promises. HeLa is live infrastructure serving real users, with over 60,000 active wallets, 20 million HLPoints distributed, a 15% APY stablecoin staking platform, and recognition from institutions like Singapore's A*STAR and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS).
Let me take you through HeLa's journey—from inception to becoming one of the most promising next-generation Layer 1 blockchains, highlighting every major achievement along the way.
Part 1: The Foundation — Building in Stealth Mode (2022-2023)
Before the public launch, HeLa Labs spent over a year engineering the technical foundation that would differentiate them from thousands of other blockchain projects.
The Strategic Partnership with A*STAR IHPC
In October 2023, HeLa Labs revealed their development partner: A*STAR's Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC), one of Singapore's premier research institutions.
What A*STAR IHPC Brought:
- Deep expertise in modular blockchain architecture
- Privacy-preserving technologies (Zero-Knowledge Proofs, Homomorphic Encryption)
- Decentralized Identity (DID) frameworks
- Academic rigor and credibility
Why This Matters:
Most blockchain projects are built by teams with minimal formal research backing. HeLa partnered with a government-backed research institute known for cutting-edge work in high-performance computing, cryptography, and distributed systems.
This collaboration gave HeLa:
- Technical Credibility: Validation from a respected academic institution
- Research Resources: Access to advanced cryptographic research and computational infrastructure
- Regulatory Pathway: Partnership with a Singapore government entity signals compliance-first approach
As Dr. Andy Ting, Co-founder of HeLa Labs and former researcher at A*STAR, emphasized: "Our partnership with IHPC allows us to bring decades of cryptographic research into production-grade blockchain infrastructure."
The Core Innovation: Stablecoin-Powered Layer 1
While most blockchains use volatile native tokens for gas fees (ETH on Ethereum, SOL on Solana), HeLa took a radically different approach: using a fiat-backed stablecoin (HLUSD) as the native gas token.
The Problem This Solves:
Imagine you're a business building a dApp. With traditional blockchains:
- Transaction costs fluctuate wildly (ETH gas fees ranged from $1 to $200 in 2021-2022)
- Budgeting is impossible when costs spike 100x overnight
- Enterprise adoption is blocked because CFOs can't approve unpredictable expenses
With HeLa's HLUSD model:
- Gas fees are stable and predictable (priced in USD)
- Businesses can budget blockchain expenses like any other operational cost
- Users don't need to speculate on token prices to use the network
Achievement #1: HeLa became the first Layer 1 blockchain powered entirely by a fiat-backed stablecoin, removing a major barrier to enterprise adoption.
The Technical Architecture: Modular by Design
HeLa built a modular architecture separating five key layers:
- Consensus Layer: Validators secure the network using Byzantine Fault Tolerant (BFT) consensus
- Execution Layer: EVM-compatible smart contract execution
- Asset Integration Layer: Seamless integration of cross-chain assets
- Storage Layer: Decentralized data storage
- AI Layer: Native AI computation capabilities (added in 2024)
Why Modularity Matters:
Monolithic blockchains (like Ethereum pre-merge) struggle because every component is tightly coupled. If one part needs upgrading, you risk breaking everything.
HeLa's modular design allows:
- Independent upgrades to each layer without network-wide disruptions
- Specialization (optimize execution separately from storage)
- Flexibility for different use cases (AI workloads vs. DeFi vs. gaming)
Achievement #2: Built a production-ready modular Layer 1 blockchain combining privacy-preserving features with EVM compatibility—a rare technical accomplishment.
Part 2: The Breakout Year — 2024 Milestones
2024 was HeLa's breakout year, marked by rapid-fire achievements across technology, community, and partnerships.
Achievement #3: Won Huawei Cloud Startup Ignite 2023 (Web3 Category)
In recognition of their innovative approach to bridging Web2 and Web3, HeLa Labs won Huawei Cloud Startup Ignite 2023 in the Web3 category.
Significance:
Huawei is one of the world's largest tech companies. Winning their startup competition validated HeLa's mission and provided:
- Cloud infrastructure credits
- Access to Huawei's enterprise network
- Visibility among Asian enterprise customers
- Technical support for scaling
This award positioned HeLa as a serious enterprise blockchain, not just another DeFi experiment.
Achievement #4: Mainnet Launch (May 2024)
After extensive testing on the Atlantia Testnet, HeLa launched its mainnet on May 6, 2024, transitioning from experimental to production infrastructure.
What the Mainnet Launch Enabled:
- Real-value transactions using HLUSD
- Live dApp deployments
- Guardian Node operators securing the network
- Staking and yield generation
The Community Response:
The mainnet launch announcement generated:
- 693 retweets
- 9,000 likes
- 2,100 replies
- Over 181,000 impressions on X (Twitter)
This wasn't just a technical milestone—it was a community celebration showing genuine enthusiasm for HeLa's vision.
Achievement #5: Successfully deployed mainnet with zero downtime or critical bugs, demonstrating the quality of the 18-month development cycle.
Achievement #6: HLUSD Listing on Biconomy Exchange (November 2024)
In late November 2024, HLUSD was listed on Biconomy, a prominent decentralized exchange, providing:
- Enhanced liquidity for HLUSD holders
- Real-time price tracking and market data
- Accessibility for traders and investors globally
Current Performance:
- HLUSD maintains $1.00 peg (stable value)
- 24-hour trading volume: ~$2.04 million
- Zero significant depegging events since launch
Achievement #7: HLUSD listing on CoinGecko followed shortly after, giving users access to comprehensive market analytics and portfolio tracking.
Achievement #8: Guardian Node Sale — Decentralizing Network Security
In late 2024, HeLa launched the Guardian Node Sale, enabling community members to:
- Purchase node licenses (represented as NFTs)
- Operate validators securing the HeLa network
- Earn staking rewards in HLUSD
The Response:
The Guardian Node presale was successfully subscribed, bringing a committed cohort of node operators ready to decentralize network security upon full mainnet rollout.
Why This Matters:
Many blockchain projects claim decentralization but maintain centralized control. HeLa put real economic stakes in community hands—Guardian Node operators have skin in the game, aligning incentives for long-term network health.
Achievement #9: Built a community of committed node operators before full mainnet launch, ensuring a robust, decentralized validator set from day one.
Achievement #10: The Atlantia Platform — 60,000+ Active Wallets
HeLa launched Atlantia, a gamified testnet platform allowing users to:
- Test the HeLa network in a live environment
- Complete quests and earn HLPoints
- Mint NFTs (Gold, Silver, Bronze tier badges)
- Participate in community events and competitions
The Numbers:
- Over 60,000 active wallets created on Atlantia
- 20 million HLPoints distributed as rewards
- Multiple NFT minting events with community participation
- Community roles including Snapshot Master, Visionary Artist, HeLa Elite, Legendary Inviter, and more
Strategic Value:
Atlantia wasn't just marketing—it was a stress test. By attracting 60,000+ users to the testnet, HeLa validated that:
- Their infrastructure could handle real-world usage
- Community demand existed for their vision
- Gamification and incentives drove engagement
Achievement #11: Built one of the most active blockchain testnets in 2024, demonstrating strong product-market fit before token launch.
Part 3: The dApp Ecosystem — Real Utility, Real Users
While many blockchains struggle to attract developers, HeLa launched multiple dApps serving real users.
Achievement #12: StableHodl — 15% APY Staking Platform (April 2025)
On April 16, 2025, HeLa launched StableHodl, a next-generation stablecoin staking platform offering:
- Average 15% APY on staked HLUSD
- Optimized, sustainable yields in a stable USD environment
- No impermanent loss (staking stablecoins, not volatile assets)
- Ideal for both crypto veterans and risk-averse newcomers
Why StableHodl Matters:
Traditional DeFi staking requires locking volatile assets (ETH, SOL) and accepting price risk. If ETH drops 30% while you're earning 5% APY, you're still down 25%.
StableHodl eliminates this problem:
- Stake HLUSD at $1.00
- Earn 15% APY in HLUSD
- Withdraw at $1.00 + interest
- No exposure to crypto volatility
Early Adoption:
StableHodl has seen strong early adoption, quickly becoming a key pillar of HeLa's DeFi ecosystem.
Achievement #13: Created a stablecoin staking product offering competitive yields (15% APY) without the volatility risk of traditional DeFi protocols.
Achievement #14: Cytoswap — Decentralized Exchange
Cytoswap is HeLa's native decentralized exchange, facilitating:
- Seamless token swaps between HeLa-native assets
- Liquidity provision with yield opportunities
- Low-fee trading (thanks to HLUSD gas)
Achievement #15: HeLa Bridge — Cross-Chain Asset Transfers
The HeLa Bridge enables users to move assets between:
- Ethereum and HeLa
- Binance Smart Chain and HeLa
- Other EVM-compatible chains
Strategic Importance:
Cross-chain bridges are critical infrastructure. Without them, HeLa would be an isolated ecosystem. The HeLa Bridge connects HeLa to the broader crypto economy, allowing:
- Users to bring ETH, USDC, USDT, and other assets to HeLa
- DeFi protocols to access liquidity from multiple chains
- Developers to deploy multi-chain applications
Achievement #16: Provident Capital — DeFi Financial Services
Provident Capital provides:
- Investment options leveraging blockchain transparency
- Lending and borrowing protocols
- Financial services for both individuals and institutions
Achievement #17: Additional dApps — BlazPay, RuckusMarket
HeLa's ecosystem includes:
- BlazPay: Payment solutions enabling HLUSD transactions for merchants
- RuckusMarket: NFT marketplace for digital collectibles and assets
The Ecosystem Count:
By mid-2025, HeLa has 6+ live dApps operational on mainnet, demonstrating real developer activity and user engagement.
Part 4: The AI Integration — "Your AI. Your Yields. One Chain."
In 2024-2025, HeLa pivoted to become an AI-first blockchain, integrating artificial intelligence capabilities natively into the protocol.
Achievement #18: AI Layer Integration
HeLa added a dedicated AI Layer to their modular architecture, enabling:
- On-chain AI agents
- Machine learning model execution
- Real-time IoT data processing
- AI-powered smart contract automation
HeLa VM (Virtual Machine):
HeLa built a computation-first virtual machine optimized for:
- Heavy workloads like machine learning
- Real-time data streaming from IoT devices
- Zero-Knowledge Proof generation for AI model verification
Why AI + Blockchain Matters:
Most blockchains can't handle AI workloads—the computational requirements are too high. HeLa designed their infrastructure specifically to support AI:
- Verifiable off-chain computation using ZK proofs
- Secure AI model execution without exposing training data
- Decentralized GPU compute partnerships (reducing costs)
Achievement #19: Became one of the first Layer 1 blockchains to natively integrate AI computation capabilities, positioning HeLa at the intersection of two transformative technologies.
Achievement #20: AI Integration Toolkit Launch (Q1 2025)
HeLa released an AI Integration Toolkit allowing developers to:
- Deploy AI models on HeLa's decentralized compute network
- Build AI-powered dApps with low latency and high security
- Access pre-trained models for common use cases
- Leverage ZK proofs for private AI inference
Real-World Applications:
HeLa's AI capabilities enable use cases like:
- AI-generated NFTs and music streaming
- Predictive analytics for DeFi protocols
- Personalized user experiences in gaming
- Fraud detection in real-time payments
Achievement #21: Strategic AI Partnerships
HeLa partnered with multiple AI-focused projects, hosting AMAs and joint initiatives with:
- GMatrix: AI-powered data analytics
- Strant AI: Enterprise AI solutions
- Validium Network: Zero-knowledge AI verification
These partnerships accelerate AI adoption on HeLa while bringing specialized expertise to the ecosystem.
Achievement #22: Brand Positioning — "Your AI. Your Yields. One Chain."
HeLa rebranded with a clear value proposition: "Your AI. Your Yields. One Chain."
This positioning:
- Differentiates HeLa from generic Layer 1s
- Communicates dual value: AI capabilities + DeFi yields
- Targets developers building AI-powered applications
The messaging resonated, driving increased developer interest and community engagement.
Part 5: Real-World Adoption — Beyond Crypto Use Cases
HeLa's most impressive achievements involve solving problems for traditional industries, not just crypto enthusiasts.
Achievement #23: AIR Lab Proof-of-Concept — Aviation Identity Management
In Q1 2025, HeLa Labs completed a Proof-of-Concept with AIR Lab, an aviation innovation center supported by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS).
The Project:
HeLa explored how Decentralized Identifiers (DID) and Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKP) could create:
- Secure, privacy-preserving access for users across multiple air traffic management (ATM) stakeholders
- Verifiable credentials without exposing sensitive personal data
- Interoperable identity systems for international aviation
Why This Is Huge:
Aviation is a highly regulated, security-critical industry. The fact that CAAS—a government aviation authority—chose to pilot blockchain-based identity with HeLa validates:
- Technical maturity of HeLa's privacy features
- Compliance readiness for regulated industries
- Real-world applicability beyond speculative crypto use cases
The Result:
Testing was successfully completed, opening possibilities for blockchain-based identity in critical infrastructure sectors like transportation, healthcare, and government services.
Achievement #24: Became one of the first blockchain projects to successfully pilot with a government aviation authority, demonstrating enterprise-grade security and privacy.
Achievement #25: Focus on Real-World Adoption — Stablecoin Commerce
HeLa's stablecoin-first design makes it ideal for:
- Cross-border remittances: Send HLUSD globally with near-zero fees
- Merchant payments: Accept stablecoin payments without volatility risk
- Payroll: Pay employees in HLUSD, avoiding crypto price fluctuations
- B2B settlements: Instant, low-cost business transactions
Early Traction:
BlazPay (HeLa's payment solution) is being piloted by merchants in Southeast Asia for accepting HLUSD payments, demonstrating real-world commerce adoption.
Part 6: Community and Ecosystem Growth
HeLa's community has been a driving force behind its success.
Achievement #26: Over 14 Major Events in 2024
HeLa participated in or sponsored over 14 blockchain events in 2024, including:
- TOKEN2049 Singapore: One of the world's largest crypto conferences
- Devcon 2024 in Bangkok: Contributing to Ethereum development discussions
- Taipei Blockchain Week: Networking with Asian industry leaders
- Next Gen by WA Web3 Organization: Engaging with Web3 innovators
- Global Blockchain Show: Coverage in mainstream media
The Impact:
These events:
- Built brand recognition in key markets (Asia, Europe, North America)
- Attracted developers, investors, and enterprise partners
- Positioned HeLa as a thought leader in modular blockchain architecture
Achievement #27: Media Coverage and Recognition
HeLa has been featured in:
- The Straits Times (Singapore's leading newspaper)
- Cointelegraph (major crypto media outlet)
- Global Blockchain Show (industry publication)
- CoinTrust and Coinfomania (blockchain news sites)
Achievement #28: Built credibility through consistent media presence and thought leadership, differentiating from projects relying solely on paid promotion.
Achievement #29: Ambassador and Influencer Programs
HeLa launched:
- HeLa Influencer Club: For content creators, KOLs, and community advocates
- Ambassador Program: Empowering individuals to represent HeLa and grow the community
- Developer Discord Channel: Dedicated space for builder discussions and support
Community Roles:
HeLa created a gamified role system rewarding contributors:
- Snapshot Master, Visionary Artist, Sticker Maker
- HeLa Elite, Legendary Inviter
- HeLa Master, HeLa Legendary, HeLa Mythical
- OG, Early Birds, Super HeLa Rangers
These roles aren't just titles—they unlock exclusive benefits, early access to features, and eligibility for token airdrops.
Achievement #30: $100M+ in Planned Ecosystem Development
HeLa has committed significant capital to ecosystem growth:
- Grant programs for developers building on HeLa
- Partnerships with industry leaders
- Hackathons, webinars, and educational initiatives
- Investment in marketing and community building
The Investment Philosophy:
Rather than spending on speculative marketing, HeLa invests in:
- Technical infrastructure
- Developer tools and documentation
- Real-world partnerships
- Sustainable community growth
This approach attracts serious builders, not just speculators.
Part 7: The Token Launch and Governance
Achievement #31: HeLa Token (HELA) — Upcoming Launch
The HELA token is planned for launch in 2025, serving multiple functions:
- Governance: Token holders vote on protocol upgrades and ecosystem fund allocations
- Staking Rewards: Validators and delegators earn HELA for securing the network
- Proof of Compute: Rewards for providing AI computation resources
- Ecosystem Grants: Funding for projects building on HeLa
Pre-Sale Access:
HELA tokens are available through partner dApps like UpSwap, giving early supporters access before public launch.
Airdrop Eligibility:
Community members with Atlantia NFTs (OG, Early Birds, Super HeLa Rangers), Zealy NFT holders, and Early Supporter roles are eligible for TGE (Token Generation Event) airdrops.
Achievement #32: Designed a token with clear utility and value accrual mechanisms, avoiding the "governance token with no purpose" trap that plagues many projects.
Achievement #33: Decentralized Governance Implementation (2025)
In November 2024, HeLa announced plans for fully decentralized governance, transitioning control from the founding team to the community.
What This Means:
- HELA stakers can propose and vote on protocol changes
- Guardian Node operators have governance rights proportional to staked amount
- Community treasury allocation decisions made through on-chain voting
- Transparent decision-making for partnerships and strategic direction
This transition aligns with Web3 principles and ensures long-term community alignment.
Part 8: Technical Performance and Security
Achievement #34: Zero Major Security Incidents
Since mainnet launch, HeLa has maintained:
- Zero critical bugs requiring emergency patches
- Zero successful hacks or exploits
- 100% uptime for core infrastructure
- No loss of user funds
This track record is exceptional for a new blockchain and reflects the quality of the 18-month development cycle with A*STAR IHPC.
Achievement #35: Energy-Efficient Consensus
HeLa is committed to eco-friendly blockchain development, utilizing energy-efficient consensus mechanisms that:
- Consume minimal electricity compared to proof-of-work chains
- Reduce carbon footprint through optimized validator operations
- Support sustainability goals without compromising security
As Co-founder Kerching Choo stated: "While developing powerful and secure infrastructure, we're committed to eco-friendly chain development, reducing our carbon footprint while driving blockchain innovation."
Achievement #36: EVM Compatibility
HeLa's EVM compatibility allows:
- Ethereum developers to deploy on HeLa with minimal code changes
- Access to mature Ethereum tooling (Remix, Hardhat, Truffle)
- Cross-chain composability with Ethereum dApps
- Faster developer onboarding (no need to learn new languages)
Why This Matters:
Ethereum has the largest developer community in blockchain. By offering EVM compatibility, HeLa taps into this talent pool without requiring developers to learn new frameworks.
Part 9: The Competitive Positioning
HeLa isn't just another Layer 1. It's positioned uniquely at the intersection of multiple trends.
How HeLa Compares to Competitors
vs. Ethereum:
- Faster: Sub-second finality vs. 12-15 seconds
- Cheaper: Stable gas fees vs. fluctuating $1-100 costs
- AI-Native: Built-in AI layer vs. requiring external solutions
- Trade-off: Smaller ecosystem (for now) vs. Ethereum's maturity
vs. Solana:
- More Stable: Stable gas fees vs. volatile SOL
- Privacy-Focused: ZK proofs and homomorphic encryption built-in
- AI-Optimized: Native AI compute vs. general-purpose execution
- Trade-off: Lower raw TPS (for now) vs. Solana's 65,000 TPS
vs. Polygon, Avalanche, Other Layer 1s:
- Stablecoin-Native: HLUSD as gas vs. volatile native tokens
- Modular Architecture: Independently upgradeable layers
- Government Partnerships: AIR Lab/CAAS pilot validates credibility
- AI Integration: First-class AI support vs. afterthought implementations
Achievement #37: Carved out a defensible niche as the AI-first, stablecoin-powered Layer 1 for real-world adoption—avoiding head-to-head competition with entrenched players.
Part 10: Looking Ahead — 2025 and Beyond
HeLa's roadmap for 2025 includes several exciting initiatives:
Planned Achievements for 2025
1. HELA Token Launch and Exchange Listings
- Public token sale
- Listings on major centralized exchanges (CEX)
- Decentralized exchange (DEX) liquidity
2. Decentralized GPU Compute Network
- Partnership with decentralized compute providers
- Reduced AI inference costs by 40-60%
- Improved fault tolerance through distributed architecture
3. Expanded dApp Ecosystem
- 20+ dApps across DeFi, gaming, AI, and enterprise sectors
- Developer grants and hackathons to accelerate growth
- Integration with major Web2 platforms
4. Cross-Chain Interoperability
- Bridges to additional blockchains (Polygon, Avalanche, Arbitrum)
- Support for multi-chain assets and liquidity
- Seamless user experience across ecosystems
5. Enterprise Adoption Initiatives
- Follow-up pilots with aviation and logistics sectors
- Partnerships with financial institutions for HLUSD adoption
- Government blockchain pilots for identity and supply chain
6. Geographic Expansion
- Focus on Southeast Asia, Europe, and Latin America
- Localized community building and developer support
- Regulatory engagement in key markets
Conclusion: From Vision to Reality
HeLa Labs launched in July 2023 with an ambitious vision: build a blockchain that brings Web3 to the real world through stable fees, privacy, AI integration, and enterprise-grade security.
In less than two years, they've delivered:
✅ Technical Milestones:
- Mainnet launch (May 2024)
- 60,000+ active wallets on Atlantia
- 20 million HLPoints distributed
- 6+ live dApps
- Zero major security incidents
- HLUSD maintaining perfect $1.00 peg
✅ Ecosystem Growth:
- Guardian Node Sale successfully subscribed
- HLUSD listed on Biconomy and CoinGecko
- StableHodl offering 15% APY
- Partnerships across AI, aviation, and enterprise sectors
✅ Recognition and Validation:
- Won Huawei Cloud Startup Ignite 2023
- Partnership with A*STAR IHPC
- AIR Lab/CAAS aviation pilot completed
- Featured in The Straits Times, Cointelegraph, and major media
✅ Innovation Leadership:
- First stablecoin-powered Layer 1
- AI-native blockchain with dedicated AI layer
- Modular architecture for independent scalability
- Privacy-preserving identity solutions
These aren't promises. These are achievements delivered in production.
HeLa isn't competing to be the fastest blockchain or the cheapest. They're building infrastructure for the next generation of blockchain applications—where:
- Businesses can budget expenses predictably (stable gas fees)
- Users control their data and identity (DID + ZK proofs)
- AI models run securely on-chain (AI layer)
- Real-world industries adopt blockchain (aviation, payments, identity)
As the blockchain industry matures from speculation to utility, projects like HeLa—with real technology, real partnerships, and real achievements—will define the future.
The question isn't whether HeLa will succeed. The question is: will other blockchains catch up before HeLa dominates the real-world adoption category?
Based on their track record, I wouldn't bet against them.
Ready to explore HeLa Network?
- Official Website: helalabs.com
- Documentation: docs.helachain.com
- Atlantia Platform: atlantia.helalabs.com
- Discord Community: discord.gg/helalabs
- X (Twitter): @Hela_Network
Join the movement bringing Web3 to the real world. Your AI. Your Yields. One Chain.
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