Clear Street joined XDC Network as an institutional masternode validator

Clear Street Takes on Core Network Infrastructure

@ClearStreetLLC has joined @XDCNetwork as an institutional masternode validator, giving the New York-based financial infrastructure firm a direct role in operating the blockchain's core transaction layer. In the role, Clear Street directly operates core transaction infrastructure, including block validation, ledger maintenance and network governance.

XDC Network is an enterprise-grade, EVM-compatible Layer-1 blockchain purpose-built for trade finance, cross-border payments, and real-world asset tokenization, with its mainnet live since June 2019. The network is designed with applications in trade finance, asset tokenization and other financial market activities.

To participate, masternode operators must contribute a minimum of 10 million $XDC. Only masternodes, known as core validators, are responsible for validating and approving transactions under XDC's proof-of-stake consensus.

Robert Rutherford, chief executive of Clear Street Digital, said: "Compliant public blockchains are becoming part of the capital markets stack, and the firms that build market infrastructure should help operate that layer. Running a masternode validator on XDC Network places Clear Street inside the consensus layer of a network built for payments, trade finance and tokenized real-world assets."

Part of a Broader Institutional Push

Clear Street's addition follows a sustained wave of institutional names entering the XDC validator set. Regulated firms including HashKey Cloud, Animoca Brands, Clearpool, SettleMint, and blockchain security firm CertiK all joined the validator set between April and June, alongside operators already running nodes such as Deutsche Telekom, SBI Holdings, and UOB Venture Management.

In May 2026, tokenized value on XDC crossed $1 billion, with real-world assets accounting for 71.5 percent of the on-chain composition. Unlike networks that lean on anonymous validators, XDC has deliberately courted regulated firms with recognizable names, a choice that fits a chain built around trade finance and tokenized real-world assets.

The appointment expands XDC Network's validator set and deepens the participation of regulated financial institutions in public blockchain infrastructure.

Sources:
XDC Network Adds Clear Street as Institutional Masternode Validator – Bitcoin News
Clear Street Joins XDC Network as Institutional Validator – CoinTrust
From HashKey to SettleMint: XDC's Validator Set Just Went Institutional – Genfinity