Microsoft Brings Blockchain Analytics to Fabric Platform with Space and Time Partnership

At a Glance

• Microsoft Fabric welcomes its inaugural web3 data integration through Space & Time, giving developers streamlined access to multiple blockchain networks
• The platform leverages zero-knowledge cryptography for data verification across a distributed validator network
• Microsoft's venture division M12 has previously invested in Space and Time's Series A financing and spearheaded a strategic funding initiative in 2022

Breaking New Ground in Enterprise Blockchain Access

Microsoft has taken a significant step toward bridging traditional enterprise analytics with decentralized finance by incorporating blockchain data streams into its Fabric analytics ecosystem through a newly announced collaboration with blockchain startup Space and Time Labs (SXT).

The partnership, revealed Tuesday, will deliver "verifiable real-time" data feeds covering major networks including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Sui directly within Microsoft's Azure OneLake infrastructure—effectively creating a unified cloud repository for both traditional and blockchain information.

"This represents a direct product integration within the Fabric ecosystem," explained Nate Holiday, Space and Time's co-founder and Chief Executive, in correspondence with The Block. "We're bringing a collaborative new offering to the mainstream market."

Aligning Corporate Strategy with Blockchain Innovation

The integration signals Microsoft's growing commitment to decentralized technologies. Sruly Taber, Principal Product Manager for Microsoft Fabric, emphasized this strategic direction: "By incorporating Space and Time into our platform, we're not only expanding our capabilities to serve developers and enterprise clients with dependable data resources, but also furthering our objective to democratize technology across industries, including Web3."

This development marks a significant evolution for Microsoft Fabric, which serves as the company's comprehensive analytics solution, unifying previously separate tools like Azure Data Factory, Azure Synapse Analytics, and Power BI into a cohesive environment.

Breaking Down Barriers to Institutional Blockchain Adoption

The integration substantially simplifies enterprise access to cryptocurrency data, creating what Holiday describes as "a trusted and efficient framework for organizations to harness insights from on-chain activity directly within their applications." He specifically mentioned major financial institutions as key potential beneficiaries of this capability.

"All Fabric users now receive blockchain data as a standard component of this integrated suite powered by Space & Time and delivered through Microsoft's platform," Holiday noted. Importantly, he clarified that the arrangement doesn't involve direct payment from either party—it's not generating immediate revenue for the startup, but neither is it creating additional expenses.

Technical Infrastructure Built on Zero-Knowledge Architecture

This development follows Space and Time's recent launch of its public, permissionless main network. The platform employs sophisticated zero-knowledge (ZK) proof technology to authenticate and index information stored across a decentralized validator network. This architecture enables developers to rapidly query data using what the company calls a "sub-second" ZK coprocessor for SQL databases, branded as "Proof of SQL."

Scott Dykstra, a contributor to SXT, explains that the network enables enterprises like Microsoft to establish secure connections between conventional cloud databases and smart contracts. This breakthrough potentially unlocks "sophisticated, data-driven on-chain applications secured by cryptographic proofs," functioning similarly to blockchain oracles by creating reliable pathways between off-chain and on-chain environments.

Investment Backing from Microsoft's Venture Division

Space and Time, developed by MakeInfinite Labs, counts Microsoft's corporate venture capital arm M12 among its key backers. Microsoft's investment division participated in SXT's $20 million Series A funding round after leading an earlier strategic investment in 2022. To date, the blockchain data startup has secured total funding of $50 million.

This strategic partnership represents a significant milestone in cryptocurrency's gradual integration into enterprise-grade technology infrastructure, potentially accelerating institutional adoption by making blockchain data more accessible through familiar Microsoft tools already deployed across the corporate landscape.

You can get SXT (Space and Time) on Binance or Bybit

Read more about SXT on Coingecko