News
Altcoin News
Altcoin News
Browse all Altcoin related articles and news. The latest news, analysis, and insights on Altcoin.
July Decisive Month in Trump’s Crypto Agenda: Pay Attention to GENIUS and CLARITY Acts!
The countdown has begun for the long-awaited legal framework for cryptocurrency regulation in the US. David Sacks, known as the “crypto czar” of the White House in the US, announced on social media that two important laws, the CLARITY and GENIUS Acts, will be signed in July and introduced to the Senate agenda.GENIUS Act: Provides a national stablecoin standard for the USThe GENIUS (Guaranteed Electronic National Innovation for the US) Act aims to introduce comprehensive national regulation for stablecoins. This law draws a clear framework for how cryptocurrencies pegged to fiat currencies such as the US dollar will be issued, their reserve guarantees, and their legal responsibilities. According to Sacks, this law will provide a safer regulatory environment for domestic companies. In addition, it will reduce the US’s dependence on foreign financial technologies.The rapid growth of the stablecoin market has made regulatory uncertainties more visible. With the enactment of the GENIUS Act, it is aimed for stable cryptocurrencies such as USDC and USDT to operate in a more transparent and regulated manner on US soil. CLARITY Act: “Legal clarity” for cryptocurrenciesThe CLARITY (Cryptocurrency Legal Accountability and Regulatory Transparency for Innovation and Yield) Act stands out as a more comprehensive regulation. This law aims to put an end to the legal uncertainty that has been going on for years by introducing clear definitions of whether cryptocurrencies are securities or commodities. In particular, the clarification of the jurisdictions of institutions such as the SEC and CFTC was among the steps that major investors were waiting for.The bill, supported by Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott and Digital Assets Subcommittee Chairman Cynthia Lummis, will be submitted to the Senate in July and is aimed to be enacted by September. Lummis said in a statement that the CLARITY Act is largely similar to the bill passed in the House of Representatives and will create a “friendlier” regulatory environment for crypto innovators.July is going to be quite busySacks, known for his PayPal background, is a consultant not only in crypto but also in advanced technology areas such as artificial intelligence. Trump’s increasing crypto-focused rhetoric during his election campaign has turned into a concrete strategy with these legal processes.July seems to be busy not only in terms of crypto regulations but also in terms of trade policies. Trump’s new tariffs expected to be announced on July 8-9 and the tax spending package planned to be presented on July 4 are among the other topics that will shape the US’s claim to global technology leadership.
What is EigenLayer (EIGEN)?
With the development of Ethereum, the layers built on this network are becoming increasingly sophisticated. One of these layers, EigenLayer, is a major technical innovation. It also offers a brand new paradigm in blockchain security and capital efficiency. This protocol, which emerged in 2021, makes it possible to provide security to multiple protocols simultaneously by re-opening the security of ETHs currently staked on Ethereum (i.e. through “restaking”). In this way, the security architecture of not only Ethereum but also the entire Web3 world becomes more flexible and efficient. So, what exactly is EigenLayer, how does it work and why is it talked about so much? Let's take a look at the details of this innovative protocol together.Definition and Origin of EigenLayerTo answer the question of what is EigenLayer, EigenLayer is an innovative modular security and re-staking (restaking) protocol built on the Ethereum blockchain. The basic working principle of this protocol is built on the ability to transfer the security value of ETH currently staked to various protocols. So, what is restaking? The simplest definition of this is: The ability to use ETH already staked on the Ethereum network to provide security for other protocols without giving up staking rewards. This approach has the potential to significantly increase capital efficiency in the crypto ecosystem by providing security for multiple protocols with the same amount of capital. EigenLayer was started to be developed by Sreeram Kannan in 2021. In the traditional Ethereum staking model, staked ETH was used only to secure the Ethereum network. However, EigenLayer, which emerged with Kannan's visionary approach, redefined this model. Because it made it possible for the same staked ETH to provide security for multiple protocols. The main purpose of the protocol is to flexibly transfer Ethereum's strong security infrastructure to other protocols, thus creating a more robust security structure for the entire blockchain ecosystem. Restaking concept by EigenLayer. Source: LinkedIn/Akash Kumar Jha When we examine the question of how Eigenlayer works in detail, we can see that the protocol has a very innovative mechanism from a technical perspective. The system enables users to copy the security value they obtain from the ETH staking process and use this value to provide security to other protocols. In this way, the security value of the staked ETH increases exponentially and can be distributed to different protocols. Designed as a modular security layer, this structure makes the security model in the Ethereum ecosystem more flexible, efficient and scalable. Users continue to receive both basic staking rewards from Ethereum and have the opportunity to earn additional income through EigenLayer via the ETH they stake.EigenLayer's History: Important MilestonesWhen we examine the development process of EigenLayer, we can see that the project has been shaped by several important milestones. In 2021, the protocol was launched with the action of Sreeram Kannan. When Kannan, a relatively unknown name and a computer engineering professor at the University of Washington, came up with the concept of Ethereum restaking, the idea was met with great interest in the crypto community. The concept announcement and subsequent technical papers marked the beginning of a new era in the Ethereum ecosystem. During this period, the challenges in the field of web3 protocol security and the search for solutions to capital efficiency issues formed the basis of the EigenLayer project. By 2023, the EigenLayer project began to transition from theoretical to practical applications. The launch of the alpha version and the launch of testnet applications were critical to solidifying the technical infrastructure of the project. During this period, EigenLayer staking mechanisms began to be tested and the basic functions of the protocol were clarified. The data obtained during the testing process and user feedback provided valuable information for further development and optimization of the protocol. The EigenLayer ecosystem began to grow organically during this period, and the potential use cases of the protocol expanded. Of the initially distributed tokens, 45 percent were distributed to the community, 29.5 percent to investors, and 25.5 percent to early contributors. Source: Nethermind The year 2024 was a breakthrough year for EigenLayer. With the mainnet activations, the long-awaited EIGEN token announcement and the airdrop process, the project became fully operational. The question of what EIGEN token is has become one of the most curious topics of the crypto community during this period. The EIGEN token was introduced as an important element that is at the center of the protocol's governance and incentive mechanisms, allowing users to have a say in the development process of the protocol. The Eigenlayer airdrop process was carried out as a reward for the early supporters of the protocol and those who contributed to the testing phase, and this process further increased the community's interest in the project.EIGEN token types and usesDuring this development process, the EigenLayer ecosystem also expanded rapidly. Modules with different functions such as oracles, data access layers, bridges and various defi infrastructure projects began to integrate into the EigenLayer protocol. Each new module expanded the areas of use of EigenLayer and increased the value of the protocol. By adopting the modular security approach offered by EigenLayer, projects operating in the DeFi space in particular have found the opportunity to work more securely and efficiently. This has strengthened the protocol’s position within the ecosystem and paved the way for more projects to choose EigenLayer. Developer guide for EigenLayer module integration. Source: ChainSecurity Why Is EigenLayer Valuable?What does Eigenlayer do and why does it have such a valuable position in the crypto ecosystem? To understand the answer to this question, it is necessary to examine the unique advantages offered by the protocol in detail.Increases capital efficiencyFirst of all, EigenLayer significantly increases capital efficiency. In traditional blockchain systems, an asset is used to secure only one protocol. However, thanks to EigenLayer's innovative retaking mechanism, staked ETH can provide security to multiple protocols. This offers greater return potential with the same amount of capital. For example, with the ETH you stake on the Ethereum network, you can continue to receive basic staking rewards from Ethereum while also earning additional income by providing security to various protocols via EigenLayer.Modular infrastructure and security layerSecondly, EigenLayer enables the creation of modular infrastructure protocols that share security. Designed as a modular security layer, EigenLayer enables new projects to benefit from Ethereum's strong security infrastructure without having to create their own security mechanisms from scratch. This is a huge advantage, especially for early-stage projects, as designing and implementing security systems can be both costly and time-consuming. With EigenLayer, projects can bypass these processes, directly leverage Ethereum’s security power, and focus their resources on innovation and improving the user experience.A groundbreaking new system for generating income in the ETH ecosystemA third important value point is that EigenLayer offers a new way to generate passive income within the ETH ecosystem. The Eigenlayer staking mechanism allows users to create multiple income streams from the ETH they stake. This presents an attractive opportunity, especially for long-term ETH investors, as they have the chance to generate additional income from the ETH they already hold and stake. Passive income strategies are important in balancing the volatility of the crypto market and creating regular income streams. EigenLayer adds a new dimension to these strategies, offering investors greater financial freedom and flexibility. Governance with EIGENFourth, governance, incentives, and network contributions are balanced with the Eigen governance system and the EIGEN token. EIGEN token holders have the right to have a say in the development process of the protocol, vote on important decisions, and shape the future of the protocol. This democratic governance model ensures the community-driven development of the protocol and increases users' commitment to the protocol. In addition, token holders are motivated to contribute to the growth and development of the protocol by offering various incentives and rewards.Solution to scalabilityAnother point that provides the value of EigenLayer is its potential to provide an indirect solution to the scalability problem, which is one of the most important challenges facing blockchain technologies. The modular security approach allows different scalability solutions to be implemented more efficiently and securely. This contributes to the Ethereum ecosystem as a whole becoming faster, more efficient, and more scalable.EigenLayer ecosystem and use casesFinally, to understand the value of EigenLayer, it is useful to take a detailed look at its ecosystem. EigenLayer's modular security approach allows various blockchain projects and applications to become more secure, efficient, and scalable. We should examine the various components of the EigenLayer ecosystem and the potential use cases of the protocol in detail.First, DeFi infrastructure projects can benefit significantly from the modular security structure offered by EigenLayer. DeFi protocols generally carry high risks in terms of security, and many protocols have suffered major losses due to security vulnerabilities in the past. EigenLayer allows these protocols to use Ethereum's strong security infrastructure, making them more resilient to potential attacks. This creates a more secure environment for DeFi users, while allowing protocols to focus their resources on providing innovative financial products and services instead of developing security systems. This security step of EigenLayer is known as "Actively Verified Services (AVS)".Another area of use for AVS, and therefore EigenLayer, is bridge protocols. Bridges that allow asset transfers between different blockchains are often the target of hacking attacks. EigenLayer provides an additional layer of security to these bridges, allowing cross-chain transactions to be performed more securely. This increases interoperability between blockchains, helping users manage their assets in different blockchain ecosystems more securely.Another area of use is oracle services. Oracles are critical components that transfer data outside the blockchain onto the blockchain and are vital for many DeFi applications. However, oracles also carry various security risks and can be vulnerable to manipulation. EigenLayer provides an additional layer of security to oracle services, reducing these risks and providing more reliable data flow. This is especially important for critical data providers such as price feed oracles.The last area of use that stands out is data access layers. Fast and secure access to blockchain data is of great importance to developers and applications. EigenLayer provides additional security for data access layers, enabling faster and more reliable data access. This is a significant advantage, especially for applications working with large data sets.Who is the Founder of EigenLayer? The answer to the question of who is the founder of Eigenlayer is Sreeram Kannan. So, who is Sreeram Kannan? Kannan is a name that has moved from academia to entrepreneurship. He grew up in Chennai, India, then moved to the US and received his master's and doctorate in mathematics and engineering. He previously worked in artificial intelligence and biology fields such as DNA modeling. However, he changed his direction when artificial intelligence disrupted his field of expertise. He became interested in crypto with the rise of Bitcoin in 2017. Inspired by Yuval Noah Harari's book Sapiens, he thought that humanity's greatest power was "coordination". According to him, blockchain had the potential to provide this coordination securely in the digital world. The turning point in his career was the idea of “restaking”, or reusing staked Ethereum assets to provide security on other networks. This idea gave birth to EigenLayer, which shares Ethereum’s security and allows it to be transferred to new projects.EigenLayer quickly received over $100 million in investment and collected millions of dollars in deposits before it was officially launched. This interest was largely due to the “points system”. Because users participated early, hoping to receive an EIGEN token airdrop in the future. However, the announcement of the EIGEN token did not meet expectations. Tokens came locked, some countries were excluded, features were released slowly, and allegations of internal conflicts of interest were added to all this.Despite all the criticism, Kannan’s academic prestige and vision of restaking turned him into an influential figure in the industry. He became one of the important names that revived the DeFi movement on Ethereum even in a bear market. However, one of Kannan’s biggest challenges was balancing his academic approach with community expectations. Unlike the homogeneous team structure in academic projects, EigenLayer realized that it needed a more diverse team of skills: communicators, community managers, product developers. Over time, Kannan began to be perceived not only as a “startup founder” but also as an “industry leader.”In addition to Kannan’s approach and strong academic background, the EigenLayer project also received support from leading investors in the crypto world. Institutional investors such as LayerZero, Coinbase Ventures, and a16z (Andreessen Horowitz) are providing financial support to the project.In addition to these core use cases, the EigenLayer ecosystem is constantly expanding and adding new modules. These modules are designed for different needs and use cases, expanding the scope of the protocol.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)For those who want to learn more about EigenLayer, we have compiled some frequently asked questions. Below, you can find short and clear answers to many basic topics, from the concept of restaking to the role of the EIGEN token:What is EigenLayer and how does it work?: EigenLayer is a modular restaking protocol built on the Ethereum network. Its main purpose is to make the security of ETH staked on Ethereum accessible not only for Ethereum but also for other protocols. In doing so, users can "restake" the ETH they stake a second time, contributing to security in other systems and earning extra rewards in return. Thus, network security is spread over a wider area, while capital efficiency is also significantly increased. Thanks to this system, projects that have to create new security pools from scratch can directly benefit from Ethereum's high level of security.What is Restaking and why is it important?: Restaking is the ability to use ETH already staked on the Ethereum network to provide security to other protocols. This method increases efficiency in terms of both security and return; because users can earn extra rewards, while protocols benefit from Ethereum's strong security infrastructure.What does the EIGEN token do?: EIGEN is the native token of the EigenLayer ecosystem and is designed to be used in the governance of the protocol. Users can participate in governance processes with EIGEN, vote on protocol parameters, and are expected to gain additional functionality in the future. However, as of the launch date, the EIGEN token is not yet fully functional.What projects does EigenLayer support?: EigenLayer provides infrastructure support for many projects, from DeFi protocols to oracle services, from data availability layers to rollup solutions. For example, sub-protocols such as EigenDA (data availability module) and other Layer-2 solutions can use re-staking security via EigenLayer.How can someone who stakes ETH benefit from this system?: A user who has already staked on Ethereum can stake their ETH to EigenLayer and earn additional rewards. This can be done directly through an EigenLayer node, or through liquid staking providers such as Lido or Rocket Pool. Thus, in addition to the staking income they receive from Ethereum, users can also benefit from the incentives offered by the protocols that are retaken. In short, users earn income from multiple systems with the same ETH in their hands, while also spreading security in a decentralized manner. Continue to follow our JR Kripto Guide series for more about EigenLayer, which redefines the security of the Ethereum ecosystem.
AAVE Reviews and Price Analysis 27 June 2025
AAVE Technical AnalysisLooking at the daily chart of AAVE, we can see a downtrend since the end of 2024 along with an uptrend since April 2024 at the same time. AAVE is approaching a breakout each day. Narrowing Triangle Structure On the chart, the area $247–$261 was an important level, and we witnessed an increase up to the level of $307 after rising above this important area. However, the price could not hold here and pulled back to the $247–$261 support.Depending on the reaction the price will receive from this support level, the first target could be $307, which is both a trend and horizontal resistance, and then the breakout of this long-term downward trend.If the price loses $247, this means that the support levels $213 and $184 could be on the table. For now, the important price area is the $247–$261 support zone.These analyses, not offering any kind of investment advice, focus on support and resistance levels considered to offer trading opportunities in the short and medium term according to the market conditions. However, the user is responsible for their own actions and risk management. Moreover, it is highly recommended to use stop loss (SL) during the transactions.
What is PancakeSwap (CAKE)?
As the cryptocurrency world transforms traditional finance, users' interest in decentralized solutions is also increasing exponentially. Decentralized exchanges (DEXs), in particular, have become the backbone of the DeFi ecosystem with their structures that enable intermediary-free transactions. One of the most popular names in this field is undoubtedly PancakeSwap. Born on Binance Smart Chain (BSC) in 2020, this colorful protocol has not only become a "DEX exchange example", but has also turned into a versatile DeFi universe shaped around the CAKE token. For those looking for answers to questions such as "What is PancakeSwap?", "What is CAKE coin?", "How does PancakeSwap work?", this platform brings together many features such as low transaction fees, fast trading opportunities, NFT marketplace, staking and farming. Moreover, it stands out with its user-friendly interface, gamified DeFi features and community-oriented structure. In this article, we will examine PancakeSwap in detail; We will explore step by step how it works, why it is so popular, and the areas of use of the CAKE token.Definition and Origin of PancakeSwapIn the crypto world, decentralization is no longer just an ideal, but a practice that more and more users are adopting. Decentralized exchanges (DEX), in particular, allow users to exchange directly while keeping their wallet control, and one of the prominent platforms in this field is PancakeSwap. This protocol, which came to life on Binance Smart Chain (BSC) in 2020, was launched by an anonymous team of developers and quickly became one of the cornerstones of the BSC ecosystem. PancakeSwap offers its users a Uniswap-style experience, but it differs by doing this on Binance Smart Chain, which is faster and cheaper than Ethereum.The model underlying PancakeSwap is the Automated Market Maker (AMM) system. There are no classic order books in this system; in other words, instead of matches such as “one user enters a sell order, the other one buys”, liquidity pools come into play. Users deposit specific token pairs (such as BNB/USDT, CAKE/BUSD) into these pools and receive “LP tokens” in return. Then, another user using the PancakeSwap interface can perform a direct swap from this pool. The small transaction fees paid during this transaction are shared among the users who provide liquidity in the pool. In other words, both the system’s transaction flow continues and users are rewarded in proportion to their contributions. PancakeSwap's trading-focused homepage The platform’s native token, CAKE coin, plays a key role in PancakeSwap’s ecosystem. CAKE is used for staking, participating in yield farming, voting in governance, and accessing DeFi applications such as NFTs and lotteries. In other words, it is the main tool not only for earning rewards, but also for participating in the platform’s wide range of services. Thanks to the CAKE token’s incentive mechanism, users provide more liquidity to pools, which makes swap transactions more efficient.The fast block time and low transaction costs offered by Binance Smart Chain give PancakeSwap a significant advantage over its Ethereum-based competitors. Especially during the period when gas fees reached record levels on Ethereum in 2021, PancakeSwap attracted users as a low-fee alternative.PancakeSwap’s History: Major MilestonesPancakeSwap is not just a DEX; it is also a success story born on Binance Smart Chain and has closely shaped the evolution of the DeFi world. This project, which was launched quietly in 2020, initially only allowed token swaps, but over time, dozens of different features such as staking, farming, lottery, NFT marketplace, IFO module and multi-chain support were added, turning it into a DeFi super app. Of course, this transformation did not happen overnight. PancakeSwap's journey drew attention not only by following the trends in the decentralized finance world, but also by taking steps that determined these trends from time to time. Each new feature came as a result of a technically sound and user-friendly infrastructure that listened to the demands of the PancakeSwap community. Under this heading, we will examine the important updates and milestones the project has undergone year by year from the moment it was launched to the present day, and we will see together why it has become such a strong ecosystem today.2020: Launch and the birth of the CAKE tokenWhen PancakeSwap entered the crypto world in September 2020, many people did not expect this sweet-named DEX to grow this much. While Uniswap's popularity was at its peak, PancakeSwap, a new "automated market maker" project built on Binance Smart Chain, quickly attracted attention with its low transaction fees and fast confirmation times. In this system, which works with the AMM model, users could buy and sell tokens directly through liquidity pools instead of the classic order book.CAKE token was also introduced during the same period. Initially positioned only as the platform's native token, CAKE eventually became the center of many transactions such as staking, farming, NFT purchases and governance. The token's starting price was quite low, and the first users had the chance to earn a large amount of CAKE in return for the liquidity they provided. This provided a large influx of users to the platform.2021: DeFi features expanded2021 marked the beginning of PancakeSwap's transformation from "just a DEX" to a full-fledged DeFi ecosystem. During this period, the PancakeSwap staking system was launched through pools called Syrup Pool. Users could earn different token rewards by simply staking CAKE tokens. On the other hand, the PancakeSwap farming feature was also active; this allowed users to contribute to liquidity pools and do yield farming.In the middle of the same year, another remarkable feature was introduced: the lottery system. Users had the chance to win big prizes in regular draws by purchasing lottery tickets in exchange for CAKE. This feature showed that the protocol opened the door not only to financial transactions but also to entertaining experiences.2022: Integration of NFT marketplace and IFO module2022 was a year when PancakeSwap stepped into the visual world. During this period, the PancakeSwap NFT marketplace was launched. Users could browse PancakeSwap-themed collections, purchase NFTs, and even get extra benefits by using certain NFTs. This move was one of the first steps towards moving the project into next-gen Web3 spaces like GameFi and the metaverse. PancakeSwap's NFT marketplace and some collectibles for sale In the same year, the PancakeSwap team implemented another critical innovation: the IFO module (Initial Farm Offering). Thanks to this system, new projects could make their first sales through PancakeSwap, and investors could invest in these projects with CAKE-BNB LP tokens at an early stage. In other words, as an alternative to the classic ICO model, a DeFi-focused, community-based investment model was born. The last IFO project on PancakeSwap was LTP. 2023–2024: PancakeSwap V3 and multi-chain expansionIn Q2 2023, PancakeSwap launched the long-awaited PancakeSwap V3. With this update, the AMM model was further optimized. Now, liquidity providers can concentrate their liquidity in certain price ranges (concentrated liquidity) and choose between different transaction fee levels (0.01%, 0.05%, 0.25%). This provided users with more flexible liquidity management and significantly increased transaction efficiency.2023 was also a critical year for multi-chain support. PancakeSwap was launched on the Ethereum network and then integrated into Layer-2 networks such as Base, Arbitrum, zkSync Era, Linea, and Polygon zkEVM. With this move, it became a protocol that operates not only on Binance Smart Chain, but also on multiple blockchains.Why is PancakeSwap Valuable?Although PancakeSwap may seem like a DEX where only tokens are exchanged at first glance, when examined in depth, it can be seen that it has many strengths that distinguish it from its peers. Being built on Binance Smart Chain in particular provides serious advantages to the user in terms of both transaction speed and cost. However, it is not only its technical infrastructure that makes PancakeSwap valuable. Passive income opportunities such as staking and farming offered by CAKE token, user-friendly interface, community-focused governance structure and NFT marketplace and its success in integrating into Web3 also take the project to a different point. In addition, with multi-chain support starting in 2023, it has managed to reach not only BSC users but also Ethereum and Layer-2 network users. Under this heading, we will detail why PancakeSwap is a valuable DeFi project item by item.Low transaction fees with BSC infrastructurePancakeSwap has become quite popular among users because it works on Binance Smart Chain (BSC), which offers much lower transaction costs compared to dense networks such as Ethereum. While an average swap transaction can range from a few dollars to $20 on Ethereum, this figure is usually limited to a few cents on BSC. This means a serious cost advantage, especially for users who trade with small amounts. Low transaction fees mean the opportunity to experiment more and learn with less loss.Earning passive income with liquidity poolsThe liquidity pools offered by PancakeSwap allow crypto asset owners to evaluate their coins instead of keeping them idle in their wallets. Users can contribute to these pools and earn a share of transaction fees. In addition, additional CAKE rewards can be earned using the PancakeSwap farming feature through LP tokens. This system creates the opportunity for “passive income with CAKE” for users who invest in the long term.CAKE Token Utility: Versatile usage areasCAKE token is not only a reward tool; it is also a multifunctional asset that stands at the center of the PancakeSwap ecosystem. With CAKE tokens, users canEarn extra rewards by evaluating staking poolsInvest in new projects by participating in IFOsTry their luck for big prizes by buying tickets in the lottery systemPerform purchase and sale transactions in the NFT marketplaceHave a say in protocol decisions by voting in community governanceThanks to these wide areas of use, the answer to the question of what CAKE token is used for turns into a very rich list.Large user base and transaction volumePancakeSwap has become a multi-chain DEX that can be used not only on BSC but also on Ethereum and Layer-2 networks. With a daily transaction volume of hundreds of millions of dollars, it has long maintained its title as one of the most used DEXs after Uniswap. Especially for users who are new to DeFi, PancakeSwap acts as a gateway thanks to its user-friendly interface and low transaction costs. In addition, its large community structure provides an active support environment on social platforms such as Telegram and Discord.Regular token burn mechanismIn order to balance the increase in the total supply of CAKE tokens, PancakeSwap performs token burns at regular intervals. With this mechanism, the amount of CAKE in the market is reduced and a deflationary economy is tried to be created. For example, CAKE tokens are bought back and burned with a certain percentage of the platform's revenues. In this way, the supply-demand balance is maintained and the stability of the token value is aimed in the long term. Most recently, PancakeSwap completed its 20th "burn" process by burning coins on March 31. The information shared by the platform on the subject is as follows: Source: Blog.PancakeSwap Who is the Founder of PancakeSwap?The usual entrepreneurial types in the cryptocurrency world are usually like this: a shining name on LinkedIn, a few interviews, powerful investors, a lot of press releases... But PancakeSwap completely reverses this classic scenario. Because there is neither a "tech bro" nor a CEO who appears in front of the screen behind this platform. PancakeSwap was founded by a completely anonymous developer community. In other words, there is no individual "founder", but a structure shaped by the community. Although many people found this situation strange at first, this anonymity actually coincides with PancakeSwap's "decentralization" philosophy.Over time, this anonymous team was organized under the name "PancakeSwap Labs" and brought the project to a more professional structure. Developments, updates and community decisions are carried out by this team, but the real decision-making power is in the hands of CAKE token holders. Because PancakeSwap gives its users a say in its governance model; in other words, it is possible to vote with CAKE tokens in decisions to be taken about the future of the protocol. This sets the platform apart from the classic “founding a company” model and creates a more participatory, community-based ecosystem.So does this anonymity create a trust problem? Actually, no. Because PancakeSwap has managed to build trust in the community by being both open source and going through strict audit processes. In addition, the fact that it is actively used by thousands of developers and users has led to the formation of a self-regulating structure in a sense. In short, although the question of “PancakeSwap founder” does not have a clear name, the community behind the project is based on solid foundations.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)If you have heard a lot of technical terms, features and areas of use about PancakeSwap, it is normal to be confused. This ecosystem can sometimes seem complicated, especially for beginners. That is exactly why we have compiled the most frequently asked questions:What is PancakeSwap, how does it work?: PancakeSwap is a DEX exchange running on Binance Smart Chain (BSC). It trades without the need for intermediaries thanks to the Automatic Market Maker (AMM) model. Users can make exchanges by depositing tokens into liquidity pools and earn a share of transaction fees. For example, when someone wants to exchange BNB for USDT, they can directly perform this transaction thanks to the liquidity in PancakeSwap pools. Transactions are automatically executed through BSC smart contracts.What can be done with CAKE token?: CAKE is PancakeSwap's native token and has versatile functions. With this token, you can pay fees on the platform, contribute to pools by providing liquidity, and earn rewards. CAKE holders also have the right to vote in PancakeSwap governance, thus participating in the decision-making process about new projects or updates. In addition, you can use CAKE tokens to buy lottery tickets or purchase NFTs from PancakeSwap's NFT marketplace. In short, the CAKE token is designed as a reward and governance tool. How to farm/stake on PancakeSwap: To farm on PancakeSwap, users must first join liquidity pools (for example, deposit tokens into the BNB/CAKE pool) and receive LP tokens in return. The received LP tokens are then deposited into PancakeSwap’s farm pools. Each user who deposits liquidity into farm pools earns rewards in CAKE tokens in proportion to the amount they deposit. For example, if you add 100 BNB/CAKE liquidity, you will start earning CAKE over time by depositing your LP tokens into the relevant farm pool. You can also earn rewards by simply holding CAKE in PancakeSwap Syrup Pools (this is staking). The entire process is easily managed through the PancakeSwap interface; users can staking/farm by connecting their wallets and selecting the relevant pool options. How is it related to Binance Smart Chain?: PancakeSwap is built entirely on Binance Smart Chain (now known as BNB Chain). BSC was developed as an EVM-compatible alternative to Ethereum. It works on smart contracts like Ethereum, but offers lower transaction fees and faster confirmation times. This allows PancakeSwap to trade on busy networks at lower costs. In short, PancakeSwap is part of the BSC ecosystem and benefits from the advantages of BSC (speed, low fees). Are anonymous developers reliable?: The developers behind PancakeSwap are anonymous, but this is common in the crypto world. Anonymity is seen as part of the philosophy of decentralization. Since the project's code is open source, anyone can review it; and thanks to community governance, important decisions are made by the vote of each CAKE owner. These structures increase transparency and trust. PancakeSwap has also undergone regular audits and is constantly tested for security with bug bounty programs. Therefore, despite the anonymous developers, PancakeSwap offers security and transparency in line with DeFi standards.Check out our JR Kripto Guide series to discover the decentralized exchange experience and step into the DeFi ecosystem with CAKE token.
What Is SushiSwap (SUSHI)?
As the DeFi world grows rapidly, new protocols are also showing their own style. SushiSwap is one of the most remarkable projects in this field. Although it started as a clone (fork) of Uniswap, it has managed to stand on its own feet over time and has been equipped with brand new features. It is no longer just an exchange platform; staking, farming, borrowing-lending, and even cross-chain transfers are possible. In this article, we will examine step by step what SushiSwap does, how it works, and why it stands out in the DeFi world.Definition and Emergence of SushiSwapIn its simplest form, we can think of SushiSwap as a cryptocurrency exchange that works without an order book. In other words, users make their buy-sell transactions through liquidity pools without a central structure. This model is called “automatic market maker” or AMM for short. Users who deposit tokens into the system also receive a share of the transaction fees as “liquidity providers”. SushiSwap was launched in 2020 by anonymous developer “Chef Nomi.” This means that the identity of the developer, who uses a pseudonym of sorts, is initially unknown. Chef Nomi’s name comes from the Hearthstone card named ‘Chef Nomi’, which is featured in the photo he uses on his Twitter profile. Very little is known about the developer, and their account was created around the same time as SushiSwap’s launch. SushiSwap interface. Source: Sushi.com The platform was born as a fork of Uniswap’s open source code. Uniswap was also a popular decentralized exchange (DEX) built on the Ethereum blockchain. A fork is when a blockchain splits into two due to a change in its protocol. Chef Nomi and his team created SushiSwap by taking the Uniswap protocol and adding their own “unique touches” to it. These touches include additional staking features and governance options via the platform’s native token, SUSHI. SushiSwap allows users to directly exchange tokens without a central authority or intermediary. In other words, it is completely decentralized. This makes it a typical example of a DEX coin. Over time, SushiSwap has evolved beyond being just an AMM into a multi-faceted ecosystem offering a variety of DeFi products, including aggregators, AMMs, and token staking mechanisms. It aims to provide users with more control and earning opportunities. SushiSwap History: Major MilestonesSushiSwap’s history is one of the most interesting and turbulent stories in DeFi history. It all started in the summer of 2020. Built on Uniswap’s open source code, SushiSwap entered the industry with an aggressive strategy called “vampire mining.” This strategy was as follows: users who provided liquidity to Uniswap would earn additional SUSHI tokens when they moved their LP tokens to SushiSwap. This led to billions of dollars of liquidity flowing into SushiSwap. While the Uniswap community was confused, SushiSwap attracted all the attention in its early days.2020 - Launch and Uniswap liquidity was drawn by “vampire mining”SushiSwap launched in August 2020 by forking Uniswap’s protocol. It quickly attracted attention at the beginning. This was mainly due to the attractive incentive system that rewarded liquidity providers with the SUSHI governance token. SushiSwap implemented a unique strategy against Uniswap called “vampire attack” or “vampire mining”. In this strategy, users who provided liquidity to Uniswap were incentivized to earn additional SUSHI tokens by depositing their LP tokens into SushiSwap. Chef Nomi forked Uniswap’s open-source protocol and added “community-driven” features, drawing billions of dollars of liquidity from Uniswap to his own platform. This became a case study in changing the nature of competition in the DeFi space. While the Uniswap community was confused, SushiSwap attracted all the attention in its early days.But then a crisis erupted. When founder Chef Nomi suddenly withdrew $27 million worth of SUSHI funds to his wallet, panic broke out over an “exit scam”. The community was up in arms.Chef Nomi incidentImmediately after the launch, it was revealed that Chef Nomi had withdrawn approximately $27 million worth of SUSHI token development funds. This caused great concern in the DeFi community and allegations of an “exit scam”. This controversy caused the SUSHI price to drop. However, following a strong backlash from the community, Chef Nomi returned the funds. On September 11, 2020, he returned $14 million worth of ETH (in terms of funds) to the treasury. He apologized and said that his decision was not as expected. This incident has been referred to as SushiSwap’s “controversial past.” Although Sushi later recovered, Chef Nomi's controversial actions in 2020 caused TVL to drop drastically. Following this crisis, Chef Nomi announced that he would no longer be running the project and handed control over to Sam Bankman-Fried, a rising figure at the time. SBF, the founder of FTX and Alameda Research, briefly assumed the role of the “new master chef.” This transition stabilized the project for a while. Then, control was passed to Sushi DAO, the community itself, through community votes. In 2022, Jared Grey began leading the project as the “Head Chef.” Interestingly, Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), who briefly led the project in the early stages of SushiSwap, later became the center of one of the biggest scandals in the cryptocurrency world. The FTX exchange he founded went bankrupt in November 2022, and it was revealed that billions of dollars in customer funds had been lost. Following these developments, SBF was tried on various charges, including fraud and money laundering, and was sentenced to 25 years in prison. 2021–2023 and beyond: SushiXSwap, Kashi lending, Furo, NFT marketplace and on-chain solutionsDespite its controversial beginnings, SushiSwap has grown and evolved significantly. It reached nearly $30 billion in trading volume in May 2021. In November 2021, the total value locked (TVL) on the platform exceeded $8 billion. SushiSwap has expanded its product line through continuous innovation. This expansion includes cross-chain integrations, award-winning farming tools, and various DeFi modules. SushiXSwap is a cross-chain swap tool that allows users to seamlessly transfer assets between different blockchains. The v2 release has increased the number of supported networks and made cross-chain transactions even easier with the integration of USDC’s Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol (CCTP). In addition, DeFi modules such as BentoBox, a vault for smart contracts, Kashi, a lending protocol running on BentoBox (users can borrow and lend collateral), and Furo, which is used for scheduled payments and token vesting, have added depth to the ecosystem. Furo works by tokenizing each member's position as a non-fungible token (NFT). It is worth noting that Kashi is discontinued in early 2023.On the other hand, SushiSwap has developed an NFT platform called Shoyu by bringing its innovative approach in the field of decentralized finance (DeFi) to the NFT market. Shoyu is an NFT marketplace that aims to provide a user-friendly experience for artists and content creators. The platform aims to overcome the limitations of existing NFT markets by working on features such as support for wider file formats, advanced visual presentation options, and reducing high transaction fees on Ethereum.Why is SushiSwap Valuable?SushiSwap has gone far beyond being “just a DEX” and has become a large DeFi protocol. With its wide range of products, governance model, cross-chain support and passive income opportunities, it seriously differentiates itself from other AMM projects in the sector. So, what makes SushiSwap so special? How does SushiSwap work? Let's take a look together...A strong infrastructure built on the Automated Market Maker (AMM) modelSushiSwap is based on the AMM model, which eliminates the traditional order book structure. Thanks to this structure, users can buy and sell tokens without the need for any intermediaries.The liquidity in the system is provided by the users and they receive a direct share from each swap transaction. This creates a real win-win environment for liquidity providers. In addition, thanks to this AMM-based structure, SushiSwap can offer continuous liquidity and a low rate of price slippage.Governance power, staking and revenue sharing with SUSHI tokenWhat is SUSHI coin? SUSHI is the native governance token of the SushiSwap platform and is at the heart of the ecosystem. This token is not just a cryptocurrency; it is also a multifunctional tool that allows you to have a say in the operation of the platform and earn money.So, what does SUSHI token do? First of all, it gives you the right to participate in community votes that shape the future of SushiSwap. Users can vote on new feature proposals, decide how to distribute development funds, or contribute to other protocol updates related to governance through SUSHI tokens.At this point, an important detail comes into play: Governance rights do not belong directly to SUSHI holders, but to users who stake these tokens. Users stake their SUSHI tokens through SushiBar and receive xSUSHI in return. This xSUSHI not only provides governance power; it also offers the opportunity to share some of the protocol revenues that SushiSwap generates from its trading volume. This system makes staking SUSHI coins even more attractive. Over time, fees from transactions made on the protocol accumulate and are automatically distributed to xSUSHI holders. This means that users can earn income without actively trading. In short, passive income DeFi, that is, passive income, becomes possible in the SushiSwap ecosystem.In addition, the platform offers its users earning opportunities not only through staking, but also through liquidity provision. By depositing certain token pairs into pools, users can both receive a share of transaction fees and earn SUSHI rewards in special pools called “Onsen”. This two-way incentive model is an important factor that attracts both investors and DeFi enthusiasts to SushiSwap.An open-source platform constantly updated by the developer communityAlthough SushiSwap was initially a fork of Uniswap’s open source code, it has developed its own unique features over time. The platform is governed by the Sushi DAO, a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO). This is a SushiSwap governance model where SUSHI token holders have the authority to decide on the future of the platform. The community-based DeFi structure behind the project allows for continuous innovation and the addition of new features. The transfer of control to the community after Chef Nomi returned the funds also strengthened this community structure.Cross-chain support, rewarded farming models, and different DeFi modulesAlthough SushiSwap may seem like just a DEX at first glance, it promises much more in the DeFi space with its range of products. The platform is not limited to just token swaps, but has become a multi-faceted DeFi ecosystem that offers its users cross-chain transaction opportunities, liquidity incentives, and borrowing-lending solutions. One of its most striking features, SushiXSwap, allows SushiSwap to become a true cross-chain DEX. With this module, users can directly swap tokens between Ethereum, Arbitrum, Optimism, Polygon, Binance Smart Chain and many other blockchains without the need for bridging or token wrapping operations. Especially with SushiXSwap v2, the number of supported networks has increased, transfer times have shortened and the user experience has become even simpler.This cross-chain structure makes SushiSwap a prominent player in the multi-chain DeFi world by facilitating capital mobility between different blockchain ecosystems. In addition, the platform makes cross-chain usage of stablecoins, especially USDC, even more seamless with integrations such as Circle's Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol (CCTP). Innovative components such as Payload Executors, which allow users to directly cover transaction fees on the source chain, make cross-chain transactions more intuitive and accessible.On the other hand, SushiSwap not only offers a user-friendly swap experience; it also offers profit-oriented mechanisms. The SushiSwap farming models offered by the platform allow users to earn passive income by providing liquidity. In this system, users become liquidity providers (LPs) by depositing various token pairs into SushiSwap pools. In return for these investments, they both receive a share of transaction fees and can earn additional SUSHI token rewards in special pools called "Onsen".One of the most important details that distinguishes the SushiSwap farming system from others is the double-reward incentive mechanism called 2x Rewards Farms. In these models, users can earn not only SUSHI, but also the native token of the blockchain where that pool is located. For example, a user who contributes to a pool on the Arbitrum network is rewarded with both SUSHI and ARB tokens. This system not only increases earnings, but also further democratizes DeFi participation by encouraging chain diversity.SushiSwap's DeFi solutions are not limited to this. SushiSwap lending modules, built on the infrastructure case called BentoBox, further deepen the financial services side of the platform. The most prominent module in this context was Kashi. Kashi, which ceased operations in 2023, was a system that offered isolated risky lending pools where users could borrow and lend by presenting various crypto assets as collateral. Since each pool had different risk profiles, users could take positions according to their own preferences and strategies.In addition, Furo, which was developed for scheduled token payments and entitlement systems, is a highly functional tool especially for DAOs, investment funds or projects that make regular payments. Payments made through Furo are represented as NFTs, which ensures that transactions are transparent and traceable.Wide token supportSushiSwap supports many different cryptocurrencies, primarily Ethereum-based ERC-20 tokens. This has enabled it to process over 11,000 trading pairs. This diversity offers users a wide range of transactions.Security measuresIt aims to protect user assets with various security measures such as multi-sig wallets, bug bounties, and the FailSafe system. Regular security audits are also conducted. The multi-sig system makes it difficult for unauthorized access by requiring approval from multiple authorities for transaction approval.Who is the Founder of SushiSwap?As we mentioned earlier, SushiSwap was started by an anonymous developer nicknamed Chef Nomi. Although there is no exact answer to the question of who Chef Nomi is, we do know that this nickname comes from the Hearthstone card. We also know that their accounts were created at the same time as the project’s launch. Chef Nomi created SushiSwap by forking the Uniswap protocol. However, after a controversy arose when Chef Nomi withdrew development funds, he returned the funds and transferred control of the project to the community. Although control was initially temporarily transferred to Sam Bankman-Fried, the platform later became completely under community management.Today, SushiSwap is governed by the Sushi DAO, a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO). With this SushiSwap governance model, SUSHI token holders have the authority to decide on the platform’s future, protocol changes, and development directions. Important decisions, such as fund allocation, are subject to community voting. This makes SushiSwap a truly community-based DeFi-focused protocol. So, while the “founder” of the project is anonymous, the platform’s governance is now in the hands of token holders, in a decentralized structure.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)SushiSwap is a fairly comprehensive DeFi protocol, so it’s important to answer some basic questions for beginners or returning users. Below, we’ve compiled the most frequently asked questions:What is SushiSwap and how does it work?: SushiSwap is a decentralized exchange (DEX) that runs on Ethereum and other networks. It uses an automated market maker (AMM) model instead of an order book; users swap tokens through liquidity pools.What does the SUSHI token do?: SUSHI is SushiSwap’s governance token. It offers holders voting rights, passive income through staking, and a share of the platform’s protocol revenues.What is the difference between SushiSwap and Uniswap?: SushiSwap started as a fork of Uniswap but later gained its own structure with additional modules such as governance features, farming incentives, staking, and cross-chain swap.Who is Chef Nomi and why is he anonymous?: Chef Nomi is the founder of SushiSwap in 2020. His real identity is unknown; his nickname was taken from a character in Hearthstone. He transferred the project to the community shortly after he launched it.How to earn passive income on SushiSwap?: Users can earn xSUSHI by staking their SUSHI tokens and earn a share of protocol revenues. They can also provide liquidity and earn additional income from transaction fees and farming rewards.Check out our JR Kripto Guide series to see the power of community-driven projects in the DeFi world and explore passive income opportunities with SUSHI tokens.
Ripple-SEC Lawsuit Heats Up: Court Rejects Private Settlement Request
The longest-running and most controversial legal battle in the cryptocurrency market, the Ripple and US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) case, has entered a new turn just as it was about to end. US District Judge Analisa Torres officially rejected the parties' request for a special settlement that could override previous decisions in the case. This development complicated Ripple's position in the case and caused short-term fluctuations in the XRP price.Critical request rejected in Ripple and SEC caseThe SEC and Ripple had filed a joint application with the court, requesting that the public decision be eliminated with a special agreement. However, Judge Torres clearly emphasized that such special settlements cannot override final decisions made legally. In her decision, she stated, "I can only reconsider a judicial decision made on the basis of law if the law changes. Agreements reached by the parties cannot override court decisions." The ruling means Ripple will continue to face a $125 million fine and legal restrictions on institutional sales. The litigation could last until late 2026 or early 2027. However, experts say it is more likely that the parties will reach a settlement in late July or early August rather than such a long trial.Crypto lawyer Fred Rispoli said on social media that both sides are expected to submit an update on the case to the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals in August. According to Rispoli, this update will either announce that the appeals process will continue or that a settlement has been reached. It is known that Ripple has requested a broader settlement in the past months, but the court has not been keen on it.XRP ETF approval has increasedRipple’s legal battle with the SEC is affecting not only the company’s future, but also XRP’s market outlook and ETF approval prospects. According to a recent report by Bloomberg, the probability of XRP receiving ETF approval in 2025 has increased to 85 percent. This optimism is driven by the increasing interest of institutional investors and steps taken towards clarity in crypto regulations in the US. On the other hand, despite the legal hurdles Ripple faces, XRP continues to be heavily traded. Judge Torres also stated in his decision that the SEC is not currently intervening in XRP transactions, so market activities will not be disrupted at this stage. Nevertheless, the XRP price fell by 4 percent after the decision, falling to $2.09, but quickly regained its balance around $2.10.
ZRO Comments and Price Analysis 26 June 2025
ZRO Technical Analysis: Double Bottom FormationZRO, subsequent to its downtrend in recent weeks, has formed a technically remarkable support zone by creating a double bottom formation below a critical support level. The area between $1.55–$1.60 seems to have a double bottom formation. Double Dip Formation When the price tested this area, it rebounded up to the level of $1.72. If the price keeps rising to the support-resistance transformation line, this movement can be interpreted as a retest. If such a retest occurs, then the fall will be confirmed. For a positive momentum, the price needs to break out of this area with great volume.In case of upward movements, the first strong resistance zone will be $2.00–$2.20. Above this level, the next target might be the $2.73 resistance if the price can break above this level and hold there. This resistance is of great importance as it is the previous peak and a strong sell zone. On the other hand, the double bottom pattern will be considered invalid if the price falls below the level of $1.60, and then sell pressure might increase. Here we can talk about the new support range $1.40–$1.35.In summary, ZRO is technically in a potential reversal area with the double bottom formation. The price needs to close above $2.00 to make the formation work. Otherwise, the downtrend might continue if the support line gets broken.These analyses, not offering any kind of investment advice, focus on support and resistance levels considered to offer trading opportunities in the short and medium term according to the market conditions. However, the user is responsible for their own actions and risk management. Moreover, it is highly recommended to use stop loss (SL) during the transactions.
What is Pudgy Penguins (PENGU)?
Pudgy Penguins, which has become a global brand rather than just an NFT collection in the Web3 universe, stands out as one of the most remarkable success stories of the digital collectible economy. Initially setting out as an NFT series consisting of cute penguin illustrations, this project has become one of the dynamic players of Web3 over time with a strong community, impressive brand collaborations and its own token, PENGU. Whether you are a collector looking to invest in NFTs, an entrepreneur aiming to build a brand in the digital world or a new community member looking to join this cute universe… The story of Pudgy Penguins offers an inspiring starting point for you to closely explore the opportunities and transformation potential offered by Web3.Let's now take a look at how this iconic project was born as an example of NFT branding, why it is considered so valuable and what it promises in the future.The Definition and Emergence of Pudgy PenguinsAlthough Pudgy Penguins may seem like an NFT collection consisting of cute penguin illustrations at first glance, the truth is much deeper. Launched on the Ethereum network in 2021, this project was launched with a total of 8,888 unique penguins and quickly gained a solid place in the digital collection world. But its story does not end there. Because over time, Pudgy Penguins ceased to be just an NFT project; and turned into a huge Web3 brand that extends from toys to license agreements, from social media interactions to the metaverse. It has become one of the names that come to mind when it comes to “Web3 toy brand”, “Licensed NFT revenue model”, and “Ethereum NFT projects”. The starting point of Pudgy Penguins is the idea that “NFTs are not just profile photos”. In other words, this project is one of the first examples that shows that the digital assets you own can also be branded, licensed and transformed into real-world products. Although it started with cute penguin figures, the vision behind it is to make digital collections a culture that everyone can access and adopt. Pudgy Penguins was first minted in July 2021 and quickly attracted great interest. Each of these penguins, with different outfits, accessories and facial expressions, managed to attract collectors' attention in the NFT community. With the impact of the general explosion in the NFT world during this period, Pudgy Penguins quickly became one of the trending projects. However, over time, unlike many of its competitors, it did not remain limited to hype—it grew its community and developed its vision.Although there were some management problems in the early stages of the project, things changed when Luca Netz bought the project in 2022. This change of ownership opened the door to a new era for Pudgy Penguins. Now, the focus was not only on NFT owners, but also on users outside of Web3.Is it just NFT?When we look at Pudgy Penguins today, we see not only a digital collection, but also a brand that has moved into the physical world. Toys, plushies, licensed products and even children's books are part of this ecosystem. As of 2023, Pudgy Penguins toys have taken their place in major retail chains such as Walmart. Moreover, with each of these toys, it is possible to connect to the digital universe called “Pudgy World”. In short, NFT ownership is not just about the screen; it also has a reflection in the physical world. Some of the Pudgy Penguins NFTs that sold for the highest prices in the last 3 months. Source: NFTPriceFloor There is also a very active community on social media. The project team aims to reach not only investors, but also those who are interested in Web3 but are not technically savvy. That's why they use humorous content, viral tweets and a language that everyone can understand. In this way, they don't just appeal to the crypto community - they try to bring Web3 to the public.In 2024, a brand new layer was added to the Pudgy Penguins universe: PENGU coin. So, what is PENGU coin? What does PENGU token do? PENGU is a tool that strengthens the Pudgy Penguins brand's presence in the digital and physical world. It encourages community participation, allowing users to interact more deeply with the ecosystem. It also offers investors additional income opportunities through staking and rewards programs. PENGU is also considered a tool that can be used for gamification and digital interactions within Pudgy World. In other words, the business is no longer limited to NFT ownership; direct participation in the project's economy also becomes possible. With the launch of the PENGU token, the project is expected to intersect with concepts such as “play-to-own” and “social-fi”. So how did we get to this point? Now, let's go back to the beginning of the project and take a closer look at the remarkable history of Pudgy Penguins.Pudgy Penguins History: Major MilestonesAs we mentioned earlier, Pudgy Penguins is an NFT series consisting of 8,888 cute penguin avatars with a collector's spirit, launched on the Ethereum blockchain in July 2021. Each NFT sold out in seconds for approximately 0.03 ETH (approximately $90 at the time) at its launch. The collection quickly grew like an avalanche: It was even featured in the New York Times in August 2021, pushing its base price above $6,000. This project, which was initially born as fun digital pictures, turned into a brand story over time and transformed into an ecosystem beyond just NFTs. Although Pudgy Penguins started out as just an NFT collection, today it has become part of a much larger structure. The licensed “Pudgy Toys” toy series, developed in collaboration with PMI Toys, has spread from showrooms to shelves. It has also reached millions of followers and huge visibility on social media over the years (such as 1.7 million Instagram followers and 39 billion GIF shares). These developments have transformed Pudgy Penguins into a Web3 brand that extends beyond the virtual art world and bridges the gap to the real world. In short, Pudgy Penguins is not just an NFT collection; it is a rich ecosystem that offers exclusive rights to its owners, produces toys and games, and has its own token, PENGU. We can summarize its history as follows: July 2021: The Pudgy Penguins series was launched on Ethereum as 8,888 randomly generated penguin NFTs. Each NFT went on sale for 0.03 ETH and sold out in a short time. It received a huge amount of attention after being featured in the New York Times in August 2021, sending the base price of the collection over $6,000 in a matter of months.Early 2022: As the NFT market slowed down, Pudgy Penguins began to lose value. There was increasing criticism of the management of the project founder Cole Villemain (nicknamed ColeThereum) within the community. Villemain was removed from office in a community vote in early 2022. In the following months, an investor group led by Luca Schnetzler (known as Luca Netz on social media) took over the keys to the project for 750 ETH (approximately $2.5 million). With Luca Netz taking over, the collection regained value (the base price jumped from $4,300 to $8,900 in the first few days of the announcement).Fall 2022 – 2023: The new management quickly expanded the roadmap. In mid-2022, a physical toy series called “Pudgy Toys” was announced in partnership with PMI Toys, allowing NFT owners to turn their designs into licensed products. NFTs were licensed through the OverpassIP platform, and thus a significant portion of the revenue from toy sales was transferred to NFT owners. In May 2023, the first toy series went on sale on Amazon; later, it was also featured in global giants such as Walmart, Target, and Walgreens. In the first year of this series, more than 750,000 products were sold and more than $10 million in revenue was generated. During the same period, the number of social media followers gained incredible momentum (Instagram followers increased from 100 thousand to 1.7 million from July 2022 to the end of 2023), and the brand value of Pudgy Penguins was strengthened. In 2023, the team received an investment of $9 million and signed a deal with the WME agency. 2024 – PENGU Token: In November 2024, Pudgy Penguins announced that they will launch their own ecosystem token, PENGU. This token will be distributed on the Solana network primarily for pudgy NFT holders and other Web3 participants. In December 2024, 1.7 million PENGU tokens will be distributed to each NFT holder. Thus, the Pudgy community will also be rewarded with a token economy. PENGU token distribution map 2025 and Beyond: In April 2025, the PENGU ecosystem launched a “PENGU Validator” validator on the Solana network. While NFT and token efforts are ongoing, they are working on a Pudgy Penguins metaverse project and game called “Pudgy World” under the company Igloo Inc. Designed as a fun and accessible Web3 game, the game aims to bring millions of people into the blockchain space. Players can discover and customize their digital penguin characters, complete missions, and connect with a community. New projects are also on the way, such as a mobile game called “Pudgy Party” in development with Mythical Games. Pudgy Party is promoted as a social, party-based game focused on cooperative and competitive gameplay, featuring penguin-themed avatars navigating various courses. The game emphasizes a “collect and play” mechanic that allows players of all skill levels to join in on the fun.Why is PENGU Valuable?PENGU has gone beyond being just a crypto token and has become one of the cornerstones of the Pudgy Penguins ecosystem. Launched on the Solana network in December 2024, the PENGU token was designed to expand the community, increase user loyalty, and strengthen the Pudgy brand on both Web3 and traditional platforms. However, the elements that make PENGU valuable extend far beyond its technical infrastructure.Rewards, access, and revenue sharing for NFT ownersThe PENGU token was designed to offer special privileges to Pudgy Penguins NFT owners. These privileges include participation in community voting, passive income through staking, and loyalty programs. At the same time, future license revenue sharing could allow NFT owners to earn passive income from the characters they own. This model makes NFTs not just a collectible item, but also a digital asset with income potential. Thus, the NFTs held by investors have the potential to turn into economic benefits over time. 24 hour statistics for Pudgy Penguins. Source: Magic Eden Bridging Web2 and Web3Pudgy Penguins is one of the rare projects that combines the technological innovations brought by the Web3 world with user-friendly experiences in Web2. This strategy, which extends from physical toys to social media content, also allows the PENGU token to establish a connection between the two worlds. PENGU serves both as an interaction and investment tool for Web3 users in the digital world, and as a loyalty mechanism integrated into physical products. In other words, the token finds a response not only in digital wallets, but also in the real world.Providing a usage area in the digital and physical ecosystemPENGU token has many usage areas within the ecosystem. First of all, it can be used in gamified interactions within Pudgy World. Apart from this, it is aimed to function as a payment tool in physical and digital products. For example, Pudgy Penguins physical toys, which are on sale worldwide, are also a part of this ecosystem; in the future, it is on the agenda to be able to pay with PENGU for these products or to offer special advantages to their owners. A small collection of Pudgy Penguins toys. Source: Pudgy Media/ Pudgy Penguins toy collection Toys sold at US-based department store chain Walmart. Source: Walmart It is also possible to earn passive income by staking PENGU. How does the PENGU staking system work?The project enables users to stake SOL by establishing its own validator (Pengu Validator) on the Solana network and accordingly offers an annual return (APY) ranging from 7% to 11%. Thus, the token has the capacity to generate not only internal but also external economic value.Strong brand, high visibilityBehind the value of PENGU lies not only its technical features but also Pudgy Penguins' branding success. It is followed by millions of people on CoinMarketCap. Pudgy Penguins, which also has a large follower base on social media platforms, has also gained great visibility in the physical world with its toys sold in giant retail chains such as Walmart. In addition, this brand, which is frequently seen in events organized in the NFT and Web3 world, continues to grow its community with each new step.The total supply of the PENGU token is fixed at 88,888,888,888, of which approximately 62.86 billion are currently in circulation. Its market value is approaching the $900 million limit. Who is the Founder of Pudgy Penguins?The Pudgy Penguins project was first launched in 2021 by Cole Villemain (ColeThereum) and a team of a few people. Although the project achieved a rapid rise, it received serious criticism over time, especially for reasons such as lack of transparency and insufficient communication with the community. When this crisis environment, which occurred in early 2022, was combined with reactions from within the community, Cole Villemain had to be removed from the project. At this point, the future of Pudgy Penguins became a big question mark.At this point, young entrepreneur Luca Schnetzler (known as Luca Netz on social media) stepped in. So who is Luca Netz? In April 2022, he acquired the project and took on the role of CEO, giving it a completely new direction. This acquisition was not only a crisis management, but also a rebirth process in which Pudgy Penguins rose from the ashes. Luca’s previous experience in fashion and e-commerce played an important role in transforming the project into a Web3 brand that was not limited to just NFT collecting. Luca Netz at the Pudgy Penguins booth at Walmart. With Luca Netz’s leadership, Pudgy Penguins took on a completely different identity. As a first step to regain the trust of the community, transparent communication strategies were developed. Then, the brand strategy was overhauled, and a roadmap was drawn up supported by physical products (especially toys), licensing agreements, and digital experiences. While many people thought the project was “dead,” Luca and his team not only brought Pudgy Penguins back to life, but also made it one of the most beloved and talked-about brands in Web3. In particular, the sale of physical toys in large chains like Walmart, the creation of mass interaction with viral content on social media, and the launch of digital experiences like Pudgy World formed the basic building blocks of this rebirth. After Luca Netz took ownership of the project, the Pudgy Penguins community became not only NFT owners, but also active members of an ecosystem that contributed to the shaping of the brand. The loyalty programs, gamified community tasks, and governance-based exchanges increased the participation of the community to a higher level. Although no official DAO (decentralized autonomous organization) structure has been established, the active involvement of the community in decision-making processes and the voting on certain issues show that the project is gradually approaching a DAO-like model.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)Below are frequently asked questions about Pudgy Penguins:What is Pudgy Penguins, how did it come about? Pudgy Penguins is a collection of 8,888 penguin NFTs that was launched on the Ethereum blockchain in 2021. Initially, each NFT was sold for 0.03 ETH, and the collection quickly became popular. It attracted the attention of the masses when it was featured in the New York Times in August 2021. Over time, it has expanded beyond digital art and has become a brand with licensed toys and products (toy sales have exceeded $10 million).What is the PENGU token used for? PENGU is the official native token of Pudgy Penguins. It is designed to grow the project's community, distribute rewards to members, and participate in project management. According to official statements, PENGU token owners will be offered opportunities such as staking, voting, and trading in the ecosystem.What privileges do NFT owners have? Pudgy Penguins NFT owners have various privileges. For example, collection owners who license a license to each NFT owner can share a portion of the income obtained when these images are used in commercial products (up to 20% share per toy). In this way, NFT owners receive a share of both digital and physical revenues.How do NFT owners earn with physical product revenues? Pudgy Penguins has implemented a license model called OverpassIP so that owners can turn their NFTs into commercial products. In this system, NFT owners receive a portion of the income as royalty fees when, for example, pink penguin-designed toys are sold. According to OverpassIP, this share can go up to 20% for some products. Thus, NFT owners not only keep the collection in their hands, but also earn passive income from sales.Who is the founder of the project? The original founder of Pudgy Penguins is Cole Villemain. However, he left the project at the beginning of 2022 due to community decisions. The person who currently leads the project is Luca Schnetzler (with his social media name Luca Netz).PENGU awaits you at the point where cuteness meets Web3! Follow our JR Kripto Guide series to get to know the world of Pudgy Penguins better!
What is Enjin (ENJ)?
Projects at the intersection of blockchain technology and the gaming world are redefining the ownership and use of digital assets. One of the leading names in this field is Enjin Coin (ENJ) and the powerful blockchain gaming platform Enjin behind it. With its innovative solutions in areas such as the creation, management, and integration of NFTs into games, Enjin is not just a cryptocurrency; it also offers an end-to-end digital asset ecosystem for developers and users. In this guide, you will find a comprehensive review of what Enjin Coin is, how it works, and why it holds such an important place in the blockchain-based gaming world.Enjin's Definition and OriginImagine that the coins you spend to upgrade your character's armor, unlock a special skin, or acquire a legendary weapon in a game are truly yours. That is, you own these assets not only in the game but also on the blockchain... This is where Enjin comes into play. Enjin, which aims to put digital ownership in the hands of players, offers a comprehensive ecosystem that enables in-game assets to be represented on the blockchain.So, what is Enjin platform? How does it make a difference in this field? Enjin is a comprehensive blockchain-based ecosystem that aims to create next-generation experiences for games and applications. At the core of this ecosystem lies the vision of tokenizing in-game crypto assets and ensuring that these assets belong to the user. Enjin's most distinctive feature is the integration of NFTs at the blockchain protocol level. This foundational design significantly simplifies the creation, management, and integration of crypto assets, streamlining the development process, enhancing security, and enabling true digital ownership.Enjin's roots actually predate the blockchain world, tracing back to 2009. At that time, it was founded as Enjin Network, a gaming community platform. Gaming community management tools helped over 20 million Minecraft users stay connected and build strong networks. The company shifted its focus to the blockchain sector in 2017. This shift was realized through an Initial Coin Offering (ICO), which raised approximately $18.9 million. This ICO paved the way for the launch of the ENJ token. Enjin's ICO took place in 2017. Source: ICODrops At this point, it is necessary to answer the question of what the ENJ token is used for. The token in question is at the center of the Enjin ecosystem. In other words, ENJ is a governance and utility token that supports the Enjin Blockchain and its accompanying products and services. It is also worth noting that ENJ will remain an ERC-20-based token until 2023. This means that it can be sent and received using an Ethereum wallet.The ENJ token provides the infrastructure for the production, trading, and use of NFTs in games. Developers must use Enjin Coin to mint tokens on the Enjin platform. The required amount of ENJ tokens is withdrawn from developers' wallets and locked into the assets they create. This process effectively removes the tokens from the market, creates NFT scarcity, and provides a clear use case for the token. The locked ENJ can later be recovered by “melting” (burning) the NFTs. This function allows users to recover the Enjin Coin value within their blockchain assets by destroying them. An NFT creator can “infuse” ENJ into their assets, thereby creating a reserve value. This generally benefits the NFT's scarcity. In other words, minting blockchain assets with ENJ offers many benefits to NFT issuers and users. It instills a reserve value in NFTs, guarantees transparency and rarity, provides instant liquidity to users, and creates usage opportunities in games and applications.In summary, Enjin is not just a blockchain; it is a comprehensive ecosystem of interconnected tools and services that enable the creation, distribution, storage, trading, and even integration of tokenized crypto assets. This ecosystem focuses on both gaming and enterprise use cases.Enjin's History: Key MilestonesEnjin's blockchain journey has been shaped by its roots in the gaming community. Here are some highlights from Enjin's history:2009: Enjin Network launches as a gaming community platformEnjin was founded in 2009 by Maxim Blagov and Witek Radomski as a platform where gamers could create their own communities. Enjin Network provided a set of tools enabling users to create websites, forums, and applications for gaming clans. This platform quickly reached over 20 million users, becoming a popular community hub among gamers.2017: The ENJ token entered the marketsIn 2017, Enjin transitioned to blockchain technology and introduced its own cryptocurrency, Enjin Coin (ENJ). This transition was an important step toward realizing Enjin's vision for the tokenization and management of in-game crypto assets. The launch of Enjin Coin was announced in July 2017 and officially launched on the Ethereum mainnet in June 2018.2018–2020: Unity SDK, Ethereum-based asset wallet, and ERC-1155 standard announcedEnjin released the Android version of Enjin Wallet in January 2018. A few months later, the iOS version was also made available. Enjin Wallet is a secure and user-friendly mobile wallet for storing, managing, and trading NFTs and other crypto assets from the Enjin ecosystem and beyond. It is noted to be feature-rich with over 1 million downloads. The wallet's ability to seamlessly connect with games and applications is noteworthy.In the summer of 2018, Enjin officially launched the Enjin Platform on the Ethereum mainnet. This platform is a service that enables other game developers to issue fungible and non-fungible assets as in-game Ethereum tokens.In June 2018, Enjin CTO Witek Radomski submitted the first version of the ERC-1155 Multi Token Standard to Ethereum's GitHub repository. This standard was finalized a year later, on June 17, 2019, and became an official Ethereum token standard. The adoption of the ERC-1155 standard was one of the most significant milestones in Enjin's history and became a fundamental component of Enjin's NFT infrastructure.Enjin partnered with Unity to launch an SDK. This SDK aimed to make it easier for Unity's 4.5 million ecosystem developers to integrate blockchain into their applications and games. In 2022, new SDKs for Java, C#, C++, and Unity were released, followed by the announcement of an Unreal Engine SDK. These SDKs provide classes and services to help developers communicate with the Enjin Platform.2021–2023: JumpNet, Efinity, and Polkadot-based NFT solutions were launchedIn June 2021, Enjin JumpNet was launched to the public. JumpNet is a blockchain network that allows users to mint, send, and trade NFTs without paying gas fees (transaction fees). This made minting low-value NFTs economically viable, expanding the use case for ENJ coin. JumpNet applies a series of limits for each address on the network to offer free transactions. JumpNet is presented as an eco-friendly solution with 99.99% less energy consumption.In March 2022, Enjin announced that the Efinity parachain is live on Polkadot. Efinity was designed to provide scalable, affordable, and cross-chain NFT solutions. Polkadot entered the market to support the Web 3.0 vision. It is also based on principles such as true interoperability, economic and transactional scalability, easy blockchain innovation, energy efficiency, security, and user-centric governance. The first version of Efinity focused on core functionality and chain stability. Developers can mint up to 2,200 tokens per transaction into separate wallets, and batch transfers can accommodate similar numbers. Efinity aims to create a cross-chain system capable of hosting any cryptocurrency or NFT as-is. It is also noted that users can transfer their assets to Efinity without the creator's permission.In September 2023, the ENJ token migrated from the Ethereum mainnet to its final home on the Enjin Blockchain. The Enjin Blockchain is a Substrate-based proof-of-stake blockchain specifically designed for NFT transactions. The ENJ Coin serves as the chain's native token. How Efinity, Enjin Wallet, and JumpNet work. Source: TokenInsight Why is Enjin valuable?So far, Enjin has not only been a gaming project on the blockchain, but also a technology platform shaping the future of crypto assets... So where exactly does Enjin's value come from?It enables the tokenization of in-game assets and transfers ownership to the userEnjin enables game developers to tokenize digital assets such as in-game items, characters, or accessories on the blockchain. These assets can be in the form of NFTs or fungible tokens. This tokenization process grants users true ownership of crypto assets. Players can truly own these assets, use them in games, trade them, or sell them. This differs from traditional game models by giving players full control over the virtual items they invest in.ENJ tokens can directly add value to crypto assetsOne of Enjin's unique features is that every token minted on the platform is directly backed by ENJ. Developers only need to lock ENJ tokens to mint these digital items. This “infusion” process embeds a reserve value into the token. The token holder can redeem this infused ENJ at any time by burning the token. This provides digital assets with intrinsic value in addition to market value. This is particularly significant for the ENJ coin gaming sector, as it brings real-world liquidity to in-game items. It also paves the way for crypto-based games and increases the rarity of NFTs. The most popular tokens on the Enjin-based NFT marketplace NFT.io. Enabling efficient NFT usage thanks to the ERC-1155 standardThe ERC-1155 standard, pioneered by Enjin's CTO Witek Radomski, is a critical component that enhances the efficiency and flexibility of the Enjin ecosystem. Traditionally, for ERC-20 or ERC-721 tokens, a new smart contract had to be deployed for each new token “class.” However, the core concept of ERC-1155 is that a single smart contract can manage an unlimited number of tokens. This enables games to store a wide variety of items (weapons, armor, potions, etc.) under a single contract. Let's take a closer look at the features of ERC-1155:ERC-1155 enables bulk transfers. Multiple tokens can be sent in a single transaction. This results in significant savings in gas costs and eliminates the need to wait for each block in single transfers.The standard also introduced improvements for metadata (token information). Instead of storing information such as token names or symbols on the blockchain, it has been moved to external JSON files. ERC-1155 can point to an infinite number of token URIs (character strings) using the “{id}” placeholder string without storing any additional data. This significantly reduces the metadata display load for large token collections. Localization (multilingual support) is also possible thanks to the JSON format.Another notable feature of ERC-1155 is the ability to execute a specific smart contract function by sending a token to an address. This means that tokens can be automatically exchanged, trigger game functions, or be wrapped, converted, minted, or deposited. This capability enables the creation of reliable smart contract networks without the risk of tokens being lost.ERC-1155 also guarantees that event logs (the system's chronological record) will provide sufficient data to create an accurate record of all current token balances. This enables databases and explorers to create a standardized record of every ERC-1155 token and track any trading or token minting transactions. The ERC-1155 transaction process. Source: WallStreetMojo JumpNet and Efinity offer fast, low-cost transactions and cross-chain transfersWith the launch of JumpNet, NFT transactions have taken on a whole new dimension. Users can now mint, send, or trade NFTs without having to worry about transaction fees. This greatly simplifies the user experience, especially for teams developing Web3 gaming solutions. Low-cost and fast transactions pave the way for such projects.Efinity, on the other hand, focuses on the broader, cross-chain aspect of the business. Built on Polkadot's parachain technology, this infrastructure enables NFTs to move seamlessly between different blockchains. In other words, it provides a highly flexible and powerful foundation for cross-chain NFT solutions. Users can easily transfer their assets from another network to Efinity, and this system also increases efficiency with features such as bulk transfers.ENJ token staking and governance are at the heart of the ecosystemLet's talk about the role of ENJ Coin within the ecosystem. Enjin Blockchain operates using a Proof-of-Stake mechanism. This allows ENJ holders to stake their tokens, contributing to network security while also gaining the right to participate in governance processes. Additionally, staking users have the opportunity to earn rewards. Transaction fees on the Enjin Blockchain are also paid in ENJ.Enjin has partnered with tech giantsWhen all these pieces come together, Enjin emerges as a powerful structure, particularly when it comes to crypto assets, NFTs, and games. Its ecosystem is also quite extensive: The future of ENJ coin depends on how widely these technologies are adopted and the innovations Enjin offers in this field. The platform is successfully exciting users with partnerships with major brands such as Microsoft, Samsung, Unity, and Atari. Enjin's notable partnerships are as follows:Microsoft: Microsoft uses Enjin's technology to run its Azure Heroes social rewards program. This program rewards contributors with digital badges.Samsung: Samsung has integrated the Enjin Wallet with the Blockchain Keystore featured in the Galaxy S10 model, enabling users to securely store blockchain-based assets.Unity: Enjin launched an SDK to make it easier for Unity's 4.5 million developers to integrate blockchain technology into their games.BMW: BMW partnered with Enjin to enable users to convert their BMW Coin reward points into Enjin Coin through the Vantage app.Atari: Enjin has partnered with iconic gaming brand Atari to enable Atari's integration into blockchain-based games.Ubisoft: Ubisoft has partnered with Enjin to integrate blockchain technology into its games.Who is the Founder of Enjin?Just as important as the good idea behind every strong project is knowing the right people who bring that idea to life. So, who is the founder of ENJ in this context? Enjin's founders are Maxim Blagov (CEO) and Witek Radomski (CTO). The duo was at the helm of Enjin, which began as a gaming community platform in 2009; in other words, the gaming world has always been at the core of the business. CTO Witek Radomski, in particular, is a prominent figure in the blockchain space. This is because he is the developer behind the ERC-1155 standard, which enables the efficient use of NFTs today. First announced in 2018, this standard was officially adopted in the Ethereum ecosystem in 2019, as mentioned earlier, and has become one of the cornerstones of Enjin's NFT infrastructure. Witek Radomski at the Blockchain Game Summit On the other hand, Maxim Blagov is not only a co-founder of Enjin, but also has over 18 years of experience in creative management, software project management, and marketing. Currently serving as CEO, Blagov holds a bachelor's degree in Computer Science from the University of Technology Sydney in Australia.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)In conclusion, Enjin Coin (ENJ) is not just a cryptocurrency, but the “fuel” for a comprehensive ecosystem aimed at transforming the gaming world and crypto asset ownership. Innovative standards like ERC-1155, scaling solutions, and ENJ's role in adding value to crypto assets make Enjin a key player in this field. We hope this guide has answered many of your questions about Enjin and ENJ. But if it hasn't, you can find frequently asked questions below:What is Enjin Coin and what problem does it solve? Enjin Coin (ENJ) is a blockchain infrastructure that enables the tokenization of crypto assets within games and applications. It enables players to have true ownership of in-game assets and aims to make these assets secure, transparent, and easily tradable.What is the purpose of the ENJ token?: ENJ is used within the Enjin ecosystem to create NFTs, stake, pay transaction fees, and vote in governance. It is locked into NFTs, giving them intrinsic value.How are NFTs created with Enjin? Developers lock a certain amount of ENJ tokens through the Enjin platform to mint NFTs. The assets created through this process are both valuable and easily manageable through the Enjin wallet.What are JumpNet and Efinity? JumpNet is an Enjin network that enables fast and free NFT transactions without gas fees. Efinity is a parachain developed on Polkadot that offers cross-chain NFT compatibility. Both are designed for Web3 gaming solutions.What does Enjin bring to the gaming world? Enjin enables in-game items to be converted into NFTs, allowing these assets to be bought, sold, and used across different games. This makes the gaming experience more personal, valuable, and lasting.To better understand Enjin Coin, which sits at the intersection of the gaming and NFT worlds with blockchain, continue following our JR Kripto Guide series.
Ripple Partners with 20 Million-User Network for RLUSD in Stablecoin Race
Web3-based payment platform AEON has signed a strategic partnership with Ripple in a move that will make a splash in the cryptocurrency sector. As part of this collaboration, Ripple's native token XRP and its new stablecoin RLUSD have been integrated into AEON's payment infrastructure. Thus, users will be able to easily make their daily purchases with crypto via Telegram Mini App and popular Web3 wallets such as Bitget and TokenPocket.Ripple partners with AEON for RLUSDAccording to AEON's official announcement, this integration covers more than 20 million physical merchants in Southeast Asia in the first phase. Payments can be made with XRP and RLUSD at world giant brands such as UNIQLO, McDonald's, Pizza Hut and Starbucks. This new system is designed to cover many daily expenses such as restaurants, retail stores, mobile balance loading. The company aims to spread this model to Africa, Latin America and other developing markets in the future.This development is also an important step in the adoption of Ripple’s stablecoin, RLUSD. RLUSD is a stablecoin developed by Ripple that stands out with its high regulatory compliance and liquidity. Ripple offers this asset as a secure and scalable digital dollar alternative not only for institutional finance solutions but also for individual users, developers and businesses.“Ripple USD (RLUSD) was designed with a trust, liquidity and regulation-focused approach. Ripple’s experience in global regulatory frameworks makes RLUSD a strong choice for institutional players,” AEON’s statement said.AEON’s move with Ripple has had a wide repercussion, especially within the XRP community. WrathofKahneman, one of the community’s important figures, described the AEON-Ripple partnership as “a significant milestone” in a post he shared on the social media platform X. On the other hand, Ripple's stablecoin vision has also been the subject of some criticism in recent months. BitGo CEO Mike Belshe argued that XRP could not fully fulfill its initially targeted role as a "global bridge currency" and suggested that RLUSD could fill this gap.Ripple USD was previously integrated into Ripple's cross-border payment network Ripple Payments. In addition, it was listed on the Kraken exchange and was included in Alchemy Pay's fiat-crypto transition infrastructure in collaboration with Alchemy. Leading cryptocurrency exchanges such as Bitget are also among the platforms accepting RLUSD.As of June 2025, RLUSD's market value reached $428.7 million, ranking it 14th in the stablecoin rankings. In comparison, Circle's USDC stablecoin has a market value of over $55 billion, while major e-commerce platforms such as Shopify have begun accepting USDC worldwide. This chart shows that there is huge competition in the stablecoin market.
ENA Comments and Price Analysis 26 June 2025
Ethena (ENA) Technical AnalysisENA is currently trading at a very critical level while it is moving within the downtrend. The price zone of $0.26–$0.24 is the last line of defense, and it is where buyers outperformed sellers in the past.We can expect a pullback to the zone of $0.20–$0.21 if the price is broken downwards from this area; yet, the strong buy reaction at current levels is likely to increase the probability of an upward reversal from this support area. Falling Trend The first target area above we have is $0.28–$0.30, and above it there is $0.3397, which is very important as it is both a past resistance level and a contact area in the downtrend. Should the price break above these levels, then we can talk about the levels of $0.4044 and $0.44401 respectively. For a stronger rise of the price, we need to see closings above the level of $0.5451.In summary, we can say that ENA is currently trying to hold above a strong support zone, from which a reaction could trigger a rally, but it is of great importance that the price break the downtrend. Otherwise, the downtrend might carry on.These analyses, not offering any kind of investment advice, focus on support and resistance levels considered to offer trading opportunities in the short and medium term according to the market conditions. However, the user is responsible for their own actions and risk management. Moreover, it is highly recommended to use stop loss (SL) during the transactions.
What is Ethereum (ETH)?
Although the foundations of blockchain technology have been in development for decades, it only entered our lives as a functional product with the launch of Bitcoin in 2008. This groundbreaking innovation brought together cryptography, decentralization, peer-to-peer network communication, and transaction processes to usher in a new era in the digital world. However, the next evolution of this revolution was shaped by a vision proposed by Vitalik Buterin in 2013: Ethereum. Available since 2015, Ethereum aimed to go beyond being just a digital currency, offering a platform for decentralized applications (dApps) and smart contracts. So, what exactly is Ethereum (ETH), how does it work, and why is it so important? Here's everything you need to know about Ethereum…What is Ethereum? How and Why Did It Emerge?Ethereum (ETH) is fundamentally a decentralized application platform. Unlike Bitcoin, which focuses solely on financial transactions, Ethereum was designed as a programmable blockchain where developers can build various decentralized applications. At the heart of this platform are smart contracts, where the terms of an agreement are directly written into code lines and executed automatically.Vitalik Buterin played a key role in the creation of Ethereum. Born in Russia and later moving to Canada with his family, Buterin had a strong interest in mathematics and programming from a young age. After his father introduced him to Bitcoin in 2011, Buterin became deeply inspired by the concept of a decentralized currency. However, as he became more involved in the Bitcoin community, he realized that Bitcoin had limitations in terms of flexibility and application diversity. So, when did Ethereum launched? Bitcoin's complex scripting language, lack of adaptability, and scalability issues prompted Buterin to seek a new solution.As a result of this search, he published the whitepaper outlining Ethereum's core vision in 2013. This whitepaper envisioned a blockchain that could not only facilitate money transfers but also run decentralized applications with complex logic. Buterin chose the name Ethereum, referencing the hypothetical medium “ether” for the platform. His goal was for the platform to serve as a foundational and transparent environment for applications.The funding required for Ethereum's development was secured through an online crowdfunding campaign (ICO) in 2014. During this event, participants purchased ether (ETH), Ethereum's value token, in exchange for Bitcoin, and the campaign achieved significant success. The Ethereum ICO took place in 2014. Finally, on May 9, 2015, the ninth and final proof-of-concept public test network, called Olympic, was made available to developers. The purpose of this test network was to allow developers to explore how the Ethereum blockchain would look when it was released. Vitalik Buterin promised developers a total of 25,000 ETH in rewards to stress-test the network and provide insights into how the protocol would handle high traffic. Developers were asked to conduct tests across four categories: transaction activity, virtual machine usage, mining capability, and general penalties.After several months of stress testing, the official public mainnet of Ethereum, Frontier, was launched on July 30, 2015. This marked the date when the Ethereum blockchain officially went live and the community began to grow. Before Frontier, Vinay Gupta and Stephen Taul warned developers that this first version was the “bare minimum” and urged them to proceed with caution. Frontier was a platform used via command lines, without a graphical user interface (GUI), and its capabilities were largely limited to those already familiar with Ethereum.Ethereum History: Key MilestonesAs a platform that revolutionized the cryptocurrency ecosystem, Ethereum has undergone many critical phases since its inception. Updates, community decisions, and technical improvements during this process have shaped Ethereum into what it is today. The key milestones that stand out in Ethereum's history are as follows:2015 - Official launch of Ethereum (Frontier): As mentioned above, the Ethereum blockchain was officially launched on July 30, 2015, with the Frontier version. This initial phase supported smart contracts and Proof-of-Work (PoW) mining, enabling users to perform transactions and develop applications on the network. Initially, a reward of 5 ETH per block was awarded.2016 - DAO attack and Ethereum-ETC split: 2016 marked an important and unplanned turning point in Ethereum's history. The Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO) had raised 150 million USD worth of ETH through a token sale. However, in June, the DAO was hacked, and 50 million USD worth of ETH was stolen. This incident deeply shook the Ethereum community, leading to the decision to perform a hard fork—an event that split the network into two—to recover the funds and address the security vulnerability. This hard fork sparked debates within the community, with some members continuing to operate on the original chain. The original chain, where the stolen funds were not recovered, is known as Ethereum Classic (ETC), while the majority and core developers continued to work on the forked chain (Ethereum - ETH), where the stolen ETH was returned to its original owners. 2017 - ICO boom and Ethereum's growth: Between 2017 and 2018, there was an Initial Coin Offering (ICO) boom, and Ethereum played a central role in this process. Ethereum's smart contract functionality enabled developers to easily create new tokens and launch protocols, leading to most ICOs taking place on the Ethereum network. The ERC-20 token standard gained widespread adoption during this period, further solidifying Ethereum's importance within the crypto ecosystem. This increased usage led to a rapid rise in the value of Ether, Ethereum's native token.2020: Ethereum 2.0 and the transition to Proof of Stake: A significant step toward Ethereum's future was the announcement of the Ethereum 2.0 (also known as Serenity) roadmap. This involved a series of upgrades aimed at transitioning Ethereum's consensus mechanism from Proof-of-Work (PoW) to Proof of Stake (PoS), which is more scalable, secure, and energy-efficient. This transition was planned in phases, with the first major step taken in 2020 with the launch of the Beacon Chain. The Beacon Chain introduced PoS consensus but initially operated in parallel with the existing PoW chain.2022 - Full transition to Proof of Stake with The Merge: The latest answer to the question “How does Ethereum work?” came with the completion of The Merge. Ethereum's full transition to PoS was completed with the historic event known as The Merge, which took place on September 15, 2022. This merger signified the integration of the original Ethereum Mainnet (transaction layer) with the Beacon Chain (consensus layer), marking the end of PoW mining. The network transitioned to Proof of Stake, an energy-efficient consensus mechanism where validators are selected based on the amount of cryptocurrency they hold. The Ethereum Merge reduced energy consumption by approximately 99.95% and laid the groundwork for future scalability upgrades. The term ‘Eth2’ has been discontinued, and the network now operates as a single Ethereum chain. Ethereum.org With all these developments, Ethereum made its mark on the blockchain space. In particular, by transitioning from Proof of Work (PoW) to Proof of Stake (PoS), it aimed to address issues such as energy efficiency, scalability, accessibility, decentralization, and long-term sustainability. While PoW's high energy consumption and mining requirements led to environmental and economic issues, PoS significantly reduced energy usage. Sharp decline in electricity consumption on the Ethereum network after the merge. Source: An Event Study of the Ethereum Transition to Proof-of-Stake. 2023, ResearchGate In addition, PoS facilitated Ethereum's scalability by offering faster and more efficient transaction processing capacity. While PoW's expensive hardware requirements posed a barrier for small investors, PoS allows everyone to participate in the network through staking. This transition strengthened decentralization by encouraging broader participation and increased Ethereum's long-term competitiveness for the future.While discussing such significant milestones, it is impossible to overlook Ethereum's price movements. The cryptocurrency giant has experienced a highly volatile 10-year market journey. Ethereum's price has seen significant fluctuations since its launch in 2015. Initially, it traded below $1 in 2015. In 2017, it surpassed $100 and reached approximately $774 by the end of the year. In November 2021, it reached an all-time high of approximately $4,891. However, as of April 2025, the price had dropped to approximately $1,795. Nevertheless, market data shows that Ethereum has seen an increase of approximately 179,400% from 2015 to 2025. As can be seen in the 10-year price chart below, the largest price jumps occurred in 2017 and 2021. Why is Ethereum Important?So, why is Ethereum important in the field of cryptocurrency and blockchain? Ethereum is not just a cryptocurrency, but has also become an ecosystem that forms the basis for innovative technologies such as decentralized finance (DeFi), NFTs, and smart contracts.It has brought major innovations with smart contracts. Ethereum's greatest significance lies in popularizing the concept of smart contracts and providing developers with the opportunity to build various applications using this technology. Unlike traditional contracts, smart contracts are agreements that are automatically executed when predefined conditions are met, without the need for any intermediaries. This enables transactions to occur in a more transparent, secure, and efficient manner and opens up new use cases across various industries. Thanks to Ethereum's Turing-complete programming language, developers can create smart contracts and applications of nearly unlimited complexity.It has enabled the emergence of decentralized finance (DeFi) and the NFT ecosystem. Ethereum has played a vital role in the birth and growth of the decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem. DeFi refers to financial services that operate on the blockchain without the need for traditional financial intermediaries (such as banks). Ethereum's smart contract capabilities have enabled the development of various DeFi protocols, including decentralized exchanges (DEXs), lending and borrowing platforms, yield farming, and stablecoins.Similarly, the Non-Fungible Token (NFT) ecosystem has also developed largely on Ethereum. NFTs are indivisible tokens that represent ownership of unique digital or physical assets such as artworks, music, virtual land, and collectibles. Ethereum's ERC-721 and ERC-1155 token standards are widely used for creating and trading NFTs. NFTs have opened up new opportunities in the creative economy and redefined the concept of digital ownership.It has become an open-source blockchain for developers. As an open-source project, Ethereum is accessible and transparent to developers worldwide. This enables a broad developer community to contribute to the platform, develop new tools, and create applications. Ethereum's Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) ensures that smart contracts are executed securely and consistently. Specially developed programming languages like Solidity make it easier for developers to create powerful and complex applications on Ethereum.It has become a cornerstone of Web3. In addition to being an open-source blockchain for NFTs, DeFi, smart contracts, and developers, Ethereum is recognized as one of the cornerstones of the decentralized internet vision known as Web3. Web3 aims for an internet model where users have greater control over their data and digital identities, and the influence of central authorities is reduced. Ethereum's decentralized structure, smart contract capabilities, and extensive developer ecosystem provide an ideal foundation for the development and widespread adoption of Web3 applications. Additionally, Layer 2 scaling solutions and projects like Superchain enhance Ethereum's transaction capacity, enabling Web3 applications to reach broader audiences.Who is the Founder of Ethereum?So, who is Vitalik Buterin, the founder of Ethereum? Vitalik Buterin is the co-founder of Ethereum and one of the most influential figures in the cryptocurrency world. Born on January 31, 1994, in Russia, Buterin moved to Canada with his family at the age of six. Demonstrating exceptional talent in mathematics and programming from a young age, Buterin was introduced to Bitcoin at the age of 17 through his father. Impressed by Bitcoin's decentralized structure, Buterin began conducting in-depth research in this field and became one of the co-founders of Bitcoin Magazine, one of the first cryptocurrency publications, in 2011. Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin at the EthCC conference (2024) Despite recognizing Bitcoin's potential, Buterin also saw its limitations and envisioned a more flexible and general-purpose blockchain platform. As a result of this vision, he published the white paper that laid the foundation for Ethereum in 2013. Buterin is known not only for his technical contributions but also for his advocacy of decentralization, open-source development, and the use of blockchain technology for social good. Additionally, he has made significant donations to various charitable causes, such as COVID-19 relief and scientific research. He even established a fund called Kanro. Kanro, a biotechnology fund founded by Buterin in 2023, serves as one of the many ways through which the Ethereum co-founder makes donations.Charity OrganizationYearCryptocurrencyAmountMachine Intelligence Research Institute2017ETH$763,970SENS Research Foundation2018ETH$2.4 millionSENS Research Foundation2020ETH$50,000India Crypto Covid Relief Fund2021SHIB$1.14 billionMethuselah Foundation2021Dogelon Mars$336 millionUkraine Relief Fund2022ETH$2.5 millionUnchain Fund2022ETH$2.5 millionAnimal Welfare Fund2024ETH$532,398Zuitzerland2025ETH$500,000Khao Kheow Open Zoo2024USDC$290,000Source: CCNIn addition to Vitalik Buterin, the team that contributed to the development of Ethereum is also of interest. Initially, names such as Anthony Di Iorio, Charles Hoskinson, Mihai Alisie, and Amir Chetrit were involved in the development of Ethereum. Later, Joseph Lubin, Gavin Wood, and Jeffrey Wilcke also joined the founding team. Gavin Wood made a significant contribution by writing the Ethereum Yellow Paper, which outlined the features of the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). The development of Ethereum was carried out by Ethereum Switzerland GmbH (EthSuisse), based in Switzerland, and later by the non-profit Ethereum Foundation (Stiftung Ethereum).Vitalik Buterin's views on blockchain and decentralized ecosystems are also noteworthy. Indeed, Vitalik Buterin has designed Ethereum from the outset not merely as a cryptocurrency but as a global infrastructure for decentralized applications and smart contracts. Buterin's vision is to create a world where individuals have greater control over their digital assets and personal data, and where decentralized applications offer greater transparency and security.Buterin believes that Ethereum's success depends on the developer community's ability to collaborate on innovative projects. In his view, decentralization is of vital importance for the network's security, transparency, and resilience. He emphasizes that to preserve Ethereum's decentralized structure, elements such as committees or central intermediaries must be avoided.While acknowledging that Ethereum must continue to evolve in the future, he stresses that this must be done without compromising the principle of decentralization. He states that his ultimate goal is to make Ethereum the foundational layer of a decentralized internet (Web3) and to provide individuals with greater freedom and control in the digital world.Buterin believes that decentralization is not just a technological feature but also has social and political dimensions. In his view, Ethereum is not merely software but a structure aimed at creating an ecosystem where different actors can collaborate more efficiently and resist centralization pressures.In conclusion, Ethereum was born out of Vitalik Buterin's vision and revolutionized the blockchain world. It has been a pioneer in areas such as smart contracts, DeFi, and NFTs, and continues to evolve with its open-source structure. With the contributions of its community and its innovative approach, Ethereum appears poised to remain at the center of the blockchain ecosystem in the future.For more content on Ethereum and blockchain technology, follow the JR Kripto Guide series.
What is Harmony (ONE)?
Today, we will take a closer look at Harmony (ONE), one of the exciting players in the blockchain world, and its native token, ONE. If you believe that blockchain technology is not limited to Bitcoin and Ethereum, or if you are tired of high costs and low speeds, the answer to the question “What is Harmony?” may be just what you need. Harmony is a fast and open blockchain platform designed for creating and using decentralized applications (DApps). Its primary goal is to provide innovative solutions to the scalability issues faced by existing blockchains. Harmony focuses on technologies like random state sharding to achieve this objective.Harmony's promise is quite ambitious: to offer high transaction volume while also providing low latency and low fees. These features aim to position the platform as a key foundation for the future of decentralized, trustless economies. The answer to the question of how Harmony network works is shaped around these core objectives. Let's take a closer look at this sharding-focused network together...Harmony's Definition and OriginHarmony (ONE) stands out as a fast, cost-effective, and independently operating Layer-1 blockchain network. Layer-1 means that Harmony operates on its own chain and executes transactions without relying on another network. This structure is specifically designed to facilitate the development of decentralized applications (DApps). Founded by Stephen Tse in 2018, the project launched its mainnet in 2019 and introduced its native token, ONE, to the market. Harmony’s primary goal is to strike a balance between the classic blockchain dilemma of “scalability versus decentralization.” That’s why it defines itself as a platform that offers “scalable decentralization.”To achieve this balance, Harmony employs several innovative technologies. One of the most notable is its sharding system, which divides the network into shards. What is sharding? This system allows transactions to be processed in parallel across different shards, thereby increasing transaction speed and making the network more efficient. What sets Harmony apart is that it doesn't limit this sharding system to just data; it also applies it to the network's consensus and state layers, thereby elevating security to the highest level. Additionally, this structure allows even low-spec devices to join the network. Harmony's shard structure. Source: Hive In the consensus section, a system called Effective Proof-of-Stake (EPoS) comes into play. This system can be described as a slightly more advanced version of the classic stake model. Its purpose is to ensure that more validators participate in the network while maintaining decentralization. EPoS is supported by security measures such as token delegation, reward accumulation, penalizing validators who sign twice, and excluding passive validators. As the amount of ONE staked increases, the security of the network also increases.Finally, to increase the speed of the network, Harmony utilizes a special consensus protocol called Fast BFT and technologies such as BLS signatures. These systems enable more than 250 validators to reach consensus in less than two seconds. At the same time, communication load is reduced through batch signing. Thanks to all these features, Harmony offers a fast, secure, and accessible experience for both developers and users.Harmony's compatibility with Ethereum is also a critical feature. Harmony ONE is 100% compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). Why is this important? This compatibility allows developers to easily migrate existing Ethereum DApps or new DApps to the Harmony network or develop them here. Harmony's 2-second transaction finality time and significantly lower transaction fees compared to Ethereum make it an attractive alternative for existing Ethereum DApps. This is one of the features that sets Harmony apart among Ethereum-compatible layer 1 blockchains.Harmony's History: Key MilestonesHarmony's journey began in 2018 with Stephen Tse and a group of experienced engineers. The team consisted of individuals who had previously worked at leading technology companies such as Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Apple. The project's primary goal was to provide a permanent solution to the scalability and decentralization issues in the blockchain world. Throughout its establishment and beyond, Harmony has achieved many important milestones. It also suffered a major cyberattack. Here are a few notable historical events:2018 - Establishment and testnet phase: The project was launched as a startup in 2018. During this period, the technical infrastructure was developed, and trials were conducted on test networks.2019 - Mainnet launch and ONE token's market debut: Harmony gained attention by hosting an Initial Exchange Offering (IEO) on Binance Launchpad in May 2019. During this IEO, over 2.8 billion ONE tokens were sold to investors. In June 2019, Harmony's mainnet was officially launched. With the mainnet going live, ONE tokens previously issued under the ERC-20 and BEP-2 standards were converted to native ONE tokens at a 1:1 ratio.2021 - Ethereum bridge and NFT project integration: In 2021, Harmony introduced Horizon, a cross-chain bridge fully compatible with Ethereum. This bridge enabled users to transfer ERC-20, ERC-721, and ERC-1155 tokens from Ethereum to the Harmony network and vice versa. As a result, assets on Ethereum could benefit from Harmony's low transaction fees and fast transaction confirmation times. Overall, 2021 was a period during which many NFT projects were launched on the Harmony network. Notable projects include daVinci Marketplace, Harmoonies, OneCoin NFT, Harmony Whales, and Harmony One Punks. In September 2021, Harmony announced a $300 million fund aimed at expanding its ecosystem and incentivizing developers. Harmony-Ethereum bridge 2022 - Horizon Bridge attack and security measures: Looking back at Harmony's history, not everything has been smooth sailing. On June 24, 2022, Harmony's “Horizon Bridge” was hacked. In the attack, which was later found to be carried out by the North Korean hacking group Lazarus, the thieves stole various crypto assets worth a total of $99.6 million. The main reason for the attack was the weak security of the Horizon Bridge's 2-of-5 multisig structure. Following this incident, Harmony transitioned the Horizon Bridge on the Ethereum side to a more secure 4-of-5 multisig structure. This new structure requires approval from at least four out of five signers to execute transactions, thereby ensuring the system remains resilient even if private keys are compromised. Coins stolen in the Harmony Bridge attack. Source: PeckShield (2022) Why is Harmony Valuable?Harmony has many valuable features that make it stand out in the blockchain world. These features make the platform attractive to both users and developers.Harmony and the “Shard” StructureHarmony's core value comes from its ability to offer parallel processing power through a four-shard structure. Harmony divides the blockchain into shards, enabling transactions to be processed in parallel across these shards. The Harmony mainnet is currently four-sharded. This parallel processing capability allows the network to achieve a much higher transaction volume, meaning it can process thousands of transactions per second. This helps prevent network congestion, especially during periods of high usage. Harmony aims to achieve full scalability by using this sharding technology not only for transaction verification and network communication but also for the blockchain's state. This deep sharding technique enhances the network's efficiency and scalability.Low transaction feesAnother key advantage of Harmony is its low transaction fees and high speed. On the Harmony mainnet, blocks are produced every 2 seconds. Cross-shard transactions are finalized in 2 block times. This 2-second block time enables near-instant transaction finality. Compared to networks like Ethereum, Harmony's transaction fees are significantly lower. Low-cost and fast transactions make DApps in areas such as DeFi (Decentralized Finance), NFTs, and gaming more user-friendly. This makes Harmony an ideal platform for low-cost DeFi networks and other DApp categories.The ONE token is at the heart of the networkIn addition to the features of the Harmony network, the ONE token, the platform's native cryptocurrency, is at the heart of Harmony and serves various important functions. If you're wondering what the ONE coin is and what ONE token is used for, here are the answers:Paying transaction fees: The ONE token is used for all transactions on the network. Users must specify a certain amount of ONE as a transaction fee for transactions to be successfully processed and included in the blockchain. All coins collected as transaction fees are burned, which helps reduce inflation to zero as network usage increases.Securing the network through staking: Harmony is a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) blockchain. Therefore, the security of the network is ensured through staked tokens. The ONE token is the native token accepted for staking. Potential node operators must stake a certain amount of ONE tokens to be eligible for selection as validators. ONE token holders can also participate in the staking process by delegating their ONE tokens to existing validators. As more ONE tokens are staked, the network becomes more secure. Selected validators who successfully sign blocks receive block rewards in ONE tokens as compensation for their services. Harmony uses a new PoS mechanism called Effective Proof-of-Stake (EPoS) for its staking mechanism. This mechanism aims to reduce centralization and distribute rewards fairly among thousands of validators. EPoS supports delegation and reward compounding. It also penalizes double-signing validators (slashing) and selected but unused nodes. The answer to how the Harmony network works lies here.Participation in governance: ONE token holders have the right to participate in the governance of the network. This allows token holders to have a say in decisions regarding the future of the platform.ONE token economyHarmony's token economy (Harmony tokenomics) plays a very important role in the sustainability and operation of the network. The native token, ONE, is the fundamental building block of the system, akin to its currency. ONE has 18 decimal places, with its smallest unit called Atto (similar to Ethereum's Wei), equivalent to 0.000000000000000001 ONE. The next level up, Nano, is worth 0.000000001 ONE—similar to Gwei in Ethereum. Harmony has updated its economic model over time. In the new system, the total reward distributed across the network (new token issuance + transaction fees) is kept constant, regardless of block time or staking rate on the network. ONE Token distribution plan. Source: ICODrops Initially, the total ONE supply was set at 12.6 billion. As of February 2021, the circulating supply was approximately 9.49 billion. Looking at the distribution of tokens: 22.4% was allocated to the initial sale, 12.5% to the additional Launchpad sale, and 16.9% to the founding team and developers. Additionally, 26.4% is allocated for protocol development, and 21.8% is set aside for ecosystem growth.The annual ONE token issuance is capped at 441 million — equivalent to approximately 3% annual inflation. This fixed and predictable structure aims to provide validators with a stable revenue model. Although the model is inflationary, all transaction fees on the network are burned. Thus, if enough transactions occur on the network, the amount of tokens burned can offset the issuance, and net inflation can approach zero over time. This creates a dynamic that supports token value in the long term.Harmony's integration with Ethereum and other networksAnother major strength of Harmony is its Ethereum compatibility and inclusion in the list of EVM-supported networks. Harmony ONE is a blockchain that is 100% compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). This means developers can easily deploy smart contracts written in Ethereum-based languages like Solidity on Harmony. Migrating existing Ethereum DApps to the Harmony network or developing new DApps is quite simple. Popular Ethereum libraries like Web3.js can be used to send transactions on Harmony.Harmony was also designed for interoperability with other blockchains. Asset transfers between Harmony and networks such as Ethereum or Binance Smart Chain can be made through bridges such as Horizon. These cross-chain capabilities contribute to the integration of blockchain ecosystems.Who is the Founder of Harmony?The mastermind behind many cryptocurrency projects is often a topic of curiosity, especially among those considering investing in the project. So, who is the founder of Harmony? The person who laid the foundations for Harmony is Stephen Tse. He serves as the project's founder and CEO. In response to the question, “Who is Stephen Tse?”, it is noted that Stephen Tse previously worked as an engineer at leading technology companies such as Apple, Google, and Microsoft. This background has given Tse extensive experience in complex distributed systems and technology development, such as blockchain. Tse is also active in entrepreneurship, having founded the mobile search startup Spotsetter, which was acquired by Apple in 2014. Additionally, he has worked on a project called Voice AI in the field of voice artificial intelligence. Tse's interest in protocols dates back to his high school years; he reverse-engineered the ICQ and X11 protocols and has been writing code in the OCaml language for over 15 years. Stephen Tse at Shanghai Blockchain Week Harmony's founding team includes Stephen Tse and Nick White. Nick White is one of the co-founders of the project and an active member of the Harmony community. Nick White holds a bachelor's and master's degree in electrical engineering from Stanford University and has conducted research on artificial intelligence and applied mathematics at Stanford. Outside of his academic career, he served as an AI expert at Zeroth.AI, an AI accelerator based in Hong Kong, and is said to have mentored more than 20 teams from five continents. He is also a yoga instructor and an avid surfer.In general, the Harmony team consists of engineers who have gained experience at leading technology companies in Silicon Valley. This team, which has worked at companies such as Google, Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft, developed Harmony's core technologies such as sharding and consensus mechanisms.For example, co-founder Rongjian Lan worked as a search infrastructure engineer at Google Play Store. Minh Doan was involved in Google Assistant and Play projects. Chief engineer Leo Chen worked on high-performance storage virtualization at Amazon Web Services and developed the first generation of Kindle Fire.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)In conclusion, Harmony (ONE) is an ambitious project that aims to overcome the current scalability and interoperability challenges of blockchain technology. When we ask what Harmony is, we find a high-speed, low-cost, Ethereum-compatible layer 1 and sharded blockchain network. Founded by engineers with Silicon Valley experience, such as Stephen Tse, Harmony uses innovative technologies like blockchain sharding and Effective Proof-of-Stake (EPoS) to offer high transaction volume and speed through parallel transaction chain capability. Still, you may have some frequently asked questions like the following:What is the Harmony network and how does it work? Harmony is a Layer-1 blockchain network designed to provide high-speed, low-cost transactions. Essentially, it uses sharding technology to divide the network horizontally and process transactions in parallel. This increases transaction speed and makes the network scalable. Harmony also operates using a special consensus mechanism called “Effective Proof of Stake” (EPoS).What is the ONE coin used for? ONE is the native token of the Harmony network. Among the features of Harmony coin, its use in paying transaction fees on the network stands out. Additionally, the coin is used to reward validators and participate in governance decisions. Users can also stake their ONE tokens to contribute to network security and earn passive income.What does sharding technology mean? Sharding is a method of dividing a blockchain network into small pieces (shards). This method allows each shard to process its own transactions and data in parallel. As a result, the network's transaction capacity increases significantly. Harmony is one of the first Layer-1 projects to implement this technology.How does Harmony staking work? To stake on Harmony, you need to transfer your ONE tokens to a supported wallet and then select a validator to start the staking process. The staking dashboard interface on Harmony's official website is easy to use and user-friendly. You will receive regular rewards in exchange for your staked tokens.Who is the founder and what is their background? The founder of Harmony is Stephen Tse. Tse previously worked as an engineer at tech giants such as Apple, Google, and Microsoft, and also sold his startup Spotsetter to Apple. He is a software developer specializing in protocol security and distributed systems. Another co-founder of Harmony is Nick White, a Stanford graduate. White has academic and industry experience in artificial intelligence and engineering.To learn more about the role of the Harmony network and the ONE token in the Web3 infrastructure, continue following our JR Kripto Guide series.
What is Ondo Finance (ONDO)?
The bridges between the cryptocurrency world and traditional finance are getting stronger every day. One of the projects that draws attention at this intersection is Ondo Finance. Aiming to combine the solid structure and institutional-level products of traditional finance with the transparency and accessibility offered by blockchain technology, Ondo Finance undertakes a pioneering mission in this field.If you are one of those who say, “Let my crypto investments have more secure and tangible foundations,” the answer to the question of what Ondo is may appeal to you.Definition and Origin of Ondo FinanceIn its most basic form, Ondo Finance is a platform operating in the field of tokenization of real-world assets. In other words, it converts traditional financial assets such as US Treasury bonds into digital tokens and enables them to be traded on the blockchain. Such products, which are normally accessible only to large financial institutions, traded in certain time zones and involve complex processes, are now accessible from everyone's wallet, 24/7. This transformative idea lies at the heart of the question of what Ondo Finance is: Making corporate financial products accessible to everyone.Ondo’s main purpose is to provide investors in the crypto ecosystem with access to fixed-income products in the closed world of traditional finance. In response to the high volatility inherent in crypto assets, it offers users a safer, more transparent, and predictable investment option by moving the returns of stable instruments such as US Treasury bonds to the blockchain.The platform was founded in 2021 by Nathan Allman. Allman stands out as an entrepreneur with a vision to bring together the world of traditional finance and blockchain. Ondo’s team is full of experienced names from institutions such as Goldman Sachs, Facebook, and Microsoft; they bring together both the discipline of traditional banking and the innovative aspects of DeFi. This multifaceted team structure allows the platform to establish a healthy balance between stability and innovation.The ONDO token, which is at the center of the ecosystem, is not just a cryptocurrency; it is also a governance tool. The answer to those who ask what does Ondo token do is clear: ONDO gives the user a say in shaping the future of the platform, while also playing an active role in the services and incentive mechanisms within the ecosystem.Ondo Finance’s mission is to make financial services more accessible, transparent, and efficient by leveraging the power of blockchain technology. This goal aims to overcome the limitations of traditional finance, such as slow, expensive, and limited transaction hours, while also addressing DeFi’s challenges of connecting to the real economy and heavy reliance on stablecoins.Ondo Finance is divided into two main structures: asset management and technology. The asset management arm designs and oversees tokenized products, while the technology arm is responsible for developing the decentralized protocols that support these products. This dual-structure system allows Ondo to both mimic traditional financial instruments and benefit from the advantages provided by blockchain.At this point, it is necessary to emphasize the importance of the concept of real-world asset tokenization. Tokenizing assets such as real estate, commodities, or securities on the blockchain makes these assets more liquid, transparent, and accessible. It reduces transaction costs by eliminating intermediaries and offers a more direct value transfer opportunity. Ondo’s focus is particularly on the US Treasury bond market, which exceeds $31.5 trillion. This huge market creates a huge growth area for the platform.Today, high interest rates make short-term Treasury bonds quite attractive in terms of investment. With its blockchain-based structure, Ondo democratizes access to these assets and offers users a stable passive income opportunity.In short, Ondo Finance is one of the most innovative platforms in this field, bringing the solid assets of traditional finance to the blockchain and offering fixed-income DeFi options to both individual and institutional investors.Ondo Finance History: Major MilestonesOndo Finance set out in 2021 with the vision of bringing together traditional finance and decentralized finance. In its early stages, the focus was on protocol development and product launches. In September 2021, an important partnership was announced with Yield Guild Games (YGG), a pioneering project in the NFT and gaming space. Within the scope of this partnership, the vaults offered by Ondo provided one-sided, risk-controlled investment opportunities in liquidity pools on decentralized exchanges. For example, it became possible to earn returns by making one-sided YGG investments in the ETH/YGG Sushiswap pool. At the same time, other users could also earn fixed ETH returns from these liquidity pools, while the risk of temporary losses was minimized. These vaults aimed to offer ETH returns with a fixed APY of 25% and YGG returns with a variable APY of up to 615% (excluding temporary losses). The three-day open subscription window for participants, which began on October 1, marked Ondo’s first serious entry into the market with controlled-yield vaults. The vaults in question were introduced as Ondo’s Fixed Income Vaults product. This offered investors fixed and variable yield positions, allowing them to participate in decentralized exchange (Uniswap, Sushiswap) liquidity pools in a more controlled manner. These vaults used the “tranche” model, which divided investments into two according to risk level, bringing together those who wanted fixed returns and those looking for higher returns. However, with the decline in DeFi returns in 2022, Ondo discontinued this product and shifted its focus to tokenized financial assets and institutional solutions.2022 was a turning point for Ondo Finance. The token sale held on CoinList attracted great attention and raised $10 million from more than 18,000 participants. This showed that Ondo had gained community support at an early stage.During the same period, Ondo’s steps towards integration with the giants of the traditional finance world accelerated in line with its institutional investment DeFi vision. The OUSG fund, based on the ETF managed by BlackRock, was one of the most concrete examples of this collaboration. In addition, partnerships were established with institutions that manage over $1 trillion in assets worldwide, such as Franklin Templeton and Wellington Management.The ONDO token was officially launched at the beginning of 2024. During this period, the ONDO token began trading on platforms such as RocketX Exchange as part of the listing process on major exchanges. The token, which was previously sold on CoinList in 2022, thus became widely accessible.Over time, Ondo has become a leader among RWA DeFi projects. Yield-generating stablecoin yield systems (such as USDY) and tokenized treasury products (such as OUSG) have brought the platform to the center of the RWA market.Collaborations with traditional financial institutions such as Coinbase, BNY Mellon, Citi, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, State Street and StoneX also supported Ondo's "institutional-grade finance" discourse. Some of the strategic steps Ondo has taken recently are as follows:Integration with Ripple and XRP Ledger in January 2025 made OUSG available to institutional users via this network.In February 2025, Ondo became the first Ondo RWA provider to join Mastercard’s Multi-Token Network (MTN). This collaboration enabled Mastercard’s banking partners to evaluate their idle cash via OUSG.Integrations with blockchain projects such as Injective, Solana, and Cosmos (Noble) strengthened Ondo’s multi-chain compatibility.The partnership with Pendle Finance enabled Ondo products such as USDY to be used in yield protocols and increased the compounding potential of RWA tokens within DeFi.All these developments not only provide an answer to the question of when Ondo coin was released, but also reveal why it has become such an important actor in the RWA field. With the transfer of traditional financial products to the on-chain, support with legal compliance and a wide integration network, Ondo builds a solid bridge between the real world and the blockchain. Among the projects operating in the RWA field, Ondo Finance stands out with its regulation-friendly structure, institutional-focused products and strong partnership network. Projects such as Maple Finance, Goldfinch, TrueFi, Clearpool and Centrifuge are also working in the field of institutional debt and asset tokenization. However, Ondo's relationships with traditional giants such as BlackRock, Mastercard and Ripple and the fact that its products are compliant with US securities laws put it at a different and more advanced point than many of its competitors.Why Is Ondo Finance Valuable?Ondo Finance stands out with its structure that combines the traditional and decentralized finance worlds. This bridge offers a unique value proposition to both individual investors and institutional players. Here are the key elements that make the Ondo protocol so valuable:Offers access to tokenized fixed income productsOne of Ondo’s strongest features is that it makes high-quality financial products, such as US Treasury bonds, normally only accessible to institutional investors, available to everyone via the blockchain. Products like USDY offer a yield-generating stablecoin alternative collateralized by Treasury bonds and bank deposits. Especially in the current high-interest environment, these products can yield 5% or more. ONDO usage scenarios. Source: Ondo Finance It is useful to open a parenthesis at this point. In order to access Ondo’s tokenized fixed income products such as USDY and OUSG, users must meet certain criteria. For example, OUSG can only be purchased by users defined as “qualified investors” under US law. USDY, on the other hand, can be offered to individual investors in some countries. Both products can be obtained through Ondo’s web platform after completing the KYC (Identity Verification) processes. Below, you can see the differences between USDY and OUSG:FeatureUSDYOUSGTarget AudienceRetail and institutional investors (outside the U.S.)Accredited investors onlyYield MechanismRebasing or yield-accrualYield-accrualAnnual Yield (APY)Approximately 4.35%Approximately 4.1%Minimum Investment500 USDC100,000 USDCNetworksEthereum, Solana, InjectiveEthereum, Solana, PolygonUse CasesStablecoin alternative, yield generationDeFi collateral, yield generationPioneers of the RWA marketRWA DeFi projects have become one of the most powerful narratives in the crypto world recently. The tokenization of assets and their transfer to the chain provides investors with a new generation of ease of access, while also attracting large financial institutions. It is also emphasized in the market that this market has a potential of trillions of dollars. It is even stated that central banks and sovereign funds are interested in this area.Ondo is positioned at the center of this narrative with its leadership in the RWA field. Its partnerships with giants such as BlackRock and Mastercard also make the project a reliable financial infrastructure player.ONDO token is active in governance and incentive mechanismsONDO token is an important component that shows that the platform is not just an investment vehicle. This token, which acts as the Ondo governance token, gives its holders the authority to make decisions about the future of the protocol through the Ondo DAO. This increases community participation and strengthens the decentralization of the ecosystem.In addition, ONDO token has various usage areas within the ecosystem. For example, passive income can be generated through staking mechanisms or used as a means of payment for on-platform services. The fixed supply of the token (10 billion) and its strategic distribution were designed with long-term sustainability in mind. This structure gives a clue to Ondo tokenomics (token economy). In the meantime, we cannot fail to mention the ONDO price. As of May 2025, the Ondo (ONDO) token is trading at $ 0.8. With a market value of approximately $ 2.76 billion, ONDO ranks 34th in this ranking. It also draws attention with its circulating supply of 3.15 billion units. The coin, which reached a peak of $ 2.14 in December 2024, has experienced a correction of over 59% since then. However, the growth potential in areas such as real-world asset tokenization (RWA) and institutional DeFi solutions may be giving positive signals for the future of Ondo. ONDO price since launch Facilitating the entry of institutional capital into the DeFi worldAlthough traditional financial institutions are closely following the opportunities offered by DeFi, they are cautious about this area due to reasons such as security, regulation and lack of infrastructure. Ondo fills this gap. It acts as a bridge in the institutional investment DeFi space with the transparency, regulation-friendly infrastructure and institutional-level technical competence it provides.Audited and regulation-friendly structureOne of the key elements behind Ondo's success is its transparency and audit-oriented approach. The platform aims to take the best practices of traditional finance and integrate them into DeFi. It offers a structure shaped by KYC (identity verification) / AML (anti-money laundering law compliance) processes, daily independent audits for products such as USDY and legal consultancy. In order to safely use innovative products such as stablecoin yield systems, the Ondo platform works with a permissioned access framework. This meets the requirement that tokenized treasury products in particular be classified as securities. Thus, the platform gains advantages in terms of long-term stability and legal durability.Infrastructure developmentOndo’s vision is not limited to just issuing tokens. It also aims to build infrastructures where these assets can be transferred and used securely and efficiently. For example:Ondo Chain: A purpose-built Layer-1 blockchainOndo Bridge: A cross-chain transfer solutionFlux Finance: A protocol that enables tokenized assets to be used in DeFiThese infrastructures enable tokenized assets to operate in a manner compatible with institutional finance. With all these components, Nathan Allman and his team have made Ondo not just a product platform, but also an institutional-level infrastructure provider in the DeFi world.Who is the Founder of Ondo Finance?Nathan Allman is the founder and CEO of Ondo Finance. Allman began his career in the Digital Assets team at Goldman Sachs, where he worked on cryptocurrency markets. He also gained experience in private credit investments at Prospect Capital Management. Allman, who completed his education at Brown University, combined his traditional finance knowledge with blockchain technology to found Ondo Finance. Ondo founder and executives. Source: Ondo Finance The company aims to bring financial markets onto blockchain by offering tokenization of real-world assets (RWA) and institutional-grade DeFi solutions. Under Allman’s leadership, Ondo Finance has strengthened its position in the industry by establishing partnerships with major financial institutions such as BlackRock and Mastercard. However, Ondo is not just the product of one person; the team behind Ondo is as remarkable as its founder. The team includes names from major technology and blockchain companies such as Facebook, Microsoft, Symbiont, and BadgerDAO; private equity funds, and hedge funds.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)Up to this point in the article, we have covered the structure, history, technology and why Ondo Finance is valuable in detail. Now, here is the frequently asked questions section, where we clearly answer the technical and fundamental issues that readers are most curious about:What is ONDO and how does it work?: ONDO is a DeFi protocol that tokenizes traditional financial assets on the blockchain and makes them accessible to everyone.What is the ONDO token for?: The ONDO token is used in incentive mechanisms such as participation in the governance process and staking.What is real world asset (RWA)?: RWA is the representation of physical or traditional financial assets on the blockchain by converting them into digital tokens.What makes Ondo different from other DeFi projects?: Ondo offers fixed returns to both individual and institutional investors by bringing corporate finance products to the blockchain in a regulatory-compliant manner.How does ONDO staking and governance work?: Users can earn passive income by staking their ONDO tokens, and have a say in the development of the protocol by voting.Is Ondo secure and regulated?: Yes, Ondo is open to independent audits, KYC/AML compliant, and regulatory-friendly; this creates a foundation that supports institutional adoption for the future of Ondo. In other words, Ondo Finance structures its products in accordance with US securities laws and provides access to investors only within the framework of regulation. However, the changing regulatory environment on a global scale may create uncertainties for DeFi and tokenization projects. In particular, the attitude of the SEC and other regulatory authorities may cause changes in access models or product structures in the future. Therefore, it is important for users to carefully review the legal notices and seek independent advice before investing.Don't forget to follow our JR Kripto Guide series for the most up-to-date content on Ondo Finance and RWA-based Web3 investments!
WLD Comments and Price Analysis 25 June 2025
WLD Technical AnalysisLooking at the WLD chart, it is clear that the price of the coin has been trading within the downtrend since March 2024. The price is currently at the level of $0.90 and seems to have rebounded from the middle border of the channel and also the horizontal support channel at $0.85–$0.82. WLD Support Zones The price currently trading around $0.85–$0.82 has reacted from this short-term support zone several times. However, if this support zone breaks downwards, then the selling pressure might increase, and the price might want to go down to the level $0.73–$0.67, which also coincides with the lower band of the descending channel.Despite the scenario stated above, the price of the coin is likely to test the first strong resistance zone of $1.11–$1.21 in the event of upward movements. If the price breaks above this resistance and manages to hold above it, then the closest target might be the level of $1.52. The next major support zone will be the $1.92–$2.10 level.To summarize, WLD is drawing close to the support line within the falling channel, and possible reactions from here might trigger a short-term price recovery upwards. The price needs to close above the level of $1.10 if the trend is to turn positive; or else, the downtrend might carry on.These analyses, not offering any kind of investment advice, focus on support and resistance levels considered to offer trading opportunities in the short and medium term according to the market conditions. However, the user is responsible for their own actions and risk management. Moreover, it is highly recommended to use stop loss (SL) during the transactions.
