· ecosystem · 3 min read
SORA v3 Vision, DeFi Milestones & Polkaswap News – Update #88
Mid-2025 SORA Update #88: DeFi strides, validator fee cuts, SORA Card swaps, JAM-ready parachain fixes & Fujiwara testnet advancing v3 hub-chain vision.
Table of Contents
TL;DR (60-second cheat-sheet)
| Hot off the press | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Validator-claim fee cut ×10 | Smaller gas cost → nominators can harvest rewards weekly instead of quarterly |
| Kusama parachain runtime upgrading for JAM | Unlocks stuck KSM bridge transfers once core-time auctions restart 21 July |
| SORA Card v2: in-app BTC/ETH/USDC ↔ fiat swaps live | Brings SORA closer to mainstream spending; XOR-fiat swaps targeted for Q4 |
| Fujiwara testnet now open to public validators | Stress-tests fees, governance, and CBDC modules ahead of SORA v3 mainnet |
| Hub-chain roadmap with Hyperledger Iroha 2 | Positions SORA to interconnect national CBDCs and unbanked regions |
1 · Integrated Plan: steady as she goes 🚀
The Integrated Plan at sora.org/plan tracks every deliverable in real time.
Headline change: a 90 % drop in validator reward-claim costs, making passive staking far more attractive.
Pro-tip: If you nominate, set an alert to claim at least once a week so rewards don’t pile up unclaimed.
2 · SORA v2 – polishing the on-ramp 💳
2.1 Kusama parachain & bridge
Scarce core-time left a handful of KSM transfers in limbo. Engineers are patch-testing the runtime for JAM compatibility and hoarding core-time before auctions reopen on 21 July. Expect normal bridge flow shortly after.
2.2 Wallet & SORA Card
- Partner wallets – white-label builds for gaming guilds and remittance corridors are already in closed QA.
- Card features – swap BTC, ETH, USDC straight to EUR (and back) inside the app; SEPA IBANs + Apple/Google Pay support included.
- Road-map tease – direct XOR ↔ fiat swaps are pencilled in for later this year once compliance reviews wrap.
Want early access? Join the wait-list at SoraCard.com (first year fee-free for EEA residents).
3 · SORA v3 – one chain, many economies 🌐
“We’re not here for moon-boys; we’re here for the parents who can’t afford dinner.”
SORA v3’s hub-chain (built on Hyperledger Iroha 2) aims to connect local CBDCs, community tokens, and SORA’s own KUSD stable-asset—without gas wars.
Fujiwara Testnet Highlights
| What you can try today | Link |
|---|---|
| 5-minute validator guide | wiki.sora.org – Run a v3 node |
| Fee-model research paper | same page |
| Live pilots to watch | Palau blockchain bonds • PNG CBDC |
4 · Business Track & Builder Resources 🛠️
- SORA Card AMA recap – catch the recording + notes in the pinned post on the official Telegram.
- Brand kit & bug bounties – grab them under Resources at SoraCard.com.
- Custom wallet engagements – DM the dev-relations team on Matrix if you need API access or sandbox KUSD.
5 · Why this matters
Legacy rails leave millions stranded in inflation or conflict zones. SORA’s thesis is simple:
- Non-debt, supranational currency (XOR/KUSD)
- Predictable fees + fast finality
- Bridges to real-world CBDCs and community micro-economies
If it works, a farmer in PNG or a freelancer in Lagos can transact globally—no gatekeepers, no 15 % remittance fee.
6 · Get involved 🤝
- Validate or nominate on Fujiwara—earn testnet rep, learn the tooling.
- Grab SORA Card if you’re in the EEA and want crypto-to-fiat in one tap.
- Join the conversation on Twitter, Telegram, or Reddit.
Further Reading
- Original dev log on Medium – medium.com/sora-xor
- Integrated Plan – sora.org/plan
- SORA Card FAQ – soracard.com/faq
- Polkaswap DEX – polkaswap.io
- Hyperledger Iroha 2 – iroha.tech
Nothing here is financial advice. Always do your own research before interacting with any blockchain or asset.