Coin overview
BABY
Ended--
Last price (USDT)
415.24K
24h total (USDT)
979.35K
Total vol (USDT)
2025-04-03 13:00:00 ~ 2025-04-10 09:30:00
Trading time (UTC+0)
2025-04-10 11:00:00 ~ 2025-04-10 15:00:00
Delivery time (UTC+0)
Total supply10.40B
Introduction
Babylon is a decentralized protocol that enables native Bitcoin staking directly on the Bitcoin blockchain without intermediaries. The protocol implements a novel shared-security architecture that extends Bitcoin's security model to the broader decentralized ecosystem. Through its architecture, BTC holders can participate in multi-staking operations while maintaining their assets on the Bitcoin network, providing verifiable security guarantees to Bitcoin Secured Networks (BSNs). Babylon Genesis is the first Bitcoin Secured Network (BSN) to leverage Bitcoin's security and serves as the control plane for security and liquidity orchestration for future BSNs. Built on the Cosmos SDK framework, Babylon Genesis introduces key innovations for enhanced PoS security and interoperability, unlocking Bitcoin's potential beyond its traditional role as a store of value.
Will institutions follow Bitcoin onto other chains?
The success of spot Bitcoin (BTC) exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and major BTC treasury companies marked another step in the institutional adoption of crypto. US-traded spot Bitcoin ETFs captured $518 million on Sept. 29 and have accumulated $57.3 billion in net flows since their launch in January 2024, according to Farside Investors data. BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) crossed $80 billion in assets by July 2025, becoming the fastest ETF to reach that threshold in just 374 trading days. Adding to the stellar performance, names such as Harvard Management Co. and the Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala disclosed investments in Bitcoin through IBIT. The digital asset treasury movement expanded in tandem with the adoption of ETFs. Strategy increased its Bitcoin holdings to 649,031 BTC worth $72.67 billion as of Sept. 29. Meanwhile, Metaplanet up-sized its share offering to $1.4 billion in September to fund aggressive Bitcoin acquisitions, targeting 210,000 BTC by 2027. Institutions now face a choice between cold storage and yield generation. Max Gokhman, deputy CIO at Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions, noted that yield is a major driver for institutional adoption of crypto. And the SEC is clearing pathways for yield through regulated products. On Aug. 6, a staff statement confirmed that liquid staking tokens do not constitute securities by default, while the Sept. 17 generic listing standards expedited crypto ETF approvals. As more altcoin ETFs are set to launch in the US, potentially offering yields through staking, institutions will gain exposure to the returns that crypto has to offer. This change might impact how Wall Street sees Bitcoin. Bitcoin options fragment across chains Bitcoin is scattered across 365,958.79 BTC in synthetic forms totaling $41.8 billion as of Sept. 30, according to Bitcoin Layers. As Bitcoin does not have native smart contract capabilities, the idea of a synthetic token, commonly referred to as a wrapper, is to allow the usage of BTC in DeFi protocols built on other blockchains. Babylon leads native staking with 58,271.77 BTC, generating a 0.29% APR through a self-custodial protocol that secures proof-of-stake chains. Using Babylon’s infrastructure, chains and applications can tap a security layer maintained by BTC staking. Lombard’s LBTC token transforms Bitcoin into a liquid staking asset with 0.82% APY and $1.3 billion in total value locked (TVL), compatible with Ethereum, Base, Solana, BNB Smart Chain, Katana, Sonic, Starknet, and Sui through native Chainlink and canonical bridge integrations. Threshold operates tBTC v2 across Ethereum, Starknet, Sui, and MezoChain with 6,335.31 tBTC bridged and $717.7 million in TVL. Protocol TVL Yield/APR Compatible Networks Babylon $6.61 billion 0.29% APR Bitcoin native (secures PoS chains via Bitcoin staking) Lombard (LBTC) $1.3 billion 0.82% APY 13 networks: Ethereum, Base, Solana, BNB Smart Chain, Katana, Sonic, Starknet, Sui, and others Threshold (tBTC v2) $717.7 million N/A 4 networks: Ethereum, Starknet, Sui, MezoChain Solv Protocol (solvBTC) $1.7 billion 0.79%-13.28% APY 12 networks: Arbitrum, Mantle, Bitcoin mainnet, and others b14g $300 million ~5% APR (average) Multiple networks (dual-staking with native tokens) Zeus Network (zBTC) $58.7 million 4.52% APY Bitcoin-to-Solana bridge (via Multi-Party Computation) Thorchain $74 million N/A Cross-chain native swaps (multiple blockchains) Lightning Network $438 million N/A Bitcoin Layer-2 payment channels Solv Protocol offers its solvBTC across 12 chains, including Arbitrum, Mantle, and the Bitcoin mainnet, with $1.7 billion in total value locked (TVL). Meanwhile, b14g offers an average of 5% APR through dual-staking mechanisms that combine BTC with native protocol tokens, across a $300 million TVL. Zeus Network bridges Bitcoin to Solana via the zBTC wrapper, with $58.7 million in TVL using Multi-Party Computation for trustless cross-chain interoperability. It offers 4.52% APY on staking via Fragmetric. Thorchain facilitates native Bitcoin swaps for assets across different chains with $74 million locked. Bitcoin bridges processed $1.87 million in September 2025. Regarding chains with the largest amounts of wrappers, Ethereum holds 178,458.67 BTC as of Sept. 30, followed by BNB Smart Chain at 24,082.67 BTC and Base at 21,647.85 BTC. Besides the wrapper domination in established blockchains, Lightning Network presents itself as a significant rail for BTC usage. Lightning maintains $438 million in TVL despite a 20% decline in public capacity from 5,400 BTC in late 2023 to 4,200 BTC by August 2025. Coinbase reported that 15% of Bitcoin withdrawals were routed through Lightning by mid-2025, and CoinGate documented that Lightning accounted for 16% of Bitcoin orders in 2024, compared to 6.5% two years prior. Additionally, Tether deployed USDT over Lightning via Taproot Assets in January 2025, enabling dollar-denominated payments without locking BTC in channels. Practical difficulties Despite the plurality of networks and wrappers that institutions could use to add composability to Bitcoin if they wish to, the key point of access remains through ETFs. Using BlackRock’s IBIT S-1 filing as an example, the document specifies that Coinbase Custody Trust Company holds Bitcoin in segregated cold storage wallets with multi-signature authentication, separate from all other Coinbase assets. In January 2025, BlackRock filed an amendment to IBIT’s structure to allow in-kind creation and redemption, requiring Coinbase Custody to process withdrawals to public blockchain addresses within 12 hours. Currently, there is limited room to incorporate yield pathways into Bitcoin ETFs, which would involve exploring the DeFi ecosystem using BTC. Protocol Structure Type Custody Model Trust Assumptions Babylon Bitcoin-native staking protocol Self-custodial (non-custodial time-locks on Bitcoin) Trust-minimized: Uses Bitcoin’s native time-lock scripting. BTC remains on Bitcoin blockchain in user’s control. Relies on Bitcoin’s security model. No bridging, wrapping, or third-party custody. Slashing possible for validator misbehavior. Lombard (LBTC) Liquid staking token (LST) built on Babylon Consortium model with decentralized custody Federated trust: Built on Babylon’s security layer. Uses Security Consortium of institutional custodians. Multi-party validation required for minting/burning LBTC. Relies on finality providers and signers. Proof-of-reserves via Chainlink/Redstone oracles. 9-day unbonding period (Babylon 7-day + Lombard 2-day rebalancing). Threshold (tBTC v2) Decentralized bridge protocol Distributed multi-signature custody (100-of-100 threshold) Honest-majority assumption: Randomly selected group of 100+ node operators hold keys via threshold cryptography. Requires 51-of-100 signers to approve operations. Relies on probabilistic security and staked T tokens for economic security. Forward security protects existing deposits. SPV proofs verify Bitcoin state. No single custodian controls funds. Solv Protocol Multi-chain Bitcoin LST platform Varies by integration Multi-chain trust: Relies on security of each integrated chain (12 chains). Cross-chain bridge dependencies. Structured product framework with yield aggregation. Trust assumptions vary by destination chain and vault strategy. b14g Bitcoin restaking protocol Dual-staking (BTC + native token) Merge restaking model: Combines staked BTC with protocol native tokens. No BTC slashing risk (only native token subject to slashing). Relies on security of underlying networks being secured. Trust distributed across validator sets. Zeus Network Cross-chain bridge (Bitcoin to Solana) Multi-Party Computation (MPC) custody Federated MPC trust: Uses threshold signature scheme requiring multiple parties to cooperate. Decentralized node network manages zBTC minting/burning. Trust distributed across validator set. Depends on Solana network security for destination assets. Thorchain Decentralized liquidity protocol Threshold Signature Scheme (TSS) with bonded validators Economic security model: Validators post bonds (2-3x value of pooled assets). Continuous Liquidity Pools (CLPs) enable native swaps. Slashing mechanism for malicious behavior. Trust distributed across economically incentivized validator set. No wrapped tokens—native asset swaps. Lightning Network Bitcoin Layer-2 payment channels Self-custodial (channel-based) Channel counterparty trust: Users maintain custody via pre-funded payment channels. Bilateral trust between channel partners. Can route through multiple channels. Time-locked smart contracts enforce settlement. Trust-minimized for direct channels; routing adds complexity. No bridging or wrapping. Additionally, the Financial Action Task Force’s Travel Rule mandates financial institutions and Virtual Asset Service Providers to transmit originator and beneficiary identifying information with virtual currency transactions. This standard requires end-to-end transparency to aid law enforcement and mitigate financial crime risks. ETF issuers must maintain segregated custody with regulated entities that are capable of producing audit trails that satisfy the travel rule requirements. Wrapped Bitcoin protocols introduce trust assumptions that conflict with institutional custody standards. Threshold’s tBTC relies on decentralized node operators to maintain the bridge between Bitcoin and Ethereum, creating a multi-signature custodial model where no single entity controls funds. Although this is positive from a decentralization perspective, it introduces a security dependency on the integrity of the validator set. Lombard utilizes Babylon’s Bitcoin Staking Protocol, combined with a consortium model for custody, which distributes risk across multiple parties. Again, there is an effort to decentralize single points of failure; however, this adds coordination requirements that complicate audit procedures. A Bitcoin ETF holding LBTC on Base would face scrutiny on Optimism’s fraud-proof system, Base’s sequencer centralization, and the bridge’s oracle dependencies. Each wrapped BTC variant trades off security assumptions. BitGo’s wBTC utilizes centralized custody with legal agreements, whereas Threshold’s tBTC distributes custody across validators, who must maintain uptime and adhere to honest behavior. These layered risks multiply audit surfaces beyond what segregated cold storage presents. Yield profiles and cost-benefit Babylon’s 0.29% APR on staked Bitcoin compares unfavourably to Ethereum’s 3.2% staking yield or Solana’s 7.1% APY available through liquid staking derivatives. Lombard’s 0.82% return requires institutions to accept exposure to 13 different blockchain networks, each with distinct security models and potential failure modes. These examples reveal the challenge that a 1% yield advantage on a 5% Bitcoin allocation contributes just five basis points to total portfolio returns. Institutions might find insufficient compensation for introducing bridge risk, oracle dependencies, and cross-chain settlement complexity. Franklin Templeton’s Gokhman observed that institutions increasingly view Bitcoin as a cyclical, high-beta risk asset that correlates with traditional financial markets as institutional adoption grows. This framing suggests that portfolio managers prefer to separate their Bitcoin holdings from yield generation, maintaining BTC as a pure exposure play while sourcing returns from assets with more established DeFi infrastructure. An institution could hold Bitcoin through IBIT’s segregated cold storage while deploying capital into Ethereum ETFs that will potentially offer staking yields through proven liquid staking tokens approved by the SEC’s August 2025 guidance. Dividing exposure requires allocating capital across multiple positions but preserves custody clarity and simplifies compliance reporting. The alternative of bridging Bitcoin to access DeFi yields forces institutions to evaluate whether Threshold’s node operators or Lombard’s decentralized consortium provides equivalent security to Coinbase Custody’s federally regulated cold storage. Each bridge introduces a new counterparty, and each destination chain adds another risk surface that chain risk committees must review. The fragmented liquidity across 365,958 BTC, spread across different protocols and chains, compounds this complexity, as no single venue offers the depth that institutions require for entry and exit without market impact. In conclusion, Bitcoin layer-2 and alternative layer protocols offer technical solutions for yield generation. However, it is up to regulators to find a way to accommodate these paths into regulated products, and it is up to institutions to decide whether direct exposure is worth the risk. The post Will institutions follow Bitcoin onto other chains? appeared first on CryptoSlate.
Babylon community releases new proposal to "reduce inflation and introduce shared staking"
On September 29, the Babylon community recently released a new proposal to "reduce inflation and introduce joint staking," which includes lowering the inflation rate by approximately 30%, from 8% per year to 5.5% per year. In addition, the proposal suggests introducing a BTC-BABY joint staking feature to encourage BTC stakers to participate in staking BABY.
Babylon proposes BTC-BABY co-staking to lower inflation
Babylon has proposed cutting BABY inflation and launching BTC-BABY co-staking, a system designed to align Bitcoin and BABY holders while reducing supply growth. Summary The proposal aims to cut inflation from 8% to 5.5%. BTC-BABY co-staking aligns Bitcoin and BABY holders. Testnet in September, mainnet launch in October. Babylon has put forward a governance proposal that would cut BABY inflation and introduce a co-staking system linking Bitcoin with the network’s native token. According to the Sept. 29 forum post , the plan aims to lower annual inflation from 8% to 5.5%, reducing supply growth by approximately 30%. At the same time, a co-staking mechanism would allow Bitcoin ( BTC ) stakers to boost their rewards by also staking BABY, thereby strengthening demand for the native token. Inflation adjustment for sustainability Under the proposal, annual inflation would fall from the current 8%, which is evenly split between Bitcoin and BABY stakers, to a new breakdown of 1% for BTC stakers, 2% for BABY stakers, and 2.35% reserved for BTC-BABY co-stakers. Another 0.15% would be shared between validators and finality providers to maintain network security. This adjustment brings overall inflation down to 5.5% per year, slowing the growth of BABY’s supply while preserving incentives for participation. Babylon said the shift reflects a move from bootstrapping adoption to ensuring long-term sustainability, supported by the $6.38 billion in Bitcoin already staked through its protocol. Co-staking to align holders The proposed co-staking system ties Bitcoin staking more closely to BABY. For every 20,000 BABY staked, one BTC becomes eligible for extra rewards. A user pairing 6 BTC with 50,000 BABY would earn enhanced returns on 2.5 BTC, while staking 6 BTC with 150,000 BABY would make the entire position eligible. Babylon said this design strengthens alignment between Bitcoin holders and BABY stakers, giving both groups a direct incentive to participate more deeply in the network. The team expects the mechanism to go live on testnet in late September, with mainnet deployment planned for October. The proposal also sets the stage for further adjustments once trustless Bitcoin vaults are introduced. These vaults, still in development, will allow native BTC to interact with decentralized finance applications across chains without bridging or wrapping. Babylon said its tokenomics will evolve alongside these launches, but the immediate step is to reduce inflation and integrate BTC and BABY through co-staking.
Babylon Proposal May Cut BABY Inflation to 5.5% and Boost Bitcoin (BTC)-BABY Joint Staking
Babylon BTC-BABY joint staking proposal cuts BABY token inflation from 8% to 5.5% and reallocates rewards to incentivize BTC-BABY co‑staking: 1% to BTC stakers, 2% to BABY stakers and 2.35% to BTC‑BABY co‑stakers, aiming to boost Bitcoin liquidity and protocol security. Babylon community proposes BTC‑BABY joint staking and inflation reduction Inflation lowered from 8% to 5.5% to realign tokenomics and rewards New allocations: 1% BTC stakers, 2% BABY stakers, 2.35% co‑stakers — designed to increase BTC participation Babylon BTC-BABY joint staking: proposal cuts BABY token inflation to 5.5%, reallocates rewards to BTC and BABY stakers, and boosts co-staking incentives. Read how to participate. What is Babylon’s BTC-BABY joint staking proposal? Babylon BTC-BABY joint staking is a community proposal to cut BABY token inflation from 8% to 5.5% and to reallocate emissions to reward BTC stakers, BABY stakers and BTC‑BABY co‑stakers. The plan aims to make Bitcoin more productive within Babylon’s DeFi framework and increase protocol participation. How does the inflation cut change BABY tokenomics? Under the proposal, annual inflation falls to 5.5%, with targeted allocations to encourage co‑staking. The distribution assigns 1% to BTC stakers, 2% to BABY stakers and 2.35% to BTC‑BABY co‑stakers. This reduces supply pressure while orienting rewards toward combined BTC and BABY engagement. Babylon founder David Tse emphasized that the adjustment makes Bitcoin “productive, trustlessly” within native vaults and scripts. The change also rebalances security incentives across the protocol’s staking base. Why does Babylon target BTC holders with higher incentives? Targeting BTC holders seeks to attract Bitcoin liquidity into the Babylon ecosystem without using bridges. By rewarding BTC participation, the protocol increases on‑chain BTC utility and strengthens staking-based security. Protocol research teams project that added BTC participation can improve liquidity depth and reduce single-token reward concentration for BABY holders. How to participate in BTC-BABY co-staking? Check wallet compatibility and ensure access to Babylon staking interfaces. Hold or acquire BABY tokens and ensure BTC is stored in a compatible vault or script-enabled address. Initiate the co‑staking flow on Babylon’s UI to lock BTC and BABY into the co‑staking contract. Monitor rewards distribution and unstaking windows; follow governance updates for final parameters. Frequently Asked Questions How will the new allocation affect existing BABY stakers? Existing BABY stakers will see a rebalanced reward pool: BABY staking maintains a dedicated allocation, while co‑staking incentives may increase effective yields for combined BTC‑BABY participants. Does participating require locking BTC long term? Locking periods depend on Babylon governance parameters. Participants should review the proposal details for specific lockup durations and unstaking windows before committing funds. Who authored the proposal and where did the assessment come from? The proposal originated from the Babylon community and was summarized by protocol contributors. Commentary includes statements attributed to founder David Tse and protocol research assessments referenced in community updates. Protocol Comparison Summary Metric Previous Proposed Annual inflation 8.0% 5.5% BTC stakers allocation — 1.0% BABY stakers allocation — 2.0% BTC-BABY co-stakers allocation — 2.35% Key Takeaways Inflation reduced: BABY inflation drops from 8% to 5.5% to temper emissions pressure. Co-staking incentives: A new 2.35% allocation rewards BTC‑BABY co‑stakers, driving BTC participation. On‑chain Bitcoin utility: Babylon relies on Bitcoin scripts and vaults to make BTC productive without bridges. Conclusion The Babylon BTC-BABY joint staking proposal refocuses BABY tokenomics toward sustainable emissions and stronger BTC engagement. By cutting inflation and creating explicit co‑staking rewards, the community aims to increase liquidity and protocol security. Monitor Babylon governance updates and participation guides to evaluate timing and technical requirements for staking. In Case You Missed It: XRP May Face Key October Events as SEC Reviews Six ETF Filings, CME Launches Derivatives and Ripple Awaits Bank Charter
Maestro launches institutional platform for BTC-native capital markets
Maestro, a Bitcoin-native financial infrastructure platform, has introduced an institutional-grade solution aimed at accelerating adoption of the benchmark digital asset in decentralized finance. Summary Bitcoin-native platform Maestro targets expansion as BTC yield products provider for institutional investors. The launch of Maestro Institutional targets use of Bitcoin as collateral in capital markets. Maestro Institutional is a treasury financial platform that will allow Bitcoin’s use as an asset in crypto market collateralization, with institutions able to tap into this offering in capital markets without having to contend with asset liquidation. In a press release , Maestro noted that corporations, asset managers, and Bitcoin custody providers can now optimize their BTC holdings with custom yield and treasury solutions. Maestro Institutional will integrate some of the top Bitcoin finance platforms to deliver enterprise-ready yield products. “With the new Institutional platform, Maestro meets institutions where they already are. They expect granular controls, clean reporting, and robust security. Many solutions today lack the guarantees and compliance that financial players expect,” said Marvin Bertin, the chief executive officer at Maestro. “With permissioned, KYC-controlled vaults and bank-grade operational safeguards, Maestro enables institutions to unlock yield on Bitcoin without compromise.” Eyeing yield on idle Bitcoin Bitcoin ( BTC )’s growing share of the decentralized finance market means institutions can tap into more that $150 billion in idle BTC. Currently, much of this idle Bitcoin sits on corporate balance sheets, aided by the spike in Wall Street players allocating to top cryptocurrencies through digital asset treasury platforms. Lombard , Solv and Babylon are some of the leading ecosystems providers in this BTCfi landscape. Notably, approximately $2 trillion of the total supply of Bitcoin is in custody or cold storage as institutional demand grows. Institutions increasingly view Bitcoin as a yield-bearing asset, exploring opportunities beyond traditional finance solutions like exchange-traded funds. Maestro aims to offer a platform for compliant, risk-adjusted yield strategies, with all offerings allowing for settlement directly on Bitcoin. There will be no bridging or wrapping.
Wildcat Says Kinto Default Doesn't Affect Other Loans
Kinto ceases operations following exploration and default on Wildcat Wildcat reinforces that there is no risk of contagion More than US$150 million remains active on the platform Wildcat Labs, a cryptocurrency lending protocol, announced that the Kinto network default represents the first official case of default on its platform since its launch in 2023. The announcement came after Kinto, a modular Ethereum Layer 2, confirmed that it will cease operations by the end of the month, citing a lack of resources to service debts. "Regrettably, Kinto has announced its intention to cease operations and has stated that it does not have sufficient assets to service the full debt incurred by the Kinto Phoenix Facility market," the Wildcat team wrote in an official statement. Regrettably, Kinto have announced their intention to shutter operations, and have stated that they have insufficient assets to repay the full debt incurred by the Kinto Phoenix Facility market. The network had been the target of an exploit that drained $1,55 million from its lending pools. In response, it launched the "Phoenix" plan, raising $1 million and issuing a new token, $KINTO, to attempt to restore liquidity and restart operations. However, the new debt made the protocol's continuation unviable. According to Ramón Recuero, founder of Kinto and Babylon Finance, Phoenix plan creditors will receive 76% of the principal amount of the loans, using the foundation's remaining assets. Wildcat confirmed this information, emphasizing that the withdrawal process will occur in installments, pro-rata. “More importantly, requests in later batches will not have assets allocated until there is sufficient capital to fully honor all previous ones: think of this queue as an hourglass,” highlighted the team. The protocol emphasized that the case will not impact other loans. "By definition, the loss is limited to the Phoenix Line, with no risk of contagion or reduction in value to any other lender or borrower," Wildcat stated, reinforcing that Kinto will continue to seek recovery of funds from those responsible for the attack. Currently, there is over $150 million in outstanding credit on Wildcat, and approximately $368 million has been originated since its inception. The platform's model stands out for offering undercollateralized loans, a distinct approach from traditional DeFi protocols. Founded by Laurence Day, an influential figure at X (formerly Twitter), and Dillon Kellar of Indexed Finance, Wildcat recently raised $3,5 million in a round led by Robot Ventures, with a market valuation of around $35 million, in addition to having attracted investments from groups such as Wintermute Ventures and angel investors via Echo.
XRP News Today: Gumi Bets Big on XRP for Blockchain Future, Diversifying Beyond Bitcoin
Gumi, a Japanese gaming company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, has announced a strategic allocation of ¥2.5 billion ($17 million) to purchase XRP , Ripple’s native token, as part of its broader blockchain business strategy. The acquisition, to be executed in a phased manner from September 2025 to February 2026, complements the company’s earlier investment of ¥1 billion ($6.6 million) in Bitcoin in February 2025, which is being staked through protocols like Babylon to generate revenue. Gumi described the move as part of a dual-asset strategy, leveraging Bitcoin for stability and XRP for growth opportunities in blockchain-based financial services. The decision reflects a broader trend of institutional interest in XRP, particularly in cross-border payments and liquidity solutions. Gumi emphasized that XRP offers functional utility beyond its store-of-value properties, aligning with its vision to integrate blockchain technologies into its financial infrastructure. The company stated that the token's role in international remittance networks and its association with SBI Holdings—its largest shareholder and a long-term partner of Ripple—made it a strategic fit for its balance sheet. SBI and Ripple are also collaborating on the introduction of the RLUSD stablecoin in Japan by early 2026, which Gumi said further supports the decision. Gumi’s acquisition of XRP is part of a growing trend of corporate adoption of the token. Several other publicly traded firms, including Webus International , Trident Digital , and VivoPower International, have similarly announced XRP treasury strategies in 2025, citing the token’s potential for appreciation and utility in blockchain finance. The company will report the value of its XRP and Bitcoin holdings quarterly in its income statement, demonstrating a commitment to transparency in digital asset management. In terms of financial rationale, Gumi believes that XRP’s use in remittances and liquidity provision positions it to benefit from the expansion of blockchain-based financial infrastructure, particularly in Asia. By aligning with SBI Ripple Asia—a joint venture focused on deploying blockchain payment systems in the region—the company aims to strengthen its competitive position in the payments sector. This strategy is distinct from Bitcoin’s role, which Gumi continues to use as a core asset for income generation and portfolio stability. Market conditions at the time of the announcement saw XRP trading at $2.82, reflecting a 5% intraday decline as traders took profits after breaking key support levels earlier in the week. Despite the short-term volatility, Gumi’s strategy appears to focus on long-term appreciation potential. The company noted that it will continue to evaluate its holdings based on market conditions and the evolving landscape of blockchain-based financial services. Source:
Japan-based Gumi commits $17M to XRP amid expansion into global payment networks
Tokyo-based game developer Gumi Inc. is stepping deeper into digital assets with plans to acquire 2.5 billion yen (equivalent to $17 million) worth of XRP, according to an Aug. 29 announcement. The purchase will be spread across five months from September 2025 through February 2026. According to the firm, the move is designed to give Gumi more than simple exposure to cryptocurrency prices. It noted that XRP’s role in global remittance and liquidity services makes it a strategic entry point for expanding revenue streams in finance. A translated version of its statement reads: “Our decision to newly acquire XRP this time is not simply in anticipation of price increases, but is a strategic initiative to participate in the XRP ecosystem, which is at the core of the international remittance and liquidity network, and directly link this to expanding revenue opportunities in the financial sector.” Notably, this step follows a smaller allocation to Bitcoin earlier in the year. In the first half of 2025, Gumi purchased 1 billion yen (about $6.8 million) in BTC and staked it using Babylon. Gumi was founded in 2007 and is best known for games like Brave Frontier. Since its 2014 listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, it has expanded into blockchain through its venture arm, gumi Cryptos Capital, which backs early-stage startups in the sector. According to Yahoo Finance data, Gumi’s shares were down more than 2% to 603 yen (over $4) as of the market close. Dual-prong approach Gumi’s management stated that it intends to build its blockchain business around two core digital assets: Bitcoin and XRP. The firm said Bitcoin is a universal store of value that is suitable for staking income and long-term appreciation. XRP, in contrast, is viewed as an operational asset tied to financial infrastructure, capable of driving profitability by connecting the company directly to payment rails and liquidity networks. According to the company, combining BTC and XRP as strategic “pillars” will create a durable base for its blockchain operations and, ultimately, for long-term corporate growth. The post Japan-based Gumi commits $17M to XRP amid expansion into global payment networks appeared first on CryptoSlate.
Japanese gaming giant Gumi picks XRP for treasury strategy
Japanese gaming platform Gumi has expanded its foray into the crypto treasury strategy ecosystem with a $17 million initial splash on XRP. Summary Tokyo-listed Gumi has acquired $17 million of XRP for a treasury bet. The video game developer joins a growing list of public companies adding XRP to their balance sheets. Gumi, a Tokyo-listed video game developer backed by financial services and investment giant SBI, has picked Ripple’s XRP ( XRP ) for its crypto treasury asset. The company announced on Aug. 29 that it had purchased approximately $17m worth of XRP, beginning its accumulation of the cryptocurrency as a balance sheet asset. The move, which will see Gumi buy Ripple’s native token over the next several months, adds to the video game developer’s earlier purchase of Bitcoin ( BTC ). The company bought 80,352 BTC for about $6.7 million earlier this year, with the strategy including staking on platforms such as Babylon. Investment in XRP as part of Gumi’s crypto strategy aligns with plans to tap into opportunities across the blockchain ecosystem, the company said. “Through contributing to the expansion of the XRP ecosystem, which plays an important role in the international remittance and liquidity network strategy primarily promoted by SBI Holdings, we aim to expand revenue opportunities in that business,” it said in a post on X. Everything Blockchain makes XRP move XRP is among top altcoins that are attracting a lot of attention, with more public companies coming forth with treasury strategy plans. On Aug. 29, Everything Blockchain joined VivoPower in tapping into Flare Network for its XRP strategy move. Everything Blockchain announced it had sealed a memorandum of understanding with Flare to explore an XRP yield strategy. VivoPower recently initiated a $100 million XRP deployment via Flare and Everything Blockchain looks to take a similar route into leveraging yield opportunities with the Ripple cryptocurrency. “This is about unlocking the true financial utility of digital assets like XRP, not just as speculative holdings, but as yield bearing instruments that can compound over time,” said Arthur Rozenberg, chief executive officer of Everything Blockchain. “Flare gives us the rails to do this in a way that meets the governance, security, and auditability standards required of public companies.” China’s Webus International, Trident Digital and Nature’s Miracle are among companies to recently unveil XRP treasury strategies. These moves come as Ripple, the company behind XRP, looks to expand its global reach following years of constraint amid a legal tussle in the United States.
Babylon Labs Launches Trustless Bitcoin Vaults to Unlock Native BTC for DeFi
Babylon Labs has unveiled a major development in decentralized finance (DeFi) with the launch of trustless Bitcoin vaults, enabling native BTC to be used directly in lending, stablecoin issuance, and perpetual trading without the need for custodians, bridges, or wrapped tokens. Despite being the largest crypto asset by market cap, over 99% of Bitcoin remains idle. Only about 1% is used in DeFi, mostly via wrapped products like wBTC and cbBTC, which rely on third-party custodians. Babylon’s new vault system introduces a non-custodial alternative that keeps BTC on its native blockchain while allowing it to function as DeFi collateral across multiple ecosystems. What if native BTC could power lending, stablecoins, and perps, all without bridges or custodians? Trustless Bitcoin vaults make it possible. Here’s how 🧵 pic.twitter.com/mHxPsYPcka — Babylon (@babylonlabs_io) August 6, 2025 The trustless Bitcoin vaults use pre-signed Bitcoin transactions embedded with cryptographic spending conditions. Users can only withdraw locked BTC by submitting zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) that align with smart contract logic. This ensures that vault rules such as liquidation thresholds or redemption rights are enforced without intermediaries. Powered by BitVM3, the system enables Bitcoin-native proof verification through zero-knowledge protocols and garbled circuits. This allows the Bitcoin UTXOs to interact with DeFi smart contracts on networks like Ethereum and Cosmos without leaving the Bitcoin chain. In practical terms, users can deposit BTC into a vault and borrow stablecoins on Ethereum. If loan terms are met, they retrieve their BTC. If not, liquidators with valid ZKPs can claim the collateral—all trustlessly and without custodial risk. The vaults also support advanced use cases such as perpetual DEX collateral, liquid staking, and stablecoin minting. Babylon’s broader protocol further allows staked BTC to earn rewards while remaining usable in DeFi. With this launch, Babylon positions trustless Bitcoin vaults as a foundational primitive for the emerging BTCFi sector, fully composable, secure, and decentralized. However, the launch coincided with a major event: a massive $1.26 billion BTC unstaking from Babylon’s staking protocol. On April 17, Lookonchain flagged four wallets that withdrew 14,929 BTC, slashing Babylon’s total value locked (TVL) by 32%.
Revolutionary Trustless BTC Vaults: Unlock Bitcoin’s Full DeFi Potential
A significant development has emerged in the cryptocurrency space, poised to redefine how Bitcoin holders interact with decentralized finance (DeFi). Babylon has recently launched its groundbreaking trustless BTC vaults, a revolutionary step that allows you to put your Bitcoin to work without relying on central custodians. This innovation promises to unlock new possibilities for Bitcoin staking and broader DeFi participation, ensuring greater security and autonomy for BTC owners. What are Trustless BTC Vaults and How Do They Work? You might be wondering, “How can I use my Bitcoin in DeFi without trusting an intermediary?” Babylon’s new trustless BTC vaults address this critical need directly. They leverage advanced cryptographic techniques and innovative protocols, primarily powered by BitVM3 technology. Here’s a simplified breakdown of how these vaults operate: BitVM3 Integration: This sophisticated technology acts as a bridge, allowing Bitcoin to interact with more complex smart contract functionalities typically found on other blockchains. Smart Contract Control: Your Bitcoin is locked within a smart contract on the Bitcoin network itself. This contract dictates the terms under which your BTC can be used, ensuring transparency and immutability. Zero-Knowledge Proofs: These proofs are a core component, allowing the system to verify that certain conditions have been met without revealing any sensitive information about the transaction or the participants. This enhances privacy and security. Essentially, these vaults create a secure, programmatic way for your BTC to participate in DeFi applications, moving away from the risks associated with centralized platforms. Why is Bitcoin Staking Now Easier and Safer? For a long time, staking Bitcoin was a complex endeavor, often requiring wrapped BTC or reliance on centralized exchanges. Babylon’s trustless BTC vaults simplify this process significantly, making Bitcoin staking more accessible and inherently safer for the average user. Consider these key advantages: No Central Intermediary: You maintain control over your private keys, eliminating the counterparty risk associated with sending your Bitcoin to a centralized entity. This is a fundamental shift towards true decentralization. Enhanced Security: By utilizing Bitcoin’s native security and integrating zero-knowledge proofs, the risk of hacks or mismanagement by third parties is drastically reduced. Your assets are protected by cryptography, not by a company’s promise. Direct Participation: You can directly participate in the economic activities of DeFi protocols, earning rewards without the need for complex bridging solutions or synthetic assets. This makes the entire process more straightforward. This development is a game-changer for anyone holding BTC and looking to generate passive income securely. Unlocking Decentralized Bitcoin‘s DeFi Power The launch of these vaults goes beyond just staking; it significantly expands the utility of decentralized Bitcoin within the broader DeFi ecosystem. Traditionally, Bitcoin’s limited smart contract capabilities have restricted its direct involvement in many DeFi applications. Babylon is changing that narrative. With trustless BTC vaults, Bitcoin holders can now engage in various DeFi activities: Secure Lending: Lend your BTC to earn interest, with the terms enforced by smart contracts rather than relying on a lending platform’s solvency. Stablecoin Issuance: Use your Bitcoin as collateral to mint stablecoins, providing liquidity and flexibility without selling your BTC holdings. Earning Rewards: Participate in protocols and earn rewards, including BABY tokens, Babylon’s native token, as reported by CoinDesk. This creates new avenues for yield generation directly from your BTC. This expansion of utility is crucial for integrating Bitcoin more deeply into the burgeoning world of decentralized finance, truly empowering decentralized Bitcoin as a foundational asset. The Role of Babylon DeFi and BitVM3 Technology Babylon’s commitment to enhancing Babylon DeFi capabilities and their strategic use of BitVM3 technology are at the heart of this innovation. BitVM3 is not just a technical detail; it represents a significant leap forward in making Bitcoin programmable without altering its core protocol. Babylon’s vision is clear: to make Bitcoin the ultimate staking asset for proof-of-stake (PoS) blockchains. By enabling native, trustless staking of BTC, they are paving the way for a more secure and capital-efficient decentralized future. The robustness of BitVM3 technology ensures that these interactions are secure and verifiable directly on the Bitcoin blockchain. This means more opportunities for you to participate in a truly decentralized economy, with Bitcoin acting as the backbone. In conclusion, Babylon’s introduction of trustless BTC vaults marks a pivotal moment for the entire cryptocurrency landscape. By leveraging BitVM3 technology and smart contracts, they have created a secure and decentralized pathway for Bitcoin holders to engage in staking and various DeFi activities. This innovation not only enhances the utility of Bitcoin but also reinforces the core principles of decentralization and user autonomy. It is an exciting step towards a future where your Bitcoin can work for you, securely and without compromise. Frequently Asked Questions Q1: What exactly are Babylon’s trustless BTC vaults? A1: Babylon’s trustless BTC vaults are a new system that allows Bitcoin holders to use their BTC for staking and decentralized finance (DeFi) activities without needing to trust a centralized intermediary. They use smart contracts and BitVM3 technology for security. Q2: How do these vaults ensure my Bitcoin is secure? A2: Security is ensured through the use of native Bitcoin smart contracts and zero-knowledge proofs. This means your BTC remains under your control via cryptographic methods, reducing reliance on third parties and mitigating risks like hacks or mismanagement. Q3: Can I earn rewards by using trustless BTC vaults? A3: Yes, by using these vaults, you can participate in various DeFi protocols to earn rewards. This includes potential staking rewards and even earning BABY tokens, Babylon’s native token, by contributing to the ecosystem. Q4: What is BitVM3 technology and why is it important for these vaults? A4: BitVM3 is a crucial technology that enables more complex computations and smart contract functionalities directly on the Bitcoin blockchain without altering its core protocol. It’s vital for making these trustless interactions and decentralized applications possible with Bitcoin. Q5: What kind of DeFi activities can I do with my Bitcoin using these vaults? A5: Beyond staking, you can engage in activities like secure lending, where your BTC earns interest, or use your Bitcoin as collateral to issue stablecoins. This significantly expands Bitcoin’s utility within the decentralized finance space. If you found this information on Babylon’s revolutionary trustless BTC vaults insightful, consider sharing this article with your network. Help us spread the word about how Bitcoin holders can now securely and transparently engage with DeFi and staking. Your share helps empower more individuals to unlock the full potential of their Bitcoin! To learn more about the latest Bitcoin DeFi trends, explore our article on key developments shaping Bitcoin institutional adoption.
BitcoinFi clears $10b in TVL as lending, staking gain real-world traction: Maestro
The latest data from Maestro suggests Bitcoin’s financial stack is maturing quickly. With $7.39 billion already staked and another $3.32 billion in restaking, the narrative of passive HODLing is steadily being replaced by active, on-chain capital deployment. Summary BitcoinFi protocols surpass $10b in total value locked, with $7.39b in staking and $3.32b in restaking, according to Maestro’s H1 2025 report. Platforms like Babylon, Liquidium, and Stacks are leading adoption across staking, lending, and L2 programmability. According to Maestro’s State of BitcoinFi report shared with crypto.news on August 7, the BitcoinFi ecosystem has surpassed $10 billion in total value locked, driven primarily by staking and lending protocols. The report, based on protocol-level data and market analysis from H1 2025, was compiled in collaboration with BitcoinFi Accelerator, marking the first comprehensive analysis of Bitcoin’s ( BTC ) transition from a static store of value to a dynamic financial network. It identifies $7.39 billion in BTC staked across yield-bearing platforms and an additional $3.32 billion engaged in restaking strategies, with Babylon, Liquidium, and Stacks emerging as early leaders in their respective niches. Bitcoin’s on-chain financial layer takes shape According to Maestro’s report, Babylon leads the staking race with $4.79 billion in TVL, but innovators like Solv, Lombard, and CoreDAO are pushing boundaries with liquid staking tokens and dual-token models that enhance capital efficiency. Meanwhile, Liquidium has carved out an early lead in Bitcoin-native lending, processing over $500 million in volume as demand for BTC-backed loans grows. “We’re witnessing the convergence of TradFi and DeFi into a Bitcoin‑denominated capital market,” Marvin Bertin, Co‑Founder and CEO of Maestro, said. “For the first time since 2009, the critical pieces for on‑chain financial apps on Bitcoin are in place, spanning exchanges, lending, and stablecoins. Bitcoin is evolving from a static reserve asset into a dynamic, productive financial network.” This shift is being accelerated by Bitcoin’s growing programmability layer. Scaling solutions, once dismissed as speculative experiments, now hold $5.52 billion in TVL—a clear signal that developers and users are embracing Bitcoin layer-2s for smart contracts and asset issuance without sacrificing self-custody. Stacks, in particular, has emerged as a standout, more than doubling its TVL in Q2 with approximately 2,000 BTC added. Beyond DeFi, Bitcoin’s metaprotocols are quietly reshaping network activity. Maestro said in the report that Runes, Ordinals, and BRC-20s accounted for 40.6% of all Bitcoin transactions in H1 2025, with BRC-20 daily volume reaching $128 million. Ordinals, after a slump in 2024, have staged a strong comeback, surpassing 80 million inscriptions and generating $681 million in fees. Even Runes, despite a late 2024 decline, saw renewed interest in early 2025, suggesting that Bitcoin’s cultural and financial use cases are expanding in tandem. Stablecoins, long considered Ethereum’s domain, are also gaining ground in BitcoinFi. With $860 million in TVL, a 42.3% quarterly increase, projects like Avalon’s USDa are demonstrating that Bitcoin-native stablecoins can thrive, particularly when paired with high-yield offerings. This growth reflects a broader trend: Bitcoin is no longer just a base layer for settlements but a full-stack financial ecosystem. Meanwhile, venture capital is taking notice. After a lull in funding, BitcoinFi startups raised $175 million across 32 deals in H1 2025, with 20 of those rounds targeting DeFi, custody, or consumer apps rather than pure infrastructure, Maestro said.
Babylon unveils trustless BTC vaults for DeFi and staking
Babylon Labs has introduced a breakthrough in decentralized finance with the launch of trustless Bitcoin vaults. Summary Babylon launched trustless Bitcoin vaults on Aug. 6, enabling native BTC to interact with DeFi without bridges or custodians. Vaults use BitVM3 and zero-knowledge proofs to enforce smart contract logic while BTC remains on-chain. The feature expands BTC’s role in DeFi and complements Babylon’s Bitcoin staking ecosystem. Announced via an Aug. 6 post on X, these vaults allow native Bitcoin ( BTC ) to be used in decentralized finance applications, such as lending, stablecoin minting, and perpetual futures, without wrapping, bridging, or relying on custodians. Bitcoin in DeFi without leaving Bitcoin The vaults function by locking Bitcoin UTXOs under preset cryptographic rules. To unlock BTC, users must submit zero-knowledge proofs that validate smart contract logic without exposing private data. Babylon leverages BitVM3, a Bitcoin-native proof verification framework using ZKPs and garbled circuits, to ensure BTC never leaves the Bitcoin blockchain. This design enforces DeFi logic, including liquidations and redemptions, without the need for intermediaries, allowing native Bitcoin to function as collateral on Ethereum ( ETH ), Cosmos ( ATOM ), and other chains. A borrower might, for example, receive $50,000 in Ethereum stablecoins and lock Bitcoin in a vault. A liquidator can claim the collateral by submitting a legitimate ZKP in the event that the value of Bitcoin declines. Use cases for the vaults include lending, stablecoin issuance, perpetual decentralized exchange collateral, and liquid staking, all while BTC remains self-custodied. Powering BTCFi and expanding Babylon’s vision The trustless vaults are part of Babylon’s broader push to integrate Bitcoin into decentralized economies. DeFi uses less than 1% of the roughly $1.8 trillion market capitalization of Bitcoin as of August 2025. Babylon’s solution, which supports native yield generation and aligns with Bitcoin’s philosophy, can unlock this capital. Additionally, the vaults are connected to Babylon’s $5 billion Bitcoin staking protocol, which went live on mainnet in Aug. 2024. Babylon positions Bitcoin as a core asset for securing proof-of-stake networks by fusing vault functionality with staking rewards, such as BABY tokens. Future developments in Babylon’s roadmap include multi-staking support, EVM integration, and a cross-chain Bitcoin liquidity layer expected in Q1 2026.
BTCFi project Babylon signs $100 million acquisition agreement with listed company AACG
Foresight News reports that BTCFi project Babylon has announced the signing of an acquisition agreement with the publicly listed exchange company ATA Creativity Global (AACG). Babylon will acquire a controlling stake in ATA for a total of $100 million, consisting of $30 million in new shares and $70 million in warrants, and will restructure the board of directors. The transaction is jointly executed by Baby BTC Strategic Capital and the Babylon Foundation.
ATA Creativity Global Acquired by Baby BTC Strategic Capital for $100 Million, Transforming into a BTCFi Listing Platform
According to ChainCatcher, Nasdaq-listed company ATA Creativity Global (Nasdaq: AACG) has announced, as per official reports, that it has signed an agreement with Baby BTC Strategic Capital, led by the Babylon Foundation as LP. Under this agreement, Baby BTC Strategic Capital will acquire a controlling stake in ATA for a total of $100 million, including $30 million in new shares and $70 million in warrants, and will restructure the board of directors. It is reported that ATA will transform into the world’s first listed platform focused on the BTCFi ecosystem, engaging in deep collaboration with the Babylon project (which currently has 45,000 BTC staked). The company will also make large-scale acquisitions of Baby tokens, benchmarking against Baby’s circulating market cap of over $100 million, and will establish a dual-track model of “BTCFi infrastructure + Baby token reserves” to bridge the compliance gap between crypto and traditional finance.
Researchers Use AI to Reconstruct 3,000-Year-Old Babylonian Hymn
Researchers from LMU Munich and the University of Baghdad have used AI to reconstruct a Babylonian poem that had been lost for over 2,000 years. Named the Hymn of Babylon, the text—which praises Babylon and the god Marduk—was written 3,000 years ago and last studied in 100 BC. According to the team behind its rediscovery, it has been pieced together from 30 clay fragments that have been excavated over the years, with artificial intelligence being used to join the dots. “We used a specialized AI program to analyze and match text fragments based on combinations of cuneiform signs,” Professor Enrique Jiménez, Professor of Ancient Oriental Languages at LMU, told Decrypt. Jiménez and his colleagues use approaches based around natural language processing to indicate that fragments belong to a single text, as detailed in a methodology paper from last year. Working from the Electronic Babylonian Library Platform, which contains 1,402 manuscripts, the researchers use n-gram matching as their primary method of reconstruction, although other methods include vocabulary overlapping and searching for longest common strings (of text). According to Jiménez, the rediscovered poem was important enough to be taught as part of Babylon’s curriculum. Writing in the journal Iraq, he and co-researcher Anmar A. Fadhil also suggest that the author was likely a member of Babylon’s priestly class, given that the poem includes a section which describes priests as the “free citizens” of Babylon. In addition to celebrating Babylon’s natural resources and beauty, the hymn also includes passages extolling the city’s acceptance of foreigners and support for the poor. It reads, “The foreigners among them they do not humiliate. The humble they protect, the weak they support. Under their care, the poor and destitute can thrive. To the orphan they offer succour and favour.” The reconstruction of ancient texts using AI is has become increasingly common among scholars; in 2023 a 21-year-old student made headlines for developing a machine learning algorithm to decipher ancient Greek letters inside a sealed scroll from Herculaneum. Jiménez told Decrypt that AI is becoming “indispensable” to researchers, “particularly for reconstructing damaged or fragmented texts.” He added that, “While languages like Akkadian and Sumerian are still underrepresented in large language models, we’re actively working to improve computational tools for ancient Near Eastern studies.”
Avalon Labs AVL token rally after Yzi Labs announces investment
Avalon Labs (AVL) rallied by over 30%, rising vertically to a one-month high. The asset gained attention after Yzi Labs announced Avalon Labs as its next investment. Yzi Labs (formerly Binance Labs) announced its next investment project. After the news, the native AVL token rallied by over 30%, going vertical after weeks of flat price action. The AVL token traded at above $0.30, entering a turbulent period of hype. AVL is still down from its all-time peak of $0.75, achieved on March 10. Avalon Labs had a vertical rally, reaching a one-month peak above $30. | Source: Coinmarketcap AVL tokens have been trading since February when the airdrop was completed. Currently, only 16.6% of AVL tokens are unlocked, with multiple new token releases expected in the coming months. Around 161M AVL are in circulation out of the total supply of 1B tokens. AVL still depends mostly on PancakeSwap and other DEX. The involvement of Yzi Labs suggests AVL may gain more attention as part of the Binance ecosystem. AVL is an Ethereum-based token and will be an improbable selection for Binance Alpha, but the involvement of Yzi Labs may lead to more listings and support for AVL. Avalon Labs taps Bitcoin DeFi trend Avalon Labs is part of the Bitcoin DeFi trend, offering on-chain trading and lending with BTC as collateral. Avalon’s trading product is fully on-chain, transparent, and accessible to anyone. See also VanEck debuts PurposeBuilt fund to invest in Avalanche-based applications Avalon Labs already locks in $1.22B , down from over $2B in January. So far, the protocol carries $46.91 in collateralized loans. Despite the recent BTC rally, Avalon Labs operates at a smaller scale compared to Babylon Labs. As with other protocols, the value locked sometimes decreases with the end of the airdrop program. Bitcoin’s DeFi ecosystem has grown its value locked to $6.69B, led by Babylon Labs. Of that amount, $5.4B is staked with Babylon. However, smaller platforms are accruing their own collaterals. Yzi Labs resumes investments Avalon Labs is the first project to receive backing from Yzi Labs since April 30. For the past three months, the platform only backed five hand-picked projects. Yzi Labs focused on rounds between $3M and $10M. ‘At YZi Labs, we back projects with strong fundamentals that have the potential to revolutionize industries and create long-term impact,’ said Alex Odagiu , investment director at YZi Labs. Avalon Labs aims to become the largest issuer of stablecoins backed by BTC, unlocking the underlying value of the leading coin. Avalon Labs drew attention as the Season 8 winner of the Most Valuable Builder event. The program is a special incubator led by BNB Smart Chain, Yzi Labs, and CoinMarketCap. See also United States DOJ recovers $2.5 million linked to fraudulent crypto schemes Avalon Labs already reports 20,000 non-custodial BTC as backing, linked to 300K reported daily active users. Avalon Labs is also the second-largest protocol based on Collateralized Debt Position (CDP). The project has issued over $613M in its USDa stablecoin, second only to DAI/USDS by Sky Protocol. Avalon Labs will use the funding from Yzi Labs to become compliant in several jurisdictions. The protocol’s goal is to become viable for institutional users and create a public fund for BTC staking and institutional lending. Cryptopolitan Academy: Want to grow your money in 2025? Learn how to do it with DeFi in our upcoming webclass. Save Your Spot
Understanding Bitcoin yield: staking, liquid staking tokens and vaulted strategies
The following is a guest post and analysis from Vincent Maliepaard, Marketing Director at Sentora. The Bitcoin market cap recently surpassed $2 trillion, and with over 50 million bitcoin addresses with a balance, the value of the asset is becoming undeniable. However, where traditional currencies like dollars or euros typically pay interest on holdings, Bitcoin provides no such rewards for simply holding the asset. More recently though, two distinct pathways have emerged to change that picture: Native Bitcoin “staking” – lock BTC in the Babylon protocol and earn fees. Liquid‑staking tokens (LSTs) – mint a tradable receipt such as LBTC that keeps the staking rewards flowing while restoring liquidity. These two solutions provide a viable route to earning stable yield on your Bitcoin. Let’s dive into what this entails and how it works. From Proof‑of‑Stake to Proof‑of‑Bitcoin Babylon went live on mainnet in late‑2024, letting BTC holders time‑lock coins on the Bitcoin chain and delegate them to so‑called Bitcoin‑Secured Networks. The networks pay out fees in BTC, producing a yield of roughly 1 – 2 % currently. The idea has caught on quickly: Babylon reports more than $4 billion in BTC staked on the protocol since last year. Key features No wrapping or bridges: BTC never leaves its native chain. Main risks: a protocol bug or “slashing” if a delegated validator misbehaves. Drawback: staked coins stay immobile until an unbonding timer expires. Liquid staking: LBTC puts mobility back on the menu Lock‑ups are a deal‑breaker for many traders. Liquid‑staking tokens fix that by issuing a transferable asset that represents the underlying stake plus its future rewards. An example of such a liquid staking token for Bitcoin is LBTC from Lombard Finance 1:1 minting: stake BTC through Lombard’s Babylon contracts and receive LBTC on an EVM chain. (Lombard) Seven‑day exit: burn LBTC to trigger the same unbond period as native Babylon staking, about a week. Nonetheless, users can easily exit LBTC by trading it on DEXs. Real liquidity: daily on‑chain volume averages more than $200 million, and liquidity is large enough to facilitate transactions up to $30 million without significant slippage; enough for most portfolio‑sized exits. Custody trade‑off: holders must trust Lombard’s mint‑and‑burn smart contracts and the Babylon validator set. While LBTC inherits the base staking reward, its real super‑power is capital efficiency: users can post LBTC as collateral, spin it into DeFi pools or simply sell it on a DEX while the original BTC keeps working. Vaulting the yield curve While this sounds enticing, earning a notable return with your Bitcoin LST can be complicated. As a retail user, you have to understand complex dynamics in DeFi related to risk and return of different protocols and strategies. Even if you do have a basic understanding of these factors, users must still actively manage their positions, as returns often fluctuate depending on the markets. That means that to sustain a notable APY, users have to occasionally switch strategies or take action to keep their position profitable. Fortunately, there are other options. Lombard offers a variety of vaults that aim to simplify this process and keep earning yield on Bitcoin as straightforward as possible. Let’s take a look at one recently launched vau< the Sentora DeFi vault. Sentora, born from the merger of IntoTheBlock’s with Trident’s Digital, launched a BTC Yield Vault on Lombard recently. The product accepts either wBTC or LBTC and targets an APY of ~6 %, significantly more than plain staking. How it earns the spread The vault automatically executes several different strategies in different capacities depending on the market conditions. This is all automated and requires no manual action from users or vault managers. Some of these strategies include the following: Over‑collateralised lending – lends BTC‑derived assets on lending markets like Aave for interest. Pendle yield trading – splits and sells future yield streams, front‑loading extra return. Delta‑neutral borrows – borrows other assets such as stablecoins to deploy in delta-neutral high yield strategies Every one of these strategies is plugged into Sentora’s real‑time DeFi risk engine; the same data institutions use to monitor risk exposure across DeFi. Positions that drift beyond preset limits are automatically rebalanced. Risk‑reward snapshots Native staking: tight risk surface, modest return. Ideal for cold‑storage purists who can tolerate lock‑ups. LBTC alone: same base yield, but tokens stay liquid, at the cost of smart‑contract and bridge exposure. Users can amplify yield by interacting with DeFi protocols. Sentora Vault: broader risk because multiple DeFi venues are involved, but mitigated by automated risk management and hedges. What to watch next Holding Bitcoin can finally pay off beyond price appreciations. With different options available for different needs and risk appetites, Bitcoin holders can finally benefit from advancements in DeFi. And with the recent increases in LBTC volume, it is becoming feasible for larger institutional trading desks to utilize these strategies, likely further pushing innovation in the Bitcoin staking area.
Understanding Bitcoin yield: staking, liquid staking tokens and vaulted strategies
The following is a guest post and analysis from Vincent Maliepaard, Marketing Director at Sentora. The Bitcoin market cap recently surpassed $2 trillion, and with over 50 million bitcoin addresses with a balance, the value of the asset is becoming undeniable. However, where traditional currencies like dollars or euros typically pay interest on holdings, Bitcoin provides no such rewards for simply holding the asset. More recently though, two distinct pathways have emerged to change that picture: Native Bitcoin “staking” – lock BTC in the Babylon protocol and earn fees. Liquid‑staking tokens (LSTs) – mint a tradable receipt such as LBTC that keeps the staking rewards flowing while restoring liquidity. These two solutions provide a viable route to earning stable yield on your Bitcoin. Let’s dive into what this entails and how it works. From Proof‑of‑Stake to Proof‑of‑Bitcoin Babylon went live on mainnet in late‑2024, letting BTC holders time‑lock coins on the Bitcoin chain and delegate them to so‑called Bitcoin‑Secured Networks. The networks pay out fees in BTC, producing a yield of roughly 1 – 2 % currently. Babylon Staking Statistics The idea has caught on quickly: Babylon reports more than $4 billion in BTC staked on the protocol since last year. Key features No wrapping or bridges: BTC never leaves its native chain. Main risks: a protocol bug or “slashing” if a delegated validator misbehaves. Drawback: staked coins stay immobile until an unbonding timer expires. Liquid staking: LBTC puts mobility back on the menu Lock‑ups are a deal‑breaker for many traders. Liquid‑staking tokens fix that by issuing a transferable asset that represents the underlying stake plus its future rewards. An example of such a liquid staking token for Bitcoin is LBTC from Lombard Finance 1:1 minting: stake BTC through Lombard’s Babylon contracts and receive LBTC on an EVM chain. (Lombard) Seven‑day exit: burn LBTC to trigger the same unbond period as native Babylon staking, about a week. Nonetheless, users can easily exit LBTC by trading it on DEXs. Real liquidity: daily on‑chain volume averages more than $200 million, and liquidity is large enough to facilitate transactions up to $30 million without significant slippage; enough for most portfolio‑sized exits. Custody trade‑off: holders must trust Lombard’s mint‑and‑burn smart contracts and the Babylon validator set. Daily Transaction volume of LBTC While LBTC inherits the base staking reward, its real super‑power is capital efficiency: users can post LBTC as collateral, spin it into DeFi pools or simply sell it on a DEX while the original BTC keeps working. Vaulting the yield curve While this sounds enticing, earning a notable return with your Bitcoin LST can be complicated. As a retail user, you have to understand complex dynamics in DeFi related to risk and return of different protocols and strategies. Even if you do have a basic understanding of these factors, users must still actively manage their positions, as returns often fluctuate depending on the markets. That means that to sustain a notable APY, users have to occasionally switch strategies or take action to keep their position profitable. Fortunately, there are other options. Lombard offers a variety of vaults that aim to simplify this process and keep earning yield on Bitcoin as straightforward as possible. Let’s take a look at one recently launched vault; the Sentora DeFi vault. Sentora, born from the merger of IntoTheBlock’s with Trident’s Digital, launched a BTC Yield Vault on Lombard recently. The product accepts either wBTC or LBTC and targets an APY of ~6 %, significantly more than plain staking. How it earns the spread The vault automatically executes several different strategies in different capacities depending on the market conditions. This is all automated and requires no manual action from users or vault managers. Some of these strategies include the following: Over‑collateralised lending – lends BTC‑derived assets on lending markets like Aave for interest. Pendle yield trading – splits and sells future yield streams, front‑loading extra return. Delta‑neutral borrows – borrows other assets such as stablecoins to deploy in delta-neutral high yield strategies Every one of these strategies is plugged into Sentora’s real‑time DeFi risk engine; the same data institutions use to monitor risk exposure across DeFi. Positions that drift beyond preset limits are automatically rebalanced. Risk‑reward snapshots Native staking: tight risk surface, modest return. Ideal for cold‑storage purists who can tolerate lock‑ups. LBTC alone: same base yield, but tokens stay liquid, at the cost of smart‑contract and bridge exposure. Users can amplify yield by interacting with DeFi protocols. Sentora Vault: broader risk because multiple DeFi venues are involved, but mitigated by automated risk management and hedges. What to watch next Holding Bitcoin can finally pay off beyond price appreciations. With different options available for different needs and risk appetites, Bitcoin holders can finally benefit from advancements in DeFi. And with the recent increases in LBTC volume, it is becoming feasible for larger institutional trading desks to utilize these strategies, likely further pushing innovation in the Bitcoin staking area. The post Understanding Bitcoin yield: staking, liquid staking tokens and vaulted strategies appeared first on CryptoSlate.
Babylon: Bitcoin Staking Volume on Babylon Genesis Chain Exceeds 50,000, 60% Activated
Babylon released the second phase of the mainnet launch update, revealing that the total amount of Bitcoin staked on the Babylon Genesis chain has exceeded 50,000, with 60% of the staked amount activated to ensure the security of the Babylon Genesis network and earn staking rewards.
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