Upbit partners with Optimism to launch GIWA Chain, an Ethereum Layer 2 with self-managed sequencer control.

South Korea's Upbit has teamed up with Optimism to create GIWA Chain, an Ethereum Layer 2 blockchain where Upbit will independently operate its own sequencer under the Self-Managed OP Enterprise tier. This setup allows Upbit to control transaction ordering and fee collection, critical for compliance and business, while receiving technical support and failover safeguards from Optimism. GIWA Chain aims to support Upbit's expanding blockchain financial services and has already gone live on testnet. This move reflects a broader trend of large operators seeking operational independence in blockchain infrastructure to better serve institutional clients.