Altcoin
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Browse all Altcoin related articles and news. The latest news, analysis, and insights on Altcoin.
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.
MINE Comments and Price Analysis 25 June 2025
MINA Short Term Technical AnalysisWe will be looking at the MINA chart in the short time frame, as it does not have a satisfying price performance in the long term. MINA has renewed all-time low (ATL), and for this reason, it might be offering opportunities on the futures side. MINA Short Term MINA managed to rise above the resistance level of $0.174 subsequent to its last decline. The area $0.189–$0.195 will be the first resistance area the price is likely to test. Should the price break this resistance swiftly, the first target might be the level $0.214, and then we have the important price zone $0.234–$0.241 on the horizon, where we could witness the most intense sell pressure. In case of a pullback from this level, the price might go down to the level of $0.195 once again.If the price, however, keeps rising upwards in spite of the sell pressure around the resistance zone, it is likely to target the level $0.267. If the price does close daily above this level, then it indicates the downtrend is over.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.
TON Comments and Price Analysis 25 June 2025
TON Technical AnalysisLooking at the chart, we see that TON is printing a widening ascending channel, where the trend area in the lower region remains strong and rebounds from here in every sharp fall. The price again managed to exceed the resistance level of 2.76, rebounding from this trend zone in the last fall. The level 2.76 bears importance as it is the trend support and horizontal support at the same time. Wide Rising Channel It currently targets the resistance area of $3.31–$3.50, which has been tested four times before. If the price breaks out from this short-term falling pattern, it is possible that the price will first test $4.13 and later the resistance level of $4.87–$5.16. The upper trend zone is to be one of the main target points as long as this ascending pattern in the long term is maintained.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 Hedera (HBAR)?
The world of cryptocurrencies is diversifying with new projects every day. Sometimes we come across innovations that make us say, “Where did this come from?” Hedera is exactly one of these projects: it leaves the blockchain structure we are used to behind and emerges with a completely different architecture. The question “What is Hedera?” opens the door to understanding not only a cryptocurrency but also a different technological approach. In the rest of the article, we will examine many details, from the Hashgraph algorithm underlying Hedera to why this system is different from blockchain.Definition and Origin of HederaWhile looking for an answer to the question “What is Hedera?” or “What is HBAR coin?”, we first need to understand the technology it is based on: Hashgraph. If you ask "what is Hashgraph technology"; Hashgraph’s main purpose is to offer higher speed, fair transactions, lower costs and security compared to traditional blockchains. Hedera emerges as a distributed ledger network that brings this technology to life. While data is chained in blocks in classic blockchain systems, Hedera prefers a different structure: Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG). This structure allows data to be processed in a much more flexible and parallel way, rather than linearly. Each transaction or “event” connects to others to form a graph. However, as the name suggests, this graph does not contain loops, meaning there are no repetitions in the past. In this way, the process constantly flows forward and efficiency increases. DAGs are defined as a method of organizing, representing and showing how a process progresses over time. This architecture allows Hedera to be not only faster, but also to have a higher transaction volume. While transactions are processed sequentially and in a limited way in traditional chain structures, a large number of transactions can be executed simultaneously in the DAG structure. This makes Hedera a high-performance alternative. In short, in the DAG vs blockchain comparison, Hedera's Hashgraph aims to overcome some of the challenges faced by blockchains, especially in terms of speed, scalability, energy efficiency and low costs.Hedera's founding vision is based on creating a sustainable, secure and scalable distributed ledger not only in technical terms but also in the entire ecosystem. Goals such as overcoming the bottlenecks experienced by blockchain systems in terms of speed and efficiency, and providing lower fees and energy usage are at the center of this vision.This technological infrastructure is based on the Hashgraph algorithm developed by American computer scientist Dr. Leemon Baird. Baird is also the founder of a company called Swirlds together with Mance Harmon. Initially, this algorithm was patented by Swirlds, but in 2022, the Hedera Governance Council purchased these rights and made the algorithm open source under the Apache License. This allowed the technology to have a more transparent and community-oriented structure.The native cryptocurrency of the Hedera network is HBAR. So what does HBAR do? The HBAR token has a very wide area of use. It is used for various purposes such as running decentralized applications (DApps) on the network, paying transaction fees, staking to ensure the security of the network, and participating in governance processes. In short, HBAR acts as the fuel of the Hedera ecosystem. In terms of founders, the project is backed by Baird and Harmon, as well as Paul Madsen as technical leader. Sources such as Bittime describe Madsen as the project’s CTO and one of its founders. The overall vision is quite clear: Hedera aims to be the future “trust layer” of the internet.Hedera’s History: Major MilestonesThe Hedera story reflects the transformation of a technological innovation from an idea to a global, institutionally supported platform. It all began with the invention of the Hashgraph algorithm, and over time, with many critical developments, this innovative idea has evolved into a tangible infrastructure.Mid-2010s: American computer scientist Dr. Leemon Baird developed the Hashgraph algorithm, which could offer an alternative to traditional blockchain systems.2015: Baird founded Swirlds Inc. with technology manager Mance Harmon. The patents for the Hashgraph algorithm were also protected by this company.2016: The project took its first steps under the Hashgraph Consortium LLC umbrella. This period marked the completion of the seed investment process.August 2018: The Hedera Hashgraph network went live in private beta with the first Governance Council members. During the same period, the HBAR token was offered to the public, which is considered the official launch of Hedera.September 2019: Hedera's mainnet officially launched and the network became public.2020: It was an important year in terms of technological developments. Google Cloud joined the Governance Council. At the same time, Hedera made its smart contract, consensus, file, and token services open source. The codebase was made available to the community in an "open-review" format.2020–2023: During this period, the Hedera Governance Council continued to grow. Major institutions such as IBM, LG, Boeing, Deutsche Telekom, FIS Global, and Tata Communications joined the council. Hedera also introduced smart contract services compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). In 2021, the Governance Council approved the establishment of the HBAR Foundation, an independent organization to support the growth of the Hedera ecosystem. Joined the EFTPOS governance council. In 2022, the Governance Council made the decision to purchase the Hashgraph Consensus Algorithm intellectual property from Swirlds, Inc. and open source the algorithm. The Hedera core codebase was made open source. Hedera's co-founder roles were reshuffled and the management team was transferred to Swirlds Labs. In addition, native staking and delegation for HBAR were gradually rolled out on the mainnet. Mainnet support for third-party EVM tools (JSON-RPC, Truffle, Hardhat, etc.) was launched. Stablecoin Studio (open source SDK) was launched for building stablecoin applications. Smart contract validation support was launched. 2024: Hedera Wallet Snap (MetaMask plugin) was launched. In September 2024, Hedera transferred the entire source code of Hedera Hashgraph to the Linux Foundation. These codes are now available as the open source and vendor-neutral Hiero project. This move coincides with the expansion of Web3 solutions, stablecoins, and enterprise use cases, as well as the growth of the overall ecosystem. During this period:Walltech signed a $3 billion luxury goods tokenization project,Developed a cross-border trade-focused partnership with Standard Bank Group,Safe Health Systems integrated Hedera technology for medical records management,Suku.world used Hedera in its supply chain finance applications,Animoca Brands partnered with Hedera to combat cheating in games.Why Is Hedera Valuable?Hedera is not only a technical alternative in the field of distributed ledger technologies; it draws attention with the solutions it offers in areas such as speed, efficiency, energy consumption and corporate governance. Developed against some of the fundamental limitations of blockchain technology, Hedera Hashgraph becomes a strong option for both individual and corporate users with the advantages it offers. Here are the issues that make Hedera valuable...High Speed and Efficiency: DAG Structure and Hashgraph AlgorithmClassic blockchain systems process transactions sequentially and in blocks. Although this structure provides security, it can cause serious limitations in transaction speed. Especially as the network becomes more dense, the confirmation time of transactions increases and performance decreases. Hedera, on the other hand, is switching to a completely different architecture to overcome this congestion: DAG (Directed Acyclic Graph).The main difference of this structure is that it can process multiple transactions in parallel at the same time instead of sorting them one by one. Thanks to the Hashgraph algorithm, which works with a DAG structure, Hedera can reach a throughput of over 10,000 transactions per second (TPS). This figure is quite impressive when compared to Bitcoin’s 6–8 TPS and Ethereum’s around 12–15 TPS. Moreover, the transaction finalization time is also quite short: around 2–5 seconds. But most importantly, this finalization is not based on probability, but on mathematical certainty; once a transaction is confirmed, there is no turning back.CategoryBlockchainHedera HashgraphProgramming LanguagesSolidity, Vyper, Cadence, Java, JavaScript, Python, C++, C#, Go, RustSolidity, Vyper, Java, JavaScript, GoConsensus ProtocolsPoW, PoS, Delegated PoS, Proof-of-History, Proof-of-Authority, etc.Hashgraph based on “Gossip about Gossip” protocolTransaction Speed7–50,000 transactions per second depending on platform and consensus mechanismUp to 10,000 transactions per secondSmart ContractsImmutable, generally non-upgradableImmutable, optionally upgradableAccessibilityPublic, private, hybridPermissioned public system, plans to become fully permissionlessSecurity MechanismsCryptographic hashing, blocksAsynchronous Byzantine Fault Tolerance (aBFT)CryptocurrenciesOver 18,000 including BTC, ETH, XRP, ADA, SOL, DOGE, QTUM, DOT, TRXHBARWhile blocks are created one by one in blockchains and added to the chain, in Hedera, all transactions are included in the ledger and none are discarded. While slowing mechanisms (such as PoW) are required against the risk of forking in Blockchain, such slowing down is not required in Hashgraph since nothing is discarded. This makes Hedera more efficient and faster in terms of Hedera network features.Low Costs and Energy EfficiencyOne of the most frequently criticized issues in the crypto world is energy consumption. Networks that use Proof of Work (PoW) mechanisms in particular can consume huge amounts of energy and threaten environmental sustainability. The Hedera consensus model is quite ambitious in this regard. Hashgraph's "gossip about gossip" protocol and virtual voting method provide secure and fast consensus without the need for miners or traditional validators. In this way, Hedera has a carbon-neutral crypto or even carbon-negative structure. This is one of the reasons why it has attracted the attention of companies that promote sustainability, such as Google.Transaction fees are also quite low: usually under one cent, on average around $0.0001. Moreover, these fees are fixed and do not fluctuate according to network density. This predictability offers a serious advantage, especially for enterprise applications. Users know in advance how much their transactions will cost.Enterprise-Level Governance and SecurityHedera takes an institutional approach to the concept of decentralization. Aiming to establish a system where “everyone has a say but no one has sole control,” the Hedera Governance Council consists of up to 39 globally operating companies. Giants such as Google, IBM, LG, Boeing and Tata Communications are among the members of this council. Thanks to this structure, decisions made on the network are made together on many issues, from software updates to fee structures, from treasury management to governance rules. Council members serve for fixed terms without a profit motive and have an equal say in ensuring the stability of the system. This model aims to minimize chaos that may occur due to individual interests or intra-community conflicts. With this structure, Hedera becomes an attractive platform for large enterprises and governments looking for enterprise blockchain infrastructure. Members of Hedera's governance council. Source: Hedera Hedera is also in a strong position in terms of security. The Hashgraph algorithm has a high level of security called Asynchronous Byzantine Fault Tolerance (aBFT). aBFT is considered one of the most mathematically secure protocols that can be achieved in distributed systems. Thanks to this structure, the risk of forking is eliminated and the network continues to operate stably. Hedera also offers ACID guarantees found in central databases, taking security and data integrity to the next level.Wide Range of Uses and ServicesHedera is not just a crypto network; it is a platform that offers a comprehensive infrastructure for developers.Hedera Consensus Service (HCS): Allows applications to directly benefit from Hashgraph's speed and fair ranking advantages. It is ideal for reliable data recording, especially in sectors such as banking, healthcare and supply chain.Hedera Token Service (HTS): Provides enterprise-level tools for creating and managing both fungible tokens and NFTs. It appeals to large projects with its capabilities such as KYC, account freezing and supply control.Hedera Smart-Contract Service (HSCS): Supports smart contracts written in Ethereum’s Solidity language and is EVM compatible. This allows fast and low-cost applications to be developed in areas such as DeFi, gaming, and identity management.These services and Hedera’s underlying technological advantages allow the platform to find wide use in various areas such as NFT, DeFi (decentralized finance), decentralized identity (DID), data verification and audit trails, payments, and supply chain management. The platform is suitable for both enterprise-level applications and individual users.The Role of HBAR TokenThe HBAR token’s usage is not limited to paying transaction fees. It is a versatile token that performs many critical functions from security to governance. Users can secure the network with HBAR staking and earn rewards in the process. This system creates a security model similar to Proof-of-Stake (PoS). In addition, token holders will have the opportunity to participate more directly in governance processes in the future. An example HBAR staking panel. When 1,000 HBAR is deposited into a node hosted by Deutsche Telekom, it offers an average of 0.4 HBAR per year. Source: Hashscan.io The total supply of HBAR is limited to 50 billion tokens. This limit aims to maintain long-term value while also keeping the token economy stable. The supply in circulation increases gradually and in a planned manner. This planning prevents any individual or organization from accumulating a large amount of HBAR and affecting the network, while also allowing the price to be determined by natural market conditions. We can summarize the functions of HBAR as follows: It provides payment for low transaction fees on the Hedera network, provides network security with staking, is a payment tool for transaction fees for KCS, HTS and HCSC in the decentralized application (dApp) ecosystem, is important for governance participation, its supply is opened at certain times and the effort to transform towards a completely open and permissionless network underlines the value of the token. The HBAR price also plays an important role in the value of the network. HBAR is traded at $ 0.18 as of May 2025. It recorded its all-time high in September 2021. The record level was seen around $0.57. HBAR price since launch. Who is the Founder of Hedera?Behind Hedera Hashgraph, there is a strong team that acts not only with technical knowledge but also with a visionary approach. The answer to the question of who is the founder of Hedera includes two main names and a CTO.The first name that stands out is Dr. A.S. Leemon Baird, the inventor of the Hashgraph algorithm. Baird, who has a doctorate in computer science from Carnegie Mellon University, has been working on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and distributed systems for over 20 years. He served as a professor of computer science at the US Air Force Academy and has also worked as a senior scientist in many technology companies. The Hashgraph algorithm he developed offers a much more efficient solution to the problems faced by blockchain technology such as speed, cost and security.Next to Baird is Mance Harmon, another co-founder of Hedera. Harmon is a leader who has undertaken strategic roles in product security, cyber threat simulation and public services in the technology sector. Harmon, who founded Swirlds with Baird, also served as Hedera’s CEO for a long time. He has a vision that Hedera will not only be a short-term technology project, but also one of the foundations of trust in the digital world in the long term.One of the names that later made technical contributions to the team was Paul Madsen. Madsen, an expert in software engineering and cybersecurity, joined the project as Hedera’s CTO. His contributions play an important role in making Hedera’s technical structure robust, scalable and developer-friendly.These three names not only established the technological infrastructure; they also shaped the governance model that would put the project’s decentralization approach on an institutional basis. However, Hedera’s future is not only in the hands of these founders. The Hedera Governance Council, which consists of global companies from different sectors, determines the project’s course. This structure aims to implement decentralization in a more sustainable and stable manner.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)Below, you can find frequently asked questions and answers about Hedera:What is HBAR, how does it work?: HBAR is the native cryptocurrency of the Hedera network. It has functions such as paying transaction fees, running decentralized applications, staking, and participating in governance processes. Every transaction on the network is carried out with HBAR.What is the difference between Hedera Hashgraph and blockchain?: Instead of blockchain, Hedera uses the DAG (Directed Acyclic Graph) structure and the consensus algorithm called Hashgraph. In this way, transactions are carried out in parallel, much faster and more energy-efficiently. There is also no risk of fork.Can HBAR be staked?: Yes, HBAR tokens can be staked on the network. Users contribute to network security by assigning their tokens to certain nodes and can earn rewards in return.Is Hedera's energy consumption low?: Yes, it is quite low. The Hashgraph algorithm is energy efficient as it does not require mining or heavy processing power. Hedera is a carbon neutral network.What is the HBAR token supply?: The total HBAR supply is limited to 50 billion tokens. This supply will gradually enter circulation over time. The planned distribution model maintains the supply-demand balance and supports price stability.Is the Hedera network secure?: Yes. Hedera uses a highly secure algorithm such as Asynchronous Byzantine Fault Tolerance (aBFT). In addition, its governance model is overseen by globally recognized companies and provides enterprise-level decentralization.Don’t forget to follow our JR Kripto Guide series to discover projects working with Hedera and Hashgraph technology!
What is Cardano (ADA)?
As blockchain technology develops rapidly, each new platform aims to eliminate the shortcomings of the previous generation and offer a better future. Cardano, one of the important players in this ecosystem, draws attention with its scientific blockchain approach. So what exactly is Cardano and what are the features that distinguish it from others? In this article, we will thoroughly examine Cardano's cornerstones, history, why it is so valuable, and who brought it to life.Cardano's Definition and OriginCardano (ADA) is known as a decentralized, public blockchain platform. Its main purpose is a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) blockchain designed to be more efficient than blockchains based on energy-intensive mechanisms such as Proof-of-Work (PoW). In other words, it is a highly energy-efficient platform among PoS coins. Cardano is also defined as a third-generation blockchain project developed with academic research and scientific methods. While positioning itself as a "third-generation" platform, it states that it is an update and alternative to "second-generation" platforms such as Ethereum. Cardano has design principles that aim to overcome issues that previous cryptocurrencies faced, such as scalability, interoperability, and lack of regulatory compliance.Chainlink claims to specifically address Bitcoin’s slow and inflexible nature and Ethereum’s security or scalability issues. It is known for its research-focused approach. In 2017, when it was founded, it was the largest cryptocurrency using Proof-of-Stake.Cardano has a layered structure consisting of the Settlement Layer (CSL), which is the layer where transactions take place and are recorded, and the Computation Layer (CCL), which allows smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps) to work. This dual-layer structure allows for faster transactions than Bitcoin. Cardano architecture. Source: Cardano Docs The story of the blockchain's cryptocurrency called ADA is also interesting. Because ADA was named after Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace, an English aristocrat and generally considered the first computer programmer. The subunit of Ada is Lovelace. 1 ADA is equal to 1,000,000 Lovelace. Cardano's consensus mechanism is known as a Proof-of-Stake protocol called Ouroboros PoS consensus. Ouroboros was released as "the first provably secure PoS consensus protocol." This mechanism uses and rewards cryptocurrencies for work done to review and expand the blockchain's historical record, just like Ethereum. However, unlike Bitcoin's PoW, it is based on staking and consumes much less energy. Cardano's founder Charles Hoskinson described the Ouroboros consensus mechanism as energy efficient. In fact, according to data, it is up to four million times more energy efficient than Bitcoin's PoW. At the heart of Ouroboros is a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus algorithm used by computers running the Cardano software to secure the network, verify transactions, and earn newly minted ADA.The platform’s smart contract platform (Plutus) allows developers to build decentralized applications on the Cardano blockchain. Cardano is implemented with a programming language optimized for smart contract development called Plutus. Upgrades like Plutus V3 aim to further enhance its smart contract capabilities and developer tools. There is also a domain-specific language called Marlowe that makes it easier for non-programmers to create smart contracts in the financial sector. Cardano is built using Haskell, a functional programming language that emphasizes mathematical precision and reliability. Unlike traditional languages, Haskell uses a declarative approach where functions are written as mathematical expressions.Cardano was founded in 2015 by Charles Hoskinson and Jeremy Wood. Charles Hoskinson was one of the co-founders of Ethereum but began developing Cardano after leaving due to disagreements over the direction of the project. Hoskinson stated that he viewed the early versions of Ethereum as a "proof of concept" and aimed to address its shortcomings with Cardano. After two years of research and development, the Cardano blockchain network was launched in 2017 with its first mined block.Cardano's main goal is to create a secure, sustainable, and scalable financial infrastructure. It brings together leading technologies to provide unparalleled security and sustainability for decentralized applications, systems, and societies. It aims to be a platform that is strong enough to protect the security of billions of people's data, scalable enough to adapt to global systems, and robust enough to support fundamental changes. Cardano aims to decentralize power from unaccountable structures to individuals, that is, the edges, and to be a force for positive change and progress. It also has an ambitious goal of providing banking services to the world's unbanked population.The Cardano platform aims to become a system for decentralized applications with various use cases as an answer to the question of what Cardano is used for. It focuses on creating a public blockchain ecosystem that allows developers to create other tokens, dApps, or any use case that a scalable blockchain network can accommodate. ADA, on the other hand, is used for transactions on the platform.Cardano’s History: Major MilestonesCardano’s story begins with its seeds being planted in 2015 and follows a carefully planned roadmap. This roadmap is divided into five main “eras,” or phases, named after important figures in the history of poetry and computer science: Byron, Shelley, Goguen, Basho, and Voltaire. The "eras" of Cardano. Source: Cardano Cafe These stages represent the transformation process of Cardano from a basic blockchain to a fully decentralized and self-governing ecosystem. The story of Cardano can be divided into important headings as follows:2015: IOHK was founded. This engineering company, which laid the groundwork for the development of Cardano, was founded by Charles Hoskinson and Jeremy Wood. IOHK focused on developing high-assurance blockchain infrastructure solutions for public, private, and government customers. It became the primary developer of the Cardano blockchain. Later, Input Output Hong Kong (IOHK) was renamed Input Output Global (IOG).2017: Cardano mainnet and ADA token were launched. After two years of research and development, the mainnet of the Cardano blockchain went live in September 2017 with the Byron phase. This phase allowed users to buy and sell their native token, the ADA token. The Byron phase was the first phase of the Cardano roadmap.2020: Staking began with the Shelley update. Named after Mary Shelley, the Shelley phase transitioned Cardano from a governed structure to a more decentralized PoS consensus mechanism called Ouroboros. This phase was designed as a secure and stable transition towards a more decentralized Cardano via community-run network nodes that were incentivized to participate in the network’s decentralization goals. Shelley introduced the staking mechanism, which allowed ADA holders to stake their tokens to participate in the security of the network and earn rewards. This significantly decentralized the network. 2021: Smart contracts enabled with the Alonzo hard fork. Named after computer scientist Joseph Goguen, the Goguen phase aimed to enable smart contract functionality on the blockchain. This was achieved with the Alonzo hard fork in September 2021. The Alonzo update enabled smart contracts on the Cardano blockchain for the first time, opening up the possibility for a wide range of dApps to be built on Cardano. This update allowed developers to create dApps like NFTs and manage multiple cryptocurrency assets associated with them. The Alonzo hard fork was one of the critical steps in the Cardano Shelley Alonzo transition and significantly expanded Cardano’s capabilities.2022: Vasil hard fork increased scalability. As part of the Basho phase (named after the Japanese poet Matsuo Bashō), the Vasil hard fork was completed in September 2022. This update introduced scalability upgrades to further enhance dApp functionality, such as increased block size, improved transaction processing, and new scripting capabilities. Vasil increased the network’s transaction throughput and smart contract capabilities.2023–2024: CIP (Cardano Improvement Proposal) and Governance Improvements. The Voltaire phase (named after the French writer and philosopher Voltaire) focuses on the integration of decentralized governance. This phase aims to bring voting and treasury management to the blockchain network. Through mechanisms such as CIP (Cardano Improvement Proposal), a decentralized decision-making process has been launched that allows ADA token holders to create, vote on, and implement proposals. Testnets such as SanchoNet, defined by the CIP-1694 guidelines, serve as a sandbox for testing governance tools. The Chang hard fork, planned as part of Cardano’s Voltaire phase, will introduce on-chain governance in two phases. This transition marks the successful transfer of control of network development from IOHK to the community. These major milestones summarize the Cardano updates process. Although the answer to the question of when Cardano was released is 2017, the platform’s capabilities have changed and expanded significantly over time. The roadmap continues to progress, with Basho focusing on scaling and optimization, and Voltaire bringing full decentralized governance. Overall, this Cardano roadmap provides a vision for the platform’s future development. We can also say that the roadmap satisfies the curiosity of investors or people who want to enter this field regarding the network. Why is Cardano Valuable?There are several reasons why Cardano stands out among other blockchain platforms and is considered valuable. The main reasons are the platform's basic principles and technological infrastructure. However, it is not limited to this. Let's take a closer look...Cardano is an academic blockchain platformFirst of all, Cardano is the only blockchain platform developed with academic peer-reviewed research, which makes it unique. The platform's "research-first" approach is a distinctive feature. As the company that built Cardano, IOHK has published more than 100 academic articles on the technology and partnered with global universities in the process. It has supported research on blockchain technology with institutions such as the University of Edinburgh, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Stanford University, and the University of Wyoming. This rigorous, evidence-based development process also includes formal verification, which means mathematical verification of Cardano's code. This scientific and research-based approach creates confidence in the robustness of the platform. This allows it to be defined as a scientific blockchain.Energy saving: PoS infrastructure draws attentionCardano's PoS infrastructure, which provides low energy consumption, is a significant advantage. Bitcoin’s Proof-of-Work (PoW) mechanism requires a tremendous amount of energy to reach consensus. Cardano’s Ouroboros consensus algorithm addresses this issue with a more sustainable approach by offering a solution to PoW’s performance and energy usage challenges. Ouroboros selects participants (in Cardano’s case, staking pools) to create new blocks based on their stake in the network. As such, it uses a much smaller amount of energy than Bitcoin’s PoW algorithm. This energy efficiency is valuable both in minimizing environmental impact and making the consensus process more accessible to the average user.Cardano can generate income through stakingCardano’s passive income through staking is an attractive feature for its users. In the Proof-of-Stake consensus mechanism, users “stake” the blockchain’s cryptocurrency for the opportunity to become validators. Staking is the locking of a certain amount of ADA cryptocurrency into the network to represent and secure validator rights on the Cardano network. Validators open blocks of transactions and finalize the transaction. They are then rewarded with ADA according to the number of tokens they staked. Users can participate in the validation process by joining a pool, which can be public or private, or by creating their own pool. These Cardano staking pools allow ADA holders to earn rewards by transferring their tokens to others rather than operating them themselves. Staking both ensures the security of the network and incentivizes participants for honest behavior.Wide range of use cases and ecosystemOn the other hand, Cardano has active use cases for decentralized applications (dApps), NFTs, education, and identity projects. Its smart contract capabilities enable a wide range of use cases. DeFi services are available on Cardano, allowing developers to create native assets, dApps, and NFTs. The platform’s use cases include traceability, authenticity, and sustainability. Some of the cases where Cardano has been used include:· Use in the coffee supply chain in Ethiopia· Use in the identity verification system in Georgia· Authenticity pilot program for New Balance shoes· ID and registration system for five million school students in Ethiopia· DJ Paul Oakenfold’s album release· Collaboration with Dish NetworkAlso, the potential to help citizens in Zanzibar, Ethiopia and Burundi obtain digital IDs, and the World Mobile Token (WMT) that provides remote mobile network access in Africa, were built on the Cardano network. These projects and use cases are the simplest answers to the question of what Cardano is for. The Cardano Foundation aims to use blockchain to create future-proof solutions by working with institutions, businesses, regulators and policymakers. Blockchain training is also offered through the Cardano Academy. Cardano ecosystem. Source: Coin98 The apple of investors’ eye: ADA coinADA token is used for transaction fee payment, staking and governance. ADA is the native cryptocurrency token of the Cardano network. Users can use ADA as a secure exchange of value, without the need for an intermediary third party. Every transaction is recorded permanently, securely and transparently on the Cardano blockchain. ADA ownership determines who becomes the slot leader (who has the right to add blocks) and who earns a share of the fees paid for transactions in the blocks. ADA tokens are also used to vote on software policies (such as the inflation rate), incentivizing participants to hold ADA and secure its future value.ADA’s maximum supply is limited to 45 billion tokens. Approximately 31 billion ADA was in circulation in early 2020, with the remaining 14 billion planned to be released via minting. This information provides insight into the supply and circulation of ADA, as well as the economic structure of the token. The ADA token features make it not only a trading tool, but also a critical role in the operation and management of the network. The answer to the question of what is ADA coin defines this versatile token in the Cardano ecosystem. In the meantime, it is necessary to mention the ADA price. ADA is changing hands around $ 0.68 as of May 2025. It has been about 4 years since the coin saw its all-time high. In 2021, its price jumped to $ 3.10. The price of ADA since 2017 High security with Ourobos protocolFinally, it is necessary to mention Cardano's Ouroboros protocol, which is described as "Provably Secure". This protocol guarantees that the network is secure as long as 51% of honest participants stake it. This security guarantee is achieved through innovative concepts such as random leader election. The protocol continues to evolve through new iterations and rigorous security analysis. Being written in formally specified programming languages such as Haskell allows its code to be mathematically verified, a process widely used in the banking and defense sectors.When all these factors come together, it becomes clearer why Cardano is a valuable blockchain platform. Research-driven development, energy efficiency, passive income opportunities, active use cases, and the functionality of its token make Cardano a major player in the blockchain ecosystem.Who is Cardano's Founder?The story of Cardano took shape under the leadership of visionary individuals. The platform's co-founders and the organizations that support it played critical roles in Cardano's development. Cardano was founded by Charles Hoskinson and Jeremy Wood. The duo are experienced in the blockchain world. Charles Hoskinson. Charles Hoskinson is a Colorado-based tech entrepreneur and mathematician. He studied analytical number theory at the Metropolitan State University of Denver and the University of Colorado Boulder before entering the cryptography field with industrial experience. His professional experience includes founding three cryptocurrency-related startups: Invictus Innovations, Ethereum, and IOHK. He has also held various positions in both the public and private sectors. He was the founding chair of the Bitcoin Foundation’s education committee and founded the Cryptocurrency Research Group in 2013.Hoskinson is also a co-founder of Ethereum. However, in 2014, he left Vitalik Buterin and the Ethereum team over a disagreement over whether Ethereum should be a commercial company (Hoskinson’s view) or a non-profit organization (Vitalik Buterin’s view). After this departure, he co-founded IOHK with Jeremy Wood in 2015 and focused on developing Cardano. Hoskinson stated that he is not seeking venture capital for Cardano, as he believes it goes against the principles of blockchain and that venture capital involvement can lead to over-controlling a project. IOHK (IOG) team Hoskinson’s current projects focus on educating people about cryptocurrencies, advocating for decentralization, and making cryptographic tools easier for mainstream users. This includes leading the research, design, and development of Cardano, a third-generation cryptocurrency that launched in September 2017. He is the CEO and founder of IOHK. The primary answer to the question of who founded Cardano is Charles Hoskinson, but Jeremy Wood is also a key partner. Jeremy Wood is a former Ethereum colleague and co-founded IOHK with Hoskinson. He served as an Executive Assistant at Ethereum.IOHK (Input Output), a company responsible for the technical development of the Cardano ecosystem, was founded in 2015 by Charles Hoskinson and Jeremy Wood. This engineering and research company is designed to build cryptocurrencies and blockchains. It develops high-assurance blockchain infrastructure solutions for public, private, and government clients. IOHK served as the primary developer of the Cardano blockchain. Now rebranded as Input Output Global (IOG), the company is a fully decentralized remote organization of over 400 people in over 50 countries. It is strongly committed to the principles of academic rigor and evidence-based software development.The Cardano ecosystem is governed by three core entities to ensure the progress of the project and its core mission. These independent entities collaborate within a decentralized team:IOHK (development): Responsible for building the Cardano blockchain as an engineering company and technical development. Software development firm.Emurgo (commercial integration): Responsible for commercial applications. Supports the commercial growth of the ecosystem.Cardano Foundation (community & standards): A non-profit foundation headquartered in Zug, Switzerland. Responsible for overseeing the development of the Cardano blockchain and promoting its adoption. Aims to standardize and promote the ecosystem. He works with institutions, businesses, regulators, and policymakers. Frederik Gregaard has been the CEO of the Cardano Foundation since 2021.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)Below, you can find some frequently asked questions and answers about Cardano (ADA):What is Cardano and how does it work?: Cardano is a third-generation blockchain platform developed based on scientific research. It uses the PoS (Proof of Stake) mechanism and aims to provide sustainable, secure and scalable solutions.What does ADA coin do?: ADA is Cardano's native cryptocurrency. It is used to pay transaction fees on the network, to do staking, and to participate in governance processes.How is Cardano staking done?: ADA staking is done by delegating your cryptocurrencies to validator pools (stake pools) by holding them in your wallet. Staking can be done easily through wallets such as Yoroi or Daedalus.What is the difference between Cardano and Ethereum?: Ethereum is an older and widely used platform. However, Cardano has adopted the energy-efficient PoS system from the very beginning. Cardano also has a layered structure developed with academic methods.What are Cardano’s future plans?: Cardano aims to increase the development of smart contracts, scalability, and governance. It is also working on projects such as on-chain governance (Voltaire) and sidechain integration.Is Cardano reliable?: Cardano is a reliable project with its scientifically based approach, open-source structure, and active developer community. However, it is always important to do your own research when investing.Don’t forget to follow our JR Kripto Guide series for more on Cardano and scientifically based blockchain projects!
Truth Social's Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF Officially In Listing Process
Donald Trump's media company, Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), is expanding its claim in the cryptocurrency space. The company's Bitcoin and Ethereum-focused ETF, named after its social media platform Truth Social, has been accepted into the official listing application process by NYSE Arca, affiliated with the New York Stock Exchange.New development in Truth Social's Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFIn fact, the ETF application in question was made a few weeks ago. However, now the process has officially entered a new phase. NYSE Arca has filed a "Form 19b-4" with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), requesting the necessary rule changes for the ETF to be traded on the stock exchange. This step officially signals the start of the listing process for the ETF. Truth Social Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF, which has a passive investment strategy, aims to directly track Bitcoin and Ethereum prices. The fund's portfolio distribution will be 75% Bitcoin and 25% Ethereum. This ratio shows that Bitcoin maintains its digital gold status, but Ethereum is also included.The fund will be sponsored by Yorkville America Digital, while custody services will be provided by Foris DAX Trust Company. Market pricing will be provided by CF Benchmarks, as with other ETFs previously approved by the SEC. Net asset value (NAV), total assets, and intraday values will be updated every 15 seconds.The ETF's creation and redemption transactions will be made directly with crypto assets via blocks of 10,000 shares. This system aims to reduce tax burdens and increase price efficiency. NYSE Arca also stated that it will use data from CME's futures markets and its own surveillance infrastructure to prevent fraud and market manipulation.Crypto initiatives continue to growTrump Media is not limited to this ETF. In June, the company filed both a Bitcoin-only spot ETF application and a Bitcoin-Ethereum hybrid ETF application. With the announcement made in May, Trump Media announced that it was aiming for a total capital increase of $2.5 billion and announced that it would purchase Bitcoin with the majority of this fund. The company had also created share buyback plans within this scope.The activities of World Liberty Financial, which is affiliated with the Trump family, are also drawing attention in cryptocurrencies. The company in question entered the market with a stablecoin project called USD1. It has also made headlines with its purchases of other cryptocurrencies.If approved, the Truth Social Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF will be one of the first dual-asset crypto ETFs to be traded on US exchanges. In order for the SEC to evaluate the application, it must first be published in the Federal Register and then the evaluation process must begin with comments from the public.
What is Chainlink (LINK)?
In the blockchain world, smart contracts enable secure and automated transactions. However, they lack the ability to access data from the outside world on their own. This is where Chainlink comes in: it acts as a bridge connecting smart contracts with real-world data. Chainlink, which carries a wide range of data from financial market data to weather information and even match results onto the chain, expands the boundaries of blockchain technology with its decentralized oracle infrastructure. In this article, we will take a detailed look at what Chainlink is, how it works, and why it has become indispensable for the Web3 ecosystem.Chainlink's Definition and OriginIf you think smart contracts can only operate within their own closed systems, Chainlink is the magical bridge that changes that. So, what is Chainlink? What is the LINK coin, the platform's cryptocurrency? In the simplest terms, Chainlink is a decentralized oracle network that enables smart contracts to access external world data. The potential of smart contracts is enormous, but by their very nature, they are limited to the data available on the existing blockchain. In other words, a smart contract cannot independently access information about real-world events (such as the outcome of a sports match, the price of a commodity, weather conditions, or whether a payment has been made). This is where the Chainlink oracle system comes into play. Chainlink data flow diagram. Source: Chainlink Off-chain data (weather, finance, API, price data, etc.) is transferred to smart contracts, allowing them to be triggered and executed based on real-world events. This solves the “oracle problem,” which refers to the inability of blockchains to connect to the outside world. Chainlink establishes this connection in a decentralized and reliable manner, enabling smart contracts to become much more advanced and useful.The Chainlink project was launched in 2017 by Sergey Nazarov and Steve Ellis. They are also the authors of a whitepaper introducing the Chainlink protocol, co-written with Cornell University professor Ari Juels. The founding team recognized that today's financial system largely relies on “paper promises”—traditional agreements made through documents that can be easily violated—and that this poses significant risks. They believed that smart contracts, which operate automatically and enhance transparency and trust between parties, could offer a safer and fairer system. With this vision in mind, they set out to address an urgent issue facing the blockchain industry: the lack of access to real-world data.Although it started on Ethereum, Chainlink's architecture was designed to support multiple networks and now has cross-chain communication capabilities that allow it to work with different blockchain networks. This has transformed Chainlink from a project tied solely to Ethereum into a foundational infrastructure layer for the entire blockchain ecosystem. The answer to the question “What is an oracle network?” is that, like Chainlink, these are decentralized networks that provide external data to smart contracts. Chainlink is a leader in this field.In other words, Sergey Nazarov and Steve Ellis' vision was to build a world based on cryptographic accuracy after seeing signs of declining trust in traditional institutions. Chainlink Labs was introduced as the organization responsible for developing and promoting the project.Chainlink's History: Key MilestonesChainlink's journey is not merely about establishing an oracle network; it is also a process of pushing the boundaries of blockchain technology and building a reliable bridge between the real world and the digital world. This project, which has continuously renewed and developed itself since its inception, has become one of the cornerstones of Web3 infrastructure. Here are the key milestones and technological advancements that have brought Chainlink to its current strong position...2017: Chainlink conducted an Initial Coin Offering (ICO). During this ICO, 350 million LINK tokens were sold, raising 32 million dollars. Additionally, it is noted that a total of 61 million dollars was raised through a private sale. During the founding period, the maximum supply of the token was also discussed, as a total of 1 billion LINK tokens were set as the maximum supply.2018-2020: Chainlink enhanced its oracle capabilities by integrating various technologies from Cornell, such as Town Crier and DECO. Town Crier connects Ethereum to web sources using HTTPS, while DECO uses zero-knowledge proofs to verify the accuracy of data without revealing sensitive information.2019: The Chainlink Mainnet launch took place. This was a significant step in enabling smart contracts to securely interact with real-world data. Additionally, this year saw Chainlink's first major integrations. In December 2019, Synthetix integrated Chainlink's decentralized oracle network, beginning to provide price feeds for its synthetic assets through Chainlink. This integration was one of the first major steps highlighting the importance of oracle solutions in the DeFi ecosystem. In the weeks bridging 2019 and 2020, Aave partnered with Chainlink to begin providing price data to its protocol through Chainlink's oracle network. This integration enabled Aave to use more reliable and decentralized price data in its lending protocol.2020: With the rapid growth of the DeFi ecosystem, the need for reliable and up-to-date price data increased. Chainlink data feeds saw heavy demand during this period. DeFi protocols began using Chainlink's price feeds to manage loans, trade derivatives, and determine collateral ratios for assets. Chainlink quickly became the industry standard for DeFi.2021: The Chainlink 2.0 whitepaper was published. This paper detailed the vision to expand the role and capabilities of decentralized oracle networks to include hybrid smart contracts that utilize on-chain code and off-chain services provided by oracle networks.2022: Additional services such as Chainlink Keepers and VRF were introduced. Chainlink Keepers (now called Automation) enable smart contracts to automatically perform maintenance tasks when certain conditions or time intervals are met. This makes it possible to execute smart contract functions without the need for a centralized automation tool. Chainlink VRF (Verifiable Random Function) generates verifiable, tamper-resistant random numbers for applications that rely on unpredictable outcomes, such as games, NFT minting, or random assignments. The verifiability of randomness ensures that results are fair and transparent.2023: Chainlink Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) was launched. CCIP is a global cross-chain communication standard that enables secure message (data) and token transfers between blockchains. This protocol aims to establish a bridge between different blockchain ecosystems and traditional financial systems, allowing liquidity to flow freely and enabling institutions to interact with blockchain without changing their existing systems. Leading DeFi protocols such as Synthetix and Aave are among the early adopters of CCIP. Additionally, the collaboration with Swift, the global leader in financial messaging services, demonstrates CCIP's potential in the traditional finance sector. CCIP working principle. Source: Chainlink 2024-2025: Chainlink continued to strengthen its Web3 infrastructure. In 2024, the Synthetix v3 release began offering faster and more accurate price feeds by integrating Chainlink's Data Streams feature on Arbitrum. In 2025, Aave integrated Chainlink's Smart Value Recapture (SVR) feature on the Ethereum mainnet. This integration aims to increase protocol revenues by enabling the recovery of oracle-sourced MEV revenues. In addition, Chainlink's Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) has been implemented in over 300 projects and has facilitated over $2.2 billion in total volume transfers. Chainlink Runtime Environment (CRE) has also made it easier to develop Web3 applications by giving developers the ability to create more flexible and modular applications.Chainlink's history shows that the answer to the question “How does Chainlink work?” has been constantly evolving. The project has evolved from its initial oracle functions into a much broader Web3 services platform encompassing automation, randomness, and cross-chain communication. In addition to being an indispensable infrastructure provider for DeFi data solutions, it has become the standard for smart contract data input. The question “What is Chainlink CCIP?” refers to one of the project's newest and most exciting steps: the vision of building an “internet” between blockchains. This technology plays a significant role in the field of cross-chain bridge technology.Why is Chainlink valuable?Chainlink's value is linked to many factors. As we mentioned earlier, the project's fundamental promise is to integrate real-world data into smart contracts in a secure and transparent manner. This ensures that smart contracts are not only theoretical but also practical. For a smart contract to automatically make payments based on the outcome of a football match or for an insurance contract to pay compensation based on specific weather conditions, these contracts must have access to reliable external data. Chainlink provides this data through decentralized oracle networks, eliminating a single point of failure and reducing the risk of data manipulation.Chainlink serves as a fundamental infrastructure provider in DeFi, insurance, gaming, NFTs, and enterprise applications. It is noted that Chainlink has enabled trillions of dollars worth of transactions in DeFi, provided fair randomness in gaming and NFTs, and helped traditional financial institutions interact with tokenized assets and blockchain. The project shows that over 2,300 projects are part of the Chainlink ecosystem and that it enables a total transaction value of over $20 trillion. These figures point to a blockchain project of considerable size.So, how does this network work, and who provides this service? The Chainlink network consists of independent node operators that provide data feeds. What is a Chainlink node? Nodes are servers that retrieve, verify, and transmit external world data to the blockchain. Chainlink data providers are these node operators, and they are rewarded with LINK tokens for their work. Node operators can set their own fees for their services. How nodes and node operators work. Source: Chainlink Various mechanisms are used to ensure data accuracy on the network. Smart contracts typically ensure accuracy by collecting data from multiple oracles rather than a single one, and then aggregating the results. This data collection process checks whether the information from multiple sources is consistent and filters out unreliable data. Additionally, Chainlink uses a reputation system. Node operators are rated based on their reputation scores, and those with better reputations are more likely to be selected.Another important layer of security is the Chainlink staking system. Node operators “stake” a certain amount of LINK tokens to demonstrate their commitment to the Chainlink network and to be incentivized to provide good service. If a node operator acts maliciously or provides incorrect data, they may lose part or all of the LINK tokens they have staked (slashing). This is known as a crypto-economic security layer that incentivizes nodes to behave honestly. Nodes that stake more LINK have a higher chance of securing larger and more profitable data contracts. While the staking feature is currently primarily active for node operators, community stakers can also contribute to the network's security and earn rewards.One of the recent developments enhancing Chainlink's value is the Chainlink Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) mentioned earlier. CCIP enables not only data transfer but also asset transfer and programmable token transfer between blockchains. This allows DeFi protocols or other applications on different chains to interact securely with one another. For example, a user can transfer their tokens from one chain to a credit protocol on another chain and send instructions on how those tokens should be used in the same transaction. CCIP also plays a key role in the vision of connecting the traditional financial system to blockchains. Sergey Nazarov has stated that CCIP is the cross-chain solution needed to grow the on-chain economy by 10 times for both DeFi and banking developers.Considering all these features and applications, the answer to the question “What is the LINK token used for?” is quite comprehensive. The LINK token is more than just a payment tool; it is a fundamental asset that secures the network, incentivizes node operators, and enables the Chainlink ecosystem to function. The value of LINK is tied to the expansion of the network's use cases and the increasing demand for oracle services. Chainlink's current market position and adoption rate are important factors supporting the value of LINK. Core services like Chainlink price feeds form the foundation of DeFi and other on-chain applications, and payments for these services are made in LINK. This creates a natural demand for LINK. In short, Chainlink acts as the “backbone” for web3 data infrastructure.Finally, it's worth mentioning LINK's price. The coin is trading at around $13-14 as of May 2025. Considering that its all-time high was $52, this level isn't very encouraging, but the project already stands out for its technology. LINK price since launch. Who is the Founder of Chainlink?The minds behind a groundbreaking project like Chainlink are intriguing. The answer to the question of who is the founder of Chainlink? is the two names that shaped the technical and business development vision of the project: Sergey Nazarov and Steve Ellis. Sergey Nazarov is the co-founder of Chainlink and the CEO of Chainlink Labs. He is a serial entrepreneur and a pioneer of Web3. His past work has primarily focused on decentralized technologies. He has been involved in projects ranging from smart contract-powered asset exchanges to decentralized email communications. It is worth noting that Nazarov has frequently made public statements about Chainlink’s widespread adoption and integration with traditional financial systems. Sergey Nazarov at the Consensus 2023 event. Steve Ellis is the co-founder of Chainlink and the CTO of Chainlink Labs. He has an extensive software engineering background and a passion for entrepreneurship. Ellis has specialized in solving difficult technical problems for over 10 years. He is also known for pushing the boundaries of what is possible with code. He previously worked with Nazarov on the Secure Asset Exchange platform. Ellis plays a key role in creating Chainlink’s technical architecture and the protocol’s ongoing iteration. Steve Ellis Another lesser-known name on the founding team is Ari Juels, a computer science professor at Cornell University. Juels, along with Nazarov and Ellis, wrote the original Chainlink whitepaper and continues to advise the Chainlink team. His research interests overlap with technologies that Chainlink has integrated, such as Town Crier and DECO.The founding team’s core vision was to reliably connect smart contracts with the off-blockchain world after seeing the systemic risks posed by the traditional “words on paper” system. Sergey Nazarov, who called the 2008 financial crisis “a negative example of words on paper,” stated that Chainlink aims to solve such problems. The team believed in a future based on “cryptographic truth” and aimed to enable smart contracts to reach their full potential by connecting them to the real world.Chainlink Labs is the company that works to turn this vision into reality and develop, spread and adopt the Chainlink network. The rapid growth of the project and its becoming an industry standard is a result of the vision of the founding team and the work carried out by Chainlink Labs. As Steve Ellis said, "smart people want to work on hard problems" and the Chainlink team achieved this by solving a fundamental problem such as connecting the blockchain to the outside world. In conclusion, Chainlink is the product of a vision led by Sergey Nazarov and Steve Ellis. The project has expanded the capabilities of smart contracts by closing the gap between the blockchain and the real world, allowing decentralized applications (DApps) to become much more complex and powerful. The LINK token is also an indispensable part of this ecosystem.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)You can find the most frequently asked questions and answers about Chainlink below:What is Chainlink and how does it work?: Chainlink is a decentralized oracle network that allows smart contracts on the blockchain to securely access external data. Data from different sources is verified by Chainlink nodes and transferred to the chain.What does LINK token do?: LINK token is required to pay node operators, ensure network security through staking, and use Chainlink services. It is the basis of the economic incentive system within the network.Why is the Chainlink oracle network important?: Because blockchains cannot access external data sources by nature. Chainlink enables smart contracts to interact with the real world by providing this data in a secure and decentralized manner.How does the staking system work?: Node operators stake LINK tokens to prove that they provide accurate and reliable data. If they act incorrectly or maliciously, the tokens they stake can be cut through “slashing”. This mechanism increases network security.Which networks is Chainlink used in?: Although it initially worked on Ethereum, it is now compatible with many blockchain networks such as Arbitrum, Polygon, BNB Chain, Avalanche, Optimism and Solana.What is CCIP and what does it do?: CCIP (Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol) is the Chainlink protocol that enables secure data and token transfer between different blockchains. It aims to standardize inter-chain communication and connect Web3 and traditional financial systems.Don't forget to check out our JR Kripto Guide series to closely follow projects that provide data security in Chainlink and Web3!
What is Arbitrum (ARB)?
Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency and the largest altcoin, is an excellent platform for decentralized applications (dApps) and smart contracts. However, as its popularity has grown, it has begun to face serious scalability issues. Network congestion has led to slower transaction speeds and, in particular, exorbitant transaction fees (known as gas fees). This is where Arbitrum, a Layer-2 (Layer-2) solution for Ethereum, comes into play. Today, we will take a closer look at Arbitrum, which offers an innovative solution to a major problem facing the Ethereum ecosystem. Here are the details…Definition and Origin of ArbitrumArbitrum is a technology package designed to improve Ethereum. Essentially, it is a Layer 2 scaling solution for the Ethereum blockchain. Layer 2 solutions are secondary layers designed to reduce the load on the main blockchain (Layer 1, in this case Ethereum). These solutions process a significant portion of transactions outside of Layer 1 and then send the summary or result of these transactions back to the main chain. This approach both increases transaction speed and reduces costs.Arbitrum, one of the leading projects in this Layer 2 space, uses rollup technology to increase transaction speed. The specific type of rollup it uses is called “Optimistic Rollup.” Optimistic Rollups assume that all transactions executed off-chain are initially valid. Transactions are batch-processed and sent to the main Ethereum chain. If a transaction is alleged to have violated rules or contained errors, this can be proven on Layer 1 through a “fraud proof” mechanism. The system is secure as long as there is at least one honest validator, and faulty or fraudulent transactions are penalized. This “honest” approach and appeal process is the key feature that allows Arbitrum to leverage Ethereum's security.You can use Arbitrum chains for the same purposes as Ethereum, such as using Web3 applications and deploying smart contracts. The difference is that your transactions are cheaper and faster. Its main product, Arbitrum Rollup, is an Optimistic Rollup protocol that offers the same security as Ethereum. Arbitrum provides nearly 100% compatibility with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM/the environment where Ethereum smart contracts are executed). By making it easy to use existing Ethereum tools, developers can seamlessly migrate existing smart contracts without rewriting their code. Additionally, any EVM-compatible language like Solidity or Vyper works out of the box on Arbitrum, encouraging developer adoption. Technology updates like Arbitrum Nitro ensure high compatibility by compiling the core code of Ethereum's popular go-ethereum (“Geth”) client.Arbitrum was developed by Offchain Labs, a startup founded in 2018 by three computer scientists from Princeton University. These founders are Ed Felten, Steven Goldfeder, and Harry Kalodner. So, when was Arbitrum launched? The Arbitrum mainnet was launched in September 2021. Offchain Labs announced that it had raised $120 million in a Series B funding round led by Lightspeed Venture Partners alongside the launch of the Arbitrum One mainnet. Arbitrum AnyTrust (Arbitrum Nova) was launched in July 2022. Arbitrum has gained significant momentum since its launch. For example, in 2023, it surpassed Ethereum in daily transaction volume. As a result, Arbitrum has established itself as a key player among EVM-compatible layer 2 solutions.Arbitrum's History: Important MilestonesArbitrum's journey began with a vision to solve Ethereum's scalability issues. Let's take a look at the most important milestones of this journey. It all started with the founding of a company called Offchain Labs. This company became the original developer of Arbitrum technology. After years of research and development, Arbitrum took its first major step.2021: Arbitrum One mainnet launchOn September 1, 2021, Offchain Labs announced the official launch of the highly anticipated Arbitrum One mainnet. This launch propelled Arbitrum One into a leading position in the Layer 2 world. Arbitrum One is an Optimistic Rollup chain that implements the Arbitrum Rollup protocol and connects to the Ethereum main chain. At the time of the launch, it was noted that over 400 dApps, including leading DeFi protocols such as Aave, Balancer, Curve, SushiSwap, and Uniswap, would use or plan to use Arbitrum.2022: Introduction of the Arbitrum Nova networkIn August 2022, a new chain called Arbitrum Nova was announced, with the mainnet launch taking place in July 2022. Unlike Arbitrum One, Arbitrum Nova uses AnyTrust technology. AnyTrust aims to further reduce costs by introducing an additional trust assumption (Data Availability Committee - DAC). This makes it particularly suitable for applications requiring high transaction volumes and ultra-low costs. The project states that Nova's primary function is to support high-performance dApps, particularly those focused on gaming. While Arbitrum One offers purer reliability, Arbitrum Nova is optimized for scenarios seeking performance and affordability. DAC members include organizations such as ConsenSys, QuickNode, P2P.org, Offchain Labs, Google Cloud, and OpenSea. This distinction forms the fundamental difference between Arbitrum One and Nova. You can also see the difference between Arbitrum One and Nova in the table below:FeatureArbitrum OneArbitrum NovaTPS20 times more than EthereumUp to 40,000 TPSDecentralizationBroad level of network decentralizationReduced decentralization due to off-chain applicationsStablecoin SupportYes (more than 20 supported)Yes (limited to USDC, USDT, and DAI)Application FitDeFi and DApps requiring EVM supportFocused on gaming, NFTs, and social projectsTransaction SpeedInstant transaction finalityInstant finality (faster than Arbitrum One)ArchitectureOptimistic RollupLayer 2 with AnyTrust ProtocolEVM SupportYesYesEcosystem DevelopmentMore widely adopted and visible among dAppsSteady, balanced growthMarch 2023: ARB token airdrop and the creation of Arbitrum DAO2023 was a pivotal year for the Arbitrum ecosystem. On March 23, 2023, Arbitrum launched ARB, the answer to the question “What is ARB token?” The ARB token marked the beginning of decentralized governance for the Arbitrum protocol. Arbitrum users who met certain criteria were eligible to receive 1,162,000,000 ARB tokens, representing 12.75% of the total token supply, through an airdrop. This airdrop was conducted to reward early adopters and supporters of the network and to promote decentralization. The airdrop distribution can be viewed in the table below:Initial Allocation PercentageNumber of TokensAllocated To35.28%3.528 billionArbitrum DAO Treasury26.94%2.694 billionTeam and Contributors + Advisors17.53%1.753 billionInvestors11.62%1.162 billionArbitrum Platform Users (airdrop to user wallets)7.5%750 millionArbitrum Foundation1.13%113 millionDAOs building on Arbitrum (airdrop to DAO treasuries)Although the airdrop caused some issues such as temporary congestion and high fees on the token claim website, it signified a major change in Arbitrum's governance model. Following this busy day in 2023, Arbitrum surpassed Ethereum in terms of transaction volume. Along with the ARB airdrop, Arbitrum DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization) was established. The creation of Arbitrum DAO enabled users to influence the network's fundamental decisions through the ARB governance token. The DAO's votes gained the power to directly influence on-chain actions without intermediaries. ARB holders can vote on issues such as protocol changes, proposals, and incentives. Additionally, the DAO elects a 12-member Security Council that can intervene in emergency situations.2024: TVL surpasses billions of dollars in the ecosystem, with hundreds of dApp integrationsSince the launch of the Arbitrum One mainnet, the Arbitrum ecosystem has experienced meteoric growth. While the number of unique addresses has grown exponentially, over 400 Arbitrum dApps have emerged, with most of them in the DeFi space. The Arbitrum ecosystem and some dApps. Source: Arbitrum Insider In addition, many projects are competing for users, developers, and TVL in the Ethereum Layer 2 landscape. Arbitrum leads the way in this area, along with other rollup-based Layer 2s such as Optimism. Data shows that Arbitrum is popular in terms of TVL as of May 2025. According to DeFiLlama, Arbitrum's TVL value is currently around $2.25 billion. Optimism is reported to be a close second with a TVL of $408 million and over 117 active protocols. This competition is driving the development of Layer 2 technologies. The Arbitrum vs. Optimism debate typically revolves around the types of rollups they use (Optimistic vs. Zk-Rollups) and data availability mechanisms (full data in Arbitrum One, DAC in Nova). However, it is emphasized that both platforms play a significant role in Ethereum scaling. TVL on Arbitrum. Source: DeFiLlama Why is Arbitrum valuable?So, with so many blockchains and Layer 2 solutions on the market, what makes Arbitrum special and valuable? Why do so many users and developers prefer Arbitrum?High-speed transactionsFirst and foremost, Arbitrum offers lower costs and high transaction speeds while leveraging Ethereum's security. Without compromising Ethereum's robust and proven security, it offloads most transactions off-chain, reducing the load on the Ethereum mainnet. This significantly lowers gas fees and increases transaction throughput (the number of transactions processed per unit of time). Batching transactions and storing transaction data in compressed form form the foundation of cost savings. Users experience fast transaction confirmations at much lower fees compared to Ethereum. Additionally, the Arbitrum bridge enables the transfer of assets in a decentralized and reliable manner.EVM compatibilityThe second key point is that Arbitrum is 100% compatible with EVM, making it easier for developers to transition. Moreover, this is not just “almost” compatibility but bytecode-level compatibility. This makes it extremely easy for developers to migrate their dApps to Arbitrum using existing Ethereum smart contracts and tools (such as Truffle, Hardhat, and Remix) without the need to learn a new language or environment. This seamless integration encourages more projects to join the Arbitrum ecosystem.ARB token usage and priceThirdly, the ARB token is used for protocol governance and DAO decisions. As mentioned earlier, ARB is an ERC-20-based token, which is the answer to the question, “What is Arbitrum's native ARB token?” ARB holders have a say in the project's future through the Arbitrum DAO. Important decisions such as protocol changes, fee adjustments, and ecosystem incentives are determined by ARB holders' votes. This decentralized governance model ensures that the platform is community-driven. Additionally, validator nodes can stake ARB to secure the network and earn rewards. This is just one of the use cases for ARB coin.Meanwhile, the price of the ARB token and its listing on many exchanges are also among the network's strengths. As of May 2025, ARB is trading around $0.30. The coin reached its latest record high of $2.4 on January 12, 2024. It hit its lowest point in April 2025. ARB coin price since launch Strong technical structureFourth, Arbitrum's technological infrastructure is constantly evolving. The Arbitrum Nitro update has improved transaction compression and performance. Nitro is the technology that forms the foundation of chains such as Arbitrum One, Arbitrum Nova, and Arbitrum Sepolia. Nitro deepens Ethereum compatibility with its “Geth-at-the-core” architecture, offering significant improvements such as advanced calldata compression, separate contexts for execution and error proofing, and Ethereum mainchain gas compatibility. Nitro enhances performance and security by compiling local code (optimized for speed) and WASM (optimized for portability and security) separately for execution and proofing. Arbitrum's AnyTrust technology (a variant of Nitro) is also a significant step toward reducing costs using DAC. Innovations like Stylus enable efficient smart contract creation in popular languages such as Rust, C, and C++, opening new horizons for developers.A massive ecosystemFifth, Arbitrum has a vibrant and growing ecosystem. It offers an active ecosystem for DeFi, NFTs, gaming, and social dApps. Arbitrum's innovative framework has made a significant impact across various sectors, including decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and blockchain-based games. Major DeFi platforms like Uniswap, SushiSwap, GMX, and Aave integrate with Arbitrum to provide users with faster and more cost-effective experiences. NFT marketplaces and games also leverage Arbitrum for low fees and fast interactions. These integrations signal success for Arbitrum's DeFi integrations. Additionally, a wide range of use cases, including cross-chain applications, decentralized exchanges (DEXs), enterprise solutions, and even social applications, demonstrate Arbitrum's potential.Timeboost is another valuable feature unique to Arbitrum. This is a change in the transaction ordering policy of the Arbitrum sequencer. Timeboost adds a “time boost” to the existing first-come, first-served policy, allowing a transaction to pay a priority fee.In summary, Arbitrum's value stems from its inheritance of Ethereum's security, the performance and cost advantages it brings with Layer 2 rollup technology, its developer-friendly EVM compatibility, its decentralized governance through the ARB token, its technological advancements such as Nitro, and its vibrant ecosystem. These features make Arbitrum an invaluable solution for the future of the Ethereum ecosystem.Who founded Arbitrum?Behind every successful project is a visionary team, and Arbitrum is no exception. The answer to the question “Who founded Arbitrum?” actually points to a developer firm called Offchain Labs and its three founders rather than a single individual. Arbitrum technology was developed by Offchain Labs. Founded in 2018, Offchain Labs is the “brain trust” behind Arbitrum and specializes in Layer 2 scaling solutions. The company has been dedicated to blockchain research and development for over five years. Offchain Labs founders (from left) Ed Felten, Steven Goldfeder, and Harry Kalodner. Source: Offchain Labs The founding team of Offchain Labs, and therefore Arbitrum, consists of three individuals: Ed Felten, Steven Goldfeder, and Harry Kalodner. All three are computer scientists from Princeton University. They are individuals with both academic and practical depth in the field of blockchain. One of the prominent members of the team is Ed Felten: a professor of computer science at Princeton University and former White House technology advisor. Felten's academic career and role as a technology advisor have brought important scientific and strategic perspectives to the team. He is also the Co-Founder and Chief Scientist of Offchain Labs. He has shared his optimism about Optimistic Rollups and his role in the development of protocols such as BOLD through blog posts.Steven Goldfeder is the Co-Founder and CEO of Offchain Labs. He holds a PhD from Princeton. Harry Kalodner serves as Co-Founder and CTO (Chief Technology Officer). He is also a PhD candidate at Princeton.This team has a strong foundation in both academic and industrial levels. By combining scientific research with practical engineering, they have pioneered the development of Layer 2 solutions like Arbitrum. Offchain Labs continues to innovate and develop products and technologies such as Arbitrum One, Arbitrum Orbit, Stylus, and BOLD. Additionally, they acquired Prysmatic Labs, the creators of Prysm, Ethereum's leading consensus client, in 2022.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)Finally, you can find answers to your questions about Arbitrum below:What is Arbitrum and how does it work? What is the Arbitrum coin? Arbitrum is a Layer 2 scaling solution built on top of Ethereum. It processes transactions faster and at lower costs compared to Ethereum. Transactions are first processed on Arbitrum and then batch-transmitted to the Ethereum mainnet.What is the difference between Arbitrum and Ethereum?: Ethereum is a Layer 1 blockchain; Arbitrum is a Layer 2 protocol built on top of it. Arbitrum uses Ethereum's security while offering lower transaction fees and higher speeds.What is the ARB token used for?: ARB is the governance token of the Arbitrum ecosystem. It is used to vote in the Arbitrum DAO, influence developments in the protocol, and make certain governance decisions.Which dApps are integrated with Arbitrum? Arbitrum is integrated with many popular DeFi applications such as Uniswap, GMX, SushiSwap, Aave, and Curve. These dApps can be used on the Arbitrum network with lower transaction costs.How much are transaction fees on Arbitrum? Transaction fees on Arbitrum are significantly lower than on Ethereum. They typically range from a few cents to a few dollars, depending on network congestion and transaction type.How does the Arbitrum DAO work? The Arbitrum DAO is a decentralized governance structure guided by the votes of ARB token holders. The community can propose and vote on issues such as network upgrades, grant programs, and budget allocations.For more information about Arbitrum and Ethereum Layer-2 technologies, don't forget to follow our JR Kripto Guide series!
Nasdaq-Listed Aurora Mobile to Allocate 20 Percent of Assets to Cryptocurrencies
Aurora Mobile, a China-based technology company listed on Nasdaq, is preparing to make a significant investment in cryptocurrencies. According to the new plan approved by the company's board of directors, Aurora will invest up to 20% of its current cash and cash equivalents in crypto assets such as Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), and Sui (SUI).The investment decision is positioned as part of the company's long-term value creation strategy. In its official statement, Aurora Mobile stated that this move is a "measured step" aimed at both increasing its balance sheet diversity and being a part of financial innovation.What is the aim of this move?In its statement, Aurora Mobile stated that this investment does not only aim to preserve value, but will also support the company's growth strategy and prepare the ground for potential partnerships. The company's post on the X (formerly Twitter) platform included the following statements:"This share allocated to crypto assets puts us at the forefront of financial innovation and unlocks the potential for long-term value creation in the rapidly evolving digital economy."Aurora Mobile’s crypto investment will not affect the company’s core business operations or current growth plans. On the contrary, the alternative earning avenues offered by digital assets will provide the company with an opportunity to diversify its portfolio independent of traditional markets.Aurora Mobile shares riseAurora Mobile CEO and Chairman Weidong Luo also commented on the investment decision, stating that this move will increase portfolio diversity by providing access to a new asset class with low correlation, while also creating a financial strategy more in line with technological developments. According to Luo, this investment is also a strategic step towards modernizing the company’s treasury:“At a time when blockchain and crypto assets are reshaping the global financial infrastructure, we see this investment as not only a financial but also a technological positioning.”Following Aurora’s statements, there was movement in the company’s shares traded on Nasdaq. Aurora Mobile shares rose by 4.78 percent to $11.01 on Tuesday, the day the announcement was made. The company’s total market value is $66.9 million. Institutional interest in cryptocurrencies at its peakAurora Mobile’s decision is a new example of the recent trend of increasing institutional crypto investments. Leading assets such as BTC and ETH are solidifying their place in institutional portfolios as long-term value storage instruments. On the other hand, highly scalable projects such as Solana and SUI continue to attract investor interest. Aurora Mobile also took its place among the companies investing in cryptocurrency.The company also announced that it has repurchased 295,179 American Depository Shares (ADS) in the past period.
What is Near Protocol (NEAR)?
If you are interested in the world of Web3, the potential of developing or using decentralized applications (dApps) appeals to you, or you are simply looking for answers to questions such as “What is Near?” and “What is the Near Protocol?”, you have come to the right place. NEAR is a user-friendly, high-performance platform designed to overcome the fundamental challenges faced by blockchain technology. Let's dive into the depths of this exciting project together.Definition and Origin of NEARSo, what is NEAR, and what sets it apart from others? The NEAR Protocol is, in its simplest terms, a Layer-1 (Layer-1) blockchain platform that enables developers to create dapps. The term “Layer-1” means that NEAR has its own independent blockchain, meaning it is not dependent on other networks or protocols built on top of it. Like Ethereum, NEAR functions as a base layer that can execute smart contracts and thus host a wide range of decentralized application types. However, there are, of course, fundamental differences between NEAR and Ethereum. Before diving into the technical details, we can take a look at the differences between the two largest smart contract platforms in the table below.FeatureEthereumNEAR ProtocolConsensusProof of StakeSharded Proof of Stake (Nightshade)TPS~15–30~100,000 (with sharding)Block Time~12 seconds~1 secondTransaction FeeHighLow (~0.01 NEAR)Smart ContractSolidityRust & AssemblyScriptEVM CompatibilityDirect EVMEVM-compatible via AuroraNEAR's primary goal is to make blockchain technology accessible to a much wider audience. While decentralized systems provide transparency and efficiency in many industries, existing blockchains often face challenges such as scalability, high transaction fees, and complex user interfaces. The NEAR Protocol aims to remove the barriers to the widespread adoption of blockchain technology by addressing these issues with a user-friendly and scalable approach.There are two critical components that form the technical foundation of NEAR: the Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism and the Nightshade sharding technology, which enables high scalability. The Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism requires validators to stake a certain amount of NEAR tokens to ensure network security. This method is much more energy-efficient than energy-intensive systems such as Proof-of-Work (PoW) and encourages network participants to maintain the security and stability of the network.Nightshade sharding technology is at the heart of NEAR's scalability strategy. Sharding is the technique of dividing a blockchain network into smaller pieces (shards), each of which can process a portion of the transactions in parallel. This enables the network to process thousands of transactions per second (TPS), solves the congestion issues faced by many existing blockchains, and provides a foundation for applications that can handle high transaction volumes. Nightshade's unique approach divides both the state and processing into shards. Updates like Nightshade 2.0 introduce stateless validation, eliminating the need for validators to store the state of all shards locally and enhancing scalability. NEAR TPS chart. Source: Nearblocks NEAR's core vision is to provide a Web3 infrastructure that is as easy to use as Web2. Supporting familiar programming languages (such as JavaScript and Rust) for developers, providing comprehensive SDKs (Software Development Kits) and tools, simplifies the dApp creation process. For users, the ability to use human-readable account names instead of complex alphanumeric addresses makes the blockchain experience more intuitive and user-friendly. These features are critical to the widespread adoption of blockchain technology.The story of the NEAR Protocol begins in 2018 when it was founded. The project, founded by Illia Polosukhin and Alexander Skidanov, initially started as an artificial intelligence (AI) initiative that pioneered program synthesis. However, upon realizing that existing blockchains were insufficient as payment systems, they decided to build their own blockchain. This decision marked the birth of a vision to create scalable decentralized applications that would offer developers an easy path forward. The project's mainnet launch in 2020 was a significant step toward realizing this vision. Following the mainnet launch, it became fully community-operated in September 2020 and passed a vote enabling token transfers in October 2020. We can examine the protocol's timeline in more detail in the next section.NEAR's History: Key MilestonesNEAR coin's history is filled with important milestones that show how its vision was gradually realized. The launch process for NEAR began in 2017 with the establishment of Near.ai. The mainnet launch took place in 2020, with the founders spending three years preparing for it. Following the mainnet's activation, the project experienced a surge in growth. The timeline of events is as follows:2017: The Beginning with Near.AI - It all started when Illia Polosukhin and Alexander Skidanov founded NEAR.ai to research program synthesis under the slogan “Singularity is NEAR!” They tried to pay workers through Ethereum but quickly realized that this platform was not suitable for this task.2018: Development of the NEAR Protocol Begins - Seeing the limitations of existing blockchains, the founders decided to build their own blockchain, the NEAR Protocol. This marked the beginning of their vision to provide developers with the ability to create easily scalable dApps. The NEAR Foundation was also established in 2019 as a non-profit organization to support the growth of NEAR's ecosystem and protocol development.2020: Mainnet Launch - In April 2020, the NEAR mainnet went live, and by September 2020, it was fully community-operated. In October 2020, a vote was held to enable token transfers, which passed. This was a critical moment as NEAR began operating as an independent blockchain.2021: Achieved Ethereum Compatibility with Near Rainbow Bridge - Interoperability between blockchain ecosystems is critical to the future of Web3. NEAR introduced Rainbow Bridge to address this need. This bridge enables seamless transfer of ERC-20 assets between the Ethereum and NEAR networks. Rainbow Bridge creates a seamless bridge between ecosystems by enabling the movement of assets and data between different blockchains. NEAR describes Rainbow Bridge as “trustless” and “permissionless,” meaning it operates without the need for intermediaries or permissions. As a result, not only ETH but also popular tokens built on the Ethereum protocol, such as USDT, DAI, WBTC, and WETH, can interact with the NEAR network.2022: Aurora (EVM-Compatible Layer) Integration - NEAR's second major step toward Ethereum compatibility was Aurora. Aurora is an Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatibility layer built on top of the NEAR Protocol. This allows Ethereum developers to run their existing Solidity smart contracts on NEAR's scalable infrastructure. Thanks to Aurora, developers can migrate their Ethereum projects to NEAR with lower fees and faster transactions, or use familiar Ethereum tools while benefiting from NEAR's advantages. This integration strengthened NEAR's position in the Web3 ecosystem, enabling it to appeal to the Ethereum community while growing its own ecosystem. In 2022, NEAR raised a total of $500 million in two funding rounds to further support its ecosystem.2023–2024: Blockchain Operating System (BOS) Vision Unveiled - The latest and perhaps most ambitious step in NEAR's evolution was its positioning as a Blockchain Operating System (BOS). Announced in March 2023, BOS is the industry's first example of a common layer for browsing and discovering Open Web experiences, compatible with any blockchain. So, what is NEAR BOS? BOS aims to make NEAR the entry point to the Open Web for both users and developers. It makes accessing and navigating Web3 and Web2 easier than ever before. NEAR.org was the first step toward this vision as a unified frontend for Web3. It gives users the ability to explore all the possibilities of Web3 in a single seamless experience, while also empowering developers to create interfaces and edit code in a single environment. It allows everyone in the Open Web ecosystem to create their own frontends (such as their own versions of near.org), which can be compatible with any blockchain of their choice. BOS provides a one-time, seamless onboarding experience, eliminating friction points such as creating separate accounts for each experience. The Nightshade 2.0 launch (August 2024) supports progress toward the BOS vision by introducing stateless verification and greater scalability. NEAR demonstrated this growth by reaching over 20 million monthly active users and a total of over 110 million accounts in July 2024.Why is NEAR valuable?There are many features that make the NEAR Protocol valuable and unique.High Performance and Scalability with Nightshade TechnologyOne of NEAR's most notable features is its ability to process thousands of transactions per second (TPS) using Nightshade technology. The Nightshade sharding mechanism enables parallel processing by dividing the network's workload into parts. This ensures that the network remains fast and efficient even during periods of high demand. Sources note that NEAR has the potential to reach up to 100,000 TPS, while also mentioning that the current transaction speed averages 1.3 seconds. The Nightshade 2.0 update further enhanced performance with state-less validation and added capacity for more shards (with a target of 10 shards by the end of 2024). This enables NEAR to support millions of users and high-volume dApps. This high Near TPS value (transactions per second) is a key factor that sets it apart from other Layer-1 blockchains. How Nightshade works compared to other chains. Source: Nightshade: Near Protocol Sharding Design 2.0 Developer-Friendly Environment and ToolsNEAR places great importance on the developer experience. It simplifies the dApp development process by offering developer-friendly tools (Rust, AssemblyScript, etc.). It provides SDKs, comprehensive documentation, and support for popular programming languages such as JavaScript and Rust. Additionally, it offers incentives such as the opportunity for developers to earn a portion of the gas fees from their smart contracts. Thanks to Aurora, EVM compatibility enables Ethereum developers to easily transition to NEAR. These factors position NEAR as an innovative web3 development platform. Online development environments like NEAR Studio also streamline the development process.User-Centricity and Easy AccessAnother key value of NEAR is its focus on user experience. The wallet experience is simple and user-centric. Using simple named addresses (e.g., username.near) instead of traditional, complex blockchain addresses makes transactions much more intuitive. Easy sign-up methods like creating an account with an email or Telegram also simplify user onboarding. The extremely low transaction fees (often less than a penny) and fast transaction speeds make NEAR highly appealing for daily use. The BOS vision also supports this user-centric approach, offering a single entry point to Web3 and easy exploration.Cross-Chain InteroperabilityNEAR prioritizes interaction with other blockchain networks rather than operating as an isolated ecosystem. Integration with multichain structures (Ethereum, Cosmos, Polkadot) enables assets and data from different networks to flow into NEAR and out to other networks. Rainbow Bridge is a key component that enables seamless transfers between Ethereum and NEAR. Aurora EVM enables Ethereum smart contracts to run on NEAR. Projects like Octopus Network facilitate interaction between Substrate-based application chains and NEAR, as well as other IBC (Inter-Blockchain Communication)-enabled chains (such as Cosmos and Polkadot). NEAR also expands its compatibility by adding cross-chain signing capabilities with other chains such as Solana, TON, Stellar, Sui, and Aptos through solutions like Chain Signatures.Environmental SustainabilityNEAR also stands out for its environmental friendliness. Thanks to its PoS consensus mechanism, energy consumption is much lower than PoW systems. NEAR is carbon-neutral certified. Official statements indicate that the energy consumed by NEAR in a year is equivalent to the energy consumed by Bitcoin in just 3 minutes.Proven Security and StabilityNEAR has proven its reliability with 100% uptime and over 3 billion transactions processed in four years. It places great importance on security and stability, conducts regular audits, and follows best practices in smart contract design. The Nightshade PoS mechanism applies a “slashing” feature (partial stake reduction) to deter malicious behavior.NEAR's Function and EcosystemThe NEAR token's features are central to the platform's operation. It is used for staking, paying transaction fees, and governance. Users utilize NEAR tokens to pay transaction fees and deploy smart contracts. Token holders can stake their tokens or delegate them to validators to secure the network, earning rewards in return. The NEAR token is also used to vote on governance decisions related to the platform's future. The token supply is 1.22 billion, and a 5% annual inflation rate is applied to encourage network participation. However, a portion of transaction fees is burned, introducing a deflationary element into the token economy.The NEAR token is trading at $2.37 as of May 2025. The cryptocurrency is well below its all-time high of $20.42, reached on January 17, 2023. However, it has recovered by 300% from its historic low of $0.5 in November 2020.As mentioned earlier, this token serves as a utility token, fulfilling several critical functions. Transaction fees, staking, governance, and storage are some of these functions.As we mentioned earlier, this token serves many critical functions as a utility token. Transaction fees, staking, governance, and storage are some of these functions. So, what is NEAR staking and how does it work? Staking is an integral part of the NEAR Protocol ecosystem and allows users to earn rewards while supporting the security and operations of the network. Staking involves locking NEAR tokens with validators. Validators process and verify transactions on the network. Stakers earn rewards proportional to their contributions.Some of the prominent projects in the NEAR ecosystem include:Ref Finance: One of the most popular DeFi applications on NEAR, offering various DeFi products such as DEX, yield farming, and lending.Burrow: A decentralized liquidity protocol based on the NEAR Protocol, enabling users to borrow and lend assets.Aurora: An EVM layer on NEAR that provides Ethereum compatibility and enables Ethereum-based dApps to migrate to NEAR.Mintbase: A platform for creating and selling NFTs, enabling creators to mint NFTs without technical expertise.Paras: An NFT marketplace focused on digital collectibles and art.Octopus Network: A NEAR-based cross-chain network that supports the launch and operation of application chains (appchains) and provides interoperability with other chains via IBC.These projects contribute to the continuous growth and expansion of the ecosystem by leveraging NEAR's scalable, user-friendly, and developer-focused infrastructure.Who is the Founder of NEAR?So, who is the founder of Near Protocol? NEAR Protocol was founded and developed by a visionary team. The project was founded by Illia Polosukhin and Alexander Skidanov, who laid the foundation for the project. Erik Trautman is also recognized as one of the first founders. Illia Polosukhin and Alexander Skidanov both stand out as individuals with extensive experience in software development and engineering:Illia Polosukhin: Over 10 years of industry experience. Former Google engineer who spent three years at Google, where he became a leading expert in TensorFlow (Google's machine learning framework). He also led the team that built question-answering capabilities for the core Google search. His background in artificial intelligence and scalable systems significantly influenced NEAR's architecture. He also founded Sid Venture Partners, a Ukraine-based venture fund.Alexander Skidanov: He began his career at Microsoft in 2009, then joined MemSQL (now SingleStore) as an Engineer in 2011. At MemSQL, he was responsible for building many core features, including storage, sharding, and durability. His expertise in distributed systems and database management played a key role in the development of NEAR's sharding technology. Skidanov also won a gold medal at the ICPC (International Collegiate Programming Contest) in 2008 and a bronze medal in 2005. He also worked as a research engineer consultant at OpenAI. NEAR founders The founders' shared vision was to create a blockchain platform that solves the scalability and usability challenges that stand in the way of mainstream adoption. The NEAR Foundation was established to support the growth of the NEAR ecosystem and the development of the protocol. Backed by a team guided by a scientific, technical, and user-centric vision, NEAR continues to develop the protocol, SDKs, and APIs. Part of the core team is now known as Pagoda, which describes itself as the world's first Web3 startup platform. The team behind the NEAR Protocol seems to have a great passion for popularizing blockchain technology and turning the Open Web vision into reality.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)Below, you can find some of the most frequently asked questions about NEAR and their answers:What is the NEAR Protocol and how does it work?: The NEAR Protocol is a Layer 1 blockchain designed to develop decentralized applications (dApps) with a focus on scalability, usability, and environmental friendliness. It aims to be an entry point for the Open Web, making it easier for users and developers to access and navigate Web3 and Web2. NEAR's operation is based on various technological solutions, including Nightshade Sharding, Proof-of-Stake consensus, Rainbow Bridge, and Aurora.What can be done with NEAR tokens? NEAR tokens are the native cryptocurrency of the NEAR ecosystem and play an important role in the platform's operation. So, what is Near coin used for? NEAR tokens can be used to pay transaction fees, stake and earn rewards, distribute smart contracts, participate in governance, and transfer and interact with assets.What sets NEAR apart from other blockchains?: NEAR distinguishes itself from other blockchains based on several factors. First, NEAR is known for its ability to manage high transaction volumes and scalability more effectively thanks to its Nightshade sharding mechanism. Additionally, its low transaction fees are a critical factor. Its developer-friendly environment, carbon-neutral certification, interoperability with other networks, and fast transaction speed also set NEAR apart from other blockchains.How to use the NEAR Wallet: NEAR Wallet (wallet.near.org) has discontinued new wallet creation and management functions as of 2023. However, assets remain secure for existing users, and it is possible to transfer your accounts to a new wallet. There are many wallet applications that support NEAR. For example, MyNearWallet, NEAR Mobile, and Meteor Wallet are recommended by the Near Foundation.Which programming languages does NEAR support? NEAR supports the creation and development of smart contracts in Rust and JavaScript, as well as the use of developer tools (SDKs). Additionally, Aurora EVM enables existing Solidity smart contracts to run on the NEAR blockchain for developers.Is the NEAR network secure? According to the project's own statement, NEAR was designed to be secure. What ensures its security? Near's PoS consensus, slashing, Nightshade Sharding, and validator selection systems are said to contribute to the network's security.
Chainlink and Mastercard Partnership Will Benefit 3 Billion Cardholders
The leading data provider in the blockchain world, Chainlink, has signed a remarkable collaboration with Mastercard, one of the traditional finance giants. This partnership aims to provide access to cryptocurrencies directly on the chain to more than 3 billion Mastercard users worldwide. According to the official statement made on June 24, this innovative solution is supported by a secure fiat-crypto conversion infrastructure.The system, which brings together Mastercard's worldwide payment network and Chainlink's blockchain-focused secure interoperability solutions, aims to eliminate the long-standing barriers to cryptocurrency adoption. The Chainlink team stated in a post on the X platform that this integration will enable Mastercard users to securely connect to the on-chain ecosystem.Crypto is becoming accessible to everyoneThis major collaboration is not just about Chainlink and Mastercard. Many important players have also been included in the project for the smooth operation of the ecosystem. On-chain services, liquidity supply, regulatory compliance and custody infrastructure will be provided by Zerohash. The smooth progress of payment transactions will be carried out by Shift4 Payments.The end-user experience will be supported by a “next-generation” application and decentralized exchange (DEX) infrastructure via platforms such as Swapper Finance and XSwap. In addition, liquidity will be provided via Uniswap in the transaction processing section. XSwap will convert fiat money into crypto assets through smart contracts and perform the final transaction on-chain and in compliance with regulatory frameworks. However, it is not yet clear whether the system will be active all over the world or only in certain regions.Chainlink co-founder Sergey Nazarov emphasized that this development is very critical for both traditional finance and decentralized finance. Nazarov expressed his excitement by saying, “The bridge that Chainlink has established between these two worlds has the potential to integrate Mastercard’s more than three billion cardholders directly into the decentralized exchange infrastructure.”Raj Dhamodharan, Mastercard’s senior vice president of blockchain and cryptocurrencies, stated that people want to easily connect to the cryptocurrency ecosystem and that this project directly responds to user demand.LINK price remains unresponsiveDespite such a large-scale announcement, Chainlink’s native token LINK has not seen a significant rally in the markets. Despite a general recovery in the market following the ceasefire in the Middle East, LINK’s price has only increased by 3.8 percent. At the time of writing, the asset is trading at $13.40, down 55 percent from its peak of around $30 six months ago and 75 percent from its all-time high in 2021.
Grayscale Launches Investment Fund for Space and Time (SXT) Token
Institutional interest in the cryptocurrency market continues to grow. A remarkable step came from digital investment giant Grayscale. The company announced that it has launched a new investment fund specifically for SXT, the native token of the Space and Time protocol, which stands out with its blockchain-based data processing technology. The token of this infrastructure project, optimized for Web3 applications, artificial intelligence and smart contracts, experienced an increase following the announcement.Grayscale announces fund for SXT tokenGrayscale, a leader in the field of cryptocurrency investment products, announced a new investment vehicle focused on an innovative project that brings together blockchain and data infrastructure. Launched under the name “Grayscale Space and Time Trust”, this fund offers direct access to SXT, the native token of the Space and Time blockchain, for institutional and qualified individual investors.The new fund aims to invest in projects that combine blockchain technology with institutional-level data architecture and develop solutions for wide-ranging use cases in the Web2 and Web3 fields. “Grayscale Space and Time Trust provides investors with access to not only a crypto asset, but also an advanced data processing platform optimized for AI, smart contracts, and decentralized applications,” said Rayhaneh Sharif-Askary, Grayscale’s Head of Product and Research.The Space and Time (SxT) protocol aims to provide solutions to fundamental needs such as data integrity, auditability, and source accuracy, especially for projects operating in the DeFi and AI space. This protocol aims to fill a significant gap in the industry by combining the transparency and security offered by decentralized structures with the high transaction capacity of traditional data platforms.Led by MakeInfinite Labs, which developed the project, and supported by technology giant Microsoft, Space and Time took an important step in the blockchain world by launching its public, permissionless mainnet in May. The platform promises to add enterprise-level reliability to decentralized applications by enabling real-time processing and verifiability of data.The newly established Grayscale Space and Time Trust fund was structured so that investors can apply every business day. However, it was stated that it was only open to qualified individual and institutional investors.SXT token on the riseOn the other hand, the SXT token also showed a positive price movement after the fund was announced. According to market data, SXT rose by 5 percent in the last 24 hours and reached $0.077.
UNI Comments and Price Analysis 24 June 2025
UNI Technical AnalysisThe price of UNI is trading in a certain ascending channel in 4-hour time frame. The price has been recently rejected twice from the upper trend of this ascending channel and retreated to the lower trend support with latest falls, where it saw a strong buy and could rise rapidly above the level of $6.76. Therefore, it is safe to say that ascending channel structure is still valid. Rising Channel Structure It is a good thing that the price has not daily closed below the trend. We have an important support zone around $6.64 and the price is currently trading above it, which indicates that the momentum is upward. Moreover, $7.43–$7.56 seems to be a critical resistance area.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 Uniswap (UNI)?
Among tens of thousands of projects, the number of those that have made their mark on the cryptocurrency market can be counted on the fingers of one hand. One of these groundbreaking projects is Uniswap, a decentralized exchange (DEX) that is changing the way Bitcoin and altcoin traders trade, taking the idea of decentralization forward. In this article, we will take a deep dive into Uniswap, the largest DEX on the Web3. Maybe you've heard of it before, maybe you've come across it while navigating the DeFi (Decentralized Finance) ecosystem. Uniswap is quite different from the traditional, centralized exchanges where cryptocurrencies are traded.Uniswap has emerged as a revolutionary step in the cryptocurrency world. So what makes it so special? Basically, Uniswap is one of the most brilliant answers to the question of what is a decentralized exchange. Unlike traditional exchanges, here buyers and sellers are not directly matched with each other. Instead, trades take place through huge pools of user-funded users, called “liquidity pools”. These pools and pricing are automatically managed by complex mathematical formulas. In essence, Uniswap puts the DeFi token exchange experience on a completely different footing.Definition and Origin of UniswapIn its simplest form, Uniswap is a decentralized exchange with an automated market maker (AMM) system running on Ethereum. The term “Automated Market Maker” (AMM) may sound a bit technical, but it's actually quite clever. Traditional exchanges match buyers and sellers using an order book. Uniswap uses liquidity pools instead of this traditional order book. Uniswap interface. Source: Uniswap These pools are essentially pairs of cryptocurrencies locked in smart contracts. For example, an ETH/USDT pool contains both Ethereum (ETH) and USDT (a stablecoin). Users add tokens to this pool, providing liquidity and earning rewards in return. When someone wants to trade from this pool, they interact directly with it. For example, if someone wants to sell ETH and buy USDT, they send their ETH to the pool and instantly receive USDT from the pool. This changes the token balance in the pool and automatically adjusts the UNI token price thanks to Uniswap's underlying “fixed product formula” (usually expressed as x*y=k). So, if ETH enters the pool and USDT exits, the amount of ETH in the pool increases and the amount of USDT decreases, which lowers the price of ETH and increases the price of USDT - an automated process based purely on supply and demand. The best pools on Uniswap by total value at the moment. Source: Uniswap This revolutionary idea was brought to life in 2018 by Hayden Adams. After leaving his job as a mechanical engineer at Siemens, Hayden entered the world of Ethereum and smart contracts with the encouragement of his friend Karl Floersch (a developer at the Ethereum Foundation). Karl encouraged Hayden to work on a project inspired by Vitalik Buterin's writings on automated market makers. This inspiration led to the birth of the protocol that would answer questions like what is Uniswap and what is Uniswap token.Another important feature underlying Uniswap is that it is decentralized. This means that no central authority or company controls Uniswap. Transactions take place through smart contracts that run directly on the Ethereum blockchain. This allows users to connect a wallet and exchange tokens without having to verify their identity (KYC) and retain full control of their funds. The History of Uniswap: Important MilestonesThe story of Uniswap begins in the summer of 2017 when Hayden Adams lost his job and Karl Floersch told him that “Ethereum is the future.” With Karl's guidance, Hayden began developing smart contracts to bring Vitalik Buterin's idea of automated market makers to life.In October-November 2017, Hayden developed a “proof-of-concept” that allowed for a single liquidity provider and simple swaps. This was his first step into the world of programmable money. At Devcon 3, Karl used this prototype to demonstrate the power of cryptoeconomics. At this event, Hayden met Pascal Van Hecke and found financial support and structured work support. Together with Pascal, he identified the two main issues with Uniswap: it only worked with a single ETH/ERC20 pair and only supported a single liquidity provider.By January 2018, these core smart contract issues were resolved. Multiple liquidity providers could now be supported. Additionally, a contract enabled anyone to add a pool for any token. All tokens were paired with ETH, allowing any token to be swapped for any other token in a single transaction using ETH as an intermediary. Meanwhile, Hayden's friend Callil Capuozzo began assisting with the interface design, and another friend, Uciel Vilchis, joined the team to help refine the codebase. By March 2018, the trio had created a fully functional demo.In April 2018, Hayden met Vitalik Buterin at the Deconomy conference in Seoul. Vitalik reviewed the Uniswap smart contracts and suggested that Hayden use the Vyper language and apply for a grant from the Ethereum Foundation. Hayden followed Vitalik's advice and rewrote the contracts in Vyper. During this process, he made important connections in the crypto world, including Dan Robinson, Phil Daian, and Andy Milenius. The interest shown in the Uniswap demo at Edcon 2018 reinforced the idea that the project could be more than just a learning tool—it could be a real application reflecting Ethereum's values. The gas optimizations he made during a flight with Dan Robinson made Uniswap the most gas-efficient exchange on Ethereum.In the summer of 2018, Hayden worked at the Balance and MakerDAO offices, developing the technical and social aspects of the project. Finally, in late July, he learned that he had received a grant from the Ethereum Foundation. With this grant, he signed a contract with Runtime Verification (RV) to initiate the process of formalizing and auditing smart contracts. RV proposes a code specification that reduces security checks, consistency fixes, and rounding errors, and then performs formal verification.An accelerated preparation process began with the goal of Devcon 4 (Prague, November 2018). Kyokan, led by Jacky Chan, developed a production-quality interface. The whitepaper and developer documentation were completed. The RV audit did not find any security issues, but raised concerns about re-entrancy attacks. Phil Daian's quick audit confirmed that the issue only arises when the token transfer function is specifically designed to allow attacks, and that it is safe for normal ERC20 tokens.Following all of this, the moment arrived: 2018! The launch date of Uniswap v1! On November 2, 2018, the final day of Devcon 4, the smart contracts were deployed to the Ethereum mainnet. Uniswap.io and app.uniswap.org also went live. The first liquidity providers (Hayden's friends from EF) deposited approximately $30,000 in liquidity, which allowed for trades of approximately $100. That's the answer to the question, “When did Uniswap launch?”Uniswap V1 initially only allowed trading between ETH and ERC20 tokens. However, the project continued to develop rapidly. Here is a detailed timeline for Uniswap:2020: More trading pairs and stablecoin integration with Uniswap v2 (May 2020). V2 enabled direct ERC-20 to ERC-20 swaps (without the need for WETH), offering liquidity providers more flexible investment strategies. It also added advanced price oracles and a flash swap feature. With the 2020 DeFi and liquidity mining (yield farming) boom, Uniswap V2 gained significant attention.September 2020: Introduction of the UNI token and airdrop. The UNI token was launched to enable decentralized governance of the protocol. Uniswap conducted one of the largest crypto airdrops to date through the airdrop. All addresses that had previously used Uniswap received 400 UNI tokens each. This granted UNI holders the right to vote on the protocol's future. Governance rights became possible through this token. The total supply was set at 1 billion UNI.2021: The launch of Uniswap v3, featuring concentrated liquidity (May 2021). V3 introduced the “concentrated liquidity” feature, which allows liquidity providers to allocate their capital to specific price ranges. This enabled LP's to increase their capital efficiency. Additionally, innovations such as multi-tier transaction fees and NFT-based LP positions were introduced.Multi-chain support (Arbitrum, Optimism, Polygon, and other EVM-compatible chains). Starting in July 2021, Uniswap expanded to Layer-2 (Layer-2) chains like Optimism and Arbitrum to address the high transaction fees and slow speeds of the Ethereum mainnet. Polygon and other EVM-compatible chains were also added to the supported platforms.In June 2023, V4 was announced, and in 2023, the mobile app and wallet were also made available. However, Uniswap continues to evolve. In January 2025, V4 was launched. V4 introduced customizable smart contract functions called “Hooks,” a singleton contract structure that significantly reduces gas costs, and greater customization options for liquidity pools. In February 2025, Uniswap Labs launched Unichain, its own Ethereum-based Layer-2 blockchain network built on the Optimism Superchain, on the mainnet. You can also see the differences between the various versions in the table below:Feature / VersionV1V2V3V4 (January 2025)Release Date2018202020212025Swap TypeETH ⇄ ERC-20ERC-20 ⇄ ERC-20SameSameLiquidityFixed, low efficiencyImprovedConcentrated liquidity (price range selection)Customizable, modular liquidity via HooksFee StructureFixed 0.30%Fixed 0.30%Selectable (0.05%, 0.30%, 1.00%)User-defined fee structureInnovationFirst AMMFlash swaps, ERC-20 supportConcentrated liquidity, multiple fee tiersHooks: Customizable transaction logicChain SupportEthereum onlyEthereumMulti-chain (including L2s)Expanded multi-chain support, lighter architectureWhy is Uniswap Valuable?There are many reasons why Uniswap has become so important in the crypto world. Its value lies in the innovative technology it offers and the fundamental values it embraces. However, we can point to the following factors as the biggest contributors to its value:Decentralization and Censorship Resistance: Perhaps one of its most important features. As a decentralized and censorship-resistant exchange, Uniswap cannot be shut down by any authority or have access restricted for certain users. As long as smart contracts operate on the Ethereum blockchain, the protocol will continue to function. This is particularly critical for people living under oppressive regimes or those outside the traditional financial system.Permissionless Access: You don't need to register for an account, provide an email address, or share any personal information to use Uniswap. The ability to transact directly with a wallet eliminates the need for KYC. All you need is a compatible Web3 wallet (such as MetaMask) and a small amount of ETH to cover transaction fees (gas fees). This “permissionless” structure provides universal access to financial services.Liquidity and Automatic Pricing: It solves the liquidity problem faced by traditional DEXs with its model, which answers the questions “What are AMMs?” and “How does a liquidity pool work?” Pools formed by incentivizing liquidity providers offer an environment that is always ready for trading. The fixed product formula guarantees that there is always a price, and price differences in external markets (arbitrage opportunities) ensure that Uniswap prices remain close to market prices. Passive Income Opportunity: Users can earn passive income by adding tokens to liquidity pools (as liquidity providers - LPs). A percentage of the fees collected from each transaction in the pool (usually 0.3%) is distributed to liquidity providers in proportion to their shares. This is one of the precursors to the concepts known as “yield farming” or “liquidity mining.” Liquidity providers (LPs) can earn a share of transaction fees.Community Governance: With the launch of the UNI token, control of the Uniswap protocol was transferred from a centralized company to UNI token holders. UNI token holders have voting rights in protocol governance. This means that the community has a say in how the protocol will evolve, changes to the fee structure, or new initiatives. This is a practical example of the values of decentralization and transparency. This is the most basic answer to the question of what UNI coin is used for.Developer-Friendly and Innovative Platform: Uniswap is open-source and allows developers to build new applications on top of it. The “Hooks” feature introduced with V4 has increased innovation potential by enabling the addition of custom logic and features to pools. Uniswap's high TVL (Total Value Locked) and popularity make it an attractive platform for developers.Market Leadership: Uniswap has become one of the largest and most influential Ethereum DEXs in the DeFi ecosystem in terms of trading volume and TVL. This leadership helps attract more users and liquidity providers by creating network effects. Uniswap holds the title of the largest DEX in Web3.UNI coin: While discussing Uniswap, it is also important to mention the network's native token, UNI. These values directly impact its price. As of May 2025, the UNI token price is around $5.14. It ranks 30th in market capitalization. Its all-time high was reached in 2021, nearly reaching $45. UNI price since launch Who is the founder of Uniswap?There is one clear answer to the question of who founded Uniswap: Hayden Adams. However, the creation of Uniswap was shaped by the contributions of many people, including Vitalik Buterin's ideas and Karl Floersch's encouragement. Hayden Adams previously worked as a mechanical engineer at Siemens. After losing his job in 2017, he began learning about the Ethereum ecosystem and smart contracts under the guidance of his friend Karl Floersch. Despite having no coding background, he developed his skills through online resources. Hayden Adams, founder of Uniswap He created the prototype for the Uniswap idea, inspired by Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin. Vitalik's 2017 and 2018 Reddit and blog posts about automated market makers inspired Hayden to create a decentralized exchange.Hayden Adams led the technical development of the project. He was personally involved in the entire process, from the Proof-of-Concept (POC) to the launch of V1 on the mainnet. In the early stages of the project, Callil Capuozzo assisted with interface design and Uciel Vilchis with frontend development. Pascal Van Hecke provided financial and structural support. Vitalik's feedback and suggestions shaped the technical aspects of the project. Dan Robinson helped with gas optimization. Phil Daian played a critical role in security auditing. Jinglan Wang provided consulting. Kyokan (Jacky Chan and Kenny Tram) developed the interface for the mainnet launch. Richard Burton helped Uniswap understand that it needed to be more than just a technical project, but rather a platform focused on communication and user experience.Today, the founders work under the Uniswap Labs umbrella. Uniswap Labs is the software company responsible for developing the Uniswap protocol. Hayden Adams is the CEO of Uniswap Labs. The Uniswap project has been an open-source project since its inception. The fact that its code can be reviewed by anyone contributes to the project's transparency and security. Uniswap team Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)Yes, we have explained in detail what Uniswap is, how it came about, its value, and its founder, based on sources. Now it's time to answer some frequently asked questions. Here you can find some basic questions you may have about Uniswap and the answers from the sources.What is Uniswap and how does it work? Uniswap is a decentralized exchange that operates on the Ethereum blockchain. Unlike traditional exchanges, it uses liquidity pools and an automated market maker (AMM) system instead of an order book. Users (liquidity providers) lock token pairs in smart contracts. Other users interact directly with these pools to swap tokens. Pricing is automatically adjusted according to the token balance in the pool using the x * y = k formula. This is a summary of how Uniswap works. Transactions are carried out through smart contracts without any central authority.What is the UNI token used for? UNI is the native governance token of the Uniswap protocol. This is the most important answer to the question of what the UNI token is used for. UNI token holders have voting rights in protocol governance. This allows them to submit proposals and participate in votes to influence the protocol's future development, features, fee structure, and other important decisions. Additionally, it was initially distributed as a reward to liquidity providers and used to support ecosystem growth. Like other cryptocurrencies, UNI can be bought and sold on exchanges and used as a speculative investment tool.How is liquidity provided and what is earned?: To provide liquidity to Uniswap, you must provide an equal amount of both tokens in a specific liquidity pool (e.g., ETH/USDT). For example, if you want to add 10 ETH, you must also add an equivalent amount of USDT based on ETH's current market value. When you provide liquidity, you receive LP tokens (liquidity provider tokens) that represent your share in the pool. Liquidity providers (LPs) can earn a share of transaction fees. A portion of the fees collected from each trade executed in the pool (typically 0.3%) is distributed to you in proportion to your share in the pool. These fees are added to the pool, which increases the value of your LP tokens. When you want to withdraw your liquidity, you burn your LP tokens to access the original tokens you deposited (along with the accumulated fees).Which networks does Uniswap operate on? The Uniswap protocol was originally launched on the Ethereum blockchain. However, it has since expanded to other networks to address high transaction fees and scalability issues on the Ethereum mainnet and to reach a broader user base. Currently, in addition to the Ethereum mainnet, it operates on many EVM-compatible Layer-2 networks such as Arbitrum, Optimism, Polygon, Base, Avalanche, and BNB Chain, as well as other networks. Additionally, Uniswap Labs has launched its own Ethereum-based Layer-2 network called Unichain.What is the difference between Uniswap and centralized exchanges? The fundamental difference lies in the question of what a decentralized exchange is. Uniswap is a decentralized exchange (DEX), meaning it is not controlled by any central authority or company. Transactions are conducted directly on the blockchain via smart contracts. Traditional (centralized) exchanges (CEX), such as Binance or Coinbase, are managed by a company. Uniswap does not require permission, typically does not require KYC, and users retain full control over their funds (they trade from their wallets). Centralized exchanges, on the other hand, typically require KYC, you must entrust your funds to the exchange's wallet, and trades are matched through an order book. Uniswap's pricing is automated through the AMM system and liquidity pools. In centralized exchanges, pricing is determined based on buy/sell orders in the order book.Is Uniswap secure? The Uniswap protocol is built on smart contracts running on the Ethereum blockchain. Various versions, such as V1, V2, and V3, have been audited and undergone formal verification processes. For example, the V0/V1 smart contracts were audited by Runtime Verification. They have been reviewed by security experts, and their defenses against potential attacks such as re-entrancy have been evaluated. Being open source allows anyone to review the code and identify potential issues. However, no system is 100% flawless. Uniswap's security fundamentally depends on the security of the Ethereum blockchain it is based on, the accuracy of the smart contracts used, and the security of users' own wallets.Don't forget to follow our JR Kripto Guide series for the latest content on Uniswap and the DeFi world!
Nasdaq-Listed Company to Buy Large Amount of BNB! Share Price Jumps 100 Percent
Nano Labs Ltd, a China-based and Nasdaq-listed Web3 infrastructure company, has shared its comprehensive investment plans for BNB with the public. The company announced on June 24, 2025 that it has reached an agreement with various investors for a total of $500 million in convertible bond issuance.It will start with a $1 billion BNB purchaseAccording to the official statement, Nano Labs plans to purchase $1 billion worth of Binance Coin (BNB) in the first phase with the resources to be obtained through this bond issuance. This investment will be made through private placement and convertible bonds. The company's ultimate goal is to hold 5% to 10% of the total BNB supply in the market.As part of this strategic move, Nano Labs will initiate a comprehensive assessment process regarding the security and value of BNB. This assessment will be of critical importance for the sustainability of the investment. The convertible bonds that investors will subscribe to will be repaid after 360 days without maturity and will not carry any interest. It is stated that these bonds can be converted into Class A shares of the company at the request of investors. The conversion price determined initially will be $20 per share, but this price may be updated in the future depending on various conditions.The bonds are defined as Nano Labs' unsecured general debt instruments. Certain standard closing conditions must be met for the agreement to be completed. For this reason, the company reminded investors not to rely too much on the press release, adding that it could not give a guarantee that the process would be completed.Following the announcement, Nano Labs shares took off in pre-market transactions on the US stock exchanges. The company's shares increased by 100% and rose to $21. What is Nano Labs?Nano Labs Ltd is known as one of the leading Web3 infrastructure providers based in China. The company stands out with its chip solutions developed in the fields of high-efficiency computing (HTC) and high-performance computing (HPC). In particular, the ASIC chip series called “Cuckoo” is considered one of the first “near-memory HTC” chips to be introduced to the market as an alternative to traditional GPUs.The solutions offered by the company include Bitcoin value investment, Web3 products, and a platform structure that includes integrated solutions in three main vertical areas. Nano Labs also follows a strategic path that adopts Bitcoin as the main reserve asset.Why BNB?Some may wonder, “What does BNB have to do with it?” An easy call - after all, this company is based in China, focused on Web3, and has already adopted Bitcoin as a reserve asset. Therefore, it is not unusual for it to want to enter the altcoin space. Especially when you consider that BNB is the backbone of the ecosystem of Binance, the largest cryptocurrency exchange in terms of daily transaction volume. BNB is needed in many areas at Binance, from transaction fees to launchpads, from DeFi protocols to staking mechanisms.
