Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

June 10: On-chain investigator Specter has issued a security advisory flagging a potential exploit in an older liquidity pool of Solana’s DeFi protocol Raydium. The attacker stole approximately $1.34 million worth of assets—including USDC, RAY, and wSOL. The hacker then transferred the stolen funds to Ethereum via a bridge before depositing them into Tornado Cash to protect their privacy.

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Preview: The U.S. May core PCE data will be released at 20:30 tonight, and is projected to hit its highest level since October 2023.

The Fed’s key inflation gauge, the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index, will be released at 20:30 tonight, with markets expecting a sharp rise in May inflation that could reignite rate hike bets. The headline PCE year-over-year growth rate is projected to hit 4.1% in May, up from 3.8% in April and marking its highest level since 2023. Core PCE, which excludes food and energy, is forecast to rise to 3.4% year-over-year, up from 3.3% in April and its highest reading since October 2023. Core PCE has remained above the Fed’s 2% inflation target since 2021. The recent short-term inflation uptick was driven mainly by surging gasoline prices amid the Iran conflict in May. Oil prices have since edged lower following the signing of a peace deal between the U.S. and Iran, but core inflation has strengthened in tandem, indicating that price pressures are not solely tied to geopolitical oil shocks. Data from the CME FedWatch Tool shows that as of Wednesday, markets are pricing in a 34% probability of a 25 basis point rate hike in July. Aditya Bhave, U.S. economist at Bank of America Securities, noted that the recent inflation rebound stems in part from tariffs and one-off disruptions, but successive supply shocks have eroded the Fed’s patience, while deflationary room in the housing sector has largely been exhausted. Data shows that core PCE dipped to 2.6% in April, its lowest level since 2022, but annualized core PCE growth over the past three and six months has hovered near 3.8%.

4 minutes ago

SK Hynix plans to list on NASDAQ on July 10: A crypto whale opens 90% of its bullish positions in a single day, with all $21.27 million in long positions in unrealized profit.

According to Hyperinsight’s monitoring, SK Hynix officially announced its U.S. listing date today, targeting a July 10 debut on the NASDAQ. The company had previously disclosed a over $29 billion listing fundraising plan yesterday afternoon. Driven by listing optimism, SKHX surged 14% intraday, hitting $1930 at press time, with a daily trading volume of $407 million and open interest of $237 million. Since the news broke yesterday, 10 whales have built positions in SKHX on Hyperliquid, 9 of which opened long positions totaling around $21.27 million, at an average entry price of ~$1797.8 and average unweighted liquidation price of ~$1390.6. With price gains, all 9 long positions are now in unrealized profit. Market data shows that positions of over $1 million amount to roughly $140 million, with a long-short ratio (longs/shorts) of ~0.715. The average entry price for longs is ~$1672, while shorts average ~$1640. The nearest short liquidation threshold stands at $2149, just $200 away from the current price, mounting short-side pressure. -HyperInsight Bot is now live. Add @HyperInsightBot to your Telegram group, set it as admin (enable message sending permission) to auto-sync on-chain updates.

4 minutes ago

The "Retail vs. Wall Street" concept-linked token WEN continues its strong run, rising over 18% in after-hours trading.

According to Bitget market data, Wendy's (WEN) rallied 25.66% in the regular trading session, then climbed an extra 18.96% in after-hours trading, now changing hands at $9.35. Earlier reports noted that Serenity took to Twitter to mock the latest meme stock movement unfolding on Reddit's high-risk trading communities, targeting U.S. fast-food chain Wendy's. The Reddit community's meme warning reads: "If Wendy's goes bankrupt, we'll all be out of jobs, and after losing all our trading money, we'll have to work behind Wendy's trash cans." Serenity later clarified that they hold no positions, only found the activity amusing, and added they were unsure if the campaign would succeed. Wendy's holds a special cultural status on Reddit's WallStreetBets community; for years, "working behind Wendy's trash cans" has been a staple joke among retail investors mocking their trading losses.

4 minutes ago

Danske Bank: Federal Reserve may raise interest rates at least twice

Danske Bank senior analyst Kirstine Kundby-Nielsen and chief analyst Jens Peter Sorensen stated in a report that they expect the U.S. Federal Reserve to raise interest rates twice, in December 2026 and March 2027 respectively, bringing the federal funds rate to 4.00%-4.25%. "However, we emphasize there is a risk that rate hikes could come earlier and that the number of hikes may exceed two," they said. The first Federal Reserve meeting led by Kevin Warsh sent a clear signal that the Fed is increasingly moving away from forward guidance surrounding future monetary policy decisions. "All signs indicate that (the Fed) is leaning toward having greater discretion in future policy decisions," the Danske Bank analysts added. Source: Jin10

4 minutes ago

SK Hynix's stock price rise widened to 15.4%, while Samsung Electronics gained 6.3%.

According to Bitget data, SK Hynix’s stock price gain has widened to 15.4%, with Samsung Electronics up 6.3%.

4 minutes ago

The entire cryptocurrency market is down across the board; funding rates indicate BTC remains in bearish territory, while ETH’s bullish sentiment is significantly stronger than BTC’s.

According to HTX market data, Bitcoin is currently trading at $61,684.51, down 1.88% in the past 24 hours; Ethereum is at $1,647.36, down 1.48% over the same period. Current funding rates on major centralized exchanges (CEXs) show a clear divergence between BTC and ETH: BTC rates across all platforms have fallen back into bearish territory, while ETH rates on most platforms remain above the neutral range, indicating significantly stronger bullish sentiment for ETH than BTC. BlockBeats Note: Funding rates are fees set by cryptocurrency trading platforms to maintain the balance between contract prices and underlying asset prices, typically applicable to perpetual contracts. They serve as a fund exchange mechanism between long and short traders; platforms do not collect these fees, instead using them to adjust the cost or return of traders holding contracts, so that contract prices stay close to the underlying asset prices. A funding rate of 0.01% is the benchmark. A rate above 0.01% indicates broad bullish market sentiment, while a rate below 0.005% signals widespread bearish sentiment.

4 minutes ago

TLDR Hackers extracted approximately $1.34 million from five dormant Raydium liquidity pools operating on Solana The breach resulted in the theft of around 150,000 RAY tokens, 5,600 SOL, and 893,700 USDC The vulnerability existed in an obsolete AMM program discontinued in 2021, leaving active pools untouched Raydium announced its treasury would provide complete restitution to all impacted participants Security firm PeckShield identified roughly 810 ETH of the pilfered assets flowing into Tornado Cash On June 10, Raydium, a Solana-based decentralized exchange, disclosed that malicious actors successfully exploited outdated infrastructure components, siphoning approximately $1.34 million worth of cryptocurrency.

The compromised liquidity pools had been inaccessible via Raydium’s user interface ever since the platform discontinued its AMM V3 program back in 2021. According to Raydium’s statement, neither current platform users nor any actively maintained liquidity pools experienced any impact.

How the Attack Happened On-chain security analyst Specter revealed that the perpetrators utilized a fraudulent mint address to circumvent security validation protocols within the inactive pool infrastructure. The core vulnerability stemmed from inadequate verification processes for LP mints, creating an opportunity to sidestep proportion validation mechanisms.

The assailant successfully withdrew approximately 150,177 RAY tokens, 5,603 SOL, and 893,700 USDC from the compromised pools. According to Specter’s investigation, the attacker initially received funding through the KuCoin exchange before transferring the illicit assets to the Ethereum blockchain.

PeckShield, a prominent blockchain security organization, monitored the movement of stolen cryptocurrency following its transfer to Ethereum. Their analysis revealed that approximately 810 ETH was funneled into Tornado Cash, while an additional seven ETH moved through FixedFloat.

Notably, Tornado Cash was delisted from U.S. Treasury Department sanctions in March 2025. Nevertheless, the utilization of this privacy protocol may continue to present obstacles for investigators attempting to recover or trace the diverted funds.

Raydium Will Reimburse All Losses Raydium has publicly committed to utilizing its treasury reserves to compensate all financial damages stemming from this security breach. While the protocol emphasized that no current active users suffered losses, some participants maintained residual exposure through the deprecated pool contracts.

This marks the second occasion where Raydium has pledged to absorb user losses. Following an admin key security breach in December 2022 that affected operational pools, the project implemented a governance-approved compensation plan utilizing buyback fee revenue and vested team token allocations to restore liquidity provider funds.

The development team confirmed that all currently deployed mainnet programs remain secure and are presently undergoing comprehensive independent security audits.

Market response to the incident proved minimal. Raydium traded around $0.57, experiencing less than a 1% decline during the 24-hour window after the exploit became public. Solana experienced a modest drop of nearly 2%, settling around $63.88 throughout the identical timeframe.

The RAY token demonstrated resilience, actually gaining more than 2% on the day news of the security breach emerged.

Raydium clarified that both its SDK and decentralized application infrastructure lack functionality for interacting with the legacy AMM V3 pools on the mainnet, effectively confirming the attack remained isolated to decommissioned code.

Security researchers from PeckShield and Specter maintain ongoing efforts to track the movement of stolen digital assets. According to currently available blockchain data, the exploitation remained entirely confined to obsolete infrastructure components without penetrating Raydium’s operational trading ecosystem.

If traditional finance got a blockchain makeover, DeFi protocols would inevitably be the result. Here, decentralized apps (DApps) and smart contracts reign supreme, offering you control over your financial future. 

From staking your digital assets for crypto yield to conducting anonymous crypto swaps, this guide introduces you to the top DeFi protocols to keep an eye on in 2026.

In This Guide:

12 Top DeFi protocols in 2026 DeFi protocols comparedWhat are DeFi protocols?How do DeFi protocols work?Should you use DeFi protocols?Could DeFi replace traditional finance?Frequently asked questions12 Top DeFi protocols in 2026

1. dYdX

Best DeFi protocol for liquid staking

Token

dYdX

Token max supply

1,000,000,000 DYDX

Market cap

$1.499B

TVL

$401.81M

The dYdX protocol provides advanced financial instruments like perpetual and margin trading within the DeFi ecosystem. The leading exchange operates without KYC, allowing for anonymous, trustless trading. It supports perpetual and margin trading, alongside lending and borrowing, and offers competitive fee structures and gas-free trading experiences.

The platform provides lower collateralization levels compared to competitors, increasing accessibility. dYdX also utilizes StarkWare for increased efficiency and lower transaction fees and allows for community contributions and governance.

Notably, dYdX also transitioned to an independent blockchain within the Cosmos ecosystem, enhancing performance and furthering decentralization.

Pros

Advanced trading options No KYC required Low fees Layer-2 scalability Dynamic interest rates Interoperability with Cosmos Cons

Complex for beginners Dependent on Ethereum Limited spot trading New chain transition challenges Ecosystem adaptation required Trade features: Perpetual trading, margin trading, decentralized order book, layer-2 scalability, cross-margin capabilities.

Earning features: Lending, borrowing, dynamic interest rates, trading rewards.

Security features: Self-custodial security, third-party audits, secured by Ethereum protocol.

Platform and ecosystem features: No KYC, open-source code, integration with Cosmos ecosystem, decentralized governance, off-chain order matching.

2. PancakeSwap

Best DeFi protocol for cost-effective transactions

Token

CAKE

Token max supply

450,000,000 CAKE

Market cap

$974.4M

TVL

$2.224B

PancakeSwap is a top-tier DeFi protocol. It focuses on the Binance Smart Chain blockchain, but supports a total of eight networks, including Ethereum.

PancakeSwap’s native crypto is CAKE, which has a total supply of 450 million tokens. This decentralized exchange leverages an automated market maker (AMM) model, allowing for direct, wallet-to-wallet trades without intermediaries, enhancing user control and security.

Moreover, it offers a range of services beyond simple trades, such as yield farming, staking, and lotteries, enabling users to earn rewards in various ways. Its user-friendly interface makes it accessible for beginners, while its innovative features, like the zkBridge technology, ensure secure and efficient transactions across different blockchain networks.

PancakeSwap’s growth is underscored by its status as the first billion-dollar project on the Binance Smart Chain and its continual upgrades, such as the current PancakeSwap V3, demonstrating its commitment to improving functionality and user experience.

Pros

Intuitive interface High APY for liquidity providers (LPs) Supports staking and farming NFT marketplace Cons

No mobile app No native crypto wallet Trade features: Instant crypto trading, liquidity pools, asset bridging, perpetual trading, and cryptocurrency purchasing.

Earning features: Farming, pools, liquid staking, simple staking.

Game and NFT features: Gaming marketplace, prediction market, NFT marketplace for NFTs on BNB Chain.

DeFi and ecosystem engagement: Governance, initial farm offerings (IFOs), gauge voting and revenue sharing, and farm booster.

3. De.Fi

Best DeFi protocol for monitoring

Token

DEFI

Token max supply

1,000,000,000 DEFI

Market cap

n/a

TVL

n/a

De.Fi provides detailed smart contract analysis to detect potential vulnerabilities and assign security scores. It offers an extensive dashboard for monitoring wallet transactions and balances, alongside powerful investment tools for analyzing and controlling positions in DeFi protocols, NFT collections, and lending markets.

Additionally, De.Fi includes specialized security features like the De.Fi Shield and Scanner for thorough contract examination. It also comes with user-friendly transaction tools such as secure crypto sending and De.Fi Swap for easy cryptocurrency exchanges across various blockchains, making it a well-rounded solution for utilizing the DeFi space safely and effectively.

Pros

Advanced security scanning Comprehensive dashboard Real-time analytics User-friendly interface Multi-blockchain support Cons

Complexity for beginners Technical knowledge needed Frequent updates required Smart contract and security features: Vulnerability scanning, smart contract security scoring, De.Fi Shield, De.Fi Scanner.

Portfolio and transaction monitoring features: Comprehensive dashboard, address book, wallet balance tracking, deposited and loaned balances overview.

Investment and exploration features: Market analysis tools, NFT portfolio management, exploration of DeFi opportunities.

Security and protection tools: Asset security assessments, approval checks, risk highlights for tokens and NFTs, customizable security settings.

Transaction and exchange features: Secure cryptocurrency sending, De.Fi Swap, slippage tolerance settings.

4. Uniswap

Best DeFi protocol for community

Token

UNI

Token max supply

1,000,000,000 UNI

Market cap

$8.86B

TVL

$5.543B

Uniswap is another leading decentralized exchange. The native token is UNI, which has a total supply of 1 billion tokens.

Governed by its users through the UNI token, it offers a community-driven experience, unlike centralized platforms. Uniswap’s liquidity pools facilitate secure and direct token swaps, ensuring users maintain complete control over their funds. Originally built on Ethereum, it now supports other Ethereum-compatible networks like Polygon and Optimism, offering lower transaction costs.

Uniswap’s simplicity makes it accessible for beginners while providing advanced features for experienced users. This is rare when it comes to DEXs, which can often be tricky to use and less straightforward than their CEX counterparts. Uniswap also boasts broad token availability and deep liquidity, reducing price impact on large trades.

Additionally, the DEX has integrated NFT trading, enhancing its offerings. With nearly 5 million unique wallet addresses and surpassing $1 trillion in trading volume, its popularity and reliability are evident.

Finally, Uniswap’s swap fees are competitive, especially when compared to centralized exchanges, and users can choose cheaper networks to avoid high Ethereum gas fees.

Pros

Easy-to-use interface Low-cost trades Multiple blockchain networks supported Cons

No mobile app High fees when purchasing crypto (third-party services) Trade features: Instant crypto trading, liquidity pools, asset bridging, cryptocurrency purchasing.

Earning features: Funding liquidity pools, swap fee earnings.

Game and NFT features: NFT marketplace, prediction market.

DeFi and ecosystem engagement: Governance, concentrated liquidity, transaction fee structure.

5. Curve Finance

Best DeFi protocol for stablecoins

Token

CRV

Token max supply

2,091,644,627 CRV

Market cap

$730.32M

TVL

$2.486B

Curve Finance is a leading decentralized exchange (DEX) on the Ethereum blockchain, specializing in the efficient trading of stablecoins and wrapped tokens like wBTC, renBTC, and sBTC. Founded by Michael Egorov, it has quickly risen to prominence, and is particularly famed for its innovative use of liquidity pools and automated market maker (AMM) systems. These allow users to earn high annual interest rates — over 300% in some pools — on deposited cryptocurrency.

The platform distinguishes itself with its unique bonding curve. This is optimized for stablecoins to reduce slippage, allowing significant trades with minimal price impact. This has positioned Curve as a vital component in the DeFi space, especially for those interested in liquidity mining and yield farming.

Curve Finance operates as a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO), with its governance token CRV enabling holders to vote on changes and proposals. This shift to a DAO structure allows Curve to operate with enhanced transparency and community-driven development. Despite its complexity and the potential for impermanent loss, Curve Finance offers significant opportunities for liquidity providers and traders, underlined by security measures including multiple code audits and bug bounties to safeguard user assets.

Pros

Specializes in stablecoins Reduced slippage Governed by DAO Multiple security audits Bug bounties for added safety Cons

Complex for beginners Focused mainly on stablecoins and wrapped tokens Reliance on Ethereum blockchain, leading to potential high gas fees Trade features: Stablecoin specialization, efficient liquidity pools, unique bonding curve, minimal slippage in trades.

Earning features: High annual interest rates from liquidity pools, rewards in CRV tokens, participation in yield farming.

Security features: Multiple security audits, bug bounties, governed by decentralized autonomous organization (DAO).

DeFi and ecosystem engagement: Governance via CRV token, high total value locked (TVL), support for various wrapped tokens.

6. Balancer

Best DeFi protocol for multi-tokens pools

Token

BAL

Token max supply

62,244,253 BAL

Market cap

$268.21M

TVL

$1.242B

Balancer is a versatile and innovative DeFi platform that redefines the concept of decentralized exchanges (DEXs) by combining elements of automated market makers (AMMs) and index funds.

Unlike traditional DEXs — which typically focus on two-token liquidity pools — Balancer’s USP lies in its ability to maintain a balanced portfolio through automatic rebalancing, adjusting the pool’s asset allocations in response to market price changes.

Balancer supports three types of pools: public pools, where anyone can add liquidity and earn trading fees; private pools, where only the creator can contribute liquidity and set parameters; and smart pools, which are private pools with adjustable parameters controlled by a smart contract. This flexibility caters to a wide range of user preferences and risk tolerances.

Furthermore, Balancer’s architecture is designed to function on Ethereum and also on six additional blockchain networks, expanding its accessibility and interoperability within DeFi ecosystems. By providing a decentralized platform for multi-asset liquidity, Balancer contributes significantly to the efficiency of the cryptocurrency market.

Pros

Multi-token pools Automated rebalancing Interoperability Cons

Complex for beginners Limited on smaller chains Trade features: Multi-token pools, automated portfolio rebalancing, customizable pool types (public, private, smart), wide asset variety, minimal slippage through dynamic trading fees.

Earning features: Rewards in BAL tokens, high yield from liquidity provision, participation in liquidity mining, diversified income streams through various pool types.

Security features: Regular security audits, bug bounty programs, non-custodial asset management, transparent smart contract operations.

DeFi and ecosystem engagement: Governance via BAL token, significant total value locked (TVL), interoperability across multiple blockchains, support for a variety of digital assets and wrapped tokens.

7. Summer.fi

Best DeFi protocol for services

Token

Summer.fi

Token max supply

N/A

Market cap

N/A

TVL

$5.345b

Summer.fi, initially known as Oasis.app and one of the earliest MakerDAO projects from 2016, has evolved significantly beyond its original scope.

After Maker became fully decentralized, Summer.fi emerged as a standalone platform, dedicated to establishing a highly trusted application for DeFi capital deployment.

It now transcends being merely an interface for the Maker Protocol. It aims to be the most secure place for engaging with DeFi, providing users with advanced automation features like stop-loss, auto-buy, and auto-sell, as well as strategies such as Constant Multiples for optimizing Vault performance. If your Vault’s collateralization ratio hits your Sell Trigger, Constant Multiple will execute.

Summer.fi prioritizes user experience, offering clear insights into positions, returns, and associated risks, backed by a comprehensive knowledge base reflecting community feedback.

Pros

Comprehensive DeFi services Advanced automation features, (stop-loss, take-profit, auto-buy, etc.) User-friendly interface Integration with multiple protocols (Aave and Maker) Cons

Complex for new users Limited to ERC-20 tokens Borrowing features: Flexible repayment schedules, diverse collateral types, integrated with multiple protocols like Aave and Ajna, protection against market volatility through the Oracle Security Module and constant updates from Chainlink.

Multiplying features: Increase or decrease collateral exposure in one transaction, use borrowed funds to buy more collateral, integration with liquid platforms and the 1inch DEX aggregator for best execution prices, dedicated interface for managing positions.

Earning features: Self-custody solutions for yield earning, compatibility with Aave and Maker protocols, increase yield from StETH, participate in the Dai Savings Rate for passive income.

Automation features: Stop-loss to prevent liquidations, take-profit for efficient exits, auto-buy and auto-sell for Vault management, Constant Multiple to maintain predefined exposure levels.

Integration and partnerships: Support for various wallets like MetaMask and Ledger, integration with the 1inch Network for efficient token swaps, launched on Optimism layer-2 for reduced transaction costs, Ajna Protocol integration for curated borrowing and lending pools.

8. Aave

Best DeFi protocol for liquidity

Token

AAVE

Token max supply

16,000,000 AAVE

Market cap

$1.711B

TVL

$10.564B

Aave (AAVE) is a pioneering entity in the DeFi sector. The comprehensive lending platform boasts a significant Total Value Locked (TVL), which surpasses $10 billion in crypto collateral.

Aave enables users to lend and borrow a wide array of tokens across multiple ecosystems, ensuring a versatile and inclusive financial experience.

The platform’s latest iteration, Aave V3, expands its reach beyond Ethereum to include 10 different blockchain networks, further solidifying its position as a key player in DeFi by enhancing accessibility and providing a range of options for its diverse user base.

Pros

High TVL Wide range of tokens Multi-chain accessibility Flash loans availability Governance via AAVE token Cons

Complexity for beginners High gas fees on Ethereum Risk of liquidation Trade features: Flash loans, real-time interest accrual, stable and variable interest rates, Ethereum network integration, multi-asset collateral support.

Earning features: aTokens for deposit interest, decentralized lending and borrowing, yield optimization strategies, liquidity mining.

Security features: Over-collateralization of loans, smart contract audits, safety module for risk mitigation, bug bounties for platform integrity.

Platform and ecosystem features: Governance via AAVE tokens, layer-2 solutions for reduced fees, decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) structure, no KYC requirements, multi-chain accessibility.

9. MakerDAO

Best DeFi protocol for generating a stablecoin

Token

MKR

Token max supply

1,005,577 MKR

Market cap

$2.686B

TVL

$7B

MakerDAO is a pioneering DeFi platform that has revolutionized the way users engage with digital assets. The platform provides a decentralized borrowing and lending system with its stablecoin, DAI, at the core.

Built on the Ethereum blockchain, it allows users to leverage a variety of cryptocurrencies as collateral to generate DAI, maintaining stability through rigorous governance by MKR token holders.

The platform distinguishes itself with features like over-collateralization to ensure loan security, and a dual-rate model offering users the choice between stable and variable interest rates. However, users must navigate complexities such as liquidation risks and market volatility.

As MakerDAO evolves, it continues to solidify its status as a cornerstone of the DeFi landscape with the introduction of upgrades like V3 and the addition of the GHO stablecoin — balancing user empowerment with the intricate dynamics of decentralized finance.

Pros

Decentralized lending DAI stability Ethereum-based Governance by MKR Over-collateralization Variable interest rates Cons

Complexity High gas fees Liquidation risks Trade features: Flash loans, stable and variable interest rates, real-time aTokens, multi-currency collateral, governance-driven updates.

Earning features: Interest on deposits, participation in governance, yield farming opportunities, dynamic interest rates.

Security features: Over-collateralization, liquidation mechanisms, community governance for risk management, security modules for asset protection.

Platform and ecosystem features: Decentralized borrowing and lending, Ethereum-based, MKR token for governance, integration with multiple crypto assets, open-source development, Maker Vaults for asset management.

10. Compound Finance

Best DeFi protocol for staking

Token

COMP

Token max supply

10,000,000 COMP

Market cap

$487.27M

TVL

$2.668B

Compound Finance is a prominent decentralized lending platform operating on the Ethereum blockchain, known for pioneering the DeFi lending space.

Established by Robert Leshner and Geoffrey Hayes in 2018, Compound simplifies the process of borrowing and lending cryptocurrencies without intermediaries, allowing over $2 billion in assets to be locked on its platform.

Unique for its innovations, such as yield farming and governance through COMP tokens, the platform aims to provide financial inclusion, eliminating traditional transaction minimums and credit checks.

While offering competitive returns through real-time interest rates, users engaging with Compound and its governance token, COMP, must be cautious of market volatility and conduct in-depth research prior to investment.

Pros

Decentralized borrowing and lending No transaction minimums User-friendly interface Supports multiple ERC-20 assets Yield farming opportunities Cons

Market volatility risks Requires over-collateralization Complexity for new users High gas fees on Ethereum Trade features: Real-time interest rate adjustments, supports diverse ERC-20 tokens, and a user-centric lending and borrowing system.

Earning features: Yield farming with COMP tokens, competitive APR for lenders, dynamic interest rates based on market conditions.

Security features: Extensive security audits (Trail of Bits, OpenZeppelin), economic risk analysis by Gauntlet, transparent and verifiable contracts.

DeFi and ecosystem engagement: Decentralized governance with COMP tokens, financial inclusion without traditional verifications, continuous platform innovation and updates.

11. Lido

Best DeFi protocol for ETH staking

Token

LDO

Token max supply

1,000,000,000 LDO

Market cap

$2.215B

TVL

$34.445B

Lido Finance is a DeFi staking protocol offering user-friendly, semi-custodial staking services across multiple cryptocurrencies. Known for its simple interface and decentralized structure, Lido allows users to stake their assets and receive liquid staking tokens, such as stETH, which can be utilized in the broader DeFi ecosystem for yield farming.

Supported by major players in DeFi and endorsed for its reasonable fees and rewarding referral program, Lido maximizes decentralization through its governance token, LDO, allowing stakeholders to partake in decision-making. While Lido streamlines the staking process, users should consider the semi-custodial nature, the staking rewards fees, and potential tax implications associated with rewards.

Pros

User-friendly interface Liquid staking tokens Decentralized governance Supported by DeFi leaders Cons

Semi-custodial service Staking rewards fees Potential tax implications Staking features: Easy and unrestricted staking, maximized earning potential, liquid staking tokens for yield farming.

Earning features: Daily staking rewards, assets used as collateral for lending and yield farming, participation in governance for reward optimization.

Security features: Smart contracts audited by Quantstamp and Sigma Prime, semi-custodial nature maintains user control.

DeFi and ecosystem engagement: Governance via LDO tokens, broad DeFi integration, supports multiple blockchains including Ethereum.

DeFi protocols comparedProtocolTypeTVLTokenNo. of blockchains supportedPancakeSwapDEX$2.224BCAKE9UniswapDEX$5.543BUNI8CurveDEX$2.486BCRV14BalancerDEX$1.242BBAL8Summer.fiDEX$5.345bsummer.fi4AaveLending$10.564BAAVE12MakerDAOLending$7BMKR1CompoundLending$2.668BCOMP4dYdXDEX$401.81MdYdX1LidoStaking$34.445BLDO5De.FiTracker and walletn/aDEFI15What are DeFi protocols?DeFi protocols are sets of rules, procedures, and codes that govern decentralized finance (DeFi) systems, enabling users to engage in activities such as trading, lending, and staking tokens within blockchain ecosystems. 

DeFi represents a paradigm shift leveraging blockchain technology, primarily Ethereum, to cultivate an open, permissionless, and borderless financial ecosystem. Unlike traditional systems, developers write smart contracts to deploy DeFi protocols that enable peer-to-peer interactions without intermediaries. By adhering to the same set of rules, DeFi protocols ensure a standardized experience for all participants. 

An example of a DeFi protocol is MakerDAO. The popular DeFi lending platform allows users to borrow against their crypto assets by locking them in exchange for a stablecoin, DAI, thus offering more predictable repayment terms despite the volatility of crypto markets. 

Other protocols allow you to earn a passive income by generating yield from your staked assets. One popular example is the Lido protocol, which allows you to earn on stETH.  Platforms like Lido aim to offer the highest APY on crypto staking, allowing users to maximize returns on their staked assets within the Ethereum ecosystem.

The total value locked (TVL) is often used as a metric to gauge a protocol’s adoption and utility, with MakerDAO being one of the largest by TVL, highlighting its significant role in DeFi.

In 2026, new and more efficient technologies are being developed. For instance, some protocols incorporate asynchronous smart contracts, which allow transactions and agreements to be executed without needing all parties to be present or online simultaneously. This helps streamline operations within networks like Ethereum.

According to DeFiLlama, the top protocol categories are lending, DEXs, bridges, CDP (protocols that mint their own stablecoin using collateralized lending), and restaking. 

Protocol categories: DeFiLlamaWhy do you need DeFi protocols?DeFi allows decentralized apps (DApps) and platforms to provide services like crypto lending and crypto yield earning through staking. Users can participate in AMM (automated market maker) systems to improve liquidity. 

These features offer a fertile ground for startups to innovate beyond conventional financial products, fostering rapid experimentation and potential disruption. The global accessibility facilitated by DeFi platforms makes them a significant tool for financial inclusion, allowing startups to reach a worldwide audience. 

The interoperability among various DeFi protocols enhances this further, enabling seamless integration of services like web3 gaming and metaverse tokens, broadening the scope of what blockchain startups can achieve.

The total value locked (TVL) in DeFi platforms serves as a metric of trust and utility, indicating the number of cryptocurrencies staked, lent, or committed to liquidity pools, highlighting the ecosystem’s growth and stability.

By eliminating intermediaries, DeFi significantly lowers transaction costs, making it an attractive model for startups, especially in crypto lending and yield generation. Instead of being worried about your credit score, you can apply for a crypto loan with fewer restrictions than in TradFi. This reduction in costs, combined with the potential for high crypto yield through mechanisms like staking, positions DeFi as an increasingly popular option for both entrepreneurs and investors in the crypto market.

How do DeFi protocols work?DeFi protocols function by leveraging blockchain technology. While most of them are based on Ethereum, some may also support other networks. At the heart of these services are smart contracts, self-executing contracts with the terms of the agreement directly written into code, which facilitate, verify, and enforce the negotiation or performance of a contract.

DeFi, however, requires thorough research and understanding of several factors, including security, liquidity, and the platform’s governance structure. It’s important to assess the user experience, the degree of interoperability with other DApps and blockchain systems, and the level of community involvement in decision-making processes.

1. Decentralized apps (DApps)Users can engage with various DeFi platforms or DApps to access a wide range of financial services. 

One common way to participate is through crypto lending on platforms. Protocols such as Aave or Compound allow you to deposit cryptocurrencies to earn interest. The earnings are measured as Annual Percentage Yield (APY), which is a volatile percentage that corresponds to the market’s demands.

2. Liquidity miningAnother popular DeFi activity is liquidity mining. You can provide liquidity to decentralized exchanges (DEXs) by depositing your assets into liquidity pools. This deposit is usually made for a pair of assets, such as ETH-USDT, but it can be anything else.

In return, you earn rewards, often in the platform’s native tokens. This process is critical for ensuring there is enough market liquidity for trading and is facilitated by AMMs, algorithms used by DEXs to determine the price of tokens and facilitate trades.

3. Swaps (trading)Trading on DEXs is another key function of DeFi protocols. These platforms allow users to trade cryptocurrencies directly with others in a more private and accessible manner than on centralized exchanges. 

This not only supports the decentralized ethos of blockchain but also contributes to the Total Value Locked (TVL).

Should you use DeFi protocols?Pros  Earn money: You can make your crypto work for you. Put your assets in DeFi platforms to earn interest or rewards. Trade easily: Swap cryptocurrencies directly with others. No need for a middleman. More control: You’re in charge of your money. No bank or institution can block your transactions. Open to everyone: Anyone with an internet connection can join. It’s global and inclusive. Transparent: Everything is recorded on the blockchain. You can see all transactions. New opportunities: Explore new financial services like crypto lending or web3 gaming. Cons  Risky: Crypto values can change fast. Your investments can shrink quickly. Complicated: Some DeFi stuff is hard to understand. It’s not always beginner-friendly. Security issues: Hacks happen. If a DeFi platform gets attacked, you might lose your money. No customer support: If you have a problem, there’s no customer service to call. Research needed: You need to do your homework before investing. Not all platforms are safe. High fees: Sometimes, you’ll pay a lot to make transactions, especially when the network is busy. Could DeFi replace traditional finance?Decentralized finance has the potential to usurp traditional institutions, specifically TradFi. Decentralized finance enables users to transact securely, anonymously, and efficiently and is thus likely to gain popularity as web3 and crypto adoption grows. From crypto lending to staking to market makers, DeFi is exciting but also risky.

Do not interact with any DeFi protocols until you have developed a solid plan and are entirely comfortable with the mechanisms of the platform. Always be aware of the potential for losses, and never invest more than you can afford to lose.

Frequently asked questions What is the most popular DeFi protocol? The most popular DeFi protocol is often considered to be MakerDAO. It frequently leads in terms of Total Value Locked (TVL) and has a wide usage across the DeFi ecosystem. MakerDAO’s platform revolves around the generation of DAI, a stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar, and enables decentralized borrowing and saving. Its popularity stems from its innovative approach to maintaining currency stability and providing a decentralized credit service.

What are the top five DeFi tokens? The top five DeFi tokens typically include Maker (MKR), Aave (AAVE), Compound (COMP), Uniswap (UNI), and PancakeSwap (CAKE), based on their market capitalization and impact on the DeFi space. These tokens facilitate governance of their respective platforms, offering holders voting rights on decisions and upgrades. They are integral to the operations of these platforms, from lending and borrowing to providing liquidity and facilitating decentralized trading.

What is TVL in DeFi protocols? Total Value Locked (TVL) in DeFi protocols refers to the total amount of assets currently being staked, lent, or deposited within a DeFi protocol’s smart contracts. It serves as a metric to gauge the overall health and growth of the DeFi market, indicating how much money is actively used in these decentralized financial services. A higher TVL suggests greater user trust and utility of the DeFi ecosystem.

How many DeFi protocols are there? The number of DeFi protocols is constantly growing as the space evolves and new projects are launched. There are hundreds of DeFi protocols across various blockchains, catering to different aspects of decentralized finance such as lending, borrowing, trading, and liquidity provision. The exact number can vary daily due to the dynamic nature of the crypto and DeFi industries.

How many DeFi protocols are there? The number of DeFi protocols is constantly growing as the space evolves and new projects are launched. There are hundreds of DeFi protocols across various blockchains, catering to different aspects of decentralized finance such as lending, borrowing, trading, and liquidity provision. The exact number can vary daily due to the dynamic nature of the crypto and DeFi industries.

Is TVL a good metric? TVL is a good metric for understanding the scale and usage of a DeFi protocol, as it reflects the total capital committed by users. However, it should not be the sole metric for assessing a protocol’s value or success, as it does not account for risks, decentralization level, or liquidity. It’s best used in combination with other factors like user growth, transaction volume, and protocol governance for a comprehensive evaluation.

What is a good FDV TVL ratio? A good FDV (Fully Diluted Valuation) to TVL (Total Value Locked) ratio for a DeFi project is typically below one, indicating that the project’s market valuation is not excessively higher than the value of assets locked in the protocol. Lower FDV/TVL ratios suggest that the protocol is undervalued or efficiently using its capital, which can be attractive to investors. However, this ratio should be considered alongside other metrics and project fundamentals for a complete analysis.

What is the TVL formula? The TVL formula in DeFi protocols calculates the total value of all assets deposited in the protocol’s smart contracts, which can include cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, and other tokens. It aggregates the value of these assets, often converting them to a common currency like USD for a standardized measure. The formula is the sum of the value of each type of asset multiplied by its current market price.

How to calculate FDV? The Fully Diluted Valuation (FDV) is calculated by taking the total supply of a token (both circulating and non-circulating) and multiplying it by the current price of the token. This gives an idea of what the market cap would be if all tokens were in circulation and trading at the current price. It’s an important metric for understanding the potential market size and investment risk of a cryptocurrency or DeFi project.

Top 8 Airdrops for the Third Week of December  

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Rockstar Games Confirms GTA 6 Pre-Orders Date and Themed Meme Coins Explode

In a surprise announcement on their official X (Twitter) account, the team behind BabyMona, the long-awaited successor to the legacy of MonaCoin (the “Japanese Dogecoin” and second-oldest memecoin), has declared the arrival of $BYMONA.

Plans to Revolutionize the Crypto Landscape After a period of continuous development, the launch of BabyMona has stirred up a lot of interest within the memecoin community. 

This project, built upon the legacy of MonaCoin, aims to revolutionize the crypto landscape with its playful spirit and community-driven approach.

Beyond the undeniable cuteness of the ASCII art mascot, BabyMona offers a compelling vision for the future of memecoins. 

Built on the secure and efficient Solana blockchain, BabyMona promises a smooth user experience alongside its undeniable charm. 

Notably, the project heavily emphasizes community involvement, rallying passionate crypto enthusiasts and cat lovers alike to form the #BabyMonaArmy. This focus on a strong user base suggests the project is aiming for long-term success beyond the typical memecoin hype.

With its widely communicated vision of empowering the underdog and rewriting the script of the crypto world, BabyMona has captured the attention of many.

Simple Tokenomics for a Strong Foundation BabyMona maintains simplicity in its tokenomics to uphold project transparency and nurture trust within the community. 

With a total supply of 1 billion $BYMONA tokens, a substantial portion (70%) is dedicated to liquidity, ensuring a strong and stable user marketplace. 

Additionally, 15% of the tokens are reserved for marketing initiatives, enabling BabyMona to expand its reach and cultivate a thriving community.

A further 10% is set aside for potential listings on centralized exchanges (CEXs), which could significantly enhance accessibility and trading volume for $BYMONA. 

And last but not least, the BabyMona team has reserved a fair 5% of the tokens for themselves, showcasing their dedication to the project’s long-term success and alignment with the community’s interests.

$BYMONA was Audited by Coinscope Understanding the significance of user trust, BabyMona underwent a thorough examination by Coinscope, a trusted third-party firm renowned for its expertise in blockchain security assessments. 

The audit yielded positive results, providing assurance to potential investors and emphasizing the project’s commitment to fair and open practices.

As the project continues to develop, it will be fascinating to see if the adorable cat coin can claw its way to the top of the memecoin hierarchy and establish a truly revolutionary presence in the crypto landscape.

About BabyMona BabyMona is a new crypto project that aspires to be more than just another meme coin. 

Utilizing the secure and efficient Solana blockchain, the project prioritizes a smooth user experience. 

Through initiatives like the #BabyMonaArmy, BabyMona aims to foster a passionate user base that actively participates in the project’s growth and development.

Remember that $BYMONA is a meme coin and should be considered for entertainment purposes only. It has no intrinsic value and carries no expectation of financial return. There is no formal team or roadmap associated with the project.

Stay Connected BabyMona is on a mission to revolutionize the memecoin space by empowering its community and challenging the status quo. With its adorable mascot, and strong community focus, BabyMona is poised to become a major player in the memecoin world. 

But to achieve this, the project needs you, so ensure that you stay connected with their official website by following them on X (Twitter) and Telegram.

Historic Stock Market Crash Patterns Are Back – Will Bitcoin React? | US Crypto News

Updated May 29, 2026, 9:15 a.m. Published May 29, 2026, 8:19 a.m.

2 min read

Another targeted attack, this time directed at programmers. (Boitumelo/Unsplash)Summary

A newly discovered supply-chain campaign called TrapDoor has planted more than 34 malicious packages across npm, PyPI and Crates.io to target crypto and cloud developers.The packages, disguised as mundane developer utilities and security tools, were designed to steal SSH keys, wallet files, AWS credentials, GitHub tokens, browser data and other sensitive configuration files.Researchers say the attackers also abused AI configuration files like .cursorrules and CLAUDE.md with hidden instructions, aiming to hijack future AI coding sessions to run fake security scans that exfiltrate secrets.A new crypto-theft campaign is targeting the developers most likely to have wallet keys, cloud credentials and production access sitting on their machines.

Researchers at security firm Socket said earlier this week they identified a supply-chain attack called TrapDoor spread across three major open-source programming registries, with more than 34 malicious packages and hundreds of related versions and artifacts.

A key takeaway is that attackers are becoming more focused. In addition to social engineering, which targets individuals holding key information, supply-chain attacks are built not to catch random retail users but developers. Those are the very people who may have wallet files, SSH keys, GitHub tokens, cloud credentials and production access on the same machine they use to build crypto and AI tools.

Socket did not identify victims or stolen funds, but said the packages were live across npm, PyPI and Crates.io and contained payloads that could steal wallet data, exfiltrate credentials, test AWS and GitHub tokens and leave behind files to keep access active.

The packages programmed in JavaScript, Python and Rust were disguised as developer helpers, security scanners, wallet tools, Solidity utilities, AI prompt packages and Sui or Move build helpers.

Boring by design The names were boring by design. Packages were named "wallet-security-checker," "defi-risk-scanner," "solidity-build-guard," "move-compiler-tools" and "llm-context-compressor," looking like the kind of small utilities a crypto or AI developer might install without much thought.

Once installed, however, the payloads tried to pull far more than package data.

In the npm packages, the malware searched a developer’s machine for private keys, passwords, GitHub tokens and cloud logins. It also tested some stolen credentials, tried to move into other systems through SSH keys and left behind files that could keep the infection active.

SSH keys are login files that developers use to access servers, code repositories and other machines. If stolen, they can let an attacker move from one compromised laptop into a company’s wider infrastructure.

The attack also uses files such as .cursorrules and claude.md, which allow developers to give project-specific instructions to AI coding tools. Socket said the campaign planted hidden instructions using zero-width Unicode characters, apparently trying to make future AI assistant sessions run fake “security scans” that collected and exfiltrated secrets.

That turned the attack from a normal package stealer into something closer to developer-environment malware. The package install is only the first step, with the real target being the workstation, such as wallets, repos, browser data, cloud keys, SSH access and whatever AI coding tools read next.

The Rust packages used malicious build.rs scripts to run during compilation, targeting sui and move developers. PyPI packages executed remote JavaScript on import. Packages on npm used postinstall hooks.

Socket said it reported the packages to affected registries and classified the campaign packages as malicious. The company also warned that the attacker opened pull requests to AI and developer projects, trying to add .cursorrules and CLAUDE.md files through normal open-source contribution paths.

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Crypto Analyst Says Avalanche-Based Altcoin Primed for a Massive Move, Updates Outlook on Solana

Cryptocurrencies have had a difficult performance this week as many investors started to take profits. Bitcoin price retreated to a low of $62,000, down from last week’s high of $73,500. Other coins like Ethereum, Render, Solana, and Near Protocol also dipped. 

This decline also happened as many Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) holders liquidated their positions because of the significant fee. GBTC has an expense ratio of 1.50%, higher than the iShares Bitcoin Trust’s (IBTC) 0.25%. This article looks at some of the top cryptocurrencies to watch like Bitcoin Dogs (ODOG), Ribbon Finance (RBN), and Sui.

Ribbon Finance price forecast Ribbon Finance is a Decentralized Finance (DeFi) platform that enables users to earn sustainable yield through decentralized options and lending. The platform has over $34 million in total value locked (TVL). Its Ribbon Earn and Ribbon Lend also have millions in assets.

RBN price has done well in the past few weeks as it jumped from last year’s low of $0.1462 to a high of $1.91 this month. This was a 1,231% increase from bottom to the top. Its market cap has jumped to more than $746 million. 

Ribbon has constantly remained above the 50-day and 100-day Exponential Moving Averages (EMA), which is a bullish sign. Most recently, it has formed a bullish engulfing candlestick pattern and then rose for three straight days.

My view is that the coin is attempting to form a double-top pattern, meaning that it may continue rising as investors continue buying the dip. If this happens, the next point to watch will be at $1.70, which is about 23.47% above the current level. This view will become invalid if the price crashes below this week’s low of $1.2050. 

Bitcoin Dogs price prediction Bitcoin Dogs is one of the best-performing new cryptocurrencies this year. The developers recently ended its token sale, which raised over $13 million in just a month. This made it the best-performing token sale in the industry.

Bitcoin Dogs is yet to go public in centralized and decentralized exchanges (DEX) but the developers have pledged that this will happen soon.

There are a few reasons to be optimistic about this. First, the token launch will happen in a time when the crypto industry is in a bull market. The total market cap of all cryptocurrencies has jumped to more than $2.6 trillion.

Second, it is one of the most hyped cryptocurrencies in the market. It already has thousands of holders, which is a good thing. Also, the developers are working to create real utility for the token. This will include features like a 1,000 NFT collection and a gaming platform.

Most importantly, most of the newly launched meme coins have done well. This includes tokens like Book of Meme, Solama, and Pepe. You can learn more about Bitcoin Dogs here.

Sui price prediction Sui has evolved to become one of the best-performing cryptocurrencies. Its blockchain project has attracted hundreds of developers and thousands of users. As a result, the total value locked (TVL) in the ecosystem has jumped to a record high of over $700 million.

Sui price has been in a strong bullish trend this year. It has risen in the past three straight days and is now hovering near its highest point since February 15th. The token has constantly remained above the 50-day and 100-day Exponential Moving Averages. 

Therefore, Sui token will need to clear the important resistance point at $1.9697, its highest point in February to invalidate the double-top pattern. If this happens, it will open the possibility of it soaring to $2.50.

Danske Bank: Federal Reserve may raise interest rates at least twice

Danske Bank senior analyst Kirstine Kundby-Nielsen and chief analyst Jens Peter Sorensen stated in a report that they expect the U.S. Federal Reserve to raise interest rates twice, in December 2026 and March 2027 respectively, bringing the federal funds rate to 4.00%-4.25%. "However, we emphasize there is a risk that rate hikes could come earlier and that the number of hikes may exceed two," they said. The first Federal Reserve meeting led by Kevin Warsh sent a clear signal that the Fed is increasingly moving away from forward guidance surrounding future monetary policy decisions. "All signs indicate that (the Fed) is leaning toward having greater discretion in future policy decisions," the Danske Bank analysts added. Source: Jin10

2 minutes ago

SK Hynix's stock price rise widened to 15.4%, while Samsung Electronics gained 6.3%.

According to Bitget data, SK Hynix’s stock price gain has widened to 15.4%, with Samsung Electronics up 6.3%.

2 minutes ago

The entire cryptocurrency market is down across the board; funding rates indicate BTC remains in bearish territory, while ETH’s bullish sentiment is significantly stronger than BTC’s.

According to HTX market data, Bitcoin is currently trading at $61,684.51, down 1.88% in the past 24 hours; Ethereum is at $1,647.36, down 1.48% over the same period. Current funding rates on major centralized exchanges (CEXs) show a clear divergence between BTC and ETH: BTC rates across all platforms have fallen back into bearish territory, while ETH rates on most platforms remain above the neutral range, indicating significantly stronger bullish sentiment for ETH than BTC. BlockBeats Note: Funding rates are fees set by cryptocurrency trading platforms to maintain the balance between contract prices and underlying asset prices, typically applicable to perpetual contracts. They serve as a fund exchange mechanism between long and short traders; platforms do not collect these fees, instead using them to adjust the cost or return of traders holding contracts, so that contract prices stay close to the underlying asset prices. A funding rate of 0.01% is the benchmark. A rate above 0.01% indicates broad bullish market sentiment, while a rate below 0.005% signals widespread bearish sentiment.

2 minutes ago

South Korea's KOSPI index climbs back above the 9,000 mark, up 6.25% on the day.

According to Bitget data, South Korea’s KOSPI index has returned to the 9,000 level, gaining 6.25% on the day.

2 minutes ago

Silver plunged 6% intraday, breaching the defense of long positions, as a smart money entity reaped $2.16 million in shorting profits.

According to Hyperinsight’s monitoring, the Silver (SILVER) contract on Hyperliquid is currently priced at $56.78, down 6.34% over 24 hours, with a trading volume of $263 million, ranking first in the precious metals sector. Driven by gold prices falling below $4,000 and safe-haven funds flowing back into chip stocks, short sellers have reaped significant profits. Notably, smart money address 0x49e has been shorting Silver on 3x leverage since April 29 at a high of $78.79, holding a position worth $5.77 million, and has already booked a precise profit of $2.16 million (+81%). On-chain Silver whales are overall bearish: the nominal position size of short sellers is approximately 1.5 times that of long positions. The average entry price for short positions is around $65.05, and the current price is 12.7% lower than this level. Long positions are overall trapped, with an average entry price of about $59.75, roughly 5% above the current price. Current short sellers have sufficient safety margins: the nearest short liquidation line stands at $77.18, some 36% above the current price, meaning short sellers face almost no liquidation pressure. Address: 0xe9ffe7698f46f96f980f2877e18c43f5b4165903-HyperInsight Bot is now live. Add @HyperInsightBot to your TG group and set it as an admin (enable message sending permission) to automatically sync on-chain updates.

2 minutes ago

China's Supreme People's Procuratorate announced a major drug-related money laundering case: Li Moubo laundered over 48 million yuan via virtual currency and was sentenced to death after combined punishment for multiple crimes.

On June 25, China’s Supreme People’s Procuratorate (SPP) held a press conference. Miao Shengming, SPP’s deputy procurator-general, stated that procuratorial organs are thoroughly investigating both self-money laundering and third-party money laundering crimes, and vigorously promoting the recovery of drug-related assets to ensure full coverage in the investigation and punishment of drug-related money laundering offenses. From January 2025 to May 2026, procuratorial bodies nationwide prosecuted more than 1,200 individuals for drug-related money laundering crimes. A notable example is the major cross-border case of drug smuggling, trafficking, transportation and money laundering involving Li Moubo and others, which was supervised by the SPP and handled by Chongqing’s procuratorial organs. Li laundered over 48 million yuan via virtual currency and was sentenced to death after receiving combined punishment for multiple crimes in accordance with the law. (Xinhua News Agency)

2 minutes ago

Decentralization Debate: Edward Snowden Critiques VC Role in Solana and AI Surveillance Risks

Capital Rotates from Bitcoin Into These Three Altcoins

The crypto market will welcome tokens worth more than $566 million in the final week of November 2025. Several major projects, including Hyperliquid (HYPE), Plasma (XPL), and Jupiter (JUP), will release significant new token supplies.

These unlocks might lead to market volatility and influence price movements in the short term. Here’s a breakdown of what to watch for each project.

1. Hyperliquid (HYPE) Unlock Date: November 29 Number of Tokens to be Unlocked: 9.92 million HYPE (0.992% of Total Supply) Current Circulating Supply: 270.77 million HYPE Total supply: 1 billion HYPE Hyperliquid is a leading decentralized perpetual futures exchange built on its own Layer-1 blockchain. It offers high-performance trading with low latency, on-chain order books, and also sub-second transaction finality.

On November 29, the project will release 9.92 million tokens valued at approximately $327.35 million. This accounts for 2.66% of the current released supply.

HYPE Crypto Token Unlock in November. Source: TokenomistHyperliquid will distribute all the unlocked tokens among core contributors.

2. Plasma (XPL) Unlock Date: November 25 Number of Tokens to be Unlocked: 88.89 million XPL (0.89% of Total Supply) Current Circulating Supply: 1.88 billion XPL Total supply: 10 billion XPL Plasma is a Layer 1 blockchain platform built to enhance the efficiency and scalability of stablecoin transactions. It enables zero-fee USDT transfers, allows the use of custom gas tokens, supports confidential payments, and delivers the throughput required for global-scale adoption.

Plasma will unlock 88.89 million XPL on November 25. The tokens are worth $17.53 million. Moreover, they account for 4.74% of the current circulating supply.

XPL Crypto Token Unlock in November. Source: TokenomistThe team will direct all of the 88.89 million XPL to the ecosystem and growth.

3. Jupiter (JUP) Unlock Date: November 28 Number of Tokens to be Unlocked: 53.47 million JUP (0.53% of Total Supply) Current Circulating Supply: 3.2 billion JUP Total supply: 10 billion JUP Jupiter is a decentralized liquidity aggregator on the Solana (SOL) blockchain. It optimizes trade routes across multiple decentralized exchanges (DEXs) to provide users with the best prices for token swaps with minimal slippage. 

On November 28, Jupiter will unlock 53.47 million JUP tokens. The supply is worth approximately $12.83 million, representing 1.69% of its circulating supply. Furthermore, this unlock follows a monthly cliff vesting schedule. 

JUP Crypto Token Unlock in November. Source: TokenomistJupiter has allocated the tokens primarily to the team, who will get 38.89 million JUP. Furthermore, Mercurial stakeholders will receive 14.58 million JUP altcoins.

In addition to these, other prominent unlocks that investors can look out for in the final week of November include Artificial Superintelligence Alliance (FET), Aerodrome Finance (AERO), IOTA (IOTA), and various altcoins, contributing to the overall market-wide releases.

PANews reported on April 8th that, according to The Block, Stabble, a decentralized exchange within the Solana ecosystem, issued an urgent notice urging liquidity providers to withdraw their funds immediately because a North Korean employee had previously worked on the project. This warning appears to have been triggered by information from on-chain sleuth ZachXBT, who revealed that a North Korean developer had worked for several years on the Solana DeFi infrastructure project Elemental.

U.S. authorities had previously warned that North Korean technicians were using fake identities to infiltrate crypto companies, and over the weekend, Drift Protocol stated that its $280 million attack was likely carried out by the same North Korean hackers as those who attacked Radiant Capital in October 2024. Stabble responded that the North Korean employee appeared to have joined the company a year ago, and the new team took over the project four weeks ago. Stabble emphasized that no attacks have occurred to date, and the warning was merely a precautionary measure. Stabble stated that it will conduct a new audit to ensure LP security.

South Korea's KOSPI index climbs back above the 9,000 mark, up 6.25% on the day.

According to Bitget data, South Korea’s KOSPI index has returned to the 9,000 level, gaining 6.25% on the day.

2 minutes ago

Silver plunged 6% intraday, breaching the defense of long positions, as a smart money entity reaped $2.16 million in shorting profits.

According to Hyperinsight’s monitoring, the Silver (SILVER) contract on Hyperliquid is currently priced at $56.78, down 6.34% over 24 hours, with a trading volume of $263 million, ranking first in the precious metals sector. Driven by gold prices falling below $4,000 and safe-haven funds flowing back into chip stocks, short sellers have reaped significant profits. Notably, smart money address 0x49e has been shorting Silver on 3x leverage since April 29 at a high of $78.79, holding a position worth $5.77 million, and has already booked a precise profit of $2.16 million (+81%). On-chain Silver whales are overall bearish: the nominal position size of short sellers is approximately 1.5 times that of long positions. The average entry price for short positions is around $65.05, and the current price is 12.7% lower than this level. Long positions are overall trapped, with an average entry price of about $59.75, roughly 5% above the current price. Current short sellers have sufficient safety margins: the nearest short liquidation line stands at $77.18, some 36% above the current price, meaning short sellers face almost no liquidation pressure. Address: 0xe9ffe7698f46f96f980f2877e18c43f5b4165903-HyperInsight Bot is now live. Add @HyperInsightBot to your TG group and set it as an admin (enable message sending permission) to automatically sync on-chain updates.

2 minutes ago

China's Supreme People's Procuratorate announced a major drug-related money laundering case: Li Moubo laundered over 48 million yuan via virtual currency and was sentenced to death after combined punishment for multiple crimes.

On June 25, China’s Supreme People’s Procuratorate (SPP) held a press conference. Miao Shengming, SPP’s deputy procurator-general, stated that procuratorial organs are thoroughly investigating both self-money laundering and third-party money laundering crimes, and vigorously promoting the recovery of drug-related assets to ensure full coverage in the investigation and punishment of drug-related money laundering offenses. From January 2025 to May 2026, procuratorial bodies nationwide prosecuted more than 1,200 individuals for drug-related money laundering crimes. A notable example is the major cross-border case of drug smuggling, trafficking, transportation and money laundering involving Li Moubo and others, which was supervised by the SPP and handled by Chongqing’s procuratorial organs. Li laundered over 48 million yuan via virtual currency and was sentenced to death after receiving combined punishment for multiple crimes in accordance with the law. (Xinhua News Agency)

2 minutes ago

Quarterly crypto options expiry will take place tomorrow, with $11.32 billion in BTC and ETH options set to settle.

Crypto options are set for their quarterly expiration and settlement tomorrow. Data from crypto derivatives platform Deribit shows that crypto options with a total notional value of $11.32 billion will expire, with details as follows: · BTC options have a notional value of $9.68 billion, a put/call ratio of 0.75, and a max pain point of $72,000; · ETH options carry a notional value of $1.64 billion, a put/call ratio of 0.56, and a max pain point of $2,000.

2 minutes ago

A crypto whale liquidated all 27,585 ETH after lying dormant for 7 years, booking a profit of $39.1 million.

According to monitoring by Onchain Lens, whale address 0x096, which had remained dormant for seven years, sold all 27,585 ETH at an average price of $1,625, obtaining 44.84 million USDS and locking in a profit of $39.1 million.

2 minutes ago

Multiple investment banks raise Micron Technology’s price targets, with JPMorgan Chase lifting its target from $550 to $1,540.

Due to Micron Technology (MU)'s financial results and market expectations, multiple investment banks have raised the chipmaker's price targets. JPMorgan Chase lifted Micron's price target from $550 to $1,540; D.A. Davidson raised its target from $1,500 to $2,000; and H.C. Wainwright hiked its target from $1,750 to $2,000.

2 minutes ago

8 Best Crypto Tax Software in 2026 Compared: Which One Fits You?

Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.

As Solana and XRP trends dominate discussion, investors are also watching low-priced tokens like Little Pepe for higher-risk potential gains.

Summary

Crypto debate centers on SOL vs XRP, while LILPEPE emerges as a low-price Layer-2 meme coin with high-risk upside narrative. LILPEPE presale highlights include Layer-2 meme chain, audit claims, exchange listings, and projections of large percentage gains. Investors compare stable majors like SOL/XRP with LILPEPE’s speculative growth story and potential asymmetric returns in 2026. Right now, crypto Twitter is arguing about whether Solana will hit $250 before the year ends or whether XRP finally breaks free from its $1–$2 jail cell. Both are legitimate conversations, and both coins have real catalysts.  

But there’s a third name worth the attention, one sitting under $1 that nobody’s really talking about at this scale yet: Little Pepe (LILPEPE). If the numbers play out anywhere close to analysts’ projections, a 5,346% return would make both SOL and XRP look almost boring by comparison. Let’s break it all down.

Solana eyes $250: Is it realistic? Solana Performance Source: CoinMarketCap Solana is trading around $64–$65 with a $37B market cap, far below its $293 all-time high. Standard Chartered projects $250 by year-end, citing the SEC’s digital commodity ruling as the key catalyst for a nearly 4x move. The Alpenglow upgrade, Firedancer client, and $1B+ in ETF inflows since late 2025 are the structural pillars. Bull case targets $250–$445. A few things need to go right, but the setup is real.

XRP targets $5: What would have to happen Ripple Performance Source: CoinMarketCap XRP trades at $1.13–$1.14 with a ~$70B market cap, well off its January 2026 high of $2.40. Bitwise’s bullish case puts XRP at $4.94 by year-end, with a max scenario clearing $6.53. The catalyst stack is multi-layered: spot ETF demand, the Market Structure Bill, and Ripple’s OCC-approved banking license. The on-chain activity is quite impressive, with 1.67 million transactions per day and $481 million in total. The price forecast for 2026 could range anywhere between $1.20 to $2.40, depending on regulatory clarity.

This is where the narrative shifts. While Solana and XRP are playing the slow-and-steady institutional game, Little Pepe is doing something entirely different, and it’s turning heads. LILPEPE is currently in Stage 13 of its 19-stage presale, selling tokens at just $0.0022. The presale has now raised $28,254,751 of its $28,775,000 target, with over 17 billion tokens sold. Stage 13 is 98.63% filled at the time of writing. 

That kind of velocity in a presale doesn’t happen by accident. Early investors from Stage 1 are already sitting on 120% gains over their entry price. Even investors joining now at Stage 13 still have a 36.36% gain locked in before the token even hits exchanges, since the confirmed launch price is $0.0030. 

What actually makes LILPEPE different LILPEPE isn’t another rug waiting to happen. It’s a real Layer 2 blockchain with zero tax, near-zero fees, and sniper bot resistance at the protocol level. A native Meme Launchpad creates continuous LILPEPE gas demand beyond launch hype.  It has been CertiK audited: 95.49%. Listed on CMC and CoinGecko pre-launch. Anonymous veterans with top-tier meme-coin track records are quietly backing it. Two CEX listings confirmed, with the world’s largest exchange reportedly in the pipeline.

The 5,346% case: Can it actually happen? Let’s be real for a second. A 5,346% return would take LILPEPE from $0.0022 to roughly $0.12–$0.12+, which would still keep its market cap well below many established meme coins.  For context, DOGE, SHIB, and PEPE have all reached multi-billion-dollar valuations. At a $300 million market cap post-listing, a level that Dogecoin, SHIB, and Pepe Coin each eclipsed by multiples, each LILPEPE token could represent a meaningful gain over current presale pricing based on the 100 billion total token supply.

Bottom line Solana eyeing $250 is a real thesis with institutional backing. XRP targeting $5 has a clear, if uncertain, catalyst path through ETF approvals and Ripple’s banking push. Both are worth watching. But for those looking for the biggest potential surprise of 2026, the kind of asymmetric play that early PEPE or SHIB holders talk about years later, this cheap crypto under $1, LILPEPE, deserves a serious look right now. With Stage 13 nearly sold out, a confirmed listing price of $0.0030, a purpose-built meme Layer 2 chain, and a team with a track record of building top-performing memecoins, the pieces are in place. The window for a 5,346%+ return doesn’t stay open forever.

For more information about Little Pepe, visit the official website, X, and Telegram, read the whitepaper, and join the 777k giveaway.

Disclosure: This content is provided by a third party. Neither crypto.news nor the author of this article endorses any product mentioned on this page. Users should conduct their own research before taking any action related to the company.

PANews reported on May 1st that Carrot, a DeFi protocol within the Solana ecosystem, has announced its impending shutdown. Carrot stated that the Drift exploit had a catastrophic impact on its continued operations. Carrot has set May 14th as the deadline for withdrawing remaining funds from Boost, Turbo, and CRT. After that, the system will begin deleveraging, reducing all leverage to zero and releasing all liquidity for CRT redemptions. Carrot stated that any recovery funds from Drift will still be distributed as previously promised, but there is currently no specific timetable.

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In This Article Meteora Co-Founder Resigns After Libra Memecoin FailureThe LIBRA Memecoin and Allegations Engulf Argentina President MileiLessons for the Crypto Industry: Stop Bidding Solana Celebrity Meme Coins The resignation of Meteora’s co-founder Ben Chow adds another twist to the LIBRA memecoin saga.

Argentinan president Javier Milei thought he was Argentina’s Trump and could scam his fans, but the pyramid turned out to be much smaller than anticipated. Now people will see jail time. Et tu Solana?

Ain’t no way these people aren’t going to prison:

– Running 9 figure scams using heads of states as bait

– Doxxed & living is LA

– Admitting to inside corruption/collusion

– Exchanges involved – Meteora, Jupiter

– LA based streamers & KOLs involved

pic.twitter.com/T0V5UEsZOr pic.twitter.com/NWVS8qdSMG

— $trong (@StrongHedge) February 17, 2025

We’re dealing with unique problems this cycle that didn’t apply in previous cycles:

HORRIBLE global economic macros Additional tariffs (some justified and others not) scarring the market Solana threw a wrench into alts/shitcoins this cycle Normies are further demoralized by getting rekt from Trump, Melania, Libra, Hawk Tuah, amongst other celeb pnd’s (this ties into the SOL issue) Here’s a closer look at the scandal, LIBRA’s dramatic rise and fall, and the political tensions it has sparked, not just for the token but also for figures like Argentine President Javier Milei.

Meteora Co-Founder Resigns After Libra Memecoin Failure Ben Chow’s resignation was announced on X by “Meow,” the pseudonymous co-founder of Meteora and Jupiter, another Solana-based platform. Meow emphasized the company’s commitment to transparency and reassured the community of its intent to address the allegations effectively.

“We take allegations of insider trading EXTREMELY seriously,” Meow wrote on X. “Neither Meteora nor Jupiter is guilty of financial misconduct.”

(Ben Chow charged for 34 cases of Fraud in 2016 | SEC) To reinforce this commitment, the companies have hired Fenwick & West, a respected legal firm, to conduct an independent investigation. Meow promised that the review results would be made public to ensure accountability.

Despite expressing confidence in Chow’s character, Meow cited a lack of judgment in Meteora’s operations as a contributing factor to the resignation.

The LIBRA Memecoin and Allegations Engulf Argentina President Milei The scandal revolves around LIBRA, a meme coin that soared to mainstream attention after being endorsed by Argentine President Javier Milei.

What began as a rising star in the crypto world soon crashed spectacularly, with LIBRA’s value plummeting from $4 to less than $0.50 in mere hours.

The dramatic collapse has been linked to market manipulation, with reports alleging that insiders cashed out over $100 million in liquidity, leaving investors to absorb enormous losses. Chow, according to accusations, privately received or managed LIBRA tokens—a claim that has fueled outrage and distrust.

It’s all unravelling so quickly. In the past hour we found out that Jupiter owner Meow is the real owner of Meteora. Ben lied about having no involvement with Libra and other Kelsier launches and was fired from Meteora. Gotta imagine Solana and its execs knew this the whole time. pic.twitter.com/n5F8IC5H3W

— Beanie (@beaniemaxi) February 18, 2025

President Milei’s involvement with LIBRA has sparked significant political turbulence in Argentina. Milei, who publicly promoted the token, is now under investigation by the nation’s Anti-Corruption Office.

Federal Judge María Servini also oversees a legal probe into potential fraud and market manipulation related to the meme coin’s controversial launch.

Sociopathic scammers from the Solana culture have now dominated the crypto market. These are people whose perspective is that crypto is literally just a place where you can scam people for easy money. The LIBRA trainwreck gives us a glimpse into the massive rabbit hole.

They have zero inkling that crypto, blockchain, DLT, whatever, has any benefit other than being an arena for scamming. Sad!

Lessons for the Crypto Industry: Stop Bidding Solana Celebrity Meme Coins tldr; Argentina’s president Javier Milei launched a meme coin called $LIBRA, claiming it would boost the country’s economy. However, within five hours, $4.4 billion vanished as insiders dumped their holdings.

After the LIBRA crash, Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao donated 150 Binance Coin (BNB) to help fix the damage. But no amount of goodwill can fix the larger problem plaguing crypto—an unregulated space that leaves small investors drowning in losses.

The fallout has drawn interest from the blockchain community and political circles, raising bigger questions about responsibility and the glaring gaps in crypto oversight.

Solana has become a community increasingly tantamount to a drunken Reno casino, brimming with sharks and scammers. You might want to cash out while you still can.

EXPLORE: XRP Price Jumps 11% After SEC Crypto Unit Tease XRP ETF Progress

Join The 99Bitcoins News Discord Here For The Latest Market Updates

Key Takeaways Sociopathic scammers from the Solana culture have now dominated the crypto market. The LIBRA meme coin controversy serves as yet another reminder of the risks associated with hypervolatile assets like meme coins. For the crypto ecosystem, instances like these cast a long shadow, raising concerns about transparency, accountability, and the industry’s long-term reputation. #Altcoin News Today

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GM, Tim here.

A Solana DeFi leader resigns amid the LIBRA token scandal.Privacy protocol Railgun thwarts a hacker.World Liberty Financial plans a crypto stockpile.Ben Chow resignsA Solana DeFi leader resigned after being implicated in the $4.5 billion pump-and-dump of a memecoin promoted by Argentine President Javier Milei.

Meteora protocol co-founder Ben Chow distanced himself from Hayden Davis, a crypto promoter who admitted to front-running the LIBRA token and sharing information about its launch with insiders, ultimately profiting $100 million at the expense of investors.

“Neither I nor the Meteora team compromised the $LIBRA launch by leaking information, nor did we purchase, receive, or manage any tokens,” Chow said in an X post.

On Friday, Milei promoted the LIBRA token in a since-deleted post.

LIBRA soared to a $4.5 billion market value before crashing more than 95%.

Chow’s resignation comes after a leaked conversation, first reported by SolanaFloor, in which the co-founder was confronted about his involvement with LIBRA.

Moty Povolotski, founder of Solana app DefiTuna, asked Chow if he had a deal with Davis to help him provide liquidity for rigged memecoin launches in exchange for a cut.

“What? No man, that’s not true at all,” Chow said.

Meteora is a DeFi protocol that helps users launch and provide liquidity for new memecoins.

It was co-founded by Chow and Ming Ng, who also co-founded the $2.5 billion trading aggregator Jupiter.

In an X post, Ng said Chow had shown a “lack of judgement” as Meteora’s project lead.

“This is unfortunately unacceptable. Ben understands this, and has chosen to resign,” Ng said.

Railgun thwarts hacker Railgun is proving onchain privacy doesn’t have to benefit criminals.

On Thursday, ZkLend, a lending protocol on the Starknet blockchain, suffered a $9.5 million hack.

The hacker transferred the crypto to the Ethereum blockchain, and then attempted to transfer it again using Railgun, a protocol that allows users to break the chain of traceability between blockchain transactions.

That would have allowed the hacker to continue moving the stolen crypto across the blockchain or to potentially transfer it to an exchange unnoticed, where it could be exchanged for cash.

Instead, the Railgun protocol refused the hacker’s request.

DeFi security experts can flag criminal crypto addresses to Railgun. Once accepted, the protocol won’t let the address use the protocol’s privacy functionality.

“If they are [ill-gotten], the only action the bad actor can perform is to send back to their originating address,” Alan Scott, co-founder of the Railgun project, told DL News.

WLF’s crypto stockpileTrump-backed DeFi protocol World Liberty Financial said Wednesday it plans to create a strategic reserve of digital assets.

Dubbed Macro Strategy, the fund is designed to “bolster leading projects like Bitcoin and Ethereum” and emerging DeFi opportunities.

Last week, World Liberty co-founder Chase Herro said the onchain stockpile will show the company’s commitment to the crypto industry.

How it will do so is unclear. World Liberty hasn’t been a long-term holder of its crypto stash, at least not on its publicly known wallet addresses.

World Liberty has acquired cryptocurrencies of several prominent projects, including Tron, Move, Ethena, and Chainlink.

The announcement comes after a Blockworks investigation found World Liberty Financial courted crypto teams for token swap deals.

This week in DeFi governancePROPOSAL: DYdX Operations subDAO requests $11.65 million grant

PROPOSAL: The Uniswap Foundation requests $165 million for grants, operating expenses

VOTE: Aave DAO works towards integrating Pendle PT tokens with Chaos Labs

Post of the weekCrypto Twitter inducts Hayden Davis (right) as the final evolution in infamous memecoin promoters.

Also pictured are the boy who launched the Gen Z Quant memecoin (left) and Orangie (centre).

Got a tip about DeFi? Reach out at [email protected].

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