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What is Sentient (SENT)?
What Is Sentient (SENT)?Artificial intelligence is no longer just a tool developed by technology companies. It is becoming one of the main forces shaping the future of the internet, finance, and digital production. Yet the question of who controls this power, how models are trained, and who receives a share of the economic value they create is becoming more important. Sentient (SENT) is a project positioned directly within this debate. It aims to support open-source artificial intelligence with a blockchain-based economic model, making AI development more transparent, participatory, and sustainable.Sentient’s main goal is to offer an alternative to the current structure in which artificial intelligence develops under the control of a few large technology companies. The project aims to build an open AI network where developers, researchers, data providers, and community members can contribute. SENT, the native token of this network, is used for payments within the ecosystem, rewarding contributions, and governance processes.Sentient is a decentralized AI protocol that aims to bring AI models, data sources, tools, and developer contributions together within the same network. The project positions itself as an open-source artificial general intelligence platform against closed AI systems. This structure brings data, models, and computing power together through a system called Sentient GRID. In the traditional AI field, the most powerful models are often controlled by large companies. These companies can decide how a model is trained, which data it uses, how users can access the system, and in which direction the technology will evolve. Sentient offers a more open, participatory, and sharing-focused model in response to this structure.The project aims to make the contributions of AI researchers, developers, data providers, and community members more visible. It also allows these contributions to create economic value. As a result, open-source AI can move beyond a field driven only by voluntary work and become a more sustainable structure where contributors can also generate income.Sentient Foundation also defines the project as an effort to develop open-source AI that is aligned with humanity and not controlled by a single institution. The foundation aims to bring researchers, developers, and communities together around an open artificial general intelligence ecosystem.Sentient’s Origins and Main PurposeSentient was born out of the concentration of power in the AI industry. Today, advanced AI models often operate within closed systems. Users can benefit from these models, but they usually cannot see how they are trained, what limitations they have, or how the revenue they generate is shared.Open-source AI offers a strong alternative to this picture. However, it also creates another problem. Researchers and teams that develop open-source models cannot always clearly determine how their contributions will be protected in the long term or how they will generate revenue. Once a model becomes publicly available, different people and institutions can create value from that work, while the original developers may not receive a fair share of that value. Sentient aims to solve both problems at the same time. The project wants AI models to remain open while also ensuring that the developers behind these models are economically rewarded. To do this, it uses a structure that brings together blockchain, cryptography, and artificial intelligence techniques.At the center of this approach is the concept of OML. OML stands for open, monetizable, and loyal AI. Here, “loyal” refers to the idea that the model remains connected to the intentions, rules, and economic rights of the community that developed it. The academic study on OML also proposes an interdisciplinary framework that allows open-source AI models to be community-owned, monetizable, and managed in a more open way.Sentient History: Key MilestonesThe Sentient project became more visible to the public in 2024. The project was developed in 2024 to support open-source AI development processes and was created by Sentient Foundation.2024 was also the year when the OML approach became more widely discussed. The study titled “OML: Open, Monetizable, and Loyal AI” proposed a new model for making open-source AI models both accessible and economically sustainable.In 2025, Sentient’s research focused on open AI and community ownership gained more visibility. The academic study titled “Training AI to be Loyal” examined the concept of community-loyal AI through model ownership, alignment, and control. This approach shows that Sentient focuses not only on technical infrastructure but also on community governance.In 2026, the SENT token entered the broader crypto market agenda. Binance listed SENT on January 22, 2026, with USDT, USDC, and TRY trading pairs. This listing became an important milestone in helping the project reach a wider user base.As of May 2026, SENT coin price is trading around the $0.015 level. Why Is Sentient Important?What makes Sentient important is its proposal for a more open and sharing-focused model for AI development. Today, advanced AI systems largely progress under the control of technology companies. These companies can determine how models are developed, who can access them, and how the economic value they generate is distributed. Sentient aims to build a more participatory structure where developers, researchers, and community members can contribute.This approach is especially notable for open-source AI. Open-source models offer a strong foundation in terms of transparency and accessibility. However, their revenue model often remains weak. When a model becomes publicly available, different people and institutions can create value from that work; yet the teams that developed the model may not always receive a fair share.Sentient seeks to solve this issue with a blockchain-based ownership and reward system. Model developers, data providers, infrastructure contributors, and those who improve tools within the network can receive economic incentives based on their contributions. This can help open-source AI move beyond a field based only on voluntary labor and become more sustainable.Another key aspect of the project is its focus on transparency. Sentient proposes a more verifiable, traceable, and community-driven architecture instead of AI development progressing under the control of a single center.How Does Sentient Work?Sentient uses a modular structure that brings different AI components together within the same network. These components can include models, data sources, tools, AI agents, and research outputs. The goal is to create a broader network made up of many interconnected parts rather than a single large AI system.At the center of this network is Sentient GRID. GRID can be seen as the main layer that allows different AI resources to be discovered, used together, and gain economic value. GRID is described as a structure that coordinates data sources, AI models, and computing power. When a user or developer sends a request to the Sentient network, the system can bring together AI components suitable for that need. For example, a research process may use a data search tool, a summarization model, and an AI agent that performs analysis within the same workflow. During this use, the parties that contribute to the network can be economically rewarded.This model aims to increase collaboration in AI development. Small teams or independent developers may struggle to compete with large technology companies on their own. However, within a network like GRID, they can add their models, tools, or data sources to the system and become part of a larger structure.What Is OML?OML is one of Sentient’s most important technical and economic concepts. It stands for open, monetizable, and loyal AI. This concept aims to keep AI models accessible while also protecting model ownership and revenue sharing.The “open” part means that the model can be accessed and examined by the community. This is close to the tradition of open-source AI. Users and developers can better understand the model, improve it, and adapt it to different use cases.The “monetizable” part aims to make the model generate value as it is used and transfer that value to contributors. In this way, people who develop open-source AI models can receive not only reputation or visibility, but also economic income for their work.The “loyal” part is about the model remaining connected to the rules and purpose set by its developer community. In Sentient’s approach, an AI model is seen not only as a technical product, but also as a digital asset connected to the community that created it.On the technical side, OML involves model ownership, usage tracking, verification mechanisms, and cryptographic methods. Academic studies state that this framework brings together AI, blockchain, and cryptography. For the end user, the main idea is simpler: open-source AI development is tied to an economic model that protects contributors.What Is SENT Token Used For?SENT is the native crypto asset of the Sentient ecosystem. A large part of the economic activity within the network is built around SENT. The token’s main role is connected to the use of AI components, developer contributions, reward distribution, and governance processes.When an AI model, data source, or tool is used in the Sentient network, this use can create economic value. SENT acts as the payment tool that allows this value to move within the network. In this model, developers can generate revenue as the AI components they create are used.SENT can also be used in staking processes. Staking allows users or network participants to lock a certain amount of tokens into the system as a signal of trust, access, or contribution. This structure can be used to support the quality and reliability of resources in the network.Governance is another important use case for the SENT token. Token holders can vote on decisions about the future of the network. These decisions may relate to protocol updates, reward mechanisms, ecosystem incentives, or network rules.For this reason, SENT is not only seen as a crypto asset traded on exchanges. The token is positioned as one of the key tools that allows Sentient’s open AI economy to function.SENT TokenomicsSENT tokenomics is built around the idea of rewarding contributions to open-source AI. Model developers, data providers, infrastructure providers, and participants who increase network usage are all part of this economy. The goal is to make the labor behind AI development more visible and measurable.According to Sentient’s official statement, the total supply of SENT is 34,359,738,368. This number equals 2³⁵, and the project team specifically stated that the supply was chosen this way. According to Binance data from May 2026, SENT’s circulating supply is around 7.2 billion. The same page updates SENT price, market capitalization, 24-hour trading volume, and fully diluted valuation in real time. Therefore, investors should check live data providers for current market information.The main point to watch in tokenomics is how the supply will be distributed over time. The difference between circulating supply and total supply may mean that new tokens could enter the market in the future through unlocks or ecosystem incentives. For this reason, SENT should be analyzed not only through price movements, but also through its supply schedule and use cases.Sentient’s long-term success does not depend only on the token being traded on exchanges. The real use of SENT within the network, the creation of revenue from AI components, and contributors receiving regular value from this structure may be more decisive.Sentient Ecosystem and Use CasesThe Sentient ecosystem is not limited to AI models. The network can include data sources, research tools, AI agents, developer contributions, and user applications. This structure aims to make different parts work together in a compatible way.AI agents are an important part of this ecosystem. Agents can be thought of as software-based AI components that can perform specific tasks. An agent can conduct research, classify data, analyze user requests, or use other tools to produce results.Sentient GRID makes it easier to discover these agents and models. Developers can add their own tools to the network. Users can then benefit from these tools according to their needs. As usage grows, payment and reward mechanisms within the network come into play.This structure may be especially important for open-source AI initiatives. Small teams can make their products visible outside large platforms. Researchers can generate economic value from the models they develop. Users can also use different AI resources without depending on a single closed system.Sentient’s use cases may include research, data processing, AI-supported applications, developer tools, model marketplaces, and community-driven AI development. As the project matures, these use cases are expected to turn into more concrete products.The Future of SentientSentient’s future will depend on two major trends in AI and crypto. On one side, AI models are becoming more powerful. On the other, users, developers, and communities are increasingly questioning who controls this technology.Sentient stands out as one of the projects born from this discussion. It aims to bring open-source AI, decentralized ownership, and token economics into the same structure. If this approach succeeds, a new market model may emerge, one that rewards the labor of AI developers more directly.However, for this goal to become reality, the technical architecture needs to generate real use. More models, agents, data sources, and applications need to operate on GRID. Users need to use these tools not only in theory, but also in their daily workflows.A similar point applies to the SENT token. The long-term value narrative of the token depends on stronger use within the Sentient network. If AI components in the network generate revenue, developers receive a share of this revenue, and community governance works actively, SENT may become a more meaningful ecosystem asset.For this reason, Sentient’s future does not depend only on the AI narrative. To become a lasting project, it needs to grow open-source contributions, economic incentives, and real user demand at the same time.Frequently Asked QuestionsBelow, you can find answers to the most frequently asked questions about Sentient.What is Sentient (SENT)?: Sentient is a decentralized AI protocol that supports open-source AI development with a blockchain-based economic model. The project aims to allow AI models, data sources, and tools to work together through Sentient GRID.What is SENT token used for?: SENT is the native token of the Sentient ecosystem. It is used for payments within the network, staking processes, developer rewards, and governance decisions. The token allows the economic value created by AI components to be shared within the network.What problem does Sentient aim to solve?: Sentient aims to solve the issue of centralized control in AI and the difficulty of generating revenue from open-source models. The project seeks to protect the contributions of AI developers and help them create economic value from those contributions.What is Sentient GRID?: Sentient GRID is the core structure that brings AI models, data sources, tools, and agents together within the same network. This system allows different AI components to be discovered, used together, and monetized.What does OML mean?: OML stands for open, monetizable, and loyal AI. Sentient’s OML approach aims to keep open-source AI models accessible while also protecting the economic rights of their developers.Why is Sentient important in the AI field?: Sentient aims to move AI development from closed company systems toward a more open and community-based structure. In this sense, the project highlights transparency, ownership, and revenue sharing in the AI development process.What is the total supply of SENT?: According to the official statement, SENT’s total supply is 34,359,738,368. According to Binance data from May 2026, the circulating supply is around 7.2 billion SENT.Sentient like artificial intelligence-focused crypto projects more closely to know, you can explore the latest guides on JrKripto.
Binance Announces New Delisting Decision: 8 Spot Trading Pairs to Be Removed
Binance has announced a new removal decision targeting several trading pairs in the spot market. According to the notice published by the exchange, the AVAX/ETH, CHZ/BTC, FET/BNB, IOTA/BTC, UNI/ETH, UNI/FDUSD, XLM/BTC and XLM/FDUSD trading pairs will be removed from the platform on May 22, 2026. Trading will stop at 03:00 UTC on the same day, which corresponds to 06:00 Türkiye time.The decision was made as part of Binance’s regular market reviews. The exchange said it periodically reviews trading pairs and may remove certain pairs due to factors such as low liquidity or weak trading volume. Such steps generally aim to protect trading quality on the platform and ensure that users can trade under healthier market conditions.However, there is an important point to note here. Binance’s decision does not mean that the related assets are being completely removed from the platform. Assets such as AVAX, CHZ, FET, IOTA, UNI, XLM, ETH, BTC, BNB and FDUSD will continue to be available for trading on Binance Spot through other supported trading pairs. In other words, users will not completely lose access to these assets; they will only be unable to trade the specific pairs mentioned in the announcement. The removal decision is especially important for users who have open orders on these trading pairs. Binance will end trading for the listed pairs on the announced date. Therefore, investors need to check their open orders before May 22. A separate warning was also issued for users who use Spot Trading Bots on these pairs. Binance stated that spot trading bot services for the affected pairs will also be terminated at the same time.This may create risks for users who run automated trading strategies. If bots are not updated or canceled in time, users may face unexpected trading results or potential losses. For this reason, Binance advised users to update or cancel their relevant bots before trading is halted.Delisting Also Covers Other ProductsMeanwhile, another Binance announcement scheduled for the same date covers margin and loan products related to AEUR and AI. Binance Margin and Binance Loans will begin the delisting process for Anchored EUR (AEUR) and Sleepless AI (AI) in the relevant products as of 09:00 Türkiye time on May 22, 2026. As part of this process, some loan positions will be closed, while open margin positions will be automatically settled and pending orders will be canceled.This second announcement concerns a different area from the removal of spot trading pairs. The process for AEUR and AI is particularly important for users who hold assets or liabilities in their margin accounts. Binance recommends that users close their positions before the delisting process begins, transfer their assets to their spot accounts and monitor their account status against possible liquidation risks.
Another DeFi Project Hacked: $76 Million Worth of eBTC Minted
Bitcoin-focused DeFi project Echo Protocol faced a major security breach. The attack came after a series of exploits that have hit the DeFi market in recent weeks. Initial details began spreading after the incident was reported on X by an account known in the crypto community as DCF GOD.According to security teams examining on-chain data, the attacker minted 1,000 eBTC worth around $76.7 million on the Monad network. While this eBTC supply was reportedly not backed by real collateral, the exact technical vulnerability behind the attack has not yet been identified. Experts are evaluating whether the incident may have stemmed from a private key compromise, a deployment error, or a smart contract-related weakness.The attacker later used part of these assets as collateral through Curvance. According to shared data, the attacker deposited 45 eBTC, worth roughly $3.45 million, into Curvance and borrowed 11.29 WBTC in return. This amount was valued at around $867,000 at the time of the attack.The borrowed WBTC was then transferred to the Ethereum network, converted into ETH, and around 385 ETH was reportedly sent to Tornado Cash. Tornado Cash is known as a mixing service used to obscure the trail of funds. For this reason, the transfer was interpreted as an attempt to launder the assets obtained by the attacker.955 eBTC Still Remains in the WalletAccording to blockchain tracking platform Lookonchain, the attacker still holds around 955 eBTC in their wallet. This amount is said to be worth more than $73 million. OnChain Lens also noted that the attacker still appears to control a significant amount of the minted eBTC. Following the incident, statements came from both Monad and Curvance. Monad co-founder Keone Hon said the attack did not affect the Monad network itself and that the network continues to operate normally. Hon also stated that security researchers are investigating the incident related to Echo Protocol’s eBTC asset on Monad.Curvance, meanwhile, said there was no sign that its own smart contracts had been exploited or compromised. The protocol stated that the affected market had been paused as a precaution and that the investigation was continuing alongside ecosystem partners. Curvance also emphasized that, thanks to its fully isolated market architecture, other markets were not affected by the attack.According to the company’s statement, the incident was limited to the eBTC/WBTC market on Monad. Major DeFi platforms such as Aave, Morpho, Spark, and Fluid were not affected by the attack. While these statements suggest that the risk did not turn into a broader liquidity crisis, market participants remain cautious until the technical details of the incident become clear.ECHO Price FallsAfter news of the attack broke, the ECHO token came under heavy selling pressure. The token fell more than 12% during the day, dropping to around $0.0049. The project team said it was investigating the security incident and had temporarily suspended all cross-chain transactions. The Echo Protocol attack became the third major security incident in the DeFi market within just a few days. Earlier, more than $10 million was reportedly stolen from THORChain, while the Verus-Ethereum Bridge attack resulted in the loss of around $11.5 million in assets. With these incidents, the number of DeFi security breaches recorded in May rose to 14.According to DeFiLlama data, the DeFi sector had already faced 13 different attacks this month before the Echo incident. In recent years, lending protocols, cross-chain bridges, and collateral markets have become some of the main targets for attackers. Losses suffered by uninsured lending protocols over the past six years are estimated to have approached $7.7 billion.In April, the DeFi ecosystem also saw more than $600 million in losses following major attacks involving projects such as Drift and KelpDAO. Nexus Mutual founder Hugh Karp said many of the recent hacks were caused by operational failures, pointing to a serious mismatch between risk management and insurance coverage.
What Is Zama (ZAMA)?
Blockchain’s first major promise was to build a transparent financial system where everyone could look at the same ledger. This structure reduced the need for centralized intermediaries and allowed users to verify transactions directly. Over time, however, this transparency also created a new problem. Every transfer, every balance movement, and many smart contract interactions on-chain became traceable by anyone.This created a serious limitation for financial transactions, institutional use, identity data, and governance processes. It is not always desirable for a user’s holdings, the protocols they interact with, or their voting choice in a DAO to be openly visible. Transparency is one of the features that gives blockchain its trust layer, but making every piece of information public makes it harder for the technology to reach broader use cases.Zama (ZAMA) stands out as a privacy protocol that enters the picture at this point. The project uses Fully Homomorphic Encryption, or FHE, a technology that allows data to be processed while it remains encrypted on blockchain networks. Thanks to this technology, smart contracts can operate without directly seeing sensitive data. For example, a contract can check whether a user has enough balance without revealing the actual balance to the entire network.Zama’s goal is to solve the privacy problem without removing blockchain’s verifiable structure. The project’s Confidential Blockchain Protocol is designed to enable the issuance, management, and transfer of confidential assets on public blockchains. This allows user balances, transaction amounts, voting preferences, or identity information to be used within applications without becoming fully visible on-chain.What separates Zama from traditional privacy projects is that it does not try to build a new and closed blockchain. Instead, it aims to add a privacy layer on top of existing networks. The protocol is positioned as a cross-chain privacy layer that works on existing blockchains, rather than as a new Layer 1 or Layer 2. This approach allows users and developers to interact with confidential applications without leaving ecosystems such as Ethereum.Definition and Origins of ZamaZama emerged as a company and protocol ecosystem focused on open-source cryptography solutions. The project’s main goal is to make Fully Homomorphic Encryption practical for developers and turn this technology into usable infrastructure for blockchain applications.FHE is a cryptographic method that allows direct computation on encrypted data. In traditional systems, data usually needs to be decrypted before it can be processed. This can create security risks in sensitive areas such as financial information, personal identity data, and corporate transactions. With FHE, the data remains encrypted, computation is performed on that encrypted data, and the result is also produced in encrypted form.Zama aims to bring this structure into the blockchain world and pave the way for confidential smart contracts. Verifiability is a key advantage of public blockchain networks; anyone can check transactions and see whether the system follows its rules. However, this verifiability usually depends on transaction data being publicly visible. This is the core dilemma Zama seeks to address: keeping blockchain verifiable while protecting sensitive data.For this purpose, the project also uses MPC and ZK technologies alongside FHE. Zama’s documentation states that FHE is used for confidential computation and public verifiability, MPC decentralizes key management, and ZK proofs show that encrypted inputs were generated correctly.The protocol also serves many use cases, including confidential DeFi transactions, RWA tokenization, identity verification, DAO governance, sealed-bid auctions, and private token distributions. For this reason, Zama treats privacy as a fundamental part of application design, not as a separate feature in blockchain.Zama’s History: Key MilestonesZama was founded in 2020 by Dr. Rand Hindi and Dr. Pascal Paillier. According to CoinMarketCap’s project description, Rand Hindi serves as the company’s CEO, while Pascal Paillier serves as CTO. The team also includes academics and researchers working in cryptography and FHE.In its early period, the project focused on making FHE technology usable for developers rather than building a direct token or blockchain network narrative. Fully Homomorphic Encryption was long seen as theoretically powerful but expensive and slow in practice. Zama’s early work focused on improving the performance of this technology and producing open-source tools that software developers could use.One of Zama’s most important steps on the blockchain side was FHEVM. FHEVM allows Ethereum developers to write confidential smart contracts with Solidity, a language they are already familiar with. With this structure, developers can decide which data should remain private and build contracts that work with encrypted data types without learning an entirely new programming language. Zama’s official website states that developers can write contracts using traditional Solidity tools and define which parts of the contract should remain private through data types such as euint.The year 2024 stood out as an important financing milestone in Zama’s growth. According to CoinList’s Zama auction page, the company raised $73 million in a Series A round in 2024. The same source also states that Zama raised $57 million in a Series B round in 2025, bringing its valuation above $1 billion.In 2025, Zama’s Confidential Blockchain Protocol vision became clearer. The protocol was positioned as a structure that makes it possible to build confidential applications on Ethereum and other public blockchain networks. During this period, Zama’s narrative expanded from a cryptography company developing FHE libraries into a protocol ecosystem offering a privacy layer for blockchain.In January 2026, the public auction process for the ZAMA token came into focus. According to CoinList data, the Zama Auction took place between January 21 and January 24. A total of 880 million ZAMA was allocated for the sale, corresponding to 6% of the total supply. The same page announced the total ZAMA supply as 11 billion tokens. The official launch of the ZAMA token took place on February 2, 2026. In Zama’s official blog announcement, the ZAMA TGE was described as a new step toward bringing privacy to public blockchains. The same announcement stated that the token would be used as a payment tool for encryption and decryption operations, while also playing a role in rewarding operators and stakers within the protocol.As of May 2026, the ZAMA coin price is around $0.02. Why Is Zama Important?One of the strongest features of blockchain networks is transparency. Users can verify transactions, address movements, and smart contract interactions on-chain. This structure creates a strong foundation for trustless financial systems. However, the same transparency becomes a major limitation in use cases that require privacy.When a user’s wallet balance, a company’s treasury movements, an investor’s position size, or a DAO member’s voting choice can be tracked by anyone, blockchain technology becomes difficult to use in many real-world scenarios. In areas such as finance, healthcare, identity, corporate data management, and governance, making all data public is often unacceptable.Zama aims to solve this problem without losing blockchain’s verifiability advantage. The protocol seeks to keep transactions verifiably compliant with rules while storing transaction inputs and contract states in encrypted form. Zama’s litepaper explains this approach through end-to-end encryption, interoperability between confidential and public contracts, and programmable privacy.This structure is especially important for institutional adoption. Traditional financial institutions, RWA issuers, payment companies, or identity providers may want to benefit from the security and interoperability of public blockchains. However, they do not want to make customer information, transaction amounts, or compliance data fully visible. Zama is one of the infrastructures trying to meet both needs at the same time.Another factor that increases Zama’s importance is developer experience. The project does not offer privacy only as a private transfer feature. It gives developers the ability to define, at the smart contract level, who can decrypt which data. This programmable privacy model provides a more flexible structure for both user privacy and applications that require regulatory compliance.How Does Zama Work?At the center of Zama’s working model is FHE technology. FHE allows computation to be performed on data without decrypting it. The user encrypts their data locally; the blockchain or related protocol components process this encrypted data; and the result is produced in encrypted form. This prevents sensitive data from being exposed during the transaction process.On the blockchain side, this structure makes confidential smart contracts possible. For example, in a DeFi application, a user’s transaction amount can be processed without being openly visible. In a DAO vote, votes can remain encrypted while the final result is still calculated correctly. In a token transfer, the amount sent can remain private while contract rules are still enforced.One of Zama’s main technical components is FHEVM. FHEVM works as the core technology of Zama Protocol and allows developers to write confidential contracts with Solidity. According to Zama’s GitHub documentation, FHEVM is a structure formed by several technical components working together. It includes a library that enables confidential contract development with Solidity, core components that manage contract interactions, coprocessors that handle heavy encrypted computations, the Gateway layer, the key management system, and relayer/oracle mechanisms that support data transfer. The architecture of FHEVM. The FHEVM Solidity library allows developers to write contracts using encrypted data types and operations. This means some variables in a smart contract can remain public while others remain encrypted. The developer decides which part of the application requires privacy based on the contract logic.Coprocessors are components that perform heavy FHE computations outside the main chain. Since FHE operations are computationally intensive, running them directly on the main chain can be expensive and inefficient. Zama aims to reduce cost and workload by moving FHE computation to a coprocessor network. According to the official website, the coprocessor structure takes FHE computation off the base chain, helping keep gas costs low while supporting horizontal scaling and public verifiability.Gateway works like the coordination layer of the protocol. Verification of encrypted inputs, access control lists, movement of encrypted assets across chains, and coordination between KMS and coprocessors are handled through this structure. Zama documentation describes Gateway as the protocol’s central orchestration layer.Key Management Service, or KMS, is used to manage decryption processes securely. In Zama, decryption keys are not intended to be controlled by a single party. For this reason, KMS works with a threshold MPC structure. A piece of data can only be decrypted after the relevant smart contract allows it. This structure prevents privacy from turning into an uncontrolled area while tying access rules to on-chain contract logic.Privacy in Zama does not only mean hiding data. The protocol also allows applications to program who can see which data. For example, a user can see their own balance, while other users cannot. If required by regulation, a specific authority or application component may access limited data. This model creates a more balanced structure between privacy and compliance.What Is the ZAMA Token Used For?ZAMA is the native token of Zama Protocol. The token is used for protocol fees, staking, operator rewards, and network security. According to Zama’s official token launch announcement, ZAMA is used as a payment tool for encryption and decryption operations and plays a central role in the mechanism that rewards operators and stakers who run the network.The first use case of ZAMA is protocol fees. Deploying confidential applications on Zama Protocol is free and permissionless, but some operations require protocol fees. According to the project description on CoinMarketCap, these fees cover ZKPoK verifications for encrypted inputs, encrypted data decryption operations, and the transfer of encrypted values between chains.One notable part of the fee model is that payments are made in ZAMA, while pricing is set in U.S. dollars. The protocol uses an oracle that updates the ZAMA/USD price on Gateway. This allows users, developers, and relayers to calculate costs based on a more predictable dollar value rather than token price volatility.The second major use case of ZAMA is staking. Operators need to stake ZAMA to participate in the protocol and earn rewards. Token holders can also delegate their ZAMA holdings to selected operators without running their own nodes. This structure contributes to protocol security while allowing token holders to receive a share of staking rewards.ZAMA is designed with a burn-and-mint model. All protocol fees are burned, while operator and staker rewards are covered through newly minted tokens according to the annual emission schedule. Zama’s official announcement clearly states that all fees are burned and rewards are minted according to the yearly emission plan.In this model, higher network usage is expected to lead to more fee burning. On the other hand, new tokens are minted for staking rewards. For this reason, when evaluating the ZAMA economy, both the amount burned through protocol usage and staking emissions should be considered together.ZAMA TokenonomyThe total supply of ZAMA was announced as 11 billion tokens. CoinList’s Zama Auction page stated that 880 million ZAMA was allocated for the sale and that this amount represented 8% of the total supply. The same page listed the total supply as 11 billion ZAMA. The ZAMA token launch took place on February 2, 2026. Zama’s official blog announcement stated that the token began trading on major exchanges on Monday, February 2, 2026, at 13:00 UTC, which corresponds to 16:00 Türkiye time. The same announcement also shared the official contract addresses for Ethereum, BNB Smart Chain, and Solana.Public distribution played an important role in the token economy. In the CoinList auction, 880 million ZAMA was allocated for sale. The ZAMA sale was conducted through a sealed-bid Dutch auction model. In this model, participants submit their bids privately. At the end of the sale, the price is determined based on demand, and winning participants buy at the same final price.ZAMA’s economic model within the protocol is built around fee burning and staking rewards. Protocol fees are paid in ZAMA and burned. Staking rewards are minted with an initial annual inflation rate of 5%. According to the project description, this inflation rate can be changed through governance.Operator rewards are distributed according to task type. Different roles such as sequencer, coprocessor, and KMS nodes have separate responsibilities within the protocol. Rewards are first divided by role and then distributed among relevant operators based on the square root of their stake. This model aims to limit reward concentration among only the largest stakers.The end-user experience for ZAMA was designed to be flexible. Protocol fees can be paid by the end user, the application interface, or a relayer. This allows developers to build confidential applications without forcing users to directly hold ZAMA. This detail is especially important for mainstream user experience, as many users do not want to buy a separate token before using a new application.Zama’s Use CasesZama’s use cases are shaped around blockchain applications that require privacy. The protocol enables encrypted data processing across many areas, including finance, tokenization, identity, governance, and gaming.One of the most important use cases is confidential payments. Stablecoin transfers have become one of the most common use cases in the blockchain world. However, transfer amounts and address movements can be tracked by anyone on public chains. In payment systems built with Zama, user balances and transfer amounts can remain encrypted. At the same time, payment providers can embed compliance rules directly into the token contract.On the DeFi side, Zama can be used for confidential swaps, confidential lending, credit scoring, and options pricing. DeFi users often do not want their position sizes, trading strategies, or wallet histories to be tracked by everyone. Open transaction data can also increase problems such as front-running and copy trading. FHE-based confidential transactions create a new design space at this point.RWA tokenization is another important area for Zama. Bringing real-world assets onto public blockchain networks is seen as a major opportunity for traditional financial institutions. However, making investor identity, transaction volume, and compliance checks fully public can create a serious barrier for institutions. Zama’s litepaper states that RWA and tokenization applications can be run on existing public chains such as Ethereum or Solana with privacy and compliance.Another use case for Zama is confidential token distributions. In processes such as airdrops, grants, investor allocations, or team vesting, it is usually possible to see which address received how many tokens on-chain. This can create problems for security, privacy, and market behavior. With Zama, token distributions can be carried out in encrypted form; processes such as vesting and staking can also be managed over confidential values.Sealed-bid auctions are also one of the natural use cases of FHE. Participants can submit their bids to the chain in encrypted form. At the end of the auction, the highest bid or winning result can be calculated, while all bids remain hidden throughout the process. This structure can support fairer price discovery for token sales, NFT sales, or on-chain auction systems. Zama’s litepaper presents the sealed-bid model as an example that could reduce manipulation by bots monitoring the mempool.Identity and governance are also among Zama’s key areas. On the identity side, users can prove that they meet certain conditions without openly sharing their personal information. For example, information such as age, citizenship, accredited investor status, or KYC results can be used in encrypted form. On the governance side, DAO votes can remain private, with only the final result disclosed. This structure can help reduce issues such as vote buying, social pressure, or strategic manipulation.Gaming applications are another potential use case for Zama. Some information needs to remain hidden in on-chain games. If cards in a player’s hand, map information in strategy games, or player moves in competitive games become openly visible, game balance can break down. FHE can allow this type of data to remain encrypted while game logic runs on-chain.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)Below, you can find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Zama (ZAMA):What is Zama (ZAMA)?: Zama is a privacy protocol that brings Fully Homomorphic Encryption technology to blockchain. It allows smart contracts to process encrypted data. This means user balances, transaction amounts, voting preferences, or identity information can be used in blockchain applications without becoming public.Is Zama a Layer 1?: Zama is not a traditional Layer 1 or Layer 2. The protocol is designed as a cross-chain privacy layer that works on top of existing public blockchain networks. Users do not need to move to an entirely new chain to access confidential applications.What does FHE mean?: FHE stands for Fully Homomorphic Encryption. This technology allows computation to be performed on data without decrypting it. Zama’s core technology is based on this structure.What is the ZAMA token used for?: ZAMA is the native token of Zama Protocol. It is used for paying protocol fees, staking, rewarding operators, and supporting network security. According to Zama’s official announcement, the token plays a central role in encryption, decryption, operator rewards, and staking.What is the ZAMA supply?: The total supply of ZAMA is 11 billion tokens. CoinList’s Zama Auction page announced the total supply as 11 billion ZAMA. The same page stated that 880 million ZAMA was allocated for the auction and that this represented 8% of the total supply.When did the ZAMA token launch?: The official launch of the ZAMA token took place on February 2, 2026. According to Zama’s official blog announcement, the token began trading on major exchanges on February 2, 2026, at 13:00 UTC.What can Zama be used for?: Zama can be used for confidential stablecoin transfers, DeFi transactions, RWA tokenization, identity verification, DAO governance, sealed-bid auctions, confidential token distributions, and on-chain games. The project’s documentation highlights finance, tokenization, identity, governance, and other confidential applications.What is FHEVM?: FHEVM is the core technology used by Zama Protocol to develop confidential smart contracts. It allows developers to write contracts with encrypted data types using Solidity. This means Ethereum developers can build privacy-focused applications with existing tools.Can ZAMA be staked?: Yes. ZAMA holders can stake their tokens with operators to contribute to protocol security and earn staking rewards. Zama’s official token announcement states that users can stake with selected operators and help support the security of Zama Protocol.To follow privacy-focused projects like Zama more closely, you can explore other articles in the JrKripto Guide series.
Sharp Brake in Crypto Funds: $982 Million Flows Out of Bitcoin
Digital asset investment products closed the week with net outflows of $1.07 billion. According to CoinShares’ latest weekly fund flows report, this marked the end of a six-week positive streak. The outflow was also the third-largest weekly outflow recorded so far in 2026.The report linked the selling pressure mainly to a more cautious investor mood triggered by renewed Iran-related geopolitical risks. The risk-off trend was especially concentrated in Bitcoin products. However, selective interest in altcoins continued, with 11 different assets recording weekly inflows of more than $1 million.Total assets under management fell from $159 billion in the previous week to around $157 billion. The table showed total AUM at $156.9 billion. Despite the weekly outflow, month-to-date flows remain in positive territory at $521 million. Year-to-date inflows stand at $4.88 billion.Bitcoin Funds See Sharp OutflowsBitcoin investment products were the weakest segment of the week. According to CoinShares data, Bitcoin funds saw $981.5 million in outflows. Even so, Bitcoin products still hold $3.94 billion in net inflows since the start of the year.The picture also weakened on the Ethereum side. ETH investment products recorded $249.3 million in outflows. This was the largest weekly outflow for Ethereum funds since January 30. Ethereum’s total year-to-date net flow remained at $137 million.Blockchain equity ETFs were also hit by the broader risk-off mood. According to the report, these products saw a total of $133 million in outflows. This shows that the pressure was not limited to spot crypto products, as selling was also felt in crypto-linked equity themes. By contrast, XRP and Solana stood out positively during the week. XRP products attracted $67.6 million in inflows, while Solana products drew $55.1 million. Inflows into both assets accelerated compared with recent weeks.Smaller assets also saw notable demand. Ton recorded $7.7 million in inflows, Sui $4.7 million, Ondo $4.1 million, Chainlink $3.9 million and Dogecoin $3.2 million. This suggests that investors continue to show interest in selected altcoin themes despite short-term pressure on Bitcoin and Ethereum.Regionally, nearly all of the outflows came from the United States. U.S.-based products recorded weekly outflows of $1.14 billion. By contrast, Europe showed a more balanced picture. Switzerland saw $22.8 million in inflows, Germany $22 million, the Netherlands $7.5 million and Canada $12.6 million.Large outflows were also visible on the provider side. iShares products saw $487 million in outflows, while Fidelity recorded $305 million and ARK 21Shares saw $323 million leave its products. Grayscale posted weekly outflows of $84 million. Bitwise, meanwhile, stood out positively with $25 million in inflows.The report also noted that news flow around the CLARITY Act in the U.S. partially supported market sentiment. Although the full week ended in negative territory, Thursday saw $174 million in positive flows.
Countdown for Crypto Funds in Japan: Two Major Companies Take Action
A new era is dawning in Japan where the cryptocurrency market will become more closely intertwined with traditional finance. Two of the country's largest online brokerage firms, SBI Securities and Rakuten Securities, are preparing to offer cryptocurrency mutual funds once the regulatory framework is finalized. According to Nikkei Asia, these products will allow investors to access crypto assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum through their existing brokerage accounts. Currently in Japan, individual investors typically need to open a separate exchange account or use a wallet to buy cryptocurrencies. The new mutual fund model could make this process more familiar. Instead of directly buying cryptocurrencies, investors will be able to take positions through fund units based on these assets. This will make crypto investing more similar to buying stocks or mutual funds. SBI Securities' plan is based on distributing products developed by its group company, SBI Global Asset Management. The company's product portfolio is expected to include mutual funds and ETFs linked to liquid assets such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. The SBI group aims to manage the entire process internally, from product development to distribution. Rakuten Securities is similarly moving forward within its own group structure. Products to be developed by Rakuten Investment Management are planned to be directly buyable and sellable through Rakuten's smartphone application. This approach could make access to crypto more practical, especially for individual users who invest through mobile applications. It's not just SBI and Rakuten; other major financial institutions in Japan are also not shying away from this area. According to a Nikkei survey of 18 major brokerage firms, 11 companies stated they would consider offering crypto investment funds once regulations become clearer. These companies include prominent names such as Nomura Securities, Daiwa Securities, and Mizuho-affiliated Asset Management One. SMBC Group is also reportedly forming an in-house working group on the subject. Behind this interest are regulatory steps taken by the Financial Services Agency of Japan (FSA). The FSA aims to amend the implementing regulations of the Investment Partnerships Act to add crypto assets to the list of "certain assets" that investment funds can hold. This process is expected to be completed by 2028. Activity on the regulatory sideIn parallel, the Japanese government approved a bill in April that would classify cryptocurrencies as financial products rather than means of payment. If the bill passes parliament, the new regulation could come into effect in the 2027 fiscal year. Thus, crypto assets will be brought under a regulatory framework closer to financial instruments such as stocks and bonds.These preparations in Japan coincide with the increasing global interest in crypto ETFs. In the US, spot Bitcoin ETFs were approved in January 2024, after which these products became an important entry point for institutional and individual investors. According to SoSoValue data, the net assets of spot Bitcoin ETFs in the US have exceeded $100 billion. While Japan is proceeding more cautiously in this area, it is seen that large financial institutions are starting to take positions as regulatory uncertainty decreases. Crypto mutual funds can provide a significant convenience for Japanese individual investors. Users with an SBI or Rakuten account can access assets such as Bitcoin and Ethereum without opening a new crypto exchange account. Having regulated financial groups handle custody, reporting, and transaction processes can also strengthen the perception of trust. However, this structure is not the same as directly owning cryptocurrency. Instead of holding Bitcoin or Ethereum in their own wallets, investors will own funds based on these assets. Therefore, factors such as management fees, custody structure, and counterparty risk will determine the attractiveness of the products.
Massive Attack on Crypto Bridge: Hacker Steals $11 Million
Blockchain security remains one of the most challenging issues in the crypto market. Bridges, which facilitate asset transfers between different networks, have become a frequent target for attackers in recent years. The latest example is a security breach on the Verus Protocol's Ethereum bridge. On Monday, a large-scale attack was detected on the cross-chain bridge known as the Verus-Ethereum bridge. This bridge allows users to transfer value between the Verus network and Ethereum, including ETH and ERC-20 assets. However, the attacker managed to trick the system with a fake cross-chain transfer message, withdrawing millions of dollars worth of assets from the bridge reserves. On-chain security platform Blockaid announced via X that they had detected an ongoing attack on the Verus-Ethereum bridge. According to the shared transaction data, the attacker transferred 1,625 ETH, 147,659 USDC, and 103.57 tBTC v2, the tokenized Bitcoin asset of the Threshold Network. The total value of these assets is estimated to be over $11.5 million.Blockchain security company PeckShield also assessed the transaction as an attack exploiting a security vulnerability. According to on-chain data, the attacker later converted the stolen assets into ETH. The wallet in question held 5,402 ETH, worth over $11 million. Fake transfer message tricked the systemInitial findings indicate that the attack did not stem from a private key hijacking or a classic signature verification vulnerability. According to Blockaid, the attacker tricked the bridge into believing that fake transfer instructions were valid. Thus, the protocol sent assets from its reserves to the attacker's wallet.Blockaid noted similarities to the Nomad Bridge and Wormhole attacks of 2022. The Nomad attack resulted in the loss of approximately $190 million, while the Wormhole attack resulted in the loss of $325 million. Therefore, although the Verus attack appears smaller in terms of amount, the method used has brought fundamental security issues in crypto bridges back to the forefront.According to Blockaid's technical assessment, the problem is; The ECDSA signature breach wasn't a notary key compromise or a hash-binding error. The platform stated that the vulnerability stemmed from a missing source quantity validation in "checkCCEValues." According to the company, this deficiency was a security flaw that could be patched with approximately 10 lines of code on the Solidity side.Blockchain security provider ExVul made a similar assessment. The company reported that the attacker used a "fake cross-chain import payload" and that this data managed to pass through the bridge's validation stream. As a result, the attacker processed three different transfers linked to their own wallet.Bridges were once again the weakest linkThe Verus-Ethereum attack once again demonstrated how critical a risk area bridge infrastructures are in the crypto market. Cross-chain bridges provide liquidity and ease of use between different blockchain networks. However, they also broaden the attack surface because they operate between multiple networks, validation layers, and messaging systems. According to the crypto exchange Phemex, the biggest losses recently have stemmed from attacks targeting cross-chain connectivity and messaging infrastructure rather than directly targeting smart contracts. The Drift and Kelp DAO attacks are cited as significant examples of this trend. In April, the targeting of Kelp DAO's cross-chain messaging infrastructure, which runs on LayerZero, resulted in a loss of approximately $293 million. This suggests that bridge attacks could cause significant losses in 2026, as they have in previous years. In the first quarter, more than $168.6 million in assets were stolen from decentralized finance protocols. In April, the two largest attacks of the year were recorded; Drift Protocol lost approximately $280 million, and Kelp lost $292 million. Verus had not officially confirmed the attack at the time of writing. However, statements from security companies such as Blockaid, PeckShield, and ExVul, based on on-chain data, are causing concern.
What Is Espresso (ESP)?
Rollups have become one of the most important scaling solutions in the Ethereum ecosystem in recent years. Thanks to Arbitrum, Optimism, Base, zkSync and various appchain structures, transactions can be processed faster and at lower cost compared to the main network. However, this growth also brings a new problem. When each rollup creates its own structure, transaction sequencing process and liquidity environment, the user experience becomes fragmented.Espresso is a blockchain infrastructure project that steps in at this point. The project aims to offer fast finality, shared transaction validation and a more unified cross-chain experience for rollups and application-specific chains. In its official documentation, Espresso is described as custom chain infrastructure that provides control, configurability, connectivity and high performance for teams building on-chain systems. Today, the network operates with a structure that aims to provide transaction finality in under three seconds, while its roadmap includes lower latency and higher transaction capacity.ESP is the native token of Espresso Network. Issued on Ethereum mainnet as an ERC-20 token, ESP is used for the network’s proof-of-stake security, validator structure, delegation process and protocol fees. For this reason, the ESP token is known not only as a tradable asset, but also as one of the key economic tools used in Espresso’s decentralization process.Espresso’s Definition and OriginsEspresso is an infrastructure network developed to help the Ethereum rollup ecosystem operate in a more connected, faster and more reliable way. In its early stages, the project was mostly associated with the idea of a “shared sequencer.” However, its scope expanded over time. Today, Espresso is described as a Global Confirmation Layer that provides fast transaction finality for rollups and application-specific chains.Rollups execute transactions outside the Ethereum mainnet and then carry summaries or proofs of these transactions to the main network. This model offers a strong solution for scaling. However, the fact that each rollup has its own sequencer, block production process and user flow makes cross-chain transactions more complex. Espresso aims to make this fragmented structure more compatible.The project’s Mainnet 0 release was announced in October 2024. This release represented the first production-stage phase of Espresso Network. With Mainnet 0, HotShot was used in a production environment for the first time. In the initial phase, the network was launched with 100 nodes operated by 20 node operators. This period served as the technical preparation phase for Espresso’s transition toward broader validator participation and a proof-of-stake security model.Espresso’s core idea is based on allowing different rollups to connect to a stronger shared validation layer. This can help users receive faster confirmations, lower latency and more reliable cross-chain interaction when moving from one rollup to another. This approach is especially important for bridging, cross-chain applications, DeFi transactions, NFT minting processes and application-specific chains.Espresso’s History: Key MilestonesEspresso’s foundations were laid during the period when rollups were rapidly growing in the Ethereum ecosystem. While Arbitrum, Optimism, zkSync, Base and similar networks made significant progress in scaling, a different problem emerged. Rollups could operate quickly and at low cost within their own environments; however, the fact that each network had its own transaction sequencing structure made the cross-chain experience more complicated.In its early stages, the project especially stood out with the idea of “shared sequencing.” This concept refers to different rollups using a shared sequencing infrastructure instead of isolated sequencers. Espresso approached this model as a critical infrastructure component for Ethereum’s rollup-centric future.In 2020, one of Espresso Systems’ first financing steps was taken. According to the company’s later disclosed funding history, the project received a $2 million seed investment at an early stage. In 2022, it completed a $30 million Series A round. These two periods became the first major capital stages supporting Espresso’s research and product development process.In March 2024, a more visible growth phase began for the project. Espresso Systems closed a $28 million Series B funding round led by a16z crypto. With this round, the company’s total funding exceeded $60 million. The investment round made Espresso’s ambition in shared sequencing and rollup infrastructure more visible across the broader crypto ecosystem.The most important technical milestone in 2024 was Mainnet 0. In Espresso’s official documentation, the Mainnet 0 release is listed as “October 2024.” This release represented the first production-stage phase of Espresso Network and laid the foundations for the Global Confirmation Layer vision. The announcement that the network had started operating on mainnet was published on November 11, 2024.During the Mainnet 0 phase, Espresso operated with a more controlled validator structure. This period was important for testing the network technically under production conditions and bringing the HotShot consensus protocol into a real-use environment. It also created the foundation for broader validator participation and the transition to a proof-of-stake model.On April 18, 2025, the Mainnet 1 upgrade went live on the Decaf testnet. According to official documentation, Mainnet 1 was designed to enable permissionless participation through delegated proof-of-stake on Espresso Network. This phase became one of the important testnet-level steps in the network’s decentralization roadmap.On February 5, 2026, Espresso Foundation announced the details of the ESP token. The initial total supply was announced as 3.59 billion ESP. In the token economy, separate allocations were set for contributors, investors, the airdrop program, future incentives, foundation operations, liquidity provisioning and staking bonuses.On February 12, 2026, the ESP token was officially launched. With this launch, Espresso moved beyond being only a technical infrastructure project and made its transition to a token-based proof-of-stake security model more concrete. In the same period, the community airdrop covering 10 percent of the total supply also stood out.On February 27, 2026, Espresso Network started its proof-of-stake transition process. Espresso Foundation described this step as a transition to a more permissionless and decentralized base layer secured by staked ESP. In this process, ESP staking, validator participation and delegation became central to the network’s security.As of March 4, 2026, Espresso Network started operating on proof-of-stake. According to information shared by the company, the permissioned validator set was removed and the network moved to a model based on open validator participation. Thus, the production process that began with Mainnet 0 in Espresso’s history entered a new stage with the ESP-backed PoS security model.Today, the ESP coin price is trading around $0.06. How Does Espresso Work?To understand how Espresso works, it is necessary to first look at the rollup structure. A rollup executes transactions outside the main chain. These transactions are later secured through mechanisms such as state checkpoints, validity proofs or fraud proofs sent to a Layer 1 network such as Ethereum. In this architecture, Espresso focuses on transaction sequencing and fast confirmation. According to official documentation, chains using Espresso interact both with Espresso Network and with the Layer 1 blockchain. Layer 1 works as the main settlement layer where rollups submit their state updates. Espresso, on the other hand, serves as an intermediate layer that provides fast confirmation for rollups.A simple transaction flow works as follows:· The user sends the transaction to the relevant rollup’s RPC service or application interface.· The rollup forwards this transaction to Espresso Network.· HotShot manages the sequencing and confirmation process of the transaction.· The transaction is executed by the relevant rollup nodes.· The block commitment information is sent to the contract on Layer 1.· The rollup forwards the new state information to Layer 1 and completes the validation process through the required proof mechanism.Thanks to this structure, Espresso does not only provide fast transaction confirmation for rollups. It also allows different rollups to benefit from the same reliable confirmation layer. This can reduce latency in cross-chain transactions and simplify the user experience.What Is HotShot?HotShot is the BFT-based consensus protocol at the center of Espresso Network. The technical side of Espresso’s fast finality and confirmation claim is based on HotShot. This protocol is designed to operate with a large number of participating nodes.One of HotShot’s key differences is that it does not execute transactions. In other words, HotShot does not run a rollup’s virtual machine or directly calculate user balances. Instead, it focuses on providing the required guarantees for transaction sequencing, confirmation and data availability. Official documentation states that HotShot separates transaction execution from the consensus side, offering a more modular structure.This separation makes it easier for Espresso to work with different types of rollups. One chain may be EVM-compatible, while another chain may use an application-specific virtual machine. Espresso’s goal is not to change the internal execution logic of each of these chains, but to provide them with a shared and fast confirmation infrastructure.HotShot is also designed for high scalability. Since participating nodes do not need to directly execute all transaction data, the hardware burden becomes more balanced. This structure aims to support broader validator participation in the future.What Is EspressoDA?EspressoDA is the layer associated with data availability in the Espresso ecosystem. In rollup architecture, data availability is a critical component that shows whether transaction data is truly accessible and verifiable. Even if a rollup quickly sequences transactions, its security model weakens if transaction data is not accessible.In Espresso’s architecture, data availability and transaction execution are handled separately from the consensus mechanism. While HotShot works on fast confirmation and sequencing, EspressoDA is used as a low-cost data availability option. Integrated chains may prefer different data availability solutions; however, Espresso also offers its own DA layer among the default options. This model is compatible with the modular blockchain approach. Instead of a single network doing everything, different layers take on different tasks. When transaction execution, settlement, consensus and data availability are separated, developers can build more flexible infrastructures according to their own needs.What Is the ESP Token Used For?ESP is the native token of Espresso Network and plays a central role in the network’s proof-of-stake structure. The token is an ERC-20 asset issued on Ethereum mainnet. According to the official statement, ESP has two main use cases: proof-of-stake consensus and protocol fees.The first use case is the staking mechanism. Validators stake ESP to participate in HotShot consensus. ESP holders can also delegate their tokens to validators without having to run their own nodes. This delegation model makes contributing to network security more accessible.The second use case is protocol fees. Data processing fees within Espresso Network are paid with the ESP token. This structure connects the token to the technical operation of the network. As a result, ESP plays a role not only in governance or community incentives, but also directly in infrastructure usage.Another important aspect of ESP is its contribution to the decentralization process. With Mainnet 1.0, Espresso aimed to make its validator set more open and move from a fixed operator model to a proof-of-stake model based on economic security. In this transition, ESP staking became central to the network’s security model.ESP TokenonomyESP’s initial total supply was announced as 3.59 billion tokens. The token does not have a fixed maximum supply. This is due to the dynamic structure of staking rewards. For this reason, ESP supply may change over time depending on network security, staking rewards and protocol mechanisms. The largest share in the initial supply distribution was allocated to the contributor category. This category includes the teams that contributed to the research and development process of Espresso technology. The contributor share was announced as 27.36 percent. The share allocated to investors stands at 14.32 percent.In the distribution, 15 percent was allocated to foundation operations, 4.50 percent to liquidity provisioning activities, 3.01 percent to staking bonuses and decentralization efforts, and 1 percent to the community launchpad program.Espresso Airdrop ProcessEspresso Foundation announced a large-scale airdrop program as part of the ESP token launch. According to the statement, more than 1 million addresses were deemed eligible for the airdrop. Eligibility criteria were evaluated across more than 30 activities. In this context, users were assessed not only through surface-level metrics such as transaction count or simple task completion, but also through longer-term participation behavior.One of the concepts that stood out in the airdrop process was Holder Score. Espresso used this method to analyze users’ past airdrop behavior. The goal was to distinguish addresses that only performed transactions for short-term rewards from users who showed longer-term participation.The airdrop model was also supported by anti-Sybil checks. In the crypto ecosystem, large airdrop programs often become controversial due to opportunistic participants using multiple wallets. Espresso stated that it adopted a more selective distribution approach at this point.Another part of the airdrop was staking incentives. ESP holders can contribute to network security by staking their tokens. Additional reward mechanisms were also announced for users who stake for the long term. This structure aims to reduce the immediate sell pressure from token distribution and support longer-term network participation.How Does Espresso Staking Work?With the transition to proof-of-stake, Espresso placed the ESP staking model at the center of network security. ESP holders can participate in two ways. The first option is to run a validator node. This path requires technical knowledge, infrastructure management and constant performance monitoring. The second option is to delegate ESP tokens to an existing validator. Example reward rates Delegation offers a more practical model for a broader user base. Users can contribute to network security without setting up their own validator infrastructure and can receive a share of the protocol rewards earned by the validator. Validators can also set their own commission rates.According to Espresso Foundation’s staking guide, the active validator set in HotShot consensus is shaped by stake weight. The top 100 validators with the highest stake are included in the active consensus set. For this reason, staking is not only an individual reward mechanism, but also one of the key elements that define Espresso’s security and decentralization structure.Performance is also important on the validator side. Operators who want to play an active role in the network need to follow current software versions, operate with a low missed-slot rate and provide stable node performance. Espresso Foundation also announced an initiative called the Validator Bootstrap Program in 2026 to increase validator participation. Under this program, selected operators were planned to receive 1 million ESP in delegation to strengthen their position in the network.Espresso EcosystemEspresso’s value proposition does not come only from its technical architecture. The adoption of the project by rollups, appchains, infrastructure providers and cross-chain applications is also important. In official documentation, Espresso is associated with teams such as Arbitrum, Celo, ApeChain, Morph Chain, Rari Chain and LitVM.Different integration and contribution examples were also announced under the Espresso Partner Program. In the third quarter of 2025, projects such as ApeChain, t3rn, NodeOps, Huddle01 and Rufus stood out with testnet or mainnet integrations. RARI Chain, AppChain, LogX and Molten Network were among existing integrations. Teams such as Celo and Nethermind were also shown among technical contributors.In the fourth quarter of 2025, the mainnet integrations of projects such as ApeChain, Huddle01 and Rufus were also highlighted.One of the most notable use cases for Espresso within this ecosystem is cross-chain experiences. For example, in NFT minting processes, users are expected to carry out transactions across different chains without manual bridging. In such scenarios, fast confirmation becomes a factor that directly affects the user experience.Is Espresso a Layer 2?Espresso is not positioned as a classic Layer 2 in the direct sense. It is not a general-purpose rollup like Arbitrum or Optimism. Instead, it works as a confirmation and consensus layer that provides infrastructure for rollups, appchains and different on-chain systems.This distinction matters. A Layer 2 executes user transactions and manages its own state structure. Espresso, on the other hand, supports integrated chains in transaction sequencing, fast confirmation and data availability. For this reason, it is more accurate to define Espresso as an “infrastructure layer for rollups” or a “Global Confirmation Layer.”Espresso’s position is compatible with the modular blockchain approach. In modular architecture, each layer takes on a different role. One layer handles transaction execution, another provides settlement and another offers data availability. In this structure, Espresso aims to strengthen the consensus and confirmation side.Espresso and Its Relationship With the Rollup EcosystemThe growth of the rollup ecosystem is very important for Ethereum scaling. However, the separate development of many rollups can create a fragmented experience for users and developers. Moving assets between different networks, managing liquidity, switching between applications and waiting for transaction finality can still be complex.Espresso aims to improve this experience by helping rollups operate in a more coordinated way. Confirmation provided by HotShot is especially important for bridge transactions. As stated in official documentation, while waiting for finality on Ethereum can take much longer in certain cases, the HotShot confirmation process can operate within a timeframe of a few seconds.This approach also becomes meaningful on the DeFi side. Reliable and fast cross-chain state information is needed for liquidity pools, order books or applications on different rollups to work more compatibly. Espresso aims to provide developers with lower-latency infrastructure in this area.Espresso’s use cases are not limited to rollup infrastructure. The project aims to offer custom chain infrastructure for different teams building on-chain systems. Official documentation mentions areas such as stablecoins, tokenized assets, exchanges, payment systems and application-specific deployments.For stablecoin projects, fast and reliable confirmation is important for the payment experience. On the tokenized assets side, transaction finality and cross-chain compatibility stand out in institutional use cases. In gaming, NFT and social applications, users also need to avoid complex bridging processes when moving between chains.In these areas, Espresso gives developers the ability to design their own chains more flexibly. Teams can build infrastructure that suits their own needs instead of shaping their products around the limitations of existing general-purpose networks. The confirmation layer offered by Espresso also contributes to making this infrastructure more connected.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)The questions around Espresso generally focus on whether the project is a Layer 2, what the ESP token is used for and what role HotShot consensus plays in the rollup ecosystem. The following questions were prepared to make Espresso Network’s core structure, ESP token economy and staking process easier to understand:What is Espresso (ESP)?: Espresso is a blockchain infrastructure that offers fast confirmation, shared sequencing and proof-of-stake security for rollups and application-specific chains. ESP is the native token used for staking, delegation and protocol fees on this network.What is the ESP token used for?: The ESP token is used in Espresso Network’s proof-of-stake consensus. Validators stake ESP to participate in HotShot consensus. Users can also delegate their tokens to validators. In addition, data processing fees within Espresso are paid with ESP.Is Espresso a Layer 2?: Espresso is not a Layer 2 in the classic sense. It does not operate as a general-purpose rollup that directly executes transactions like Arbitrum or Optimism. Instead, it provides fast confirmation and consensus infrastructure for rollups and appchains.What is HotShot?: HotShot is Espresso Network’s BFT-based proof-of-stake consensus protocol. Instead of executing transactions, it provides integrated chains with fast confirmation and reliable transaction sequencing support.What is EspressoDA?: EspressoDA is the solution used for data availability in the Espresso ecosystem. Data availability is important for keeping rollup transactions verifiable and accessible. EspressoDA aims to support this process with a low-cost and modular structure.What is the total supply of the ESP token?: ESP’s initial total supply was announced as 3.59 billion tokens. However, the token does not have a fixed maximum supply. This is because staking rewards operate dynamically.How does ESP staking work?: ESP holders can contribute to network security by staking their tokens. Users with technical infrastructure can run a validator node. Users who want a simpler way to participate can delegate their ESP tokens to existing validators.Which projects does Espresso work with?: The Espresso ecosystem includes various integration and contribution examples such as ApeChain, RARI Chain, Celo, Morph Chain, LitVM, t3rn, NodeOps, Huddle01 and Rufus. These projects have taken part in the Espresso ecosystem through testnet, mainnet or technical contribution processes at different periods.If you want to follow new infrastructure projects, token economies and the technical foundations of blockchain more closely, you can continue exploring JrKripto guides
A Busy Day for HYPE: Bitwise ETF Launches, Manipulation Allegations Emerge
Hyperliquid has become one of the most talked-about projects of the week in the institutional cryptocurrency sector. Bitwise's spot Hyperliquid ETF, under the ticker symbol BHYP, began trading on the New York Stock Exchange, accelerating the rise in the HYPE price. However, this optimistic ETF agenda is accompanied by a striking claim from the regulatory side. According to a post by the account Solid Intel, the CME and NYSE are pushing for stricter regulation of Hyperliquid in the US due to risks of market manipulation and sanctions evasion. Hyperliquid in the news this weekHyperliquid has become one of the most talked-about projects of the week in the institutional cryptocurrency sector. Bitwise's spot Hyperliquid ETF, under the ticker symbol BHYP, began trading on the New York Stock Exchange. The sponsorship fee for the product was set at 0.34%, and this fee was zeroed for the first 30 days for the fund's initial $500 million in assets. The launch coincided with the sharp rise in the HYPE price seen over the past two days. The token gained approximately 20% in value as news accelerated, climbing above the $46 level. This movement was fueled not only by the anticipation of a new ETF but also by the intensification of institutional interest in the Hyperliquid ecosystem across several different areas within the same week. Bitwise's product creates a significant distinction in the US Hyperliquid ETF race. Instead of outsourcing the fund's HYPE assets to a third-party provider, the company plans to stake them through its own staking arm, Bitwise Onchain Solutions. According to Bitwise, BHYP is the first Hyperliquid ETP sponsor to utilize in-house staking infrastructure. This detail has sparked a debate in the ETF market that goes beyond fee competition. In structures where staking returns are managed through external providers, third-party operators take a share of the rewards. By keeping the staking process internal, Bitwise aims to both compete with lower fees and manage the return generated from the fund's staked HYPE assets more efficiently. The competition, which started with 21Shares' THYP product, is growingBitwise's launch came just days after 21Shares' Hyperliquid ETF, THYP, began trading on Nasdaq. While 21Shares offers spot HYPE access with THYP, it also launched its 2x Long Hyperliquid ETF product, codenamed TXXH. According to the company's statement, the fee for THYP is 0.30%, while the fee for TXXH is 1.89%.Initial data shows that demand for HYPE-focused ETFs is limited but real. 21Shares' THYP product reached a volume of $1.8 million and a net inflow of approximately $1.2 million on its first day of trading. According to news based on SoSoValue data, as of May 13, the total net inflow for THYP had reached $2.52 million. These figures may not seem large compared to Bitcoin or Solana ETF launches. However, Hyperliquid's newer and more niche nature means that initial demand is being closely watched by the market. The early performance of the funds shows that institutional investors are beginning to view HYPE not just as short-term price movement, but as a gateway to the growth of on-chain derivatives markets.Coinbase move strengthens the momentumAnother development supporting the rise in HYPE price came from Coinbase. Coinbase announced that it will be the official treasury distributor of USDC on Hyperliquid. According to the company's announcement, USDC has reached approximately $5 billion in size on Hyperliquid and has become one of the core liquidity assets on the network. Coinbase also entered into a transition process with Native Markets that includes the right to purchase USDH branded assets. This development shows that Hyperliquid is becoming more visible not only as a DEX or perpetual trading platform, but also in terms of stablecoin liquidity and institutional market infrastructure. According to Bitwise data, Hyperliquid reached a trading volume of $2.9 trillion in 2025, representing approximately 60% of on-chain derivatives open positions and offering a structure capable of processing approximately 200,000 orders per second. Regulatory claims attract attentionDespite market optimism, regulation remains one of the most sensitive areas for Hyperliquid. According to an account called Solid Intel, CME and NYSE are pressuring the US to regulate Hyperliquid due to risks of market manipulation and sanctions evasion. This claim has not yet been independently verified. However, the debate over oversight of on-chain derivatives markets in the US is already growing. News that the CFTC wants to bring offshore DEXs closer to the US regulatory framework suggests that Hyperliquid may remain at the center of a stricter regulatory debate in the future. The establishment of the Hyperliquid Policy Center in Washington also indicates that the project is preparing for this process.
Allegations of a Hack for THORChain: RUNE Dropped Sharply
The decentralized cross-chain protocol THORChain has made headlines in the crypto market with a new hacking allegation. On-chain researcher ZachXBT stated in a Telegram post that THORChain may have been the target of a large-scale attack. Initial findings suggest the attack occurred across multiple networks, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, BNB Chain, and Base. The confirmed losses so far are estimated to be over $7.4 million. Source: CoinDesk/X At the time of writing, there has been no official confirmation from the THORChain team. However, the rapid spread of the claim on social media created sudden selling pressure on the project's native token, RUNE. According to market data, RUNE was trading above $0.58 before the news broke. Following the spread of the allegations, the token fell by double digits to $0.50, marking its lowest level in the last two weeks. Allegations of a multi-chain attack have unsettled the marketTHORChain is known as a decentralized liquidity protocol that allows direct asset swapping between different blockchain networks. The protocol's core promise is that users can transact between assets on Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other networks without needing centralized exchanges. Therefore, the possibility of a security vulnerability affecting multiple chains has increased market anxiety.ZachXBT's post stated that the attack covered Bitcoin, Ethereum, BNB Chain, and Base networks. This detail suggests that the incident may not have been limited to a simple vulnerability on a single chain. However, the technical source of the attack, the method used, and which component of the THORChain infrastructure was targeted are not yet clear. It seems difficult to draw a definitive picture without an official statement.ZachXBT's posts are closely followed in the crypto market, especially regarding hacks and suspicious fund movements. Therefore, it was not surprising that the claim had an impact on the price even before official confirmation. The rapid drop in RUNE also revealed investors' risk-averse tendencies. RUNE price under pressureRUNE's price drop from $0.58 to $0.50 was noteworthy. While the token found some support in this region, uncertainty persists. The statement from the THORChain team will be crucial in understanding both the extent of the loss and the current security status of the protocol. If the attack is confirmed, the market's focus will shift to monitoring funds, the status of affected users, and the compensation steps the protocol will take. If the hacking claim is not confirmed, or if the loss is limited, this could alleviate some of the panic selling on RUNE.
Coinbase Partners with Hyperliquid: Stakes Hype
Coinbase has signed a significant partnership with Hyperliquid, one of the fastest-growing transaction networks in the crypto market. Under the agreement, the company will act as the official treasury dispenser for USDC on Hyperliquid. This development demonstrates Coinbase's intention to place USDC directly at the heart of its on-chain transaction infrastructure, rather than limiting stablecoin liquidity to centralized exchanges and the Ethereum ecosystem. The agreement will be implemented through Hyperliquid's Aligned Quote Asset (AQA) framework. This system directly links stablecoin liquidity to Hyperliquid's transaction infrastructure. Thus, USDC will take on a more centralized role in the network's markets, while a portion of the revenue generated from reserve yields will be shared with the protocol. According to a second source, under the new AQAv2 structure, Coinbase and Circle aim to consolidate liquidity under one roof by staking HYPE and make USDC the primary quoted asset for HIP-4 markets. USDC Liquidity Grows on HyperliquidHyperliquid has become one of the platforms closely followed by crypto investors in recent months, especially with its perpetual futures trading. Low fees, deep liquidity, and a fast user experience approaching centralized exchanges have been effective in the network's growth. With the renewed interest in DeFi, many traders have started to move their transactions to on-chain platforms. This transition has increased Hyperliquid's trading volume and weight within the ecosystem. Also, at the time of writing, the HYPE coin price has risen by 3% to above $40. According to data reported by Coinbase, the USDC supply on Hyperliquid has nearly doubled year-on-year, approaching $5 billion. This figure shows that USDC plays a critical role in the Hyperliquid ecosystem not only as a payment instrument but also in terms of transaction, collateral, and treasury management. Stablecoins are largely used as the basic consensus layer for trading activities in the crypto market. Therefore, having strong stablecoin liquidity on a rapidly growing transaction network creates a strategic advantage for Coinbase and Circle. Another noteworthy part of the agreement concerns USDH, the stablecoin project specific to Hyperliquid. Native Markets, the developer of USDH, accepted terms granting Coinbase the right to purchase USDH branded assets. USDH will remain usable against USDC or fiat currency during the transition period. However, after this period, the product is planned to be phased out over time. This structure could pave the way for a clearer standard on the stablecoin side of the Hyperliquid ecosystem. USDH remaining in the background and USDC taking center stage as the primary quotation asset means a simpler liquidity structure for traders. It also allows Coinbase to take on a more visible role in growing on-chain transaction networks like Hyperliquid. This move by Coinbase also reveals that competition in the stablecoin market is increasingly moving to the infrastructure level. Stablecoins are no longer considered solely as standalone products. Exchanges, blockchain networks, and DeFi protocols are making these assets an integral part of transaction, collateral, and treasury systems. Especially in the 24/7 crypto market, the uninterrupted management of liquidity has become even more important for major players. Native Markets notes that Coinbase's inclusion in the ecosystem could strengthen Hyperliquid's position. A direct role for one of the largest US-based crypto companies in Hyperliquid's infrastructure could lead to the network gaining more prominence in discussions about its market structure. Coinbase also emphasizes that the partnership will contribute to creating a more unified global market for on-chain capital markets.
Binance Alpha Removes 20 Altcoins: Trading Will Continue
Binance Alpha has removed 20 tokens from its featured assets list following recent evaluations. According to the platform's announcement dated May 14, 2026, PRAI, COMMON, PINGPONG, TAKER, JANITOR, GATA, KLINK, CORL, SWTCH, ARIAIP, LONG, ZKWASM, GORILLA, ECHO, LITKEY, FIR, GM, DELABS, DONKEY, and WHY will no longer be considered projects meeting Binance Alpha's standards. The delisting took effect at 06:00 UTC on May 14, which is 09:00 Turkish time. Binance stated that the decision was made as a result of "recent evaluations." The announcement did not provide a separate reason for each project. However, the statement emphasized that tokens included in Binance Alpha may carry higher-than-normal risks and be susceptible to high price volatility. 20 Tokens Delisted from Binance AlphaThe delisted tokens include projects operating in various fields such as Privasea AI's PRAI token, Common's COMMON token, Taker Protocol's TAKER token, Gata, Klink Finance, Coral Finance, Switchboard, Aria Protocol, Belong, ZKWASM, Echo Protocol, Lit Protocol, Fireverse, GOMBLE, and Delabs Games. Smaller-scale or community-focused tokens such as DONKEY, WHY, GORILLA, JANITOR, and PINGPONG were also among the delisted assets.Binance Alpha is used as a platform where early-stage projects become more visible. Therefore, tokens listed here may have a higher risk profile compared to traditional spot listings. While highlighted assets on the platform sometimes increase user interest, this does not mean that the tokens in question are listed on Binance's main spot market. Therefore, the decision to delist from Alpha is not directly the same as a classic delisting process. Binance stated in its announcement that it prioritizes user security while continuing to support innovation and transparency. The company also reminded investors to conduct their own research before trading. The announcement specifically highlighted the need to be vigilant against fraud risks and to protect the security of funds.One important point is that sales and withdrawals will continue even after these tokens are removed from Binance Alpha. Binance stated that users can withdraw or sell these assets through Binance Alpha. To withdraw, the relevant token can be selected from the "Asset" tab in the Alpha section. For sales, the token can be selected from the Alpha asset screen, followed by "Instant" and then "Sell".Binance Wallet users can also search for the relevant token through the "Market" tab and conduct transactions. This announcement shows that the process has not become completely closed for users holding delisted tokens. However, the removal of Alpha visibility may put pressure on liquidity and investor interest in some tokens.Risk management was highlighted in Binance's warning. The platform stated that tokens in Binance Alpha are susceptible to high price volatility and that users should fully understand the projects before trading. Therefore, it seems possible that short-term price movements in these tokens will intensify following the removal decision.
OpenAI and Anthropic Warn: Sharp Drop in Solana-Based Tokens
Solana-based PreStocks tokens faced strong selling pressure this week following harsh warnings from AI giants OpenAI and Anthropic. These tokens, which aim to track the hypothetical pre-IPO value of privately held company shares, rapidly lost value after the two companies made statements regarding unauthorized share transfers.PreStocks products are presented as tokenized tools that claim to provide access to the potential future IPO values of privately held companies. However, these products are not officially endorsed or supported by the companies they track. Therefore, the risk taken by investors is not limited to market volatility; it also includes more fundamental uncertainties such as legal validity and ownership rights. OpenAI and Anthropic warn against unauthorized share transfersIn announcements published during the week, OpenAI and Anthropic stated that company shares are subject to strict transfer restrictions. Both companies emphasized that common and preferred shares are subject to specific rules under their company bylaws. These warnings do not only cover direct share sales. Companies have pointed out that transactions attempted through special purpose vehicles (SPVs), tokenized instruments, and forward contracts could also be considered unauthorized transfers.Anthropic announced that it has not authorized certain firms, including Open Door Partners, Hiive, and Forge, to buy and sell its shares. The company stated that any share transfer without board approval would be considered invalid and would not be recognized in company records. This means that buyers participating in such transactions may not acquire shareholder rights.OpenAI made a similar statement. The company stated that unauthorized transactions could violate US securities laws and that the underlying share transfer could become invalid as a result of such transactions. OpenAI also warned that such transactions may not have economic value for buyers.Double-digit losses in PreStocks pricesFollowing these announcements, sharp declines were seen in the PreStocks market. According to CoinGecko data, Anthropic PreStocks has lost approximately 38 percent of its value since Tuesday, falling to around $879. The token's market capitalization is approximately $8.3 million.The decline in OpenAI PreStocks was even more pronounced. CoinGecko data showed that the OpenAI PreStocks price fell by approximately 46 percent during the same period, dropping to $1,080. The market capitalization of this token was estimated to be around $2.2 million. These declines reflect the transaction prices of tokenized PreStocks products. Therefore, these movements do not directly mean a change in the official company valuations of OpenAI or Anthropic. Tokenization of private company shares creates controversyThis development has brought the risks of tokenized products based on private company shares back to the forefront. Shares of privately held companies are generally subject to strict transfer rules and internal approval processes. When these rules are bypassed, or when investors are offered indirect access through different financial instruments, the legal basis of the resulting product becomes questionable. Tools like PreStocks offer investors the idea of early-stage access to popular private companies. However, statements from OpenAI and Anthropic suggest that investors may not obtain the rights they expect if this access is not recognized by the companies.
Binance Futures Launches Futures for Disney, Uber, and Oracle
Binance Futures announced it will launch new USDⓈ margin-based TradFi (traditional finance) perpetual contracts to expand its portfolio of products based on traditional financial assets. According to the announcement, six new futures contracts tracking Lumentum, Oracle, Walt Disney, Uber, Cisco, and Home Depot stocks will be gradually listed starting May 15, 2026.The new contracts will be settled with USDT, and users will be able to use leverage up to 10x on these products. This move by Binance shows that crypto exchanges are opening up more space for derivative products that track stock prices, not just digital assets. Thus, users will be able to access price movements linked to traditional market stocks 24/7 through Binance Futures. Six new TradFi contracts from BinanceAccording to the announcement, the first contract will be LITEUSDT. This product, tracking Lumentum Holdings shares, will open for trading on May 15th at 16:30 GMT+3. This will be followed by ORCLUSDT, based on Oracle shares, at 16:35 GMT+3, and DISUSDT, tracking Walt Disney shares, at 16:40 GMT+3. The UBERUSDT contract, based on Uber Technologies shares, will open at 16:45 GMT+3, the CSCOUSDT contract, tracking Cisco Systems shares, at 16:50 GMT+3, and the HDUSDT contract, based on Home Depot shares, at 16:55 GMT+3 on Binance Futures. The maximum leverage for all contracts is set at 10x. These products do not directly represent the shares of the respective companies. Instead, they are offered as futures contracts tracking the price of the underlying assets. LITEUSDT tracks Lumentum Holdings shares traded on the Nasdaq; ORCLUSDT will track Oracle shares on the New York Stock Exchange; DISUSDT will track Walt Disney shares; UBERUSDT will track Uber Technologies shares; CSCOUSDT will track Cisco Systems shares on the Nasdaq; and HDUSDT will track Home Depot shares.24/7 trading and multi-asset mode supportAccording to Binance's announcement, the minimum transaction amount for all new contracts will be 0.01. The minimum nominal value is set at 5 USDT. The tick size, or the smallest price movement, will be 0.01 for all contracts.The funding fee will be calculated every eight hours. The upper and lower funding rate limits are +2.00% and -2.00%, respectively. Binance also stated that these contracts will be exempt from funding interval adjustment rules. Accordingly, even if the funding rate reaches the upper or lower limit in the previous calculation period, the funding interval will not be reduced from eight hours to one hour.The new products will also have Multi-Assets Mode support. When this mode is activated, users will be able to trade with different collateral assets, subject to appropriate commission rates. Binance stated, for example, that users can use BTC as collateral in these contracts when multi-asset mode is enabled.The boundary between TradeFi and crypto markets is narrowingBinance Futures' new announcement coincides with a period in the crypto market where the theme of tokenization and access to traditional finance products is strengthening. Equity-based derivatives offer investors the opportunity to take positions on price movements outside of classic exchange hours. However, this structure also brings additional risks.The use of leverage in futures contracts can amplify price movements on both the profit and loss sides. Therefore, Binance emphasized that it may make changes to contract features according to market risk conditions. The exchange stated that parameters such as funding fee, tick size, maximum leverage, initial margin, and maintenance margin may be updated from time to time.The announcement also reminded users that products and services may not be available in all regions. Binance stated that in case of any discrepancies, this announcement should be considered the most current and valid source of information, rather than the relevant futures FAQ pages.
Binance Delists Five Altcoins: Prices Drop Sharply
Binance announced it has delisted five cryptocurrencies following periodic listing reviews. The exchange will remove all spot trading pairs for Automata Network (ATA), Harvest Finance (FARM), Enzyme (MLN), Phoenix (PHB), and Syscoin (SYS) as of May 27, 2026, at 06:00. Following the decision, sharp price movements were observed in these altcoins. According to market data, ATA fell approximately 23.35% to $0.0083085, FARM fell 17.25% to $10.34, and MLN fell 22.33% to $2.43. On the Phoenix side, PHB dropped 20.48% to $0.1005004, while Syscoin traded around $0.0080227, a loss of 23.16%. SYS PHB ATA Binance lists reasons for delistingIn its statement, Binance stated that listed digital assets are re-evaluated periodically. The exchange stated that if a coin or token no longer meets the established standards or if industry conditions change, a more comprehensive review is conducted, and a delisting decision may be made.These reviews do not only consider price performance. Binance explained that it looks at many factors such as the commitment of the project team, the level and quality of development activities, trading volume, liquidity, network security, community communication, transparency, regulatory requirements, and changes in the token economy. In addition, unethical behavior, suspicion of fraud, negligence, changes in project ownership, and community sentiment can also be influential in the decision-making process.As a result of the latest evaluation, it was decided to end trading support for ATA, FARM, MLN, PHB, and SYS on the Binance spot market. This decision means a significant reduction in the visibility and liquidity of these tokens in the Binance ecosystem.Spot trading, bots, and copy trading will be affectedThe delisting process will not be limited only to the removal of spot trading pairs. Binance announced that all open orders in the relevant spot pairs will be automatically canceled after trading ceases. Therefore, users need to check their open orders and positions in advance.The exchange also announced that its Trading Bots service will end on May 27, 2026 at 06:00. Binance advised users to update or cancel their trading bots before the delisting time to avoid potential losses.On the Spot Copy Trading side, the schedule starts earlier. Binance Spot Copy Trading will remove the relevant trading pairs on May 20, 2026 at 06:00. After this date, remaining assets may be compulsorily sold at market price, or amounts too small to be sold may be transferred to the Spot Account. Therefore, users holding these assets in their copy trading portfolios need to act sooner.Deadlines for deposits and withdrawals announcedBinance also shared the schedule for deposits and withdrawals for the tokens to be delisted. Accordingly, ATA, FARM, MLN, PHB, and SYS deposits will no longer be reflected in user accounts after May 28, 2026, at 06:00. The deadline for withdrawals is July 27, 2026, at 06:00. After this date, withdrawal support for these tokens will no longer be available through Binance. Users who wish to transfer their assets to other wallets or platforms supporting these tokens should take these dates into account. Binance also stated that the delisted tokens may be converted to stablecoins on behalf of users after July 28, 2026, at 06:00. However, it was specifically emphasized that this conversion is not guaranteed. If such a transaction occurs, Binance will publish a separate announcement, and the stablecoins will be transferred to user accounts after the conversion.
