Recently, there has been an explosion of new cryptocurrencies and blockchains. It has caused the need for interoperability, as you have to send your tokens between different networks. One innovative decentralised platform which is solving this issue is [THORChain](https://thorchain.org/). 

The network offers a cross-chain infrastructure that allows you to swap tokens across multiple blockchains. It is designed to smooth out the peer-to-peer exchange of digital assets. Along with its interoperability, it maintains immutability and does not need wrapped tokens for swaps. 

Curious to know how the THORChain works? This article covers the blockchain’s unique features, the working mechanism, and crypto RUNE.  

## What is THORChain?

THORChain is one of the leading cross-chain architectures which offer a secure path for token exchange. It is an entirely decentralised platform that is compatible with eight popular chains. It can support swaps between [Bitcoin](/coins/btc), [Ethereum](/coins/eth), Avalanche, Binance Smart Chain, [Dogecoin](/coins/doge), Bitcoin Cash, [Litecoin](/coins/ltc), and Cosmos Hub. 

Leveraging its interoperability, you can swap the native tokens of its supported blockchains. It creates a frictionless experience and is used for various [DeFi](/news/article/what-is-a-defi-token) needs. 

In the beginning, THORChain was deployed on the [Cosmos network](/news/article/cosmos-crypto-explained). However, in April 2021, the network introduced an update that transformed it into an independent blockchain. Its mainnet provides an environment where non-compatible currencies can be exchanged without intermediaries. 

The blockchain also provides you with more liquidity. Because of this, its network poses a more secure option than the various centralised and decentralised exchanges.

In addition, you can also earn yields on the network. It has liquidity pools where you can deposit your assets and gain profits. The THORChain DEX brings you [crypto lending](/news/article/crypto-lending) services too. It also allows you to secure digital asset funding almost instantly. 

## How does the THORChain work?

THORChain is a cross-chain DEX protocol that works like an Automated Market Maker (AMM). Its mechanism involves Tendermint software, Threshold Signature Scheme (TSS), and the Cosmos SDK. 

It follows the Proof of Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism. It involves validators [staking](/news/article/what-is-staking-crypto) their RUNE tokens in the network to validate transactions and run the nodes. Among these, the operative nodes are also responsible for creating liquidity pools.
 
The blockchain works with the same principle as the Bancor DEX. It includes the pool liquidity ecosystem where users deposit their cryptocurrencies. The pool also includes the native token of the chain, which is RUNE. Then the protocol behind it uses algorithms to evaluate the value of the assets against RUNE.

The process facilitates the exchange of non-native tokens. So, for instance, when you swap Bitcoin for Ethereum, the protocol exchanges BTC with RUNE first. Then it moves on to swapping RUNE with Ethereum. 

This double-swapping process allows instant completion of transactions. Besides, it enables non-custodial exchanges to work freely with the THORChain protocol.

## What are the benefits of using THORChain?

One of the main goals behind the creation of THORChain is to offer deep liquidity to the users. It was built on the premise that centralisation removes economic safety from exchanges. That’s why there needs to be decentralised exchanges that offer more [economic security](/news/article/cryptocurrency-and-the-economy) because of locked assets. 

The liquidity of THOR, along with its cross-chain abilities, makes it an exceptional choice for users. It allows them to swap tokens back and forth between different blockchains. Moreover, it does not need intermediaries for swapping, keeping the system swift and secure. 

In addition to that, you can be part of different liquidity pools on the network. It allows you to earn yields on your funds and get crypto loans. 

Overall, the THORChain blockchain provides a single interactive interface from which you can securely access multiple assets. It not only offers interoperability but also has features like crypto lending, yields, etc.

## THORChain ecosystem
 
![thor1.png](https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/prod-monitalks-media/thor1_18f2cb48bf.png)

[Source](https://thorchain.org/ecosystem)

The network ecosystem involves a range of different decentralised applications (DApps). According to the THORChain website, there are a total of 41 projects offering various services to its users. These include both THOR’s own as well as third-party apps.

The list of DApps involves various self-custody wallets like Trust, Edge, and ThorWallet. It also introduces digital asset trading platforms like ShapeShift DAO, [THORSwap](/news/article/what-is-thorswap), and Rango Exchange. 

You can also get analytical insights on the platform with the projects like THORChain explorer, THORCharts, and Nansen Portfolio. Other categories include NFT, Launchpad, Support, Community, and more.

## THORChain crypto (RUNE)

RUNE token is the native crypto in the THOR network. It plays a crucial role in the cross-chain exchange of different tokens. It serves as a settlement asset and offers deep liquidity. The high liquidity RUNEs provide you with economic safety on the network. Due to its mechanism, you do not need wrapped tokens or several cryptocurrency pairs.

Crypto is also used as the governance token on the network. When you use crypto, you will gain governance rights for choosing your liquidity pool. The network also uses RUNE to provide incentives to the users. 

## RUNE tokenomics and price

The economics of the THORChain crypto is reasonably straightforward. According to [CoinMarketCap](https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/thorchain/), the max supply of the tokens is 500,000,000, from which around 327,056,566 RUNEs are in circulation. The project's market cap is more than $500 million.

![thor2.png](https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/prod-monitalks-media/thor2_21cbd803b0.png)
 
[Source](https://thorchain.org/)

It is designed to lock RUNE's $3 against each $1 of the non-native assets in the liquidity pool. The network's total value-locked (TVL) is $132,570,726.

As for the price of the coin, it directly depends on the usage of THORChain. Currently, one RUNE is priced at around $1.67, with a trading volume of $52,092,701 in the past 24 hours. 

## THORChain price prediction 2023, 2025, & 2030

According to the forecast from [DigitalCoinPrice](https://digitalcoinprice.com/forecast/thorchain), RUNE shows bearish long-term trends. Its data suggest that the coin will likely capitalise on its current price and maintain an average of $3.28 in 2023. In addition, the coin may hit the $6 mark in 2025. However, until 2030, its price will be around $17, even less than its current all-time high value. 

On the other hand, data from [PricePrediction.Net](https://priceprediction.net/en/price-prediction/thorchain) shows slightly bullish trends. It predicts that the THORChain crypto may reach the maximum of $2.95 in 2023, whereas it will likely average $2.62. Moreover, in 2025 its price may grow to $6.57, and it may average around $5.54. Meanwhile, till 2030, RUNE’s price may cross the $30 mark and will likely average $33.81.

## Closing thoughts 

THORChain network is a unique take on DEX. It follows the AMM model and is backed by high liquidity, providing enhanced security. It is an all-in-one platform where you can perform multi-currency exchanges frictionlessly. Besides, it gives you access to the most popular currencies like BTC, ETH, and DOGE. 

Meanwhile, the platform is still seeing growth. Many third-party applications are becoming a part of THORChain, which will help the RUNE crypto to grow as an investment.


Thorchain logo on blue image of lightening strike on mountain

THORchain Explained 

If you're considering making money from your crypto holdings in 2023 and beyond, this guide discusses Raydium staking and shows you how to make money from it.  

There are different ways to make a fortune from the burgeoning cryptocurrency market. Most people have only heard about buying and HODLing crypto traditionally while waiting for prices to improve, but staking to earn passive income on idle cryptocurrencies in an ingenious method.

## What is Raydium?

[Raydium](https://raydium.io/) is a decentralized automated market maker (AMM) built on the Solana blockchain. It draws its liquidity from the Serum decentralized exchange (DEX). The platform facilitates trading digital currencies, like cryptos, via liquidity pools, which remain a significant feature in the Decentralized Finance (DeFi) circles.

Liquidity pools are made of individuals (liquidity providers) who lock their crypto in a smart contract to be used as trading pairs in markets for traders on the DEXs. An AMM protocol guarantees liquidity in a digital market, such as a cryptocurrency exchange. AMMs are designed to set asset sales and purchase prices automatically and are primarily used in predictive markets. 

As an AMM, Raydium plays two fundamental roles. Apart from providing access to Serum’s order book, its algorithm is based on CFAMM (constant function automated market maker), a continuous function whose architecture is anchored within Solana and Serum.

## What is RAY and how does it work?

RAY is the native token of the Raydium ecosystem. It was launched on 21 February, 2021, with an initial supply capped at 555 million tokens. The RAY development team apportioned and locked up 20% of the supply that couldn't be sold for three years. One-third of the total RAY token supply (188 million tokens) is available for mining, and it's estimated that block rewards will be halved every six months. In the same vein, 0.03% of transaction fees earned on the platform are reserved for Raydium staking rewards.   

## What can RAY tokens be used for?

Holders of the RAY token can generate interest, totaling up to 0.03% of the platform's total trading fees, via Raydium staking, besides getting some limited rights to intervene partially in the protocol's governance. RAY holders can also vote for proposals on amendments and issues submitted to the community. The size of a user's voting power is determined by the amount of RAY tokens they own. You can buy RAY from numerous leading cryptocurrency exchanges where it's listed or directly from the Raydium website.

## What is Raydium staking?

[Staking in crypto](/news/article/what-is-staking-crypto) is a process similar to the mining function. Participants are selected to add blocks and establish the validity of transactions for which they get rewarded in crypto. While the exact implementation may differ for different projects, participants lock in their tokens for a specified period to guarantee that they will act in good faith and not violate the rules.  
  
If you're a long-term crypto holder, Raydium staking can work for you by generating passive income instead of you letting your digital assets gather dust in your wallet.

Moreover, staking contributes to the security of the Raydium protocol, making it resistant to attacks as you strengthen its transaction processing ability. Staking Raydium in its farms of fusion pools also enables you to earn more RAY tokens. Currently, stakers can make an annual percentage return (APR) for staking RAY at [9.84%](https://raydium.io/staking).

## How to stake RAY 

Raydium staking is a straightforward process that takes three simple steps:

1.	Select your favorite crypto exchange.

2.	Buy RAY tokens or transfer your coins to your [crypto wallet](/news/article/cryptocurrency-hardware-wallet).

3.	Stake, and wait to start earning.

You can also stake directly on the Raydium website by clicking the STAKE tab and confirming the transaction.

Your RAY token rewards will grow depending on the current APR against the RAY vault. You can collect your accrued rewards at intervals. At this point, you withdraw your original staked amount plus the earned rewards.

## Is staking Raydium a good investment? 

Since the character of cryptocurrency experiences a wavelike motion, there's every chance that the price of RAY can appreciate and get to an all-time high as the crypto winter thaws. Should the price of Raydium increase, it could generate good returns, giving Raydium staking a good long-term earning potential.


green image of Raydium crypto token logo with periodic table in the background

Raydium Staking: Earn Crypto Rewards Easily 

DeFi Llama is a premier decentralised finance (DeFi) [analytics dashboard](/news/article/compass-nft) that primarily tracks the total valued locked (TVL) of blockchains and their decentralised applications (DApps).

In this guide, we have summarised each of the platform's offerings.
 
## Why should I use DeFi Llama?

If you look at the above image, you will see that the platform offers a variety of dashboards to track decentralised finance data (left-hand side of your screen). 

This includes Yields, Liquidations, Volumes, Fees/Revenue, Raises, Hacks, and more. Simply click on a category of your choice to view and analyse relevant data.

With the [help of available dashboards](https://defillama.com/), you can keep track of the entire decentralised finance sphere and conduct in-depth research into all major blockchains and DApps.
What makes this data even more interesting is that it allows you to visualise the [growth of the sector](/news/article/how-can-features-of-blockchain-support-sustainability-efforts) over time and see how major blockchains and DApps have developed.

While the available information may seem like an overload to new users, it is a fantastic opportunity to gain insights into potential gems if you figure out where to look, among other possibilities (please DYOR!).
 
For example, if we look at the above chain-by-chain breakup of the crypto sphere, we see that Ethereum (ETH) dominates the space, with a TVL of over $30B. Ethereum boasts 670 protocols at the time of writing, and if we click on it, we will see the collection of protocols on the blockchain.
 
With the help of this data, we can determine the categories of Ethereum protocols, their TVL, TVL statistics, etc. This information could help us find great opportunities (again, DYOR!).

If we click on Lido (LDO), for example, further insights into the protocol, including important links, token information, methodology, competitors, raises, treasury, yields, fees, and revenue breakup, are available.
 
It should be noted that this is just one way of using the platform. To put it into perspective, there are 2,176 protocols listed on DeFi Llama currently - numerous data metrics are available and the number of possibilities is endless.


DeFi Llama: A Decentralised Analytics Dashboard 

Blockchain and cryptocurrency started with the idea of not letting central authorities control our finances. This decentralized anonymous system lets people make a passive income while keeping their identity private. This inspired DRIP Network, enabling token holders to have a consistent passive income that grows over time.

Regular shares and stocks pay out a dividend. This means that once you own a company stock, you can make money as long as the company is turning a profit.

This is the principle on which DRIP aims to work. According to DRIP, it will pay token holders a daily dividend, allowing them to make money/passive income without actually having to do anything.

## What is DRIP Network?

DRIP Network, created by teams led by Forex_Shark and BB, was launched in July 2021. Forex, who has been involved in the crypto space since 2012, is the main developer of DRIP. The total supply of DRIP tokens is capped at 99,999,999.

[The network is based on the DRIP Token](/news/article/drip-token). It is a community that pays token holders 1% of their investment daily, going up to 365% a year.

## DRIP features

•	DRIP Network token - According to the DRIP Network website, the official token of the network, DRIP, is built on the Binance Smart blockchain (BSC) as a BEP-20 token. The token is designed to be scarce, deflationary, and resistant to censorship. Its current value stands at £0.38.

•	Swap - Traditionally, you would have to use exchange platforms such as PancakeSwap to exchange your BNB for DRIP. However, now you can use the DRIP Network website to make the exchange without incurring a 10% fee.

•	DRIP Faucet - The Faucet is a feature on the DRIP Network's website where users can deposit their DRIP. As stated on the website, this feature is a low-risk, high-reward contract that operates in a similar fashion to a high-yield certificate of deposit by providing a daily return on investment of 1% up to a maximum of 365%.

## How does it work?

DRIP token workings are simple - you deposit a pre-decided amount of DRIP into the DRIP Network. The idea here is to start making a passive income that will not only return you your initial deposit, but also turn in a profit after a certain period.

To explain further, let's say you invest £10,000 as your initial deposit. It would take you about 3.5 months to make your deposit back; from there, whatever you make from the rest of the remaining 365 days is yours to keep. In other words, it is pure profit.

## How to get started with DRIP

Let's look at how you can start investing and making a profit with DRIP.

•	Buy BNB - Grab yourself some BNB from places like Coinbase, Kucoin, Binance, [or other wallets](/news/article/best-crypto-wallet-uk-top-picks). Once you've got it, send it over to your Metamask or Trust wallet. Just make sure you're sending it to the Binance Smart Chain.

•	Swap your BNB for DRIP - Once you're on the [DRIP website](https://drip.community/), connect your wallet by clicking on the "Connect Wallet" button on the top right corner of the page. Then go to the swap page by clicking on the "Swap" button. To buy DRIP using BNB, enter the amount of BNB you want to exchange under the "Buy DRIP" section and confirm the transaction. 

Review and approve any smart contract and exchange actions on your wallet before proceeding.

•	Deposit your DRIP - Once you have your desired amount of DRIP tokens, click on the Faucet to go to the Faucet page. You can use this step to put in a referral if you have one. To deposit DRIP, input the desired amount and select "Deposit". 

Be sure to confirm the transaction in your wallet and remember that a 10% tax will be applied and the funds will not be refundable.

After depositing, you will be able to view the following statistics: Available DRIP earned (at a rate of 1% per day), the total value of DRIP deposits, total claimed DRIP, total DRIP earned from team member referrals, and the maximum payout amount based on your deposit and 1% daily earning potential. 

This amount may increase when you reinvest. Your team members will also be visible.

•	Hydrate/Claim - You will see two buttons, "Claim" and "Hydrate". "Claim" allows you to collect your earned rewards. "Hydrate" lets you reinvest your rewards, increasing your earning potential and max payout. This option has a 5% fee and is preferred by users who want a long-term investment.

DRIP, a new type of offering, aims to be sustainable by implementing several features that encourage price stability and discourage large holders from impacting the market.


blue image of drip network logo and blockchain

DRIP Network Explained

[DappRadar](https://dappradar.com/) is a global application store tailored to the needs of stakeholders of the decentralized finance (DeFi) space. 

The platform allows the tracking, analyzing, and discovery of decentralized applications (DApps), non-fungible tokens (NFTs) collections, DeFi projects, tokens, token swaps, and airdrops, among others.

Dragos Dunica and Skirmantas Januškas founded [DappRadar](https://dappradar.com/about-us) in 2018. They serve as the company's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Data Officer (CDO).

As of 15 January, 2023, the platform that tags itself as actionable, multichain, and peerless provides coverage to the widest selection of applications in Web3 and Metaverse, tracking 13,187 DApps, 16,053 NFT collections, and 48 portfolios. Through this platform, developers, traders, and investors can view digital collectibles, and trending DApps, analyze the periodical volumes of certain applications and NFTs, and discover new blockchain technologies with promising innovations. The data tracking portal sees more than one million monthly users and employs 71 people. 

## DappRadar supports many blockchains

Despite the decentralized nature of the crypto industry, finding information for novices or beginners can be extremely difficult. 

DappRadar has rectified this problem by providing relevant data on more than 50 blockchains. Some blockchains being tracked include Ethereum, TRON, BNB Chain, Flow, Avalanche, Tezos, EOS, [Polygon](/news/article/polygon-crypto), IoTeX, Solana, Algorand, Cronos, Ronin, Immutable X, Celo, Fantom, and WAX. 

In September 2022, DappRadar [announced](https://dappradar.com/blog/dappradar-now-tracks-cardano-blockchain-dapps) the tracking of [Cardano](/news/article/cardano-analysis-and-explanation) DApps. This came on the back of a [Vasil Hard Fork](https://cointelegraph.com/news/what-cardano-s-vasil-hard-fork-means-for-the-blockchain) upgrade which enhanced Cardano's transaction speed. Aside from this, the upgrade triggered DApp development capacity, general usability, and security.

Some of the most popular blockchain DApps tracked by DappRadar include Splinterlands, Alien Worlds, PancakeSwap, Hooked, Planet IX, Farmers World, AtomicAssets, decentralized exchanges Uniswap V3 and V2, NFT marketplaces (OpenSea, X2Y2, and Magic Eden), Meta Apes, 1inch Network, ApeSwap, ApeCoin Staking, Axie Infinity, MetaMask Swap, QuickSwap, and NFT collection NFL ALL DAY.

## DappRadar provides periodical industry reports

To keep users of the platform and stakeholders of DeFi up-to-speed with developments in the industry, DappRadar provides quarterly reports about the state of the industry. The information covered mostly includes NFT trading volume, total transactions within a period, total value locked (TVL) in decentralized applications, and the growing use of airdrops as a marketing tool to draw millions of people to a particular project. 

In a recent report, it shed light on [Blur](https://dappradar.com/blog/new-dapps-report-blur-nft-trading-volume-spikes), one of the DApps based on Ethereum, which has generated more than $300 million in all-time sales in just three months. In the process, it has jumped into the top ten NFT marketplaces in the world.

## The project is supported by a cryptocurrency

Like many projects in the industry today, DappRadar is supported by a cryptocurrency called [RADAR](https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/dappradar/). The coin was launched in December 2021 to support the platform’s quest of becoming a powerhouse in the shift from Web2 to new heights in the [Web3](/news/article/web3-games-raised-millions) and Metaverse. 

RADAR has many uses, such as serving as a governance token for holders who will contribute to making decisions about the platform.

RADAR can also be staked for passive income. Staking is where a significant number of a coin, in this case, RADAR, is locked up to help a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) blockchain validate transactions.

As of 15 January, 2023, more than 570 million RADARs are circulating in the market from a total and maximum supply of ten billion. RADAR reached an all-time high price of $0.0604 on 15 December, 2021 and tested an all-time low price of $0.004091 on 18 June, 2022.

The coin is supported by nine exchanges (centralized and decentralized). They are Bilaxy, MEXC Global, BKEX, CoinW, Uniswap V3, DigiFinex, Huobi Global, SushiSwap, and Crypto.com.

## Conclusion: Should I use DappRadar?

Millions of people now regard this platform as the best as it provides an all-in-one system due to the quality of its application programming interface (API). With this platform, you can find all the essential information about the emerging sector in one place, which can help you make decisions about decentralized exchanges, lending, yield aggregation, and NFT investing.


blue image of Dappradar logo over image of dapps

What is DappRadar and Why Do You Care?

After a last-minute change of heart, it is a question challenging many in the last couple of months – just when is the Shibarium release date?

A series of delays towards the end of last year means that the release date for this eagerly awaited Ethereum scaling solution has remained a mystery. New evidence has shown that, finally, we may be moving closer toward the launch of this long-awaited 'layer 2 scaling solution'.

## ‘Layer 2 scaling solution'

Shibarium is a [layer 2 scaling solution](https://crypto.com/university/what-are-layer-2-scaling-solutions) built on top of the [Ethereum](/news/article/ethereum-merge) network. It is designed to facilitate the Shiba Inu ecosystem. In theory, this should provide thousands of users access to the myriad Ethereum-enabled applications.

Layer 2 solutions take advantage of the vast security and infrastructure benefits of layer 1 blockchains while ultimately providing cheaper and faster transactions. They achieve this by 'sitting on top' of layer 1s and using technical innovations like Roll-ups and Federated Side Chains to increase transaction times while reducing gas fees.

This helps to take pressure off a main chain while continuing to provide access to its benefits. Close association with Ethereum allows users of layer 2 scaling solutions like Shibarium access to the massive DeFi ecosystem on the world's second largest blockchain.

## Immediate benefit

What can we expect when the Shibarium release date is finally decided? It goes without question that Shibarium is one of the most highly anticipated projects to be launched in the Shiba Inu ecosystem. But just what will its launch mean in real terms?

Let's look at some of the immediate benefits.

Firstly, and most importantly, the successful launch of Shibarium will mean much lower transaction fees for those looking to develop applications on the platform. The high gas fees associated with the Ethereum blockchain are well documented. They are often a barrier to entry for those looking to get into crypto. Scaling solutions such as Shibarium promise to be much cheaper to use without losing the security benefits of the Ethereum blockchain. This is a massive draw for any developers looking to build.

Due to the [blockchain trilemma](https://academy.binance.com/en/articles/what-is-the-blockchain-trilemma), speed is often sacrificed at the expense of security. That means peak period transactions across Ethereum can slow to as little as 30 transactions per second. Because scaling solutions such as Shiberium do not access the main chain, transactions can reach into the thousands and provide much-needed scalability when it is needed the most.

This combination of cheaper and faster transactions is irresistible to developers looking to take advantage of Ethereum's stability and security. Indeed, the latest data shows that decentralised gaming application developers, such as those behind Shiba Eternity, are beginning to realise that this promising layer 2 solution provides everything they are looking for.

The successful rollout of Shibarium is sure to present more opportunities for the burning of the SHIB token, which will come as a great relief to holders of the coin. With 500 TRILLION tokens at its launch, many industry experts believe this high number is unfavourable to any future price gain. Consequently, Shibarium is expected to feature several burn mechanisms contributing to the drop in circulating supply.

With plans to launch a Metaverse project also in the pipeline, Shibarium is surely one of the projects to keep a close eye on in 2023.

The native token of the project, $BONE, has been democratically distributed by its anonymous creator Ryoshi. Like most other layer 2 solutions, node operators across the network will be rewarded in BONE for validating and processing transactions. With a circulating supply of 230 million tokens, BONE has every opportunity to be a highly tradable coin.

## Project release date - ‘close’

At the time of writing, the Shibarium release date is still unclear. However, as we are all aware, the world of crypto is unpredictable and anything can happen.

That said, the creators behind the project, Unification Foundation, are keen to get the ball rolling. An October 2022 [Twitter post](https://twitter.com/ShytoshiKusama/status/15869099) by Lead Developer Shytoshi Kusama highlighted the team's insistence on doing 'one thing at a time'.

As far as we can tell, the project has completed an internal alpha testnet phase before a public testnet phase which shows that the project release date is 'close'. It is thought that one of the key components of the project is the development of a secure and efficient wallet function. Getting this element correct is something that cannot be rushed.


blue image of shiba inu dogs smiling with shibarium shiba coin in centre

Shibarium Release Date Update

Founded in 2019, Acala is a self-contained decentralised finance (DeFi) network built on and designed to facilitate the Polkadot ecosystem. It's native token is the Acala coin, ACA.

The project has been specifically optimised for DeFi use and is both scalable and Ethereum (ERC-20) compatible.

The [project](https://acala.network/) provides a vast array of cross-chain financial applications, which make it highly flexible and help to maintain consistent levels of demand. Users can trade with Acala Swap, issue self-certified loans through the Acala dollar stable coin (aUSD), access liquidity farming opportunities, and earn staking rewards through Liquid DOT staking (LDOT).

In the future, Acala coin (ACA) will be bridged to Ethereum and Bitcoin, as well as Compound Gateway, which was synonymous with the project's development.

This project is leading the way in developing hybrid crypto and fintech products alongside US fintech company Current and helping to bring DeFi yield opportunities to its three million US customers.

## Tokenomics

ACA is the native token of the Acala network. There are currently some 613 million coins in circulation, which, at current prices, gives a market cap of just over $73 million. The max supply is set at 1,000,000,000 tokens, which are subject to a 0% rate of inflation with a fixed and deflationary profile.

ACA is available from a wide variety of cryptocurrency exchanges, but [Binance](/news/article/guide-to-binance-uk) proves to be the most popular, carrying 58% of ACA/USDT volume. KuCoin, Kraken, and Gate.io are other popular places [to purchase the token](https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/acala/markets/).

The stand-out feature of Acala is the native stablecoin known as aUSD. As we mentioned above, the project is helping to drive the adoption of DeFi protocols through the use of the Polkadot ecosystem. aUSD can also be used on the Kusama network, ensuring even more stability in its mission to provide parity with the US dollar.

aUSD has been designed to be completely decentralised. It is multi-collateralised and backed by a series of cross-chain assets.

However, it is essential to differentiate between the Acala dollar (aUSD) and the Acala coin, which is the native token for the Acala platform.

At its genesis, the ACA token has been distributed democratically, with 49.6% of tokens allocated to community members. The remaining 50.24% has been split between Backers (11.66%), Early Backers (18.33%), and the Founding Team (20.25%).

## Benefits

The Acala coin (ACA) is the utility token that powers Acala, [the DeFi hub of Polkadot](https://acala.network/acala/token). The token is used for various features, which we will look at here.

•	ACA is used to pay transaction fees which form the lifeblood of validators on the network. Furthermore, the coin is used to incentivise nodes to monitor and relay messages across the Polkadot network.

•	Acala coin holders are entitled to vote on crucial network issues that help drive the project's development. Token holders can also elect future council members.

•	ACA is also used to auto-adjust risk parameters which drive interest rates and collateral ratio. Furthermore, any staked ACA can be used to deploy new Substrate pallets on the Acala blockchain.

## Parachain auction

ACA has been earmarked to support early participants in the Polkadot parachain auction through the issuance of DOT. Once received, a portion of the chosen ACA will be unlocked and become transferable, with the remaining amount vested and slowly released over the duration of the parachain slot.

80% of any ACA resulting from the parachain auction will have a linear vest over the course of the parachain slot release, while 17% of the supply will be issued as rewards to supporters of the first parachain auction.
 
In short, this means that supporters will receive 3 ACA for every DOT contributed, although this number is set to increase depending on your level of involvement. 20% of ACA received from the parachain auction will be unlocked, liquid and usable within Acala's DeFi ecosystem.

## Conclusion

As you can see, there are myriad ways in which holders of the ACA token can help contribute to and secure the network making Acala one of the most innovative and flexible DeFi ecosystems on the market today.

This project is a perfect example of a breed of new and exciting FinTech start-ups helping to create the bridge from the TradFi to the DeFi world.


Green image of tech pattern with acala coin logo in centre

Acala Coin Use and Value Explored

[Ramp Network](https://ramp.network/) is a fintech company that provides payment infrastructure to bridge the crypto-finance divide.

The company's goal is to create a meshed, easily accessible link between the open blockchain financial system and the old, closed banking system, removing the requirement for a trusted third party to act as a go-between.

It is a non-custodial, full-stack payment system that speeds up transaction implementation and fosters confidence among its partners with its superior technology. It is accessible in more than 160 countries, which has ensured that it has millions of customers and more than 400 registered partners.

Przemek Kowalczyk and Szymon Sypniewicz founded the network in Poland in 2018. Ramp Swaps is a crypto asset firm registered with the [UK Financial Conduct Authority](/news/article/ftx-uk-warning) for crypto activity. The network Link's open banking operation is regulated by the Polish Financial Supervision Authority.

The company has received [$133.9 million](https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/ramp-3b7b) in investment over four rounds. Their most recent funding came from a Series B round on 9 November, 2022. So far, 27 investors have contributed to the financing of the company. The most recent investors are Korelya Capital and Cogito Capital Partners.

## What are the benefits of Ramp Network?

It provides a simple way for users to buy and sell cryptocurrencies directly from Dapp. Ramp's partners could reach larger customers, receive payments, and provide regulated services to their end customers while remaining compliant.

Enterprises, [games](/news/article/best-farm-games-2022), NFT(non-fungible token) marketplaces, decentralized finance businesses, [wallets](/news/article/top-rated-bitcoin-wallets-uk), and any other company that wants to provide fiat-crypto flow to their users within their products can use the company's platform integration, allowing clients to quickly enter into contracts and lock a digital asset for their operations.

## Ramp Network is fully compliant

You can be confident that any transactions done with this tool are entirely secure and guaranteed due to official legislation, institutional control, and modern technology. 

As a regulated organization, it has ensured that KYC rules for [crypto](/news/article/are-crypto-gains-taxed-in-uk) purchases are followed. This implies that to transact via Ramp, you will need to work with this network to verify your identity. This company can verify your KYC identity using your bank account data and the open banking API. This procedure takes only a few seconds, and no physical documents are necessary.

Smart contracts protect Ethereum transactions made possible by the Instant bank transfer payment option. The network’s open source employs smart contracts, which makes them capable of being industry leaders in the coming years. In addition, their smart contracts are audited by Quantstamp, which again proves the quality.

## Bottom line

Ramp partners can reach new audiences, collect fees, and provide regulated services to their end customers while remaining compliant. It will be exciting to see how Ramp Network uses its technology, team, partners, and the trust of its customers to scale its platform to be a leader in the industry.


Green image of computer network with ramp logo

Ramp Network - Accelerating Crypto Adoption

Dai is a crypto based on the Ethereum network. Its main defining feature is the fact that it's a stablecoin.

Dai works alongside MakerDAO, and the Maker Protocol, to ensure the stability of its coins is maintained throughout its existence.

Maker Protocol is open-source software, which, due to its nature, is accessible by anyone. It sits on the Ethereum network seamlessly, allowing Dai to carry out its operations to remain a stable crypto coin.

## How do stablecoins work?

Stablecoins are extremely popular in the crypto world, as they provide stability and regularity in the heavily volatile crypto world. In simple terms, [stablecoins](/news/article/what-are-stablecoins) are cryptocurrencies that match the US dollar in value. Essentially, its exchange rate with the USD will always remain 1:1 - if things are going well, that is!

This means that even if the crypto market is falling, a stablecoin, like Dai, will stay at the same ratio as the dollar. In fact, there are several reasons why you might want to hold on to a stablecoin instead of US dollars in fiat:

•	A stablecoin is less likely to be affected by inflation when the government prints too much fiat currency.

•	Stablecoins, like Dai, provide a borderless and international mode of payment that seamlessly transfers anywhere in the world in minutes.

•	The cost of transactions with these stablecoins is lower, too, with most options only requiring some cents per transaction.

## Types of stablecoins

Why are these coins, including Dai crypto, able to match the US dollar's value and stay par with it? Well, there are multiple ways to achieve that feat - mainly three, to be specific.

## Algorithm-based stablecoins

With these coins, particular algorithms are set to allow the crypto to match the USD's value. These projects will consist mainly of two different tokens representing the same organization: one to deal with the market's volatility and the other to stay level with the dollar.

This is the slightly more uncommon route we see in the crypto industry regarding stablecoins, as the other two models follow are more popular. Both the following models are based on the concept of collateralization, so we'll delve a bit into that before we talk about the models themselves.

## Collateralization

You may have heard of the term "collateral". It is a common term and an important factor in obtaining loans. If you're not familiar with collateralization, [here’s](https://www.fe.training/free-resources/corporate-finance/collateralization/) a great source of information where you can learn about the topic in depth.

To put it briefly, collateralization is securing a loan by providing a valuable asset in return to the lender. The asset that's provided as security to the lender is called collateral. Dai's approach to being a stablecoin in the crypto industry also follows the collateralization route.

## Crypto-backed collateralization

In this case, users provide cryptocurrency as collateral to obtain that project's tokens. To get their crypto back from the platform, they need to return the exact amount of tokens they borrowed plus a processing fee.

If we're talking about Dai crypto, in particular, it makes use of Ethereum as crypto collateral. So, users keep Ethereum in the vault of MakerDAO as collateral to receive Dai tokens in return. And, when they're looking to retrieve their Ethereum, they need to pay the exact amount they loaned in Dai, plus a fee on top. This is how the platform maintains stability and consistently matches with the USD.

## Fiat-backed collateralization

This follows the procedure of the crypto-based method, but uses fiat instead of cryptocurrency as collateral. Users can provide any fiat currency as collateral to receive that platform's token and then vice versa when they need to return it. Tether USD or TUSD is a popular stablecoin that follows this strategy to stabilize itself.

## What makes Dai crypto unique?

A major factor that makes the Dai crypto unique is that it was one of the first projects to introduce the idea of decentralized finance or DeFi. Its usage of stablecoins and matching with the exact value of the dollar, but more liquid and accessible, meant that it seemed more viable for the future.

Dai crypto is also one of the few stablecoins based on Ethereum using crypto collateralization. It also offers great incentives and security for users. One huge security factor with Dai is that it maintains a specific ratio of 150% of Ethereum kept as collateral to the amount borrowed in Dai. This means that to borrow $10 worth of Dai, one would need to keep $15 worth of Ethereum as collateral with MakerDAO.

And, if this ratio is ever broken or inconsistent, the user can appeal and receive a proportion of the collateralized Ethereum in compensation.

## Anomalies with Dai crypto

Dai has remained pretty stable over the years, with the crypto matching the USD value with a 1:1 ratio. However, there was one incident where it spiked to $1.11 in value. An increase of 0.11 might not seem much in the crypto world usually, but it's massive for a stablecoin.

It's worth noting that this happened during the COVID-19 pandemic when the market was extremely volatile. Apart from that, Dai has remained one of the best stablecoin options in the market, if not the best.

## Integration with applications and MKR token

MKR is the main crypto token of the MakerDAO platform and is tied heavily with Dai. Its primary role lies in the governance and operation of Dai. Holders of the MKR token have a say in the future of Dai. They can have voting rights, with the main idea being [decentralized governance](https://makerdao.com/en/governance/) for the Dai crypto. There are various forums and voting platforms where holders can have their say openly.

## Other applications

Various applications use Dai and accept it as a means of payment. These include crypto exchanges and platforms, such as [Coinbase](https://www.coinbase.com/), [Metamask](https://metamask.io/), and [Ledger](https://www.ledger.com/). Some popular Metaverse games also accept payment in Dai - notable names include [Sandbox](https://www.sandbox.game/) and [League of Kingdoms.](https://www.leagueofkingdoms.com/)

## Final thoughts on Dai crypto

The fact that Dai is accepted widely by many big-name applications shows that it's seen as a reliable crypto token. Accessibility is a big factor in making cryptocurrencies important for users. Dai does just that with its usability and stability.

Another crucial aspect that Dai implements well is integrating the community and users within the project. It's important, today, to involve your community in your operations, especially as a crypto-based project.

Dai looks to stay strong moving forward, with a great foundation like MakerDAO supporting the project. Hopefully, we have a lot more to come from the project in the future too!


green image of euros and altcoins with dai crypto in centre

Dai Crypto Contribution to the Stablecoin World

For all the technology behind non-fungible tokens (NFTs), trading NFTs is still a tiresome and slow process. That was until Sudoswap came and changed the game.

Now, buying and selling NFTs can be as smooth as trading cryptocurrencies on [Uniswap](/news/article/uniswap-exchange-nft-aggregator). By integrating automated market makers (AMM) into non-fungible tokens trading, traders no longer have to wait to find intending buyers before getting liquidity.

Its decentralized marketplace has grown exponentially since it landed and took the market by storm. According to blockchain analytics firm Nansen, the protocol has a year-to-date volume of 39.1k ETH, with more than 3.35K ETH transacted in the 30 days to 12 December. What has made the protocol such a success?

## What is Sudoswap?

It is a decentralized exchange (DEX) protocol that allows users to swap NFTs for liquidity on the Ethereum blockchain. While the protocol went live in May 2022, its launch of the NFT automated market maker (AMM) protocol in July was the game changer.

With the AMM, users can trade Sudoswap non-fungible tokens into a liquidity pool (buy-only, sell-only, or buy-and-sell pools) and receive Ethereum quickly. Generally, you deposit NFTs or ETH into your pool. 

Instead of listing different non-fungible token collections, you select the right collection to trade and choose your floor price, bonding curve, and delta (which adjusts the NFT price depending on sales or purchases).

## What is the SUDO token?

The SUDO token is the governance token of the protocol's ecosystem. With an initial supply of 60 million, SUDO is not transferable. The SUDO airdrop began in September, with the lion's share of 41.9% going to XMON holders. 

Treasury allocations take up another 25.1%, while initial team members and SudoRandom labs take 15% each. Oxman holders and Retroactive LP airdrops take the remaining tokens.

## How it differs from other NFT marketplaces

There's always liquidity in the pool for specific Sudoswap NFT collections, and traders don’t have to wait for a buyer before getting liquidity. 

Sometimes, this may mean getting a less-than-ideal price for your asset. As long as your NFT is not super-rare or high-priced, that should not be a challenge.

Apart from increased instant liquidity, the decentralized marketplace also eliminates intermediaries who may choose whether or not to accept your [NFT collection](/news/article/nft-collaborations). The protocol may as well be the poster boy for decentralized marketplaces.

Additionally, it eliminates the payment of royalties to NFT creators on secondary sales, unlike OpenSea. On OpenSea, NFT creators may get as much as 5% in perpetuity every time an NFT sale occurs. However, with the decentralized protocol, all earned fees belong to the Sudoswap NFT owners and traders who choose the trading pools and set their prices.

Sudoswap fees are low, making it more attractive than its counterparts. For example, while OpenSea charges 2.5% and LooksRare charges 2%, Sudoswap fees are just a 0.5% fee on trades. The transaction fee is remitted to the Treasury for the development of the ecosystem. Again, you can lower your gas fees when you trade in bulk and reduce costs further.

## Conclusion

[Technavio](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/non-fungible-token-nft-market-153000067.html#:~:text=The%20increasing%20demand%20for%20digital,market%20during%20the%20forecast%20period.) estimates that the non-fungible token market worldwide will grow by $113.9 million between 2022 and 2027 at a CAGR of 35%. That suggests significant potential. Anyone looking to take advantage of that by trading NFTs may as well enjoy low Sudoswap fees and instant liquidity as extras.


pink image of sudoswap logo over pile cryptocurrency and fiat currency

How Sudoswap is Revolutionizing NFT Trading

The festive season always springs a surprise or two, the latest of which is the ~30% price surge of [NEAR Protocol (NEAR)](/news/article/near-protocol) since the turn of the calendar year. This, of course, coincides with the spectacular ~5,000% rise in the price of Solana's newly-launched dog coin, Bonk (BONK), in ONE WEEK – yes, you read that right!

## NEAR Protocol price statistics

To put things into perspective, NEAR was priced at a low of $1.24 on 1 January, 2023 and a high of $1.62 on 5 January, 2023. That is a substantial price growth of around 30%.
  
![Screenshot 2023-01-05 at 10.56.10.png](https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/prod-monitalks-media/Screenshot_2023_01_05_at_10_56_10_661f860110.png)

Source: [Coingecko](https://www.coingecko.com/en/coins/near)

If we look at NEAR Protocol's price increase over the last 24 hours (at the time of writing), the cryptocurrency has advanced by more than 10%. While $1.62 is nowhere near the crypto token's all-time high of $20.44 (16 January, 2022), the signs are positive, as [NEAR Protocol](https://near.org/) (yes, we are talking about the blockchain on this occasion) is a highly-valued ecosystem with a plethora of projects building on it.

There are as many as 750 active projects and 125 [DAOs](/news/article/ice-dao) on the blockchain. These include the likes of Aurora, Octopus Network, Ref Finance, Arweave, The Graph, TenK DAO, and more.

Well, you may not have heard of these projects before or delved into the intricacies of the blockchain ecosystem. Here is why you SHOULD NOT be sleeping on the latest NEAR Protocol price surge.

## The latest NEAR Protocol price jump is only the start

The blockchain ecosystem’s goal is to [build the open web](/news/article/near-protocol-partner-with-google-cloud) together and provide projects building on it with all feasible support.

This includes strong venture support with more than $120M awarded already, a robust technical base, a vibrant community of in excess of 550k members, collaboration through DAOs, local presence through regional hubs, and several Web3 career opportunities (150+ active openings at the time of writing).

The DApps on the blockchain serve several use cases, including DeFi, [NFTs](/news/article/nft-farming-explained), and community (do try Sweatcoin!).

Finally, if you are a Web3 developer looking to make a mark in the space, explore the blockchain. You can build projects using JavaScript or Rust, take advantage of its dev tools, and utilise extensive documentation to good effect. All with fantastic customer support, at a low cost and high speed, with effortless scale.

The Web3 ecosystem is here to stay (DYOR fam!).


green iamge of crypto coins being traded with near protocol coin in the centre

NEAR Protocol 30% Price Jump Just the Start

Launched in July 2020, [Anyswap](https://anyswap.exchange/#/dashboard) is a fully distributed protocol that allows you to swap tokens from various platforms. This protocol entered the DeFi space and facilitated cross-token exchange and trading, obtaining strength from its ECDSA Signature Support.

It can efficiently manage the token flow between various blockchains. Most cryptocurrencies, including XRP, [Litecoin](/coins/ltc), and Tether, use Anyswap. It’s also backed by Fusion’s Decentralized Control Rights Management (DRCM) technology.

## What makes it unique?

The Fusion Network powering Anyswap uses private key sharding: splitting the private key into several pieces. Various network nodes manage these parts to ensure that your assets are safe. Also, they are never mixed during trading or exchange to boost asset security further. Here are some other features of the platform that make it unique:

•	Open-source smart contracts that enhance security using individual audits.

•	Can help verify if a platform is decentralized.

•	Allows users to exchange cryptocurrencies instantly.

Not only this, ANY token holders can determine which coins they want to list on the Anyswap DEX, its decentralized exchange.

## ANY coins in circulation

In terms of the maximum possible supply, ANY cannot exceed 100 million. Currently, there are more than 17 million ANY coins in circulation. Initially, this was 15 million, including 5 million as a part of the liquidity provision when the platform launched. The remaining 10 million coins were earmarked for the community, to improve its user base.

## ANY price live data

The live price today, December 9, 2022, is $4.32, with a 24-hour trading volume of $486,218. ANY price keeps changing in real time: it’s up by 5.9% in the last 24 hours. [You can track the changing rate of Anyswap here](https://www.coingecko.com/en/coins/anyswap). ANY has a circulating supply of 0 ANY coins and a total supply of 99.7 million. The all-time highest price for Anyswap is $33.66, as noted on January 14, 2022. Its lowest value was $0.116838 on January 22, 2021.

## ANY trading

It is based on the Ethereum blockchain and supports all ERC-20 tokens. You can buy ANY coins through exchange platforms like Hotbit, 1inch, and SushiSwap. Some other platforms where you can trade Anyswap are PancakeSwap (v2), Uniswap (v2), and SpookySwap. Here are some popular Anyswap trading pairs in the market:

•	ANY/USD.

•	ANY/CAD.

•	ANY/AUD.

•	ANY/GBP.

•	ANY/INR.

•	ANY/PHP.


blue image of anyswap logo and people trading on a laptop

What is Anyswap? 

[ParaSwap](https://www.paraswap.io/) is a DeFi aggregation site combining all the liquidity of decentralised exchanges and lending protocols into one easy-to-digest source.

The site ensures that all data is accessible through a secure interface and comprehensive APIs. It offers some of the best prices in the decentralised finance ecosystem for traders and developers looking to connect their decentralised applications.

The information is laid out in a clear and digestible format and covers everything users need.

The drive behind the project's development is the belief in the future adoption of DeFi participation through the offering of 'secure, intelligent and optimised trading tools' for individuals and corporations. The provision of these tools will allow access to vast pools of liquidity as well as volumes of crucial [market data](/news/article/what-is-a-defi-token).

## The core features of the platform are as follows:

API – Public libraries enable smooth interaction with Dapps and wallets.

Charts – More than 100 protocols across multiple L1 & L2 chains provide up-to-date market information.
Multichain – ParaSwap is available across some of the largest blockchains, including Ethereum, Binance, Avalanche, and Polygon.

Onchain RFQ – On chain 'request for quotes' enable real-time prices from KYC-verified partners.
Yield optimisation – Lending rates across multiple protocols have been optimised to provide the best prices.
Security and audits – The project has been verified via external and independent smart contract auditors.

The ecosystem currently supports seven active blockchains processing 37 billion in total volume. This is achieved through 10 million+ trades across 65+ integrations. Clearly, this platform is on track to realising its grand ambition of providing everyone with access to powerful and open financial tools.

A broad selection of some of the most popular applications, protocols and tools available on the market today are readily accessible, including -

•	MetaMask.

•	Ledger.

•	Aave.

•	Enzyme.

•	Zerion.

•	Argent.

Alongside price data and API feeds, ParaSwap has a mobile application that offers users a full suite of crypto management tools. Interested parties can buy, sell or store their favourite tokens and trade NFTs across multiple networks.

This versatile application features some of the highest security on the market while giving the user total control over their activity by providing them access to their private keys, thus allowing them complete self-custody of their assets.

The project has been developed with institutions and developers in mind. Flexibility over data and price feeds sets ParaSwap apart from its closest competitors. ParaSwap can provide competitive services in the following areas -

Custodians – Token swapping is easy and integrated.

Brokers/Bots – Both slippage and execution costs are minimised with powerful and versatile coded programs.
Lenders – Users have more chances for engagement through the versatile exchange functions.
Market Makers – Liquidity pools allow users to bid for order flow.

Banks – The product is customisable for retail banking needs.

Asset Managers – Exchange services can be added to increase customers' wealth offerings.
The ParaSwap platform has been audited by the likes of Certik, Solidified, and PeckShield. It has the backing of some big names from the worlds of crypto and DeFi, including -

•	CoinGecko.

•	Blockchain Capital.

•	Arrington Capital.

•	Coin Fund.

•	DeFinance Capital.

•	Alliance.

•	Lemniscap.

•	CMS.

•	Cumberland.

The native token of ParaSWap is $PSP which has a circulating supply of 72.8 million and a hard cap of 2 billion coins. With a current price of $0.03, this brings a market cap of $2.3 million, ranking the token number 1100 on the price comparison site [Coinmarketcap.com](https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/paraswap/).

The token is available from various brokers, but some of the most popular include MEXC, ByBit, Gate.io, and WOO.

## Conclusion

Overall, ParaSwap offers a comprehensive suite of products and features for the modern DeFi investor. The platform is well managed and professional in its user interface and levels of data and analytics on offer.

The project prides itself on its 'best prices in DeFi', its ability to refund high gas fees, as well as its innovative P2P NFT trading feature.

This project is an excellent example of a modern DeFi aggregator uniting the liquidity of a wide variety of decentralised exchanges and lending protocols into one easy-to-use, comprehensive, and secure interface and corresponding APIs.


blue image of crypto altcoins with  paraswap triangle logos

ParaSwap - NFT and DEX Middleware for Traders

This article will answer the question, “what is Aave?”. Aave is a decentralized finance (DeFi) lending protocol that lets users borrow and lend cryptocurrencies. Those who borrow pay interest, while those who lend earn interest.

The protocol was originally built on the Ethereum blockchain before expanding to other blockchains, including [Avalanche](/news/article/avalanche-bridging), Fantom, and Harmony.

## History

[Aave](https://aave.com/) was launched in 2017 by Stani Kulechov, a Finnish programmer and entrepreneur. Kulechov founded it while still studying law at the University of Helsinki.

The protocol began operations as ETHLend. However, it was renamed Aave, which means “ghost” in Finnish, in 2018. ETHLend differed from the current protocol in that instead of pooling funds, it tried to match lenders and borrowers in a peer-to-peer fashion. ETHLend had its own token called LEND.

The LEND cryptocurrency migrated to Aave with a rate of 100 LEND tokens to 1 AAVE. ETHLend then became a subsidiary of Aave.

The protocol went live on the [Ethereum](/coins/eth) mainnet in January 2020. By August of the same year, it had risen to be the second Defi protocol to get $1 billion in total value locked (TVL), with MakerDao being the first.

## What is Aave protocol?

The protocol uses a system of smart contracts to enable the borrowing and lending of cryptocurrencies in a trustless manner.

Lenders deposit funds to the platform, which are then collected into a liquidity pool. Borrowers draw from the liquidity pools the funds they wish to borrow.

Those who deposit their tokens into the liquidity pools receive aTokens, which allow them to collect interest on their deposits.

Anyone who wants to take out a loan must deposit collateral worth the same amount of crypto they wish to borrow.

Besides the regular loans, users also benefit from [flash loans](https://docs.aave.com/faq/flash-loans), instantaneous crypto loans that require no collateral. The loans, unlike regular loans, have to be paid back within one block transaction. If not, they are automatically reversed.

## What is AAVE

AAVE is the native token of the platform. The token has several uses. Holders can use them as collateral when taking a loan from the platform.

Using the tokens as collateral raises a borrower's borrowing limit. Those who borrow the tokens also benefit by bypassing borrowing fees and getting a discount on fees if they post the tokens as collateral.
The tokens are also used for governance. Holders can use them to vote on the direction of the platform and how to manage its funds. Each token is equal to one vote.

Furthermore, the tokens can be staked within the Safety Module to earn staking rewards and add more security to the platform. The platform offers returns of up to 9.1% a year for staking.

## Pricing

According to [Coinmarketcap](https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/aave/), as of writing, the protocol's tokens are trading at $60.21 per coin. They currently rank as the 49th largest cryptocurrency with a live market cap of $848,523,426.
The tokens have a max supply cap of 16 million coins. There are currently 14,093,193 of them in public circulation.

Those who wish to invest in the tokens can find them listed in various crypto exchanges, including Binance, Kraken, Huobi Global, Uphold, Bitrue, and Deepcoin.

## Achievements

The crypto lending platform has come a long way as a crypto project looking to dominate the DeFi space. As of 2022, the project has made huge steps to realize its goal.

In March 2022, Aave V3 was launched. It came with several features, including Portal, which allows the protocol to operate seamlessly across different blockchains. Other features include eMode, Isolation mode, and Risk Management features.

eMode enhances borrowers’ power by assessing the correlation between their collateral and borrowed assets. Isolation mode mitigates solvency risk when a newly listed asset is added to the platform’s liquidity pools. Risk Management features protect the platform from insolvency.

The platform has gone beyond lending and borrowing crypto by launching Lens Protocol, an NFT-based decentralized social network protocol that runs on the Polygon network.

Although not an achievement but one in the works, in July 2022, the platform's community approved proposals to launch a Stablecoin called GHO. The proposal was backed by 99.9% of the voters. GHO will launch as an overcollateralized stablecoin pegged to the US dollar. It will also backed by a diversified set of crypto assets.

## Conclusion

Aave stands out as one of the leading crypto lending platforms. According to analytics platform [DeFi Llama](https://defillama.com/protocol/aave), it is one of the largest public lending markets with $4.26 billion in total value locked (TVL).

Its native token is also doing well compared to other cryptocurrencies. Many crypto prediction platforms agree that better days are yet to come for the token.

It is worth noting that before investing in any crypto asset, extensive research should always be done.


green circuit board image with little chosts from Aave crypto logo

What is Aave protocol?

Yield farming drove the decentralised finance (DeFi) explosion in 2020. Risk-tolerant investors recognised the potential of yield farming crypto and took advantage of the chance to earn "free" interest on their cryptocurrencies. However, it is not entirely free, and the gains come with significant risks depending on the project.

The strategy employs the cutting-edge technology of [smart contracts](/news/article/smart-contracts-blockchain) and coded contracts that execute automatically on blockchains like Ethereum. Yield farming has grown in popularity as an investment strategy. It is risky, and there are still scams in the ecosystem, but the best platforms have already proven their worth.

## What is yield farming crypto?

Yield farming is a system in which users deposit cryptocurrency in a pool with other cryptocurrency users to pursue investment gains, most commonly through interest earned on the pooled cryptocurrency. It is a high-risk strategy with high potential rewards.

## How does yield farming work?

Yield farming crypto functions something like a savings account with a bank. It pools depositor money and gives loans while you earn interest on the money you deposited. But in a yield farm, the cryptocurrency is invested in smart contract applications rather than converted into a mortgage or a business loan.

With yield farming, users stake their money alongside other investors in the same farm, the cryptocurrency equivalent of making a deposit.

Yield farming begins with the formation of a cryptocurrency asset pool. The following steps are taken to facilitate yield farming:

1.	A liquidity pool is established: Creating a liquidity pool is the first step in yield farming. This is based on a smart contract that makes all investing and borrowing for that specific yield farm.

2.	Investors deposit assets: Investors can deposit currency in the liquidity pool by connecting their digital wallets. This is known as "staking". It is similar to customers depositing at a bank or investing in a mutual fund or ETF.

3.	Smart contract allows borrowing: A smart contract can help with various processes, such as adding liquidity to a cryptocurrency exchange market or lending to others.

4.	Reward payout: Interest, bonuses, and rewards may differ by yield farm. You could be paid regularly or on a specific future date.

## How to get started with yield farming crypto?

Here are the steps to get started:

1.	Research yield farm investments: Begin by investigating potential yield-farm investments. You can choose from various DeFi providers or centralised exchanges to gain access to yield-farming markets.

2.	Connect your wallet or deposit funds into your account: To participate, you must have a compatible account funded with the correct currency. You must use a compatible wallet for decentralised yield farms, such as MetaMask or Coinbase Wallet. You should use an exchange to buy or transfer the desired currency into your account for yield farming.

3.	Put your cryptocurrency at [stake](/news/article/how-to-stake-celo): Navigate to the specific yield farm to stake your funds once connected or funded. Once staked, your currency may be locked into the farm for some time.

4.	Collect your earnings: Based on your yield farm and deposit method, you may need to return to the yield-farm website to retrieve your earnings.

## Pros and cons of yield farming crypto

### Pros

1.	The possibility of earning high-interest rates online: Yield farming crypto has the potential to earn returns over 100% APY.

2.	Smart contracts-controlled: Smart contracts eliminate the need for middlemen and allow anyone with a compatible cryptocurrency wallet to participate.

### Cons

1.	Risks of impermanent losses: Impermanent losses occur when the value of a cryptocurrency falls while it is locked in a yield farm.

2.	Scams and fraud: Just like in other parts of the cryptocurrency ecosystem, bad actors are out to steal money through fraudulent yield farms and other schemes.

## Top yield farms 

1.	Uniswap
With more than $5.5 billion in the platform, [Uniswap](/news/article/uniswap-price-prediction-2025) is the second-largest decentralised exchange (DEX) by total value locked, behind Curve Finance. To provide the swaps, the platform offers swaps with Ethereum and thousands of ERC-20 tokens and staking in liquidity pools. Liquidity providers earn a percentage of trading fees for each swap. With a large enough deposit, they can earn a lot of money. All other DEXes, including Uniswap, have varying interest rates depending on the market and pool.

Investors should exercise caution when depositing funds into pools containing volatile cryptocurrencies because sharp price swings could result in temporary losses. Additionally, just like on all DeFi platforms, a smart contract failure could result in enormous losses. There are two primary versions of the platform, known as Uniswap V2 and V3.

2.	Aave
[Aave](https://aave.com/) is the current DeFi king, with a startling $10 billion-plus in total value locked. It is a decentralised cryptocurrency lending and borrowing platform that runs on Ethereum (and the Polygon sidechain). Aave's borrow APRs are some of the best available because investors have deposited so much cryptocurrency there to earn interest.

The main risk of depositing into Aave is the unlikely possibility of smart contract failure. Borrowers must consider the risk of liquidation when the ratio of the value of borrowed assets to the value of the loan's collateral exceeds a threshold (known as the maximum loan-to-value ratio), which varies by the token. Anyone can purchase your collateral, and you can only recover up to half of the loan's value.

3.	PancakeSwap
PancakeSwap is a [decentralised](/news/article/dns-servers) exchange similar to Uniswap (DEX). It works similarly to Uniswap, but runs on BSC (the Binance Smart Chain network) rather than Ethereum. It also has a few more gamification-focused features. It has by far the highest total value locked of any BSC DeFi project, at around $7 billion. PancakeSwap provides BSC token swaps, interest-earning staking pools, a gambling game in which users predict the future price of BNB and even NFT art.

PancakeSwap carries all of the risks associated with Uniswap, including temporary loss due to smart contract failure and significant price shifts. Many tokens in PancakeSwap pools have small market capitalisations and thus face an increased risk of impermanent loss. Users of Uniswap face the same risks, but the platform offers more and more significant Ethereum-based tokens for staking.

4.	Curve Finance
The platform's unique market-making algorithm allows it to use the locked funds more effectively than any other DeFi platform. Both swap users and liquidity providers profit from this.

With respectable APRs, Curve offers a long list of [stablecoin](/news/article/what-are-stablecoins) pools pegged to fiat money (mainly the USD). Curve maintains strong APRs for liquid tokens of between 1.9% and 32%. On the condition that the tokens don't lose their peg, stablecoin pools are exceptionally secure. Impermanent loss can be entirely avoided because their prices won't vary significantly from one another. Using Curve carries the same risks as other DEXes, including impermanent loss and smart contract failure. 

5.	Yearn Finance
Yearn Finance (YFI) provides a unique yield farming and aggregation tool. Its active development team is constantly coming up with new ideas to help users achieve ever-higher yields. Additionally, Yearn and Curve Finance have a close integration. Investors can deposit one of five cryptocurrencies (ETH, DAI, WBTC, USDC, or USDT) into a smart contract that deposits into the corresponding pool on Curve to earn interest by investing in one of the platform's more than 30 Yearn-integrated Curve pools. The smart contract compounds gains by reinvesting earnings back into the pool. Yearn is subject to the same risks as other yield-farming platforms, including impermanent loss and failed smart contracts.

## Is yield farming beneficial?

Yield [farming](/news/article/farming-games-in-metaverse) is an intriguing way for cryptocurrency enthusiasts to profit from their investments and the currency's value growth. However, due to the risks involved, yield farming may not be worthwhile for many investors, especially newer investors.

It can be alluring to consider earning 100%, 200%, or even higher in annual interest. However, you shouldn't engage in yield farming unless you fully comprehend how it operates and its dangers. 

Conduct due diligence on the exchanges, coins, and teams behind the yield farming engagement you intend to enter. All of these things are required to reduce the risks associated with this investment.


Yield Farming Crypto Explained

As decentralized finance (DeFi) continues to shape the world of finance, many cryptocurrencies have entered the market. One such is SPELL, the reward token for the DeFi protocol Abracadabra. Read on to find out how to buy Spell Token.

It's one of those small altcoins in the crypto market with huge potential. While moderately sized, it plays a crucial role in the lending and borrowing platform [Abracadabra.money](https://abracadabra.money/). The token is built on the [Ethereum](/coins/eth) network, so it's an ERC-20 token.

However, before we dive deep into buying Spell Token, let's look at some fundamental knowledge.

## What is Spell Token? 

Decentralized lending platform Abracadabra.money offers two tokens - Spell Token (SPELL), the native token, and Magic Internet Money (MIM), a stablecoin pegged to the USD utilized to fund user loans.

Spell Token is the native token that can be farmed by providing liquidity in one of the pools and also staked to accrue the share of gas fees on the Abracadabra platform. The token has a total supply of 210 billion, with [105 billion](https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/spell-token/) currently in circulation.

After making an investment in the Spell Token, users have voting rights and a say in how the project is run. You can influence decisions in direct proportion to how much SPELL you hold. Investors receive 75% of the trading charge, with the remaining 25% going to other uses.

Additionally, Abracadabra provides users with yield farming possibilities. By acting as liquidity providers, users can farm SPELL tokens and improve the liquidity of specific cryptocurrency pairs, such as ETH-SPELL and MIM-3CRV. Additionally, users can open leveraged farming positions by using borrowed MIM.

## What problem does the Spell Token solve? 

As stated, SPELL is the native token of the Abracadabra ecosystem. Hence, it plays an important role in the functionality of the project. Here are the major two:
 
## A reward token 

SPELL's primary purpose in the ecosystem is to serve as the reward token for Abracadabra.money users. The token serves as an incentive to help ensure user loyalty and support. This, in turn, aids the growth and price stability of the platform.

## A lender token 

Users can farm SPELL on the platform via staking, yield farming, depositing collateral, and borrowing Magic Internet Money (MIM). All of this enables higher liquidity for specific cryptocurrency pairs, including ETH/SPELL and MIM/3CRV.

## How to buy Spell Token

There are many crypto exchanges that trade in SPELL. Prominent among them are Coinbase, Binance, FTX, OKX, and Bybit.

In a few minutes, you can acquire as much SPELL as you desire. Just follow these simple steps.

1.	Do your research: 
Buying the Spell Token is easy, but you've to compare which exchange offers the best in terms of low fees and around-the-clock support.

2.	Open an account: 
Once you have been able to figure out which crypto exchange to use, you can then create an account with the exchange. This will require you to verify your email address and other necessary KYC requirements.

3.	Make a deposit: 
Once your account is created and verified, you can deposit your local fiat currency as accepted by the crypto exchange.

4.	Buy SPELL: 
With your deposit, you can now exchange your funds for SPELL.

## What do you need to buy SPELL? 

Generally, you only need your email, phone number, and other KYC requirements to buy cryptocurrencies on [crypto exchanges](/news/article/best-crypto-exchange-uk-reddit). The documents needed may include proof of address and proof of identity documents to verify you on those exchanges.

After you've been verified, you can buy cryptocurrencies like SPELL. However, it's advisable that you activate two-factor authentication to protect your digital assets from cyberattacks.

## To buy or not to buy? 

Since the general crypto market plunged into the [crypto winter](https://www.forbes.com/advisor/investing/cryptocurrency/what-is-crypto-winter/), DeFi tokens have suffered significant losses. The price momentum that the Spell Token gathered over the last year has almost fizzled out.

The utility that SPELL offers within the Abracadabra.money ecosystem is a key driver of the token's growth. However, negative market conditions have turned the token towards a bearish trajectory, pushing the price lower.

However, future growth is imminent. New technological solutions, a more bullish market, and more utility are some factors that may shape the future of the token. To reap future benefits, investors should consider investing in Spell Token. Please do your own research before investing.



green skyline with floating altcoin logos. Speel token logo is central

How to Buy Spell Token

Kava Crypto project is of great potential and can transform the DeFi space. But can the project compete with the big boys in Web3?

There is no shortage of DeFi protocols that offer users decentralized collateralized loans. Still, regarding user experience and trust, only a few protocols stand out, including Kava. 

## Kava crypto project recap 

As a protocol seeking to become the de facto DeFi platform in Web3, the Kava crypto project offers its users CDP or collateralized debt positions. This allows users to borrow against their collateral which can be in one or more coins (up to four). Collateral can be in BTC, ATOM, BNB, or XRP. This is where Kava stands out, as it makes it easier for users to take out loans.

## How does lending work on Kava? 

Since Kava is built on the [Cosmos](/news/article/cosmos-crypto-explained) blockchain, users lock their cryptocurrencies on smart contracts deployed on Cosmos. Users can then borrow against their locked assets in the form of USDX. This is the stablecoin of the platform, which is pegged to the USD. Of course, all loans are over-collateralized due to the volatile nature of the crypto market.

If users want to earn interest on their assets, AKA lend them to others, they can do so and earn the interest in the shape of $Kava.

## You can use the platform to:

•	Borrow against your collateral and pay bills, buy things or re-invest that leveraged money (highly risky).

•	Earn interest on your stored assets.

This saves a lot of people from having to liquidate their sets when they need the cash urgently.

## Kava crypto: $KAVA 

The project relies on [Proof of Stake](/news/article/pos-vs-pow) as its consensus mechanism and $KAVA is the Kava crypto’s token. There are currently 320 million $KAVA circulating with no maximum supply. The token’s price is currently trading at the $1 mark (5th December 2022).

Initially a BEP-2 token, now it is living on the Cosmos Hub. [You can earn up to 38% staking $KAVA](https://www.stakingrewards.com/earn/kava/), depending on how many tokens you are staking. Delegation is available and can be done quickly via [Binance](https://www.binance.com/en), which has a validator node running for the Kava project.

## Current challenges 

Although the Kava crypto project completed [the ETH bridge launch](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDQPsCr3RBg), it is yet to release the BNB chain bridge in Q4 of 2022. With the [latest developments in the market](/news/article/ftx-exchange-under-investigation), the project will face hardships in committing to its planned roadmap. So far, the project has successfully put checkmarks on almost all of its milestones, but will it survive through the current bloodbath?

Another concern is [USDX's](https://www.gate.io/blog_detail/1049/USDT--DEI---Kava-Network-Stablecoin-USDX--also-Suffer-Depeg-Amidst-UST-Blood-Bath) de peg last May which is still hurting the project as USDX never fully recovered its peg to the USD 1 to 1. 

Currently, USDX is trading at $0.88, almost 12% less than the USD's value.

The Kava crypto project holds some advantage over its competitors, especially when it comes to the [Tendermint](https://www.gemini.com/cryptopedia/cosmos-ignite-crypto-consensus-tendermint-ecosystem) consensus mechanism. 

However, the DeFi space is only getting more competitive by the day as more protocols deploy creative solutions to attract users. Will Kava’s focus on the long game and its partnerships with Binance and XRP save it from becoming the next victim of this bear market?


Kava Crypto: Does it Stand a Chance in 2023?

[Gnox](https://gnox.io/) is a DeFi investing platform that helps users streamline crypto investing while generating passive income through yield earning, lending, and other decentralized protocols. Powered by the native GNOX utility token, the Gnox platform runs on BNB Smart Chain (BSC). There are more than 200 million tokens in the GNOX token sale, i.e., almost 80% of the total supply. Users need to pay a 10% tax for each Gnox transaction.

## How does Gnox crypto work?

Gnox helps make DeFi investing accessible to crypto users who might just be getting started with the decentralized finance space. Gnox uses treasury funds to enable investments across crypto borrowing and lending services, the [NFT sector](/news/article/free-nft-giveaway-legit), and pools of tokens providing liquidity.

[Gnox makes up to 500% yield](https://docs.gnox.io/gnox.io/why-defi-treasury) for its liquidity-providing service. The company plans to harness the power of multichain functionality to unlock the true potential for high yields on Ethereum (ETH), BSC, Avalanche (AVAX), Fantom (FTM), Near Protocol (NEAR), Cronos (CRO), Velas (VLX), etc. With Gnox crypto, you get up to 50% APR.

## Gnox crypto: supply, price, and token sale

Currently, there are 206,000,000 GNOX tokens, represented by the $GNOX symbol. The value of the Gnox token during the GNOX sale climbed from $0.100 to $0.015. In the second phase, Gnox tokens were sold for $0.016. Now, with a Gnox crypto pricing of 0.016 cents, the Gnox market cap is approximately $3.2 million.

79% of the Gnox token supply (161 million GNOX) is up for the three-phase token sale. Gnox crypto that will not be sold as a token will be distributed like this:
 
•	5% for each of the team, marketing, and development.

•	6% for the public.

## Gnox tax breakdown

A 10% tax must be paid against each transaction of the Gnox crypto token, fulfilling several use cases, such as marketing incentives, community reward distribution, and treasury capital regeneration. GNOX holders get monthly DeFi rewards, but the owners get a share of each GNOX transaction every 60 minutes.

•	1% of every transaction goes to the holders in $BUSD.

•	1% of each transaction goes to a Liquidity Pool for Pancakeswap for creating a stable price floor.

•	6% of every transaction gets transferred to the DeFi Treasury.

•	2% of all transactions is used for marketing efforts so the company can get a consistent flow of new users.

## Gnox treasury

Gnox’s stablecoin holdings, NFTs, and DeFi liquidity pool (LP) tokens make its treasury, which serves two main purposes:

•	It helps collect rewards accrued from DeFi yield-bearing protocols and redistribute a part of these rewards to GNOX owners.

•	It holds NFTs to create long-term appreciation opportunities.

It’s hard for investors, especially newcomers, to evaluate and get DeFi returns because of the complex and fast-paced nature of cryptocurrencies. A majority of entry-level investors don’t fully understand how to benefit from providing liquidity, loaning protocols, and other DeFi strategies. Gnox is trying to bridge that difference.






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