Unto Labs is paving the way for a new Layer 1 blockchain architecture with its platform Thru and its custom virtual machine, ThruVM. By leveraging RISC-V architecture, the project aims to solve challenges in scalability, speed, and accessibility for developers.
Contents
- Overview of Unto Labs
- ThruVM — The Core of Innovation
- Technical Architecture and RISC-V Integration
- Funding and Strategic Development
- Conclusion
1. Overview of Unto Labs
Unto Labs, founded by Liam Heeger and Will Yoo, is developing a Layer 1 blockchain named Thru, designed to overcome the limitations of platforms like Ethereum and Solana. At the core of Thru’s architecture lies the custom virtual machine ThruVM, built on the open RISC-V standard.
The platform focuses on high performance, flexibility, and developer accessibility. With compatibility for mainstream programming languages and a modular design, Thru provides a robust infrastructure for scalable and complex decentralized applications, making Web3 development more efficient and accessible.
The project aims to merge low-level system performance with blockchain openness and decentralization, creating a sustainable ecosystem for future Web3 solutions.
2. ThruVM — The Core of Innovation
At the heart of Thru’s technology is ThruVM — a specialized virtual machine built from the ground up on RISC-V architecture. Unlike traditional VMs, ThruVM represents a fundamentally new approach to virtual execution in a blockchain environment. This deep level of control allows Unto developers to implement optimizations not possible with existing machines like EVM or WASM.
ThruVM’s architectural advantages include:
- Performance Optimization: RISC-V’s modular nature enables customized VMs optimized for specific tasks, dramatically improving transaction processing and reducing latency.
- Developer Accessibility: Support for languages like Rust, C, and C++ makes it easier for Web2 developers to transition into Web3 with familiar tools.
- Open Source: RISC-V’s open architecture promotes experimentation, collaboration, and fast innovation, reducing reliance on proprietary standards.
ThruVM brings together the flexibility of traditional systems programming with the transparency and security of blockchain, opening up new possibilities for building scalable, high-performance decentralized apps.
3. Technical Architecture and RISC-V Integration
Thru is built as a high-performance and adaptive infrastructure, ready to evolve with the fast-paced demands of Web3. Its design is centered around low-level customizability at the virtual machine and system execution layer. By choosing RISC-V, Unto Labs has not only created its own VM but also defined new standards for how hardware and software interact in blockchain environments.
RISC-V integration provides Thru with several key technical benefits:
- Modularity: ThruVM’s architecture is highly adaptable, allowing it to be fine-tuned for specific use cases, optimizing resource consumption and scalability.
- Compatibility: The VM supports a wide range of tools and libraries, simplifying the transition for developers and enabling seamless dApp development.
- Enhanced Security: Thru incorporates advanced cryptographic techniques and contract-level execution isolation to ensure robust protection of user transactions and smart contracts.
This architecture allows Thru to go beyond the limitations of current virtual machines and deliver an open, flexible, and secure approach to blockchain infrastructure — potentially positioning it as a next-generation Web3 standard.
4. Funding and Strategic Development
Understanding the need for sustainable growth and technical leadership, Unto Labs has built a solid financial and organizational foundation. In April 2025, the team raised $14.4 million in a funding round led by Framework Ventures and Electric Capital, signaling strong trust from top-tier investors.
Funds are allocated across the following strategic areas:
| Area | Description |
|---|---|
| Team Expansion | Growing the engineering and research teams to accelerate development and enhance the architecture of Thru and ThruVM. |
| Infrastructure Development | Scaling testnets, improving system reliability, and preparing for the mainnet launch. |
| Community Support | Launching grant programs, organizing hackathons, creating educational materials, and supporting dApp ecosystem initiatives. |
These investments create strategic opportunities for Unto Labs to build a mature ecosystem around Thru. The project is committed to long-term development where technological progress is paired with open community building, attracting developers, researchers, and users aligned with scalable and effective Web3 infrastructure.
5. Conclusion
The Thru project by Unto Labs is a bold and timely initiative to rethink Layer 1 architecture in a decentralized, performance-driven world. Using RISC-V as the foundation for ThruVM enables a new level of performance, modularity, and accessibility for developers.
Unto Labs is not just building another blockchain — it is creating a comprehensive ecosystem where every component, from VM to interface, is engineered with real Web3 needs in mind. Backed by leading investors and guided by a clear technical vision, the project is already earning its place among the most promising infrastructure plays in the blockchain space.
Thru has the potential to become more than a blockchain — it can evolve into a durable foundation for the next generation of decentralized systems, from high-performance DeFi and NFT platforms to digital identity and enterprise solutions. In a world where Web3 demands speed, security, and adaptability, projects like Thru are laying the groundwork for the internet’s next evolution.
