What Is XDC Network (XDC): A Enterprise-Grade Blockchain For Trade Finance & DeFi

Key Takeaways

• XDC Network is a hybrid blockchain combining public transparency with private network security and speed for enterprise solutions.
• The network uses XinFin Delegated Proof of Stake (XDPoS) consensus mechanism, allowing 2000 transactions per second with 2-second finality.
• As an EVM-compatible blockchain, XDC Network enables seamless migration of Ethereum-based projects while offering lower transaction costs.
• The platform focuses on revolutionizing trade finance through the tokenization of real-world assets and financial instruments.
• XDC token serves as the network’s native cryptocurrency, powering smart contracts, cross-border transactions, and validator incentives.

The global blockchain landscape continues to evolve, with specialized platforms emerging to serve distinct market needs. Among these, XDC Network stands out as a purpose-built solution addressing the challenges of enterprise adoption and trade finance digitization. Formerly known as XinFin Network, this enterprise-ready blockchain protocol combines the transparency of public networks with the security and efficiency of private ones, creating a hybrid solution uniquely positioned for business applications. The XDC token (XDC) serves as the native cryptocurrency that powers the entire ecosystem, from transaction validation to smart contract execution. As of April 9, 2025, XDC is trading at approximately $0.068, with a circulating supply of 15.7 billion tokens and a market capitalization of $1.07 billion, placing it among the top 100 cryptocurrencies by market value.

What Is XDC Network?

XDC Network is an enterprise-grade, open-source blockchain protocol designed to bridge the gap between traditional finance and decentralized technologies. It was built on the paradigm of consortium blockchains, allowing for both public and private data to exist on the chain simultaneously. This distinctive architecture makes it possible for two different kinds of networks to coexist within the XDC ecosystem: a public network that all participants share and a private or permissioned network with restricted participation.

The public state of the XDC blockchain is visible to all participating nodes owned by different constituents, while groups of nodes can form fully permissioned networks with private states accessible only to authorized members. This approach provides businesses with the flexibility to maintain confidential information privately while still benefiting from the transparency and immutability of public blockchain technology. As an EVM-compatible chain with smart contract capabilities, XDC Network is specifically suited to revolutionize and decentralize the trade finance industry through the tokenization of real-world assets and financial instruments.

Who Is Behind XDC Network?

XDC Network was founded in Singapore by Atul Khekade, who focuses on ecosystem development and previously co-founded a multi-million dollar airline chartering company. The core team includes several technology and finance experts: Alan Lai, a blockchain engineer from UC Berkeley; Ankit Patel, who focuses on XDC research and contributed as a Java developer; and Ritesh Kakkad, a co-founder and blockchain strategist who assists with cloud-related infrastructure and hosting solutions.

The project has established significant partnerships within the financial and trade sectors. XDC Network has been selected as the first blockchain company to join the Global Trade Finance Distribution Initiative and has partnerships with R3, a major enterprise blockchain software firm. The World Trade Organization called XinFin’s TradeFinex platform the “network of networks,” highlighting its potential impact on global trade finance. Additionally, the project has connections with various financial institutions, as it’s part of a large consortium partnering with international banks and trade financial organizations.

How XDC Network Works: A Technical Explanation

XDC Network operates on a hybrid blockchain architecture that incorporates elements of both public and private blockchains. The network is built as a fork of Quorum, which was developed by J.P. Morgan, but with significant modifications to enhance performance and functionality for enterprise use cases. One of the most distinctive technical features is its consensus mechanism, XinFin Delegated Proof of Stake (XDPoS), which enables the network to process an impressive 2,000 transactions per second with a 2-second transaction finality while supporting smart contracts.

The hybrid nature of XDC Network creates a unique value proposition for businesses and financial institutions. On the public side, transaction hashes and smart contracts are recorded on the public state of the blockchain, ensuring transparency and immutability. However, the actual private network state is maintained separately within respective networks and is only accessible to authorized participants. This architecture addresses the privacy concerns that many enterprises have about blockchain adoption while still providing the benefits of distributed ledger technology.

As an EVM-compatible blockchain, XDC Network allows developers to seamlessly migrate their Ethereum-based projects to take advantage of faster speeds, better scalability, and lower transaction costs. This compatibility has helped foster a growing ecosystem of decentralized applications on the platform, particularly in the decentralized finance (DeFi) space. The network supports a variety of digital assets and provides extensive composability options for developers, making it versatile for different use cases.

The XDC token plays a central role in the network’s functionality, serving multiple purposes including validator incentives, transaction fees, and governance participation. The token also facilitates cross-border transactions, enabling international wire transfers to be settled faster and more cost-effectively compared to traditional banking systems. This makes XDC Network particularly valuable for global trade finance applications, where it can streamline processes that are typically time-consuming and expensive due to the lack of interoperability between different banking systems.

Current Status of XDC Network In The Wider Ecosystem

XDC Network has positioned itself as a significant player in the enterprise blockchain and trade finance sectors. Its focus on providing solutions for businesses and financial institutions has helped it carve out a niche in an increasingly crowded blockchain landscape. The platform’s ISO 20022 compliance is particularly notable, as this standard facilitates seamless integration with existing financial infrastructure and systems. This compatibility makes XDC Network an attractive option for banks and financial institutions looking to adopt blockchain technology without overhauling their current systems.

In the trade finance sector, XDC Network is making substantial inroads through its TradeFinex platform, which aims to redefine the global trade finance industry by digitalizing the entire process. The platform works closely with solution ecosystem partners to deliver interoperability of Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records (MLETR) solutions and funding for trade documents developed on MLETR-compliant solutions. This approach addresses a significant pain point in global trade, where paperwork and manual processes create inefficiencies and delays.

The XDC ecosystem continues to grow with various projects building on the network. Notable participants include Yieldteq, which offers stable yield-bearing financial instruments as on-chain products; Securitize, a pioneer in the digitization of private market securities on the blockchain; and Fathom, a sustainable liquidity protocol for lending, borrowing, and trading digital assets. Additionally, enterprise-grade digital asset custodian Fireblocks has integrated with XDC Network, providing institutional-grade security for businesses working with XDC tokens.

Despite its potential and technological advantages, XDC Network’s adoption faces challenges including a relatively small community compared to larger blockchain projects and limited exchange listings. The team has been cautious about exchange listings, focusing on those in countries where XDC is recognized as a legal payment system rather than a security, to avoid regulatory issues similar to those faced by other cryptocurrencies.

XDC Network’s Price Journey

XDC has experienced significant price movements since its inception, reflecting both project-specific developments and broader cryptocurrency market trends. In August 2021, XDC reached its all-time high of approximately $0.1928, representing a remarkable growth from its all-time low of $0.0003953 recorded in July 2019. This represents a staggering 17,101% increase from its lowest point to its highest peak.

Throughout 2021 and early 2022, XDC maintained relatively strong performance as the project secured important partnerships and expanded its ecosystem. However, like many cryptocurrencies, it faced downward pressure during the broader market downturn that began in late 2021. By early 2023, the price had consolidated at lower levels before beginning to recover alongside the general cryptocurrency market.

The price journey of XDC has been less volatile than many other cryptocurrencies, potentially reflecting its focus on enterprise adoption rather than retail speculation. As of April 9, 2025, XDC is trading at around $0.068, showing a 49.4% increase over the past year but still 64.7% below its all-time high. This recent positive price action may be attributed to growing institutional interest in enterprise blockchain solutions and the increasing adoption of XDC Network in the trade finance sector.

Current Data & Interesting Statistics About XDC Network

• XDC Network processes 2,000 transactions per second with a 2-second transaction finality, making it significantly faster than many other blockchain networks.
• The total supply of XDC tokens is 37.98 billion, with a circulating supply of approximately 15.7 billion, representing about 41% of the total potential supply.
• XDC Network’s market capitalization of $1.07 billion places it at position #81 on CoinGecko’s cryptocurrency rankings as of early April 2025.
• The 24-hour trading volume for XDC hovers around $39.9-44.7 million, indicating moderate liquidity compared to market capitalization.
• XDC Network has secured partnerships with financial institutions and is recognized by organizations like the World Trade Organization for its TradeFinex platform.
• The network supports a diverse ecosystem with over 20 projects built on it, focusing on real-world asset tokenization, trade finance, and decentralized finance.
• XDC is currently available on 38 exchanges across 58 markets, with major trading venues including HTX, Gate.io, and MEXC.

What Is The Future of XDC Network?

The future outlook for XDC Network appears promising as global adoption of blockchain technology in enterprise settings continues to accelerate. With its focus on trade finance and real-world asset tokenization, XDC is well-positioned to benefit from the growing trend of bringing traditional financial instruments on-chain. The network’s roadmap includes further development of its ecosystem, with emphasis on expanding financial applications and enhancing interoperability with other blockchain networks.

Industry analysts predict significant growth in the tokenization market, with estimates suggesting that hundreds of trillions of dollars worth of real-world assets could be represented on blockchain networks in the coming decade. As an early mover in this space with established financial partnerships, XDC Network has the potential to capture a meaningful portion of this market. Additionally, the network’s compliance with financial standards like ISO 20022 positions it favorably as regulatory frameworks for digital assets continue to evolve globally. The key to XDC Network’s future success will likely be its ability to maintain its enterprise focus while expanding adoption beyond its current partnerships into broader financial markets.

The Enterprise Blockchain With Real-World Utility

XDC Network represents a distinctive approach to blockchain technology that prioritizes practical business applications over theoretical possibilities. By combining the transparency and security of public blockchains with the privacy and efficiency needs of enterprises, it offers a compelling solution for businesses looking to leverage distributed ledger technology. The platform’s focus on trade finance addresses real-world inefficiencies in global commerce, providing tangible benefits rather than speculative use cases. As blockchain technology continues to mature and move beyond the hype cycle into practical implementation, solutions like XDC Network that bridge the gap between traditional finance and decentralized systems may find themselves at an advantage. Whether XDC becomes a dominant player in the enterprise blockchain space will depend on its continued ability to secure meaningful partnerships and demonstrate clear return on investment for its adopters in the increasingly competitive blockchain landscape.