Glue

What Glue does

Glue (legal entity: Adhesive Association, Cayman Islands; operations in Zug, Switzerland) is a blockchain infrastructure company building a Substrate-based, EVM-compatible Layer 1 with three interconnected, use-case-optimized Layer 2s (Finance, Gaming, and Payments/Asset Transfer). Cross-Consensus Messaging (XCM) enables native L2-to-L2 communication without third-party bridges, and the unified $GLUE token is used for transaction fees, staking, and Service Layer payments across the entire stack. The company was founded in 2021 and operates with 11–50 employees.

The company's flagship consumer-facing product is Glue Hub (hub.glue.net), a DeFi platform positioned to deliver centralized-exchange-like usability (Coinbase, Binance, Gemini parity) with onchain self-custody, automatic 2/4 multi-signature security on every transaction, and a Glue Service Layer that allows third-party providers (insurance, tax, customer support, wallet recovery) to monetize services within the ecosystem. The platform targets mainstream crypto users and DeFi beginners who are unwilling or unable to manage complex wallet flows, with security positioned as the primary differentiator: co-founder "Ogle" is credited with helping recover over $450 million in cryptocurrencies from Euler, Curve/Alchemix and Kyberswap incidents, and the protocol has been audited by Hashlock.

Glue's monetization is transaction-fee-driven: GLUE is required for gas across L1 and L2s, a portion of each fee funds the Glue Security Fund, and staking secures the network. The company has not yet charged Service Fees on Glue Hub and reserves the right to introduce them later. Capital has been raised through a $2.5M seed round (Feb 2022, individual investors + co-founders), an Angel round of ~$3.05M at $0.253/token, a Fjord Foundry LBP community round of ~$2.62M at $0.750/token, and a public token sale live at $0.850 with staking-vault bonuses (6/12/24 months). Token Generation Event and mainnet launch are scheduled for January 1, 2025; the public sale implies a fully diluted market capitalization of approximately $105M.

Name

Glue

Legal name

Adhesive Association

Website

https://glue.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Glue is a Substrate-based Layer 1 blockchain with three use-case-optimized Layer 2s (Finance, Gaming, Payments) and a flagship Glue Hub that delivers centralized-exchange-style UX with onchain self-custody for mainstream crypto users and DeFi beginners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Blockchain Infrastructure / Decentralized Finance (DeFi)

NAICS

Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518)

SIC

Security & Commodity Brokers, Dealers, Exchanges & Services (6200)

akta.pro primary industry

Cross-Chain Developer Tooling (messaging SDKs, relayers, interoperability APIs) (FSAPABAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Interoperability & Cross-Chain Infrastructure (Bridges, Messaging, Atomic Swaps) (FSAGAMAI), Relayer/Validator Networks & Middleware (relayer marketplaces, keeper networks) (FSAPAKAG), Cross-Chain Wallet & Asset Routing Infrastructure (FSADACAJ)

Keywords

• Multi-chain blockchain ecosystem
• Decentralized finance platform
• Layer 2 scaling networks
• Blockchain security infrastructure
• Crypto services marketplace

Headquarters

HQ city

Zug

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Transaction fees (GLUE token): The GLUE token is used to pay transaction fees across the Layer 1 and all Layer 2s of the Glue ecosystem. A portion of each transaction fee also funds the Glue Security Fund.
2. Service Layer payments: Third-party service providers set their own fees for services (customer support, insurance, portfolio management, tax assistance) delivered through the Glue Service Layer. Providers can charge monthly, per-transaction, or as a multiple of gas fees. Glue enables and facilitates these transactions using the GLUE token.
3. Third-party fees (future service fees): Glue Hub currently does not charge fees for its services but reserves the right to introduce Service Fees in the future, potentially as a percentage of transaction amounts. dApps and third-party service providers may also charge their own Third Party Fees.
4. Staking and network security: The GLUE token is used to secure the network through staking. Stakers earn rewards and early participants in the token sale can earn bonus tokens by staking for 6, 12, or 24 months.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Glue operates a native multi-chain blockchain ecosystem — a Substrate-based Layer 1 with three interconnected Layer 2s (Finance, Gaming, and Asset Transfer/Payments) connected via Cross-Consensus Messaging (XCM). Its flagship consumer-facing product, the Glue Hub, is a DeFi application that delivers a centralized-exchange-like user experience while keeping assets onchain with automatic 2/4 multi-signature security. The ecosystem is unified by the $GLUE token and extended through the Glue Service Layer, a protocol-native marketplace where third-party providers offer customer support, insurance, tax, and wallet-recovery services paid in GLUE.

Product overview

Glue is a blockchain ecosystem built for everyone, consisting of a Layer 1 blockchain powered by Substrate technology, three interconnected Layer 2s (Finance, Gaming, and Payments), the flagship Glue Hub platform, and the Glue Service Layer. The unified $GLUE token underpins the entire ecosystem. The architecture combines Substrate's flexibility with EVM compatibility, enabling cross-chain communication via XCM technology. The ecosystem includes a Security Fund and Bug Bounty Program to protect users.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Glue Hub: Decentralized finance platform offering trade, earn, and invest functionalities with the simplicity of a centralized exchange but security of onchain experience
• Glue Service Layer
• Glue Blockchain

Products and services

• Glue Hub Flagship decentralized finance application offering the simplicity and convenience of a centralized exchange combined with the security and breadth of onchain dApps. Lets users buy, sell, earn, and invest in crypto, access risk-based strategies, and track portfolios while assets remain in personal wallets with multi-signature security.
• Glue Blockchain (Layer 1) Substrate-based, EVM-compatible Layer 1 blockchain that provides security and consensus for the Glue ecosystem and anchors the three interconnected Layer 2s via Cross-Consensus Messaging (XCM).
• Glue Service Layer Protocol-native marketplace integrated into the Glue blockchain where third-party providers offer services such as customer support, insurance, portfolio management, tax assistance, and wallet recovery to ecosystem users, paid in GLUE.
• $GLUE Token Native unified token used for transaction fees, staking, and ecosystem participation across the Glue Layer 1, all Layer 2s, and applications within the Glue Hub. Total supply of 1,000,000,000 tokens with public sale marketcap of approximately $105 million.
• Glue Security Fund On-chain fund that supports ecosystem security developments, provides free neutral ecosystem audits for top projects, and aids in the recovery of stolen funds on Glue. Funded by a portion of every transaction fee.
• Glue Finance Layer (L2) Layer 2 blockchain optimized for decentralized finance applications, providing high censorship resistance and supporting DeFi primitives such as staking, multi-yield strategies, borrowing, and lending.
• Glue Gaming Layer (L2) Layer 2 blockchain optimized for gaming applications, featuring high throughput, low fees, and fewer block verifications for low-value in-game actions and asset transfers.
• Glue Payments Layer (Asset Transfer L2) Layer 2 blockchain optimized for payments and asset transfer, providing additional verifications per block for higher-value transactions and enabling decentralized minting, burning, and transferring of in-game assets.
• Glue Token Presale (Public Sale) Public token sale of GLUE with optional staking-vault tiers (6, 12, or 24 months) that grant bonus tokens, used to fund ecosystem growth ahead of the Mainnet Launch.

Quantifiable outcome

• Buy any crypto onchain in under 5 minutes
• +2 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• LayerZerocoreTechnology or IntegrationLayerZero integration enables cross-chain transfers within the Glue ecosystem. LayerZero founder Bryan Pellegrino publicly endorsed Glue as 'tackling one of the biggest challenges in crypto adoption', providing a prominent third-party validation. The integration allows Glue to support omnichain interoperability without relying on traditional bridges.
• AcurastcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with Acurast provides decentralized compute capabilities for the Glue ecosystem, further enhancing decentralization of core infrastructure services.
• EigenLayercoreTechnology or IntegrationEigenLayer integration is listed as a partner/provider, suggesting restaking or shared security capabilities that enhance Glue's network security model.
• StorkcoreTechnology or IntegrationStork oracle service integration provides real-world data feeds to the Glue ecosystem, enabling price oracles for DeFi applications built on the platform.
• BanxacoreTechnology or IntegrationBanxa partnership enables fiat-to-crypto on-ramps, facilitating retail adoption by allowing users to purchase crypto using traditional currency on the Glue platform.
• VenncoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with Venn enhances Glue's ecosystem security. Venn is a security-focused partner that works alongside Glue's own security measures including the multi-signature model, Glue Security Fund, and bug bounty program.
• MessariminorOthersMessari is listed as a partner/provider. Messari provides market data, research, and analytics services for the crypto industry.
• HashlockcoreTechnology or IntegrationHashlock, the leading blockchain auditor, conducted a comprehensive security audit of the entire Glue blockchain. The Glue Guarantee requires all applications on the Glue Hub to pass thorough audits by Hashlock before being featured.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Polkadot: Glue is built on Substrate and directly inherits Polkadot's architecture, including XCM-style cross-consensus messaging. Polkadot is the most direct architectural and technical peer, also offering a relay chain with use-case-optimized parachains.
• Avalanche: Listed as a Glue partner, Avalanche offers a comparable multi-chain architecture with customizable subnets optimized for different use cases, competing for the same DeFi and gaming developer mindshare.
• Cosmos: Cosmos pioneered app-chain architecture with IBC cross-chain messaging, the conceptual analog of Glue's XCM and three L2s. Both target interoperability-first, use-case-optimized chain design.
• LayerZero: Glue's core cross-chain messaging partner. LayerZero provides the omnichain messaging infrastructure Glue leverages, and is itself a direct competitor to XCM-style interoperability at the application layer.
• Wormhole: Cross-chain bridge and messaging protocol providing interoperability across many of the same chains Glue targets. Both compete for cross-chain asset and message routing workloads.
• Axelar: Cross-chain interoperability network offering general message passing and bridging, functionally overlapping with Glue's XCM and LayerZero integration thesis.

Broad incumbents

• Coinbase: The centralized-exchange experience Glue explicitly benchmarks against ('Unlike centralized exchanges like Coinbase, Gemini or Binance, everything on Glue exists onchain'). Coinbase is the reference incumbent for Glue's target retail crypto user.
• Uniswap: The leading decentralized exchange that Glue Hub competes with on the trading and DeFi hub axis. Glue positions itself as a more user-friendly, secure alternative to Uniswap's DEX interface.

Emerging players

• Acurast: Listed as a Glue partner providing decentralized compute for the Glue ecosystem. Operates in the adjacent decentralized-infrastructure category that supports Glue's multi-layer architecture.

Others

• EigenLayer: Listed as a Glue partner enabling restaking-based shared security. Operates as an enabling restaking layer that Glue leverages for its security model rather than as a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/GlueNet
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@GlueNet

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Glue