Connect with us
  • tg

Cryptocurrency

The Rivalry Between EVM and L1s Will Shape the Future of DeFi (Opinion)

letizo News

Published

on

By Piers Ridyard, CEO of RDX Works

The 2018-19 bear market saw the development of the MetaMask wallet, Uniswap decentralized exchange, OpenSea NFT marketplace, and alternative Layer 1s such as Solana. Only with this kind of core infrastructure in place was the subsequent 2021 boom in DeFi and NFTs made possible.

A similar story is playing out today. Emerging from the rubble are two competing visions vying to become the core infrastructure of the next cycle:

The incumbent Ethereum and its ecosystem of Layer 2 (L2) scaling networks, such as Arbitrum and Polygon that run the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM).

A new cohort of Layer 1s (L1s) have purposefully avoided the EVM and aim for an enhanced wallet user experience, application development environment, and scalability, with networks such as Aptos, Radix, and Sui being the prime examples.

EVM Layer 2s: Scaling The Incumbent

The EVM is the dominant platform in Web3 today, accounting for ~95% of all DeFi assets under management (AUM), ~80% of active addresses, and ~40% of all Web3 developers.

This success has led to Ethereum’s congestion and high transaction fees. The almost universally accepted solution: L2 scaling networks.

L2s are separate networks, offering their own ledger, tokens, and decentralized applications (dApps.) Their defining feature is that they periodically post summaries of their transactions back to the L1, Ethereum, piggybacking on the L1 to guarantee that transactions won’t roll back.

These L2s offer the same application development environment as Ethereum, the EVM. This allows for any dApp built on Ethereum to be easily copied over to an L2. From DEXes to lending to NFTs, dApps copied over can benefit from a new network that has higher throughput and lower fees yet inherits some of the security of Ethereum itself.

But there are issues with this approach.

First, security and developer experience continues to be a major concern. From the original hack of The DAO in 2016 through the billions of dollars lost annually over 2021-2022, the EVM has proven time and again that dApps built with it cannot safeguard users’ funds.

Second, the UX is far from mainstream-ready. The EVM places a high technical burden on its users, including “blind signing” – equivalent to signing a blank check for every transaction; “seed phrases” – a password that must be kept secure, else you may lose all your assets; or the need to be wary of “malicious tokens” that could steal your assets.

The requirement to maintain backward compatibility means solutions tend to be additive, piling up more complexity and risk rather than making the deep-rooted changes needed to fix issues properly. A case in point, ERC-4337 Account Abstraction, which is Ethereum’s solution to seed phrases, proposes an entirely new “mempool” through which transactions must be routed.

Third, L2s only half-solve the problem of scalability as each new network is like a new island with its own dApps and liquidity, not “composable” with the Ethereum mainland or other L2s. For this reason, we shall continue to see projects prioritize being on Ethereum, or in the scenario that an L2 gains enough traction to provide a compelling alternative, it will ultimately itself become congested, taking us back to square one.

Non-EVM L1s: The Challengers

Rather than iterate on the EVM, a new batch of L1s are charting their own path, starting from scratch with their own custom stacks.

First, they differentiate by addressing the neverending hacks and exploits through an improved developer experience. To achieve this, some projects, for example, have turned smart contracts containing assets into physical objects that can be “moved” between owners, with features to improve the security of tokens and smart contracts.

At the same time, other protocols have taken the object model one step further, with all assets being natively governed by a “DeFi Engine.” Similar to how Game Engines reduced bugs and improved game developer productivity by natively governing behaviors such as physics and gravity, this same concept is now being applied to finance.

In fact, assets being native to the ledger isn’t just a benefit for developers. It is a prerequisite to an improved user experience. By natively understanding assets, these platforms can provide users with human-readable transactions that guarantee what the transaction is going to do.

This solves the blank check “blind signing” transactions that the EVM and its L2s are architecturally unable to fix, as they can’t offer guarantees on something they don’t natively understand.

On the subject of scalability (the very problem that L2s were built to solve), new approaches promise to offer “linear scalability” without compromising that all-important composability.

This includes “intra-validator sharding,” which allows for each computer that validates transactions to actually be composed of many different underlying computers, or “multi-shard consensus.”

This allows for parallelization of processing across multiple groupings of computers. In each of these cases, adding more computers to the network allows for more transactions to be processed, similar to how the internet itself scales.

The Fight Ahead

Despite the technical advantages offered by the latest L1s, decentralized networks are all about community and momentum. The EVM and its L2s hold a significant lead in public awareness, developer community, and general tooling and infrastructure.

Getting developers to learn a new language and for users to adopt a new chain amongst all the noise is not easy and depends on how well the value proposition of that new chain can be propagated.

But, taking a step back – DeFi and Web3 account for only 0.01% of global financial assets, 0.1% of internet users, and 0.1% of global developers. The journey ahead is long, and there is still ample opportunity for newer platforms with radically different approaches and significantly less technical debt to fight for the remaining 99.9%.

Author bio

Piers Ridyard is the CEO of RDX Works, a public protocol and ledger for DeFi. Piers started in crypto when he started mining on the genesis block of Ethereum in early 2015, investing in “The DAO” and going deep on everything from game theory to prediction markets. This eventually led him to build and exit Surematics, a YCombinator company that built decentralized dealroom software for insurance companies in 2017. Piers became CEO of RDX Works in 2017, joining the Founder, Dan Hughes, and building the team to over 75 people around the world. His background includes finance, law, electronics, and mathematics. He also has two degrees, one in Chinese and Business and a second in Law, as well as having achieved his level 1 Chartered Financial Analyst designation.

SPECIAL OFFER (Sponsored)
Binance Free $100 (Exclusive): Use this link to register and receive $100 free and 10% off fees on Binance Futures first month (terms).

Cryptocurrency

Bitcoin’s (BTC) Bull Market Remains Intact Amid Temporary Slowdown: CQ

letizo News

Published

on

Crypto assets declined as 2024 came to a close. Bitcoin’s post-election surge to over $100,000 had lost momentum. Entering 2025, the asset touched $97,000 but soon pulled back slightly.

However, the latest CryptoQuant analysis hints that BTC is still in the midst of a bull market. The current phase has been identified as a cooling-off period rather than the end of the cycle.

Momentary Slowdown

After Bitcoin’s price surpassed $108,000, a correction followed, which raised concerns about the possibility of an extended stagnation like the previous six-month retracement. Despite this, key on-chain data suggested a reassuring view of the market’s health.

In its report, CryptoQuant’s Adjusted SOPR (Spent Output Profit Ratio), which eliminates short-term noise by excluding transactions under an hour and employs a 7-day Simple Moving Average (SMA), remains above 1 but is trending downward. This suggests diminishing profits for participants but aligns with historical patterns, where SOPR dropping below 1 often triggers reversals in bull markets.

Similarly, the Miner Position Index (MPI) also shows a downward trend, with no indications of mass Bitcoin transfers to exchanges. Such a trend is indicative of the fact that miners, especially large firms, are holding their Bitcoin assets, although periodic sell-offs for operational expenses are expected.

Other metrics, such as total network fees, reflect reduced on-chain activity. This phase is further validated by declining funding rates, which have historically been precursors to Bitcoin rebounds, particularly during periods of negative sentiment.

Hence, the data collectively point to a temporary cooling-off period in the ongoing bull market. While reduced on-chain activity and declining metrics suggest a momentary slowdown, there is no substantial evidence pointing to a cycle peak.

Old Bitcoin Whales Selling Amid Institutional Buying

According to CryptoQuant CEO Ki Young Ju’s update, “old whales” are currently the sellers in the Bitcoin market. This is evidenced by high over-the-counter (OTC) volume and significant exchange deposits. However, he dismissed fears of a market crash, adding that these sales are unlikely to cause significant disruptions.

Ju also noted that buying pressure predominantly comes from US institutions, particularly through Coinbase. Despite this institutional interest, he pointed out that the daily premium on Coinbase is at a multi-year low, which means that the momentum has weakened. As such, a recovery in this premium is needed to support Bitcoin’s next leg up.

SPECIAL OFFER (Sponsored)
Binance Free $600 (CryptoPotato Exclusive): Use this link to register a new account and receive $600 exclusive welcome offer on Binance (full details).

LIMITED OFFER for CryptoPotato readers at Bybit: Use this link to register and open a $500 FREE position on any coin!

Continue Reading

Cryptocurrency

SPX6900 Soars 35% as Meme Coins Continue to Rise, Meme Index Raises $1.6 Million

letizo News

Published

on

With the new year officially underway, cryptocurrencies of all kinds are beginning to show bullish reversal signals.

Although we’re seeing steady positive momentum for most coins – Bitcoin and Ethereum are both up approximately 3% in the last day or so – plenty of double-bottom chart patterns are also forming, and some meme coins are breaking out early.

SPX6900 is one of today’s top gainers, surging by over 35% in the past 24 hours.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at SPX6900’s price performance and another index-inspired meme coin project that’s already raised $1.6 million just a couple of weeks into its presale.

SPX6900 Hits New ATH

In the crypto world, the most entertaining outcome seems to increasingly be the most likely. SPX6900 ($SPX), a satirical token inspired by the S&P 500, has proven a perfect example – and has now entered a new phase of price discovery after exploding through its previous all-time high, and past its key resistance level of $1.

The token now sits at $1.26. Its price and market cap have risen by 35% in a day, with the market cap now at $1.17bn. Daily trading volume is up 179%, and sits currently at $118.16m.

This leaves SPX6900 up 92% on the monthly chart, and 16,953% up on its launch price.

From this point, we can expect some investors to begin taking profits. This will gradually form a top pattern, at which point this token’s next move will become clearer.

However, given that the wider market is still forming bullish patterns, it’s possible that SPX6900 could see its current pump continue at least for a few more days.

At the time of writing, both the Bitcoin and Ethereum charts are showing significant bullish signs with a pair of double bottoms.

So overall, crypto bulls have a lot to get excited about as we forge ahead into 2025. It looks like only a matter of time before we see new highs for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other altcoins – and even more huge gains for SPX6900 holders.

Meme Index: Is This Presale Token the Next SPX6900?

Now that SPX6900 has proven itself as a meme project that the market is taking seriously, investors who spot the next big “meme index” token will be perfectly positioned to take advantage of the next stage of this increasingly popular narrative.

Appropriately enough, Meme Index ($MEMEX) has already emerged as a leading ICO project, and has raised over $1.6 million despite only launching its presale a couple of weeks ago.

The Meme Index platform enables MEMEX token holders to invest in a collection of “baskets” (meme coin indexes) through the platform’s innovative staking mechanism. The baskets each provide investors with exposure to different sets of meme coins, from mainstream tokens (held within the “Meme Titan Index”) to extremely volatile coins (via the “Meme Frenzy Index”).

This empowers meme coin investors with the ability to choose the amount of volatility they’re exposed to, while also providing a convenient alternative to holding and managing bags of individual meme coins.

MEMEX tokens are still available for a short time through the Meme Index presale (priced at $0.0148639 per token), and can be staked to generate passive income of up to 1,471% APY. The tokens will also provide holders with the ability to vote on future project developments (including the creation of new baskets) after Meme Index officially launches this year.

To discover more about the Meme Index project and join the presale, investors can click the link below:

Visit Meme Index Presale

Disclaimer: The above article is sponsored content; it’s written by a third party. CryptoPotato doesn’t endorse or assume responsibility for the content, advertising, products, quality, accuracy, or other materials on this page. Nothing in it should be construed as financial advice. Readers are strongly advised to verify the information independently and carefully before engaging with any company or project mentioned and do their own research. Investing in cryptocurrencies carries a risk of capital loss, and readers are also advised to consult a professional before making any decisions that may or may not be based on the above-sponsored content.

Readers are also advised to read CryptoPotato’s full disclaimer.

SPECIAL OFFER (Sponsored)
Binance Free $600 (CryptoPotato Exclusive): Use this link to register a new account and receive $600 exclusive welcome offer on Binance (full details).

LIMITED OFFER for CryptoPotato readers at Bybit: Use this link to register and open a $500 FREE position on any coin!

Continue Reading

Cryptocurrency

Plume Network and Purpose for Profit Partner to Bring Onchain Funding to Affordable Housing Projects

letizo News

Published

on

[PRESS RELEASE – New York, United States, January 3rd, 2025]

Plume Network, the first full-stack modular layer-1 blockchain focused on Real World Asset Finance (RWAfi), is thrilled to announce a partnership with Purpose for Profit (PFP), the world’s first on-chain endowment and tokenized credit fund dedicated to providing below-market-rate loans to businesses building quality affordable housing. This collaboration marks a pivotal step in democratizing financial opportunities while advancing sustainable and equitable development.

At the core of this partnership is a shared vision to leverage blockchain for greater transparency, inclusivity, and impact. PFP’s innovative model utilizes the blockchain to document all loans disbursed, payments received, assets under management, and token activities—both onchain and offchain. By doing so, PFP ensures transparency for investors and stakeholders.

Through PFP’s PURPOSE token, individuals can stake their way into impact investing by essentially taking a liquidity provider position. Token holders can earn a portion of revenues from interest on loans repaid, all without management fees or penalties for early exits. This accessible model empowers participants to support impactful ESG initiatives, starting with affordable and mixed-income housing projects that provide below-market-rate loans to businesses.

“Plume Network is proud to support Purpose for Profit in their efforts to merge blockchain innovation with meaningful, real world impact,” said Chris Yin, CEO and founder of Plume. “This partnership is a testament to the transformative potential of blockchain technology when aligned with shared values of sustainability, equity, and transparency.”

Together, Plume Network and Purpose for Profit aim to onboard over 1 million new participants from sectors like real estate, construction, non-profits, and philanthropy into Web3. This effort aligns with PFP’s mission to create a globally inclusive financial community, blending traditional cooperative principles with progressive decentralization powered by blockchain.

“Plume Network’s architecture is the foundation for the next phase of blockchain innovation, it enables solutions that will onboard the next wave of adopters. We’re excited to launch with Plume and bring RWA to the masses,” said Elizabeth Kukka, CEO of Purpose for Profit.

This partnership reinforces Plume Network’s commitment to fostering real world asset tokenization and creating a robust ecosystem for projects driving societal good. By integrating PFP into the Plume ecosystem, users will gain access to tokenized impact investing opportunities and transparent financial mechanisms, seamlessly merging the power of DeFi with tangible ESG outcomes.

About Purpose for Profit (PFP)

Purpose for Profit is the world’s first tokenized lending fund and on-chain endowment for ESG initiatives. Focused on affordable housing, PFP leverages blockchain to create a transparent, inclusive, and progressive model for impact investing.

Users can learn more at https://purposeforprofit.com/

About Plume Network

Plume is the first public blockchain purpose-built for RWAfi, enabling the rapid adoption and demand-driven integration of real world assets. With 180+ projects building on the network, Plume offers a composable, EVM-compatible environment for onboarding and managing diverse real-world assets. Coupled with an end-to-end tokenization engine and a network of financial infrastructure partners, Plume simplifies asset onboarding and enables seamless DeFi integration for RWAs so anyone can tokenize real world assets, distribute them globally, and make them useful for native crypto users.

Users can learn more at https://www.plumenetwork.xyz/ or contact press@plumenetwork.xyz.

SPECIAL OFFER (Sponsored)
Binance Free $600 (CryptoPotato Exclusive): Use this link to register a new account and receive $600 exclusive welcome offer on Binance (full details).

LIMITED OFFER for CryptoPotato readers at Bybit: Use this link to register and open a $500 FREE position on any coin!

Continue Reading

Trending

©2021-2024 Letizo All Rights Reserved