Google Cloud has released details about its new Layer-1 blockchain, the Google Cloud Universal Ledger (GCUL). The platform is positioned as a neutral infrastructure designed specifically for financial services, aiming to integrate traditional financial operations with blockchain technology.

A key feature of GCUL is its use of Python for smart contract development, a move intended to broaden the developer base beyond crypto-native languages. The chain is designed to support "native commercial bank money on-chain," facilitate 24/7 capital markets infrastructure, and enable advanced payment and agentic capabilities.

This development signals a significant move by the tech giant to provide foundational, enterprise-grade infrastructure for regulated industries exploring tokenization and distributed ledger technology.