Subzero Labs — a startup that emerged from stealth in 2025 with a mission to reshape the Web3 development landscape. With $20M in funding and a unique approach to building its blockchain network Rialo, the company is already setting new standards for decentralized application development, merging Web2 familiarity with Web3 scalability.
Table of Contents
- Origins and Strategy of Subzero Labs
- Architecture and Advantages
- Team and Investors
- Potential Use Cases
- Current Status and Roadmap
- Conclusion
1. Origins and Strategy of Subzero Labs
Subzero Labs made its debut in the summer of 2025, securing $20M in a seed round led by Pantera Capital, with participation from key Web3 venture investors. This funding serves as the foundation for Rialo — a blockchain platform built around real-world use cases rather than short-term speculation.
Co-founders Ade Adepoju and Lu Zhang previously worked at Mysten Labs (Sui). Adepoju contributed to Netflix infrastructure and AMD microprocessors, while Zhang worked on Diem (Meta) and AI infrastructure at Meta and Google. Their goal is to bring Web3 development closer to the convenience of Web2, delivering speed, scalability, and easy integration.
2. Architecture and Advantages
Rialo is not just a blockchain — it’s a comprehensive infrastructure platform designed for developers accustomed to Web2 speed and flexibility. Its architecture blends reactive web programming paradigms with the benefits of decentralized technology. This enables the creation of dApps that operate at Internet scale while offering native integration with external data and robust scalability tools.
- Web2-level speed and responsiveness: eliminates latency issues and enables real-time interactions familiar from modern web apps.
- Native web integration: direct access to external data, including credit scores (FICO), without intermediaries or oracles.
- RISC-V + Solana VM: supports RISC-V architecture and Solana Virtual Machine compatibility, easing migration of existing solutions.
- Privacy and scalability: built-in data protection and the ability to handle high-throughput applications.
This foundation allows Rialo to deliver secure, data-rich, high-performance applications that rival centralized services in usability while preserving Web3’s decentralized advantages.
3. Team and Investors
Subzero Labs has assembled a world-class team with backgrounds at Meta, Apple, Netflix, Google, TikTok, Citadel, Mysten Labs, Solana, and other major Web3 companies. This mix of skills across high-load systems, decentralized protocols, and user experience design enables the creation of powerful, developer-friendly solutions.
Funding was spearheaded by Pantera Capital and joined by Coinbase Ventures, Variant, Hashed, Susquehanna Crypto, Fabric Ventures, Mysten Labs, and other leading funds. According to Paul Veradittakit (Pantera), Rialo is “a full-featured network built by developers for developers,” reflecting the project’s strong practical focus.
With top-tier talent and strategic backing, Subzero Labs is well-positioned for long-term growth, product expansion, and leadership in Web3 infrastructure.
4. Potential Use Cases
Rialo is designed as a versatile blockchain capable of serving diverse industries. Its architecture enables deployment of decentralized solutions where previously only complex, costly infrastructure could work. With native web connectivity and an event-driven development model, it shortens development timelines from months to weeks.
| Use Case | Description |
|---|---|
| Asset Tokenization | Digitizing real-world assets with transparent integration and legal compliance. |
| Prediction Markets & Trading | Scalable, highly responsive environments for trading platforms and betting systems. |
| AI Agent Orchestration | Deploying on-chain AI with direct access to external data, without intermediaries. |
| Interactive Applications | Event-driven dApps matching Web2 services in usability and performance. |
These scenarios highlight Rialo’s flexibility for finance, healthcare, logistics, education, and gaming. Its integration with external data and support for complex computations reduces infrastructure costs and accelerates product launches, making it a compelling choice for developers seeking competitive, sustainable Web3 applications.
6. Conclusion
Subzero Labs’ vision shows that the future of Web3 lies not only in transaction speed or low fees but also in building a safe, intuitive environment for both developers and users. Rialo has the potential to become a key bridge between the traditional internet and decentralized systems, offering tools that make blockchain integration as natural as API integration in Web2.
If the company maintains its technical leadership and expands its library of ready-to-use solutions, it could set a new industry standard and lay the foundation for the next wave of mass Web3 adoption. In this way, Subzero Labs is not just building a tech platform — it is creating a bridge between today’s digital experiences and the decentralized economy, making it an integral part of daily life and business.
