Axelar and Microsoft are pleased to announce a partnership that aims for better integration of Web3 and traditional internet systems. The partnership will explore ways public blockchains can can help secure trust and speed integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in mainstream use cases.

The partnership aims to advance blockchain adoption through the construction of a data integration and interoperability layer that will enable easier blockchain onramps for everyone, from enterprises to Web3 startups.

Axelar has formed similar partnerships with enterprise-level companies, including Mastercard, which recently announced Axelar’s participation in its Start Path program. Like Microsoft, Mastercard is an innovator in data systems that operate at a global scale. Along with Axelar, these firms share a vision of integration between public blockchains and the private systems that already power world commerce and information exchange.

Tldr

• Axelar's blockchain data integration and interoperability solutions will be available to Microsoft customers via Azure Marketplace.
• Axelar and Microsoft have also agreed to explore connecting private with public blockchains and leveraging Azure OpenAI services to create entirely new experiences in Web3.

Azure Marketplace integration

As part of the partnership, Axelar's blockchain data integration and interoperability solutions will be available to Microsoft customers via Azure Marketplace, the software discovery & integration platform used by Microsoft's thousands of cloud computing infrastructure customers.

This addresses a pain point for those looking to integrate blockchain technology in their internet applications: the current market offers limited options for developers and organizations who want to enable one-click user interoperability spanning multiple blockchain ecosystems. Axelar’s secure cross-chain communication network addresses this need and, through this partnership, adds the global reach and scale of Microsoft Azure.

Through this partnership, Microsoft Azure Marketplace customers will gain access to:

• An end-to-end blockchain interoperability solution that is programmable and secure.
• Full-stack interoperability: services and developer tools that automate multichain deployments.
• Axelar General Message Passing (GMP), enabling developers to integrate functionality seamlessly across multiple environments.

"We are excited to collaborate with Axelar to accelerate blockchain integration and deliver valuable solutions to our customers," said Daniel An, director of business development, Microsoft Web3 & AI. "By leveraging our strengths and expertise, we can empower organizations to embrace blockchain technology and transform their operations.”

AI exploration

In addition to integrations via Azure Marketplace, Axelar and Microsoft have also agreed to explore innovative solutions that will further advance the maturity of the Web3 industry, such as seamlessly connecting private with public blockchains and leveraging Azure OpenAI services to create entirely new experiences in Web3.

"Axelar’s mission is to make the innovation on leading blockchains accessible and effortless to deploy for a new generation of interchain-native Web3 apps," said Axelar co-founder Sergey Gorbunov. "The shared vision inspired us to partner with Microsoft to provide an extensible interoperability layer for the Azure community, from fast-growing Web3 startups to global enterprises. With Microsoft, we are now also able to explore the possibility for other new frontiers in Web3, such as blockchain-enabled Open AI services and the integration of AI in future Web3 applications.”

What’s next?

Whether you’re working in traditional internet applications, or in Web3, if you’re interested in building technology that connects these two worlds to cross new frontiers:

💬 Talk to us: Join discord.gg/axelar & claim developer role.

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