Bitcoin Funds Log Largest Outflows Since August U.S. spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) recorded $558.4 million in net outflows on Friday — the largest single-day withdrawal since Aug. 1 — as bitcoin hovered near $100,000, according to data from SoSoValue. The outflows marked the seventh day of redemptions over the last eight trading sessions, reversing a brief inflow seen on Thursday that had interrupted a six-day losing streak. Fidelity’s FBTC, the second-largest U.S. spot bitcoin ETF by assets, saw the biggest daily withdrawal at $256.7 million. The Ark 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) followed with $144.2 million in outflows, while BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), the market leader, reported $131.4 million in redemptions. The trio — IBIT, FBTC, and ARKB — were also the funds that had led Thursday’s inflows, highlighting the volatility in investor flows as bitcoin’s price consolidates near record levels. IBIT still dominates the segment with a 73.2% market share, down from 82.3% in mid-September, The Block reported. The fund holds roughly 4% of the total bitcoin supply. Investor Takeaway ETF redemptions suggest short-term caution among investors after bitcoin’s record run, though analysts still see upside over the next year. Price Holds Near $100,000 as Outflows Mount Bitcoin traded mostly flat over the past 24 hours, slipping 0.6% to around $101,985. Despite heavy ETF outflows, analysts at JPMorgan reiterated in a recent note that bitcoin could reach $170,000 over the next six to 12 months if institutional demand stabilizes and the spot ETF market matures. Friday’s withdrawals add to the roughly $1.6 billion that has exited U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs since mid-September. Analysts say the moves may reflect profit-taking after bitcoin’s rapid rise from $90,000 in early August, as well as portfolio rebalancing among institutional holders that built large positions following the summer rally. Ethereum and Solana ETFs Diverge While bitcoin funds saw withdrawals, spot Ethereum ETFs recorded smaller outflows of $46.6 million on Friday, data shows. The redemptions followed a steady week of muted flows for ETH funds, which have struggled to attract momentum amid a flat market and limited new product launches since their debut earlier this year. By contrast, spot Solana ETFs continued their run of inflows, posting a ninth consecutive day of positive flows with $12.7 million added on Friday. Most of the capital went into Bitwise’s BSOL fund, which has attracted $323.8 million in cumulative inflows since its Oct. 28 launch. Grayscale’s GSOL, which charges a higher management fee of 0.35% compared with BSOL’s 0.20% — both currently waived — has seen just $11.9 million since its own debut. Solana’s price slipped 2.9% over the past day to $157.66, according to The Block’s pricing data, while ether gained 4.1%. The divergence in ETF flows reflects how investors are rotating among major altcoin plays even as bitcoin consolidates near record highs. Investor Takeaway Solana’s steady inflows point to growing institutional interest beyond bitcoin and ether, but volumes remain thin compared with the dominant BTC funds. ETF Market Still Resilient Despite Volatility Despite the recent outflows, total assets in U.S. spot crypto ETFs remain near record highs. Industry data shows more than $68 billion in combined AUM across bitcoin and ether ETFs, with BlackRock’s IBIT accounting for over half. Fund issuers and analysts say short-term swings in flows are expected as markets digest rapid price moves and adjust to shifting monetary expectations. Bitcoin’s rally past six figures in September triggered a wave of speculative inflows that many analysts warned were unsustainable. With profit-taking and rebalancing now evident, fund managers expect steadier activity heading into the final quarter. The next test will come if bitcoin decisively breaks above or below the $100,000 threshold — a level that has become both psychological support and resistance for traders.  

For years, crypto investors chased the next big thing. Memecoins, short-lived pumps, overnight hype. Then came the crash, and reality hit: speculation doesn’t build wealth, utility does. In 2025, the narrative shifted. People wanted projects that actually worked. That’s when IPO Genie ($IPO) AI utility token presale exploded onto the scene. Within hours of launch, over $2.5 million poured in. Twitter caught fire. Telegram chats lit up. It wasn’t because of wild promises or celebrity shills. It was because for the first time in months, investors saw something real: a token with purpose. This isn’t just another presale. It’s a story about how technology, transparency, and timing collided to create what analysts are calling one of the best utility tokens of 2025. Forget the Hype: 2025 Is the Year of Utility The crypto crowd has matured. People are tired of chasing empty charts. They want function, yield, and access, not hashtags. The rise of IPO Genie’s $IPO AI utility token presale became a signal that the market had grown up. This project isn’t a whitepaper fantasy. It’s a live ecosystem where holding the token means participating in something bigger. Investors don’t just speculate; they use, vote, and earn. That’s what made IPO Genie trend on every trending crypto presale chart this November. In a sea of meme coins and vaporware, IPO Genie chose a different path: building utility that matters. What Utility Really Means: And Why $IPO Have It? For newcomers, “utility” is often thrown around without meaning. So let’s make it simple. A utility token should do something: unlock access, generate rewards, or give you control inside a functioning ecosystem. That’s exactly what IPO Genie does. Its $IPO token delivers five clear layers of utility: Access to real startup and pre-IPO deals across AI, fintech, DeFi, and robotics. Rewards from staking, platform fees, and governance participation. Decision Power through DAO voting on deal approvals and partnerships. Risk Control with CertiK-audited smart contracts, Fireblocks custody, and insurance-backed tiers. Liquidity through tokenized ownership and optional secondary trading. Every part of the system connects. You don’t just hold a token; you hold the right to act, earn, and decide. The goal is simple: make private market investing transparent, compliant, and open to everyone. That’s why many early investors say IPO Genie’s $IPO AI utility token presale feels like a “front-row seat to private market innovation.” The Sentient Advantage: AI That Works While You Sleep Underneath the hype, there’s serious tech. IPO Genie’s AI layer, known as Sentient Signal Agents, is its secret weapon. These aren’t trading bots. They’re predictive systems trained to scan real-time financial data, market sentiment, and startup activity across the web. They detect early signals that even venture capital firms miss. A sudden GitHub surge. A strategic hire. A new funding round in stealth. When patterns align, Sentient flags opportunities before they become mainstream. That’s the difference between automation and prediction, and it’s what makes $IPO more than a governance token. It’s intelligence at work. The AI doesn’t just find deals. It learns from community input, DAO votes, and performance metrics to refine future discovery. Industry analysts predict the AI-crypto market could exceed $45 billion by 2030, and IPO Genie is already laying the foundation for that future. It’s not just another AI mention in a whitepaper. It’s functional intelligence, built for investors, not headlines. The Utility Flywheel: How $IPO Powers Itself Every part of IPO Genie’s design feeds another. It’s a loop that powers itself: a utility flywheel. Here’s how it spins: Investors hold $IPO → get access to premium deals → platform activity generates fees → those fees fund staking rewards → demand for tokens increases → liquidity deepens → more projects list → and the cycle accelerates. This is what makes it sustainable. The more the community participates, the stronger the ecosystem becomes. Even the staking model is different. Instead of passive holding, IPO Genie rewards active contribution: voting, referrals, or validating deals. Engagement boosts your yield. In plain words: the more you help the system grow, the more you earn. It’s a feedback loop of real value. One where utility, not speculation, drives momentum. Utility vs. Hype: The Line That Separates Pretenders from Performers There’s a reason 90% of tokens from the last bull run disappeared. They were powered by emotion, not function. They sold excitement, not access. IPO Genie flipped the script. Its model proves that when tokens have jobs to do, they don’t just survive market cycles; they thrive through them. Utility creates narrative; hype only rents it. The difference shows in how investors behave. People aren’t just buying $IPO; they’re using it to stake, vote, and access verified deal flow. Everything runs on-chain, fully transparent, audited, and governed by the community. An analyst recently put it best: “In the long run, hype expires. Utility compounds. That’s why IPO Genie looks less like a token sale, and more like the blueprint for sustainable DeFi.” That’s the reason it’s now being called one of the best utility tokens of 2025, and a clear standout among every trending crypto presale this quarter. While others chase hype, IPO Genie turned function into a movement. Why Analysts Say $IPO Could Redefine Presales? The numbers tell a story of belief. Momentum doesn’t lie. Within hours of launch, IPO Genie hit $2.5 million raised. Over 60 percent of its total supply was claimed before the second phase even began. Social mentions spiked 400 percent week-over-week. The presale dashboard hit a 97 percent fill rate. Whale data revealed accumulation across major ETH and BNB wallets, hinting at institutional curiosity. Each presale phase increases price: from $0.005 to $0.0075, signaling confidence in long-term performance. Analysts believe the current trajectory could push presale volume past $10 million before close. Speculative models show potential 100x to 1000x returns if the platform captures just a fraction of the tokenized private equity market. But the team doesn’t sell dreams. They sell design. Every element: compliance, staking, AI, and governance, works as a single mechanism for scalability. This isn’t marketing spin. It’s math that makes sense. When a token’s economics align with its utility, growth becomes a byproduct, not a gamble. Wrap Up The noise is fading. Investors are done chasing hollow promises. They’re searching for tokens that stand for something real. IPO Genie delivered that shift. It took the idea of a presale and turned it into a working, intelligent, compliant ecosystem that connects blockchain with real-world value. IPO Genie’s $IPO AI utility token presale isn’t a short-term speculation. It’s a long-term structure. A bridge between blockchain and private markets that rewards activity, governance, and trust. The project has momentum, numbers, and narrative, but more importantly, it has function. As the market transitions from chaos to clarity, IPO Genie is proving one thing: utility wins the long game. In a market full of noise, IPO Genie built the signal, and it’s only getting louder. Disclaimer: This content is provided by a sponsor. FinanceFeeds does not independently verify the legitimacy, credibility, claims, or financial viability of the information or description of services mentioned. As such, we bear no responsibility for any potential risks, inaccuracies, or misleading representations related to the content. This post does not constitute financial advice or a recommendation and should not be treated as such. We strongly advise seeking independent financial guidance from a qualified and regulated professional before engaging in any investment or financial activities. Please review our full disclaimer for more details.

On Saturday, the market breakdown eased with a slight 3.52% nudge, taking the total market capitalization to $3.44 trillion. A few select alts across the market are beginning to pick up huge marginal upsides and investors are looking to exploit.  This coincides with the renewed optimism analysts have noticed from on-chain data.  Investors have begun flocking to high-performing tokens, including the likes of  Internet Protocol (ICP), Filecoin (FIL), Fetch.ai (FET), NEAR Protocol, Remittix (RTX), all showing impressive resilience and upside potential in November. Here is a quick rundown of what's fueling their momentum and why analysts are calling them the best crypto to buy now. Internet Computer (ICP), Entering Full-Blown Bullish Territory The Internet computer (ICP) was one of the biggest hitters during the recent crypto downturn, scooping an impressive gain. The price rally follows an influx of smart contract deployments and network upgrades that have improved transaction speed and interoperability. Today, the asset exchanges at $8.677, recording an impressive 155% rally in only seven days. According to experts, ICP remains in a “neutral accumulation zone” but will soon transition into a full-blown bullish territory.  FIL, An Asset to Watch in November. FIL is another asset ranked high on the list of natives this November. The asset, which exploded by 100% in a single day, stole the spotlight on Friday after exploding by 100% within 24 hours. The sudden surge was fueled by increased demand for decentralized storage, which coincided with fresh speculations about institutional integrations in the Web3 data economy. FIL is undoubtedly one to watch in November. FET, One of the Strongest Alts Right Now Fetch.ai (FET), on the other hand, has been on an explosive trajectory, climbing over 60% in a single day as reported by multiple crypto tabloids. This growth coincides with the rising adoption of Artificial Superintelligence (ASI) and blockchain-AI hybrids. FET’s success is built on its real-world use cases, powering decentralized AI networks that optimize logistics, energy, and finance operations globally. As institutional AI adoption accelerates, analysts see FET as one of the strongest altcoins to hold for exposure to the next wave of technological disruption in crypto. NEAR Stays Afloat Amid Market Turbulence Thanks to recent efforts to enhance cross-chain interoperability and user experience, Near has joined the ranks of the best performers over the last few days. NEAR’s active wallet growth and developer engagement have surged, keeping the asset afloat amid the market turbulence. Remittix (RTX): Seeing Consistent Retail Inflows Remittix (RTX) is also in the green, seeing consistent inflows from retail buys amid the recent wipeout. Analysts have traced this to several reasons. On the first note, Remittix offers direct crypto-to-bank transfers, a service missing from major competitors like Stripe and Wise, a bet institutional investors are willing to bet on. And to top it all, Remittix has a massive addressable market, projected at $190 trillion annually. As PayFi adoption accelerates globally, experts are increasingly confident in Remittix’s potential to mint multi-fold returns in 2025-2026. Discover the future of PayFi with Remittix by checking out their project here: Website: https://remittix.io/ Socials: https://linktr.ee/remittix $250,000 Giveaway: https://gleam.io/competitions/nz84L-250000-remittix-giveaway Disclaimer: This content is provided by a sponsor. FinanceFeeds does not independently verify the legitimacy, credibility, claims, or financial viability of the information or description of services mentioned. As such, we bear no responsibility for any potential risks, inaccuracies, or misleading representations related to the content. This post does not constitute financial advice or a recommendation and should not be treated as such. We strongly advise seeking independent financial guidance from a qualified and regulated professional before engaging in any investment or financial activities. Please review our full disclaimer for more details.

Best coins to invest in right now feel harder to pick in Q4 2025 as XRP, BNB, Solana, Dogecoin, TRON, and Cardano keep throwing mixed signals. Some look strong for fast movement while others feel stuck in old patterns. LivLive ($LIVE) cuts through this confusion with a fresh presale model built for real-world utility. LivLive enters November with a presale that already shows traction. Stage 1 at $0.02 pulled in more than 2M USD with 200 holders, proving strong early demand. The presale continues rising fast, and best coins to invest in right now becomes a clear conversation once $LIVE’s tech, utility, and bonuses come into focus. 1. LivLive ($LIVE): The Real-World AR Super Ecosystem Built for Q4 Winners LivLive is not another recycled idea. It is a real-world operating system built for daily life where actions like walking, reviewing, shopping, or attending events produce $LIVE tokens. This gives early adopters a digital layer over reality that pays them for presence, effort, and engagement in a structured reward economy powered by AR, AI, and blockchain. Participants gain real value because LivLive converts everyday behavior into measurable rewards. This unlocks access to AR quests, XP progression, and real-world perks funded by businesses seeking verified engagement. Since presale tokens and NFT packs also act as Vault keys for a 2.5M giveaway, buyers get upside from both utility and event-based rewards. The presale already raised more than 2M USD, starting at $0.02 before moving to $0.04 next stage and targeting a $0.25 launch. Core LivLive Benefits for Early Adopters Daily actions convert into tokens, creating passive digital value from normal routines Pokémon GO style missions create fun participation with real rewards Wearables verify presence, boosting mining accuracy Businesses drive rewards, creating a strong circular economy Audited multi-sig setup ensures safety and transparency AI personalizes quests to keep progress constant and engaging LivLive USPs Table Category Unique Advantage Gameplay AR quests, flash drops, real-world missions Rewards Tokens, RWA perks, NFTs Mining Proof of Presence with wearable verification Presale 2.5M vault event, rising stage prices Tech OpenAI, ARCore, Google, Base Community Two-sided referral rewards 6-Hour LivLive Mega Boost: Double Up, Triple Down, and Grab the Wildest 200% Bonus Before It Disappears This is not a regular offer. It is a 96 hour power window that people regret missing for months. LivLive just launched a bonus pack loaded enough to turn small entries into serious allocations fast. Early crowds are already entering because the numbers are too strong to overlook and the countdown is burning. For anyone chasing the biggest boost of the presale, this is the moment. No roundabout rules and no weak rewards. It is instant amplification that multiplies your allocation before the next price step moves. Every second counts and the early buyers are already stacking deeper positions while the time lasts. Up to $2000? Use code EARLY100 for plus 100% bonus $2000 or more? Use code BOOST200 for plus 200% bonus Those who move now secure a boosted allocation right when it matters most. Those who wait end up paying full price later. 2. XRP (XRP) XRP keeps trying to stay relevant in Q4 2025, but its performance depends heavily on market mood and regulatory clarity that still moves slowly. It offers decent speed and reasonable fees, yet its growth pattern stays limited by older systems that restrict short-term excitement for many market participants. Long-term holders expect improvement, but the structure remains unchanged and the token rarely drives fresh innovation. XRP continues to rely on past reputation instead of new breakthroughs. In comparison to modern real-world utility projects, it struggles to stand out or push consistent new momentum. 3. BNB (BNB) BNB continues powering one of the largest ecosystems in crypto, yet centralization concerns repeatedly appear at inconvenient moments. While short-term activity can increase through platform usage, the long-term vision often feels clouded by regulatory pressure that slows meaningful expansion. BNB’s growth comes from its existing user base rather than fresh mechanics. The lack of new innovation reduces excitement, especially when compared to newer projects focused on real-world usage and unique engagement systems. It still works in the broader market but no longer feels like a standout pick for strong upside. 4. Solana (SOL) Solana stays active with high-speed performance, but network outages continue affecting its trust factor. Short-term growth depends heavily on external events instead of strong internal development, making it inconsistent for those seeking stability while still aiming for profitable moves. Even with fast throughput, concerns often overshadow excitement. Solana’s long-term plan is not as clear as newer entrants offering structured reward systems and broader real-world engagement. SOL stays popular, but its predictability keeps slipping during critical market moments. 5. Dogecoin (DOGE) Dogecoin thrives on community strength, but its unpredictable swings reduce confidence for those aiming for structured growth. Without a formal roadmap or advanced mechanics, DOGE relies heavily on social activity rather than technology or utility. Although it can move fast in certain periods, its lack of real innovation limits long-term value. Many participants prefer projects with real incentives, structured mining, and utility-based progression instead of pure sentiment-driven behavior. 6. TRON (TRX) TRON stays stable due to strong usage in specific regions, yet innovation feels slow. Its growth mainly comes from transactional volume rather than new product development. This limits short-term opportunities and prevents TRX from unlocking new value drivers in Q4 2025. The long-term vision lacks the spark needed to compete with modern AR, RWA, and gamified ecosystems. While functional, TRX no longer leads conversations around creative or high-utility crypto economies. 7. Cardano (ADA) Cardano continues pushing academic development, yet real adoption still moves at a slower pace than expected. Its layered approach delays execution, making short-term gains harder to achieve. Many community members want faster updates and more dynamic incentives. ADA’s long-term plans remain broad, but a lack of rapid innovation affects its market presence. It holds potential, but the execution speed stops it from becoming a top pick for short-term or long-term combined strength. Conclusion: Are These the best coins to invest in right now for Q4 2025? LivLive offers the strongest blend of real-world utility, short-term upside, and long-term expansion. Its rising presale, active AR ecosystem, ongoing missions, and massive bonuses make it stand out as the top new option among all listed tokens. The structured model and growing demand confirm why $LIVE is the top pick. Community members looking for discounted entry can join the LivLive presale now, secure boosted allocations using EARLY100 or BOOST200, and multiply their advantage through the two-sided referral program. With rising presale stages and expanding real-world missions, LivLive continues proving why it represents the best coins to invest in right now for both fast gains and future growth. Find Out More Information Here Website: www.livlive.com X: https://x.com/livliveapp  Telegram Chat: https://t.me/livliveapp  Disclaimer: This content is provided by a sponsor. FinanceFeeds does not independently verify the legitimacy, credibility, claims, or financial viability of the information or description of services mentioned. As such, we bear no responsibility for any potential risks, inaccuracies, or misleading representations related to the content. This post does not constitute financial advice or a recommendation and should not be treated as such. We strongly advise seeking independent financial guidance from a qualified and regulated professional before engaging in any investment or financial activities. Please review our full disclaimer for more details.

Suppose you've employed blockchain networks such as Arbitrum, Optimism, or Base that offer faster, cheaper transactions than Ethereum. In that case, you've benefited from sequencers—even if you had no idea they existed. These behind-the-scenes operators are the traffic controllers of Layer 2 networks, organizing thousands of transactions into orderly batches on Ethereum's main blockchain. But what exactly are sequencers, why do they matter, and what problems do they solve? Let's break it down. Key Takeaways Sequencers are the primary scaling component of Layer 2 rollups, responsible for ordering, executing, and bundling transactions off-chain. They enable huge cost savings and speed increases by submitting thousands of L2 transactions to the Layer 1 chain as a single, compressed "batch." The blockchain industry is moving toward decentralized and shared sequencers to maintain the benefits of organized transaction processing while eliminating centralization risks and aligning with blockchain's core principles. Understanding the Basics A sequencer orders transactions in Layer 2 solutions. It aggregates multiple transactions off-chain from the main network and sends a summary to the decentralized mainnet, typically Ethereum. When a blockchain experiences high transaction demand that exceeds its capacity, it creates a bottleneck wherein pending transactions accumulate in a temporary holding area called the mempool. Users have to compete for the limited block space because miners or validators prioritize transactions that generate the highest financial incentive.  Consequently, they engage in a bidding war by steadily increasing gas fees to ensure their transaction is included in the next block scheduled for processing ahead of lower-fee transactions. This dynamic causes fees to spike dramatically during periods of high network congestion, thereby pricing out users who are unwilling or unable to pay the inflated costs. Layer 2 solutions were developed to address this need by processing transactions off the main chain and then recording compressed summaries back to Ethereum. This is possible via blockchain sequencers. How Sequencers Work A sequencer picks up transactions from a Layer 2 mempool and sorts them for submission to the Ethereum mainnet. Here is the step-by-step process on how it unfolds: Collate transactions: The sequencer gathers many transactions from users. These include sending cryptocurrency or interacting with apps on the blockchain. Arrange the transactions: This step is crucial because the precise order of transactions can directly impact the outcomes, especially during periods of high network congestion or when the transactions are interdependent. Verify before executing: Checks whether or not the transactions are valid and processes them for submission. Group and submit: Instead of processing individual transactions on the main blockchain (which can be slow and expensive), the sequencer groups them together. This single batch is then submitted to Ethereum, significantly reducing costs. Earn: It earns a compensation for executing the task. A typical case is Coinbase, which has earned millions in fees as the solo sequencer. Types of Sequencers For sequencing, various approaches have been developed within the blockchain ecosystem, each with different trade-offs. 1. Centralized Sequencers Centralized sequencers are the most common kind of sequencer that rollups use today. They act as a single entity responsible for ordering transactions. Without consensus from multiple nodes, centralized sequencers can instantly process transactions. However, they pose several risks, including: Single point of failure: When the sequencer is overwhelmed by a rush of activity, it fails, and the entire L2 network stops working. The Base outage proves that relying on a single company or group to run the critical component of a blockchain scaling solution creates fragility. Censorship risk: This allows the sequencer the autonomy to process all kinds of transactions, including those that are related to illicit activity. Regulatory pressure: Regulators may target their efforts at the centralizer since it is in control of the ultimate 'processing' of the transactions. Maximal extractable value: The sequencer can observe the transaction order and manipulate it to extract extra profit for itself, often at the expense of users. 2. Decentralized Sequencers This relies on a decentralized network of nodes to perform the tasks of the sequencer. An example of a layer 2 blockchain that implements a decentralized pool of sequencer nodes is Metis. Decentralized sequencers enhance security, fairness, and resilience, embodying the decentralized ethos of blockchain. They also offer censorship resistance and eliminate single points of failure. Conversely, it is more time-consuming, less consistent, and more expensive to call upon a decentralized network of nodes to act as a sequencer. 3. Shared Sequencers A more recent innovation is the shared sequencer model, which is essentially a decentralized network of nodes that is not tied to a particular rollup but utilized by many different rollups.  Shared sequencers, such as Espresso and Astria, allow multiple rollups to share a single decentralized network of sequencers. They sit between L2 and Ethereum L1, without requiring permission to utilize a decentralized sequencer for their rollup. Think of it as "sequencing-as-a-service" for blockchain networks. Challenges The biggest challenge remains the tension between efficiency and decentralization. In the world of blockchains, where trust is supposed to be minimized, people tend to bristle at the idea of a single company controlling a pivotal element of how a chain operates. However, experts suggest that bigger risks to layer 2 decentralization and security lie elsewhere. For instance, popular rollup networks, including Optimism and Base, currently lack fraud proofs, which are algorithms on the Layer 1 chain that can "prove" that Layer 2 transactions have been recorded accurately. Bottom Line Blockchain sequencers are the organizational backbone of Layer 2 scaling solutions, turning the chaos of individual transactions into efficient batches that make blockchain networks faster and cheaper to use. While most major networks currently rely on centralized sequencers for efficiency, the industry is actively developing decentralized and shared sequencer solutions to eliminate single points of failure and align with blockchain's fundamental values. As these technologies mature, sequencers will play an increasingly important role in making blockchain accessible to mainstream users. The real test will be whether blockchain networks can successfully transition to decentralized sequencing without sacrificing the speed and cost advantages that made Layer 2 solutions attractive in the first place.

As more users and transactions flood blockchain networks, the system can slow down, leading to high fees and delays. Vertical scaling offers one answer to this problem. Picture a busy highway during rush hour. When traffic gets overwhelming, you have two options: build more lanes on the existing road or construct entirely new highways. Vertical scaling is like adding more lanes to make that single highway faster and more efficient. This article provides the details of what vertical scaling entails and its mechanism, as well as the benefits and limitations. Key Takeaways  Vertical scaling (or scaling up) raises the throughput for blockchain transactions by increasing the performance of individual nodes within a network through better hardware (faster CPUs, more RAM, and SSDs) and software optimization. Its main benefit is simplicity and immediate performance improvement, since it keeps unified liquidity on a single chain.  Higher hardware costs restrict node participation, which leads to a concentration of power in the hands of fewer entities and has the potential to compromise decentralization. Understanding the Basics Vertical scaling (also called "scaling up") occurs when the blockchain increases its capacity for processing transactions by enhancing the performance of each node in the network. In a blockchain context, this simply means to improve the performance of the machines that validate and process transactions. By making these individual nodes more powerful, the network can theoretically increase its throughput—the number of transactions processed per second—without changing the core structure of the base chain. For instance, when Solana processes thousands of transactions per second compared to Bitcoin's seven, much of that difference comes from vertical scaling choices built into its design. Different Methods of Vertical Scaling The most straightforward form of vertical scaling involves increasing the technical specifications (hardware) required to run a node. This includes: Processing power: Faster CPUs with more cores allow nodes to validate transactions and execute smart contracts more quickly. A high-performance processor node can verify cryptographic signatures and run consensus algorithms faster compared to a basic hardware node. Memory capacity: Increasing RAM enables nodes to hold more data in active memory, reducing the time needed to access information during transaction processing. Networks requiring 16GB or 32GB of RAM can process larger blocks and maintain bigger memory pools than those running on 4GB. Storage solutions: Upgrading to SSDs or NVMe storage dramatically speeds up read and write operations. As blockchain data grows, this has become important; most networks now require hundreds of gigabytes or even terabytes of storage. Network bandwidth: The higher the internet speed, the faster the nodes can communicate and propagate blocks and transactions across the network with reduced latency. Vertical scaling also happens at the software level through protocol optimization: Larger block sizes: Increasing the amount of data a block can hold allows for more transactions per block. Bitcoin Cash, for instance, increased the block size from Bitcoin's 1MB to 32MB, enabling more transactions without adding more blocks. Faster block times: A reduction in time between blocks leads to more frequent transaction confirmations. Ethereum processes blocks approximately every 12 seconds, while some newer chains have sub-second finality. Optimized consensus mechanisms: Shifting from the energy-intensive Proof of Work to more efficient consensus algorithms, such as Proof of Stake, diminishes computational overhead; nodes can devote resources to processing transactions rather than mining calculations. Code efficiency: Optimizing the underlying codebase to execute smart contracts faster or validate transactions more efficiently can significantly boost throughput without altering hardware requirements. Application of Vertical Scaling The most prominent examples of the vertical scaling approach are the Layer 2 rollups built on Ethereum: Arbitrum and Optimism: These use optimistic rollups, which assume all bundled transactions are valid and run only a fraud-proof calculation if a challenge is raised. ZK-Rollups: Projects such as ZKsync and StarkNet employ zero-knowledge proofs to verify the validity of the off-chain transactions before they are submitted to the L1. They both take the heavy lifting off the main chain, allowing the entire ecosystem to scale vertically by dramatically increasing its transaction capacity. Advantages  Vertical scaling offers several compelling benefits: Simplicity: To upgrade existing infrastructure is easier than implementing multi-chain architectures or complex Layer 2 solutions. No fundamental restructuring is required on the part of developers. Immediate response: Hardware upgrades or protocol changes can deliver instant performance improvements without waiting for network effects or user adoption of new layers. Unified liquidity: Unlike horizontal scaling approaches that split liquidity across multiple chains or layers, vertical scaling keeps everything on a single network, making it easier for users and applications to interact. Limitations However, vertical scaling comes with significant drawbacks: Centralization risk: As hardware requirements increase, running a node becomes more expensive, potentially limiting participation to well-funded entities or institutions. This concentrates power and undermines blockchain's decentralization principles. Physical limits: There is only so much you can upgrade a single machine. Eventually, you hit hardware and physics constraints that prevent further vertical scaling. Rising costs: Better hardware means higher expenses for node operators, which could translate into higher fees for users or require subsidies that aren't sustainable in the long term. Network vulnerability: If fewer entities can afford to run nodes, the network becomes more susceptible to censorship, attacks, or coordinated failures. Bottom Line Vertical scaling is a simple but controversial approach to blockchain scalability. By making individual nodes more powerful, networks can process more transactions and support more users without complex architectural changes. However, this performance comes at the cost of accessibility and potentially decentralization—the very characteristic that makes blockchains valuable in the first place. Most successful blockchain projects now recognize that vertical scaling alone is not enough. The future lies in combining vertical improvements with horizontal scaling solutions, creating networks that are both fast and decentralized. Understanding vertical scaling helps to assess whether the blockchain’s performance is sustainable and if the trade-offs align with cryptocurrency's core values.    

Unless you are among the few who have been storing crypto using modern methods, seed phrases probably have kept you up at night. The 12- or 24-lettered words are supposed to keep your assets safe, but they also represent the single point of failure: if you write them down wrong, misplace the paper, or get phished, your crypto is gone forever. Multi-party computation (MPC) wallets eliminate the need for seed phrases by splitting your private key into multiple encrypted pieces. No single piece can access your funds, which means no single point of failure.  Key Takeaways: MPC wallets split private keys into multiple encrypted parts, eliminating single points of failure and removing the need for vulnerable seed phrases Leading MPC wallets in 2025 include Zengo for retail users, Fireblocks for institutions, and Coinbase Wallet for users wanting exchange integration with self-custody security. Top MPC wallets now offer seedless onboarding, biometric authentication, multi-chain support, and automatic key refresh mechanisms that continuously rotate key shares for enhanced security. Understanding MPC MPC is a cryptographic technology that allows multiple parties (or endpoints) to jointly compute a result (for instance, a transaction signature) without revealing their data to one another. Instead of keeping an entire private key in a single location, MPC takes that key and splits it into secret shares. These shares are then distributed among the multiple endpoints. Whenever a transaction requires a signature, it is the MPC cryptographic protocols that allow these pieces to collaborate. They execute all the necessary computations to generate a valid signature while ensuring two things: The complete private key never materializes or combines into a whole key at any time. This process preserves both the secrecy of the key and the integrity of the signing process. How MPC Wallets Work When you create an MPC wallet, the system generates key shares using distributed key generation protocols. Keys are stored across multiple locations—some with the service provider and one with the customer's device or server. The MPC algorithm allows collaborative generation of a valid signature based on different available key shares in a trustless manner, without any single party having access to the complete private key. When you initiate a transaction, your device and the service provider's servers perform cryptographic computations together to produce a signature that is valid on the blockchain. Top MPC Wallets Zengo It is considered the best MPC wallet for individual users, offering a keyless, smooth experience. With more than 1.5 million customers, Zengo has never had a single wallet hacked and has built a strong security track record. Key Features: Uses MPC cryptography with 3FA and escrowed keys to guarantee account recovery Creates two secret shares when setting up the wallet: one stored on the mobile device and one on Zengo's servers. Utilizes your email, 3D FaceLock biometric scan, and a recovery file stored at cloud backup locations such as iCloud or Google Drive. Supports over 1,000 assets, including coins (Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, and MATIC), tokens, and NFTs, while some major cryptocurrencies, such as Solana, XRP, and Polkadot, are currently not listed.  Pricing: Offers essentials for free. Zengo Pro costs $19.99/month or $129.99/year and includes legacy transfer for inheritance, asset withdrawal protection requiring biometric verification, an advanced Web3 firewall, multiple wallets, and priority support. Fireblocks Fireblocks represents the gold standard among institutional MPC wallets and is trusted by leading banks, hedge funds, and asset managers. Its platform includes a network of over 1,800 institutions with instant, secure settlements without counterparty risk. Key Features: MPC-CMP algorithm enables digital asset transactions to be signed up to 800% faster than previous protocols and supports transaction signing from cold wallets Automatically refreshes MPC key shares in minutes-long intervals Offers hot, warm, and cold wallet configurations Secure digital custody of assets with MPC-CMP technology for more than 120 blockchains and thousands of assets. Pricing: Offers an essentials plan with a subscription of $699/month for up to six months.  However, the custom plan costs $18,000/year with multi-layer security and extensive blockchain support. Coinbase Wallet Institutional clients will find Coinbase Wallet particularly appealing for its multi-signature MPC wallet, supporting a wide variety of cryptocurrencies. Unlike traditional custodial wallets, the Coinbase Wallet uses MPC to distribute keys and enable users to maintain control while benefiting from the security of the Coinbase infrastructure. Key Features: Deep integration with the Coinbase ecosystem lets users transfer assets between the Coinbase exchange and their MPC wallet without any additional fees. Security using MPC provides self-custody without relying on a single private key. Supports multi-chain assets and NFTs with a user-friendly interface Combines institutional-grade compliance with self-custody control Pricing: The subscription service through Coinbase One starts at $4.99/month or $49.99/year for the basic plan, with higher tiers at greater costs. Security Considerations Leading MPC wallets now use advanced cryptographic techniques, including threshold signatures and continuous key share refreshing, to validate security and future-proof their systems. Regular bug bounties and crowdsourced testing further strengthen wallet security. Some users point out that part of the wallet's private keys are sent to the service provider's servers for the MPC function, which could be a privacy concern for decentralization-focused users. This represents a fundamental trade-off in MPC wallet design: you gain protection against seed phrase theft and loss, but you have to trust the service provider to secure their keys. Bottom Line Traditional wallets rely on a seed phrase to interface with the blockchain, creating a single point of vulnerability that has facilitated seed phrase phishing, theft, and wallet misplacement. MPC solves this basic security problem while maintaining the self-custody model most crypto users have come to love. For individuals, wallets such as Zengo offer users keyless convenience with institutional-grade security to let anyone safely and easily access crypto without requiring technical expertise. For institutions, solutions like Fireblocks encompass the speed and scalability needed for business at scale, along with compliance features. Within the crypto space, MPC has transitioned from just a novel approach to the industry standard for active users that prioritize both security and usability.

How many people watched early coins explode while they held nothing but screenshots and late entries? It keeps happening year after year. Some froze, some doubted, and some scrolled until the chance passed. Now Q4 2025 brings a new setup, and LivLive ($LIVE) quietly enters as a fresh top crypto to invest in 2025. LivLive ($LIVE) is building fast attention with its early stage momentum. Litecoin (LTC) price news, market strength, and rising on-chain activity show the market waking up again. Many feel a shift coming. This blog breaks down LivLive ($LIVE), Litecoin (LTC), and why the current cycle matters for those searching for the next top crypto to invest in 2025. Litecoin (LTC) Price News That Proved Doubters Wrong Many dismissed Litecoin (LTC) during its early stage. Its ICO price looked small, and people questioned if it could survive. Yet LTC shocked the entire market by multiplying thousands of times. Early community members who bought at the start unlocked success that people still talk about in 2025. That run created a new class of winners. Others ignored the early signal and now feel the sting of missing out. LTC built a strong presence even after people doubted it. The emotional hit came from watching a slow start turn into a major climb. The bright side is that crypto cycles bring new chances. Q4 2025 may open another door for those who want a fresh beginning. LivLive ($LIVE) The Real World AR System Powering a New Utility Model Linked to the top crypto to invest in 2025 LivLive ($LIVE) is gaining strong traction because it merges real life movement with token rewards. It raised more than 2M USD in Stage 1 at $0.02 with 200 plus holders already locked in. Stage 2 jumps to $0.04 and the launch price is set at $0.25. This early growth puts LivLive in conversations around the top crypto to invest in 2025. Its strongest pull comes from its real world utility. LivLive rewards daily activity like walking, visiting places, reviewing spots, or attending events. Each action gives $LIVE tokens and XP. This turns daily motion into digital value and builds something many older projects could never reach. It feels like a chance that early adopters look back on as the start of a major breakout. LivLive ($LIVE) The top crypto to invest in 2025 AR Layer That Changes How People Earn LivLive runs a full list of features built to give real benefits to early buyers. Below is a full breakdown in a clean format. Key LivLive USPs AR quests inspired by real world exploration Pokémon GO style gameplay with token rewards Global $2.5M treasure hunt with vault keys in every pack Dual rewards with $LIVE tokens and real world assets AI missions that shift based on user activity Country, squad, and global leaderboards Proof of presence mining No buy or sell tax Wearable devices that multiply token earnings High security with audits and multi sig setup Two-side referral rewards Social proof features with check ins Brand integrations for real world value Flash drops and event rewards Tech support from Google Developers, OpenAI, Base, and Adobe LivLive Token Presale Details Category Details Stage 1 Price $0.02 Funds Raised 2M USD Holders 200 plus Stage 2 Price $0.04 Launch Price $0.25 Why LivLive Creates Benefits for Early Buyers Proof of presence mining rewards movement Wearable tech boosts earning power AR missions stay active daily Treasure vault keys add prize chances Referral bonuses reward both sides Real asset rewards bring extra value Daily quests keep rewards consistent AI missions keep the system fresh LivLive builds value each time a user moves. This activity driven model builds demand from both users and brands. That is why many participants see LivLive as a rare mix of fun utility, strong tokenomics, and long term growth potential. Bonus Code: Your 96 Hour Shortcut To Stacking Way More $LIVE Ready to turn a normal entry into a flex? LivLive activated a four day flash window that boosts every buy with serious power. This is the moment where small entries transform into bigger bags while latecomers stare. The clock is already ticking on this limited offer. Anyone jumping in with up to $2,000 can use EARLY100 for a +100% Bonus. Anyone dropping $2,000 or more unlocks BOOST200 for a massive +200% Bonus. It is pure presale strength with zero nonsense. Early movers walk away loaded while the slow ones stay watching. Conclusion Is This Cycle Offering the top crypto to invest in 2025 For Those Wanting a Second Chance? Litecoin (LTC) delivered results that shocked early doubters. LivLive ($LIVE) brings a real world engine with AR rewards, early presale strength, and upgrade paths built for active users. The LivLive presale adds bonus codes, referral power, and a strong launch setup that positions it as a standout project in Q4 2025. Find Out More Information Here Website: www.livlive.com X: https://x.com/livliveapp  Telegram Chat: https://t.me/livliveapp  Disclaimer: This content is provided by a sponsor. FinanceFeeds does not independently verify the legitimacy, credibility, claims, or financial viability of the information or description of services mentioned. As such, we bear no responsibility for any potential risks, inaccuracies, or misleading representations related to the content. This post does not constitute financial advice or a recommendation and should not be treated as such. We strongly advise seeking independent financial guidance from a qualified and regulated professional before engaging in any investment or financial activities. Please review our full disclaimer for more details.

Best crypto presale to buy now is showing up in every serious discussion as Q4 moves forward. The market is shifting fast in 2025 and fresh activity across top assets is giving community members new choices. With higher trading volumes, rising engagement, and rapid updates, attention keeps returning to one standout project. LivLive ($LIVE) is shaping the tone of early entries and drawing strong interest. LivLive ($LIVE) starts Q4 with a strong launch narrative and growing global reach. Hyperliquid (HYPE) and Avalanche (AVAX) also show active movement in price action, signaling a busy phase for the broader market. These shifts highlight how the best crypto presale to buy now connects to rising interest, ongoing updates, and the new momentum surrounding LivLive ($LIVE). LivLive ($LIVE) The New AR Powered Real World Game Layer Built for Global Rewards LivLive ($LIVE) introduces a real world operating system where physical actions turn into digital value. Participants earn $LIVE tokens by walking, shopping, checking in, attending events, or completing AR missions. This model allows daily activity to generate measurable rewards, which is why early adoption continues to rise. With a Stage 1 entry of $0.02, more than 2M USD raised, 200 plus holders, and a Stage 2 price of $0.04 lined up ahead of a $0.25 launch price, early community members gain a strong value advantage. LivLive builds a complete experience with Pokémon GO style AR quests, flash drops, daily XP missions, and GPS verified tasks. A $2.5M global treasure hunt adds extra excitement as each presale pack unlocks access to different vault levels, including a chance at a $1M ICON reward. Wearable integration verifies presence, AI tools customize quests, and the Proof of Presence mining system rewards real movement. A two sided referral system gives referrers 10% and invitees 5%. The tech stack includes Base by Coinbase, ARCore, Adobe Aero, Google Developers tools, and OpenAI powered personalization. These features combine to give LivLive ($LIVE) a strong position as the best crypto presale to buy now. 6 Hour LivLive Mega Boost: Double Up, Triple Down, and Grab the Wildest 200% Bonus Before It Disappears This is not a light boost. This is a rare 96 hour power moment that people talk about for months. The newest LivLive bonus pack is built for those who want serious allocation strength. Even small entries jump to larger stacks instantly, and the timer is ticking faster each hour. Those searching for the highest multiplier of the entire presale will not find a bigger moment. There are no slow perks and no weak rewards. This is a direct multiplier that strengthens positions before the next stage begins. Each second that passes gives someone else the chance to lock in a larger amount. Acting now locks the bonus in place before the next step in pricing lands. Up to $2,000 Use code EARLY100 for a 100% Bonus $2,000 or more Use code BOOST200 for a 200% Bonus This gives early entries double or triple power at the exact moment that matters. Delays later lead to full pricing, making this offer one of the most talked about advantages in the presale. Hyperliquid (HYPE) Price News Shows Strong Market Activity Hyperliquid (HYPE) holds its current price at $39.59, showing 1137.19% all time growth. The market cap sits at $13.33B, and the unlocked market cap is $12.26B. Trading volume in the past 24 hours reached $581.68M, marking a 12.15% increase. FDV stands at $39.54B with a circulating supply of 336.68M HYPE out of a total 999.53M HYPE. LivLive ($LIVE) Ranked Best Crypto Presale to Buy Now With Hyperliquid (HYPE) Price News and Avalanche (AVAX) Price Trends Rising Avalanche (AVAX) trades at $16.80, recording a 264.24% all time rise. Its market cap sits at $7.17B with an FDV of $11.97B. Daily volume reached $429.23M, showing a small 3.23% pullback as trading continues. Circulating supply stands at 427.01M AVAX out of a total 460.34M AVAX with a max supply of 715.74M AVAX. AVAX trades within a stable $16.5 to $17 range as charts show steady climbs and controlled corrections. Holder count sits at 160.56K, showing strong activity as communities track new updates and on chain performance. The price movement reflects continued confidence around key levels in Q4. Conclusion: Which Coin Stands Out as the Best Crypto Presale to Buy Now LivLive ($LIVE), Hyperliquid (HYPE), and Avalanche (AVAX) each show strong value across different areas. LivLive expands real world gaming with AR missions, mining tools, and a wide reward system. HYPE brings high activity with strong volume and fast chart action. AVAX adds consistent on chain engagement and sharp growth. Together, these assets highlight why Q4 is active across communities seeking new opportunities. LivLive presale access offers bonus codes like EARLY100 and BOOST200 plus a two sided referral system that gives an instant boost to new entries. As activity grows across the market, the LivLive presale continues to stand out with clear utility, strong structure, and a fast start that places it among the best crypto presale to buy now. Find Out More Information Here Website: www.livlive.com X: https://x.com/livliveapp  Telegram Chat: https://t.me/livliveapp  Disclaimer: This content is provided by a sponsor. FinanceFeeds does not independently verify the legitimacy, credibility, claims, or financial viability of the information or description of services mentioned. As such, we bear no responsibility for any potential risks, inaccuracies, or misleading representations related to the content. This post does not constitute financial advice or a recommendation and should not be treated as such. We strongly advise seeking independent financial guidance from a qualified and regulated professional before engaging in any investment or financial activities. Please review our full disclaimer for more details.

Jurors Report Deadlock After Three Days Jurors deliberating in the U.S. government’s case against brothers Anton and James Peraire-Bueno are struggling to reach a unanimous decision after three days of discussion, according to court reporting from Inner City Press in New York. The brothers face federal charges tied to their use of maximal extractable value (MEV) bots on the Ethereum blockchain. The panel sent a note to U.S. District Judge Jessica Clarke on Friday asking for additional clarification about the defendants’ intentions. The judge declined a defense motion for a mistrial and instructed the jurors to continue deliberating. Clarke reportedly told them to order dinner and keep working into the evening. Investor Takeaway The Peraire-Bueno case is testing how U.S. courts classify complex blockchain activity such as MEV extraction — a precedent that could influence future crypto prosecutions. Possible Split Verdict The jurors appear divided on at least one of the counts, which include conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to receive stolen property. Reporters inside the courtroom said the note from the jury suggested “issues reaching a unanimous verdict.” Judge Clarke denied defense requests for a mistrial, instead reminding jurors of their duty to reach consensus “if possible.” The court has not yet issued an Allen charge—a formal instruction urging a deadlocked jury to seek agreement—but could do so if the stalemate continues into next week. Case Background and Charges Prosecutors allege the brothers exploited Ethereum’s transaction ordering system to extract $25 million in cryptocurrency in 2023 using MEV bots. The government argues they misrepresented themselves as “honest validators” and manipulated pending transactions for profit. Defense attorneys countered that the actions were part of the blockchain’s open, permissionless environment and did not constitute fraud. The case is one of the first criminal prosecutions to focus on MEV extraction, a controversial practice where traders compete to capture value by reordering or inserting transactions on a blockchain. The outcome could set a benchmark for how similar algorithmic trading behavior is treated under U.S. law. Lengthy Deliberations Highlight Complexity The jury’s prolonged deliberations — nearly three full business days as of Friday — underline the technical and legal complexity of the case. By comparison, the jury in the Sam Bankman-Fried trial at the same Manhattan federal court reached a verdict in about five hours last year. Legal observers said the contrast reflects how difficult it is to apply existing fraud statutes to decentralized, code-driven systems like Ethereum. There is no set time limit for jury deliberations, though a judge may intervene if a panel indicates it is hopelessly deadlocked. The jurors in this case told the court they were willing to continue until at least 7:30 p.m. Friday. Judge Clarke is expected to decide next steps if no verdict is reached before the weekend. Investor Takeaway A hung jury could delay clarity on how U.S. prosecutors apply wire fraud and money-laundering laws to algorithmic behavior on public blockchains. What Comes Next If jurors remain unable to agree, Judge Clarke could declare a mistrial, giving prosecutors the option to retry the case. A verdict either way would carry weight across the crypto industry, as MEV extraction remains a gray area between opportunistic trading and market manipulation. At publication time, deliberations were ongoing. The court has not indicated when a final decision may come, leaving one of the most closely watched blockchain-related criminal cases in recent memory unresolved heading into the weekend.

DAO Warns Attacker to Return Funds The Balancer Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO) issued an onchain ultimatum to the wallet holder behind a security breach that drained more than $100 million in digital assets from the decentralized exchange’s smart contracts earlier this week. In a post on X, Balancer published the message it sent to the address linked to the exploit of its V2 Composable Stable Pools. The DAO gave the individual or group until Saturday to return the assets in exchange for a bounty, or face what it called “technical, onchain, and legal measures.” “We understand that affected users are awaiting further updates,” Balancer said. “We will continue to provide information as the investigation progresses.” No response had been received from the attacker by late Friday. Investor Takeaway Balancer’s onchain ultimatum signals how DeFi projects now mix public negotiations with law enforcement coordination as exploits become larger and more complex. Details of the Exploit The incident, first disclosed on Monday, involved the theft of multiple types of staked Ether (ETH) including StakeWise Staked ETH (OSETH), Wrapped Ether (WETH), and Lido wstETH (wSTETH). The assets were moved to a newly created wallet shortly before Balancer suspended affected pools. Blockchain data reviewed by security firms showed more than $100 million worth of assets had been drained. The scale of the attack renewed scrutiny of Balancer’s smart contract audits after reports confirmed that four security firms had reviewed the contracts involved. According to a post-mortem report published Wednesday, the attackers exploited a flaw in the platform’s BatchSwap mechanism and a rounding issue affecting EXACT_OUT swaps in Balancer’s v2 Stable Pools and Composable Stable v5 Pools. The combination of these vulnerabilities allowed them to manipulate pool balances and withdraw collateral far exceeding their deposits. Response and Recovery Efforts Balancer’s community and security teams have since been working to trace the movement of the funds and identify potential off-ramps. Onchain analysts said the attacker used multiple intermediary wallets to disperse the stolen Ether, complicating efforts to freeze or recover it. The DAO’s onchain message did not disclose the bounty amount, but Balancer previously said it was prepared to offer up to 20% of the stolen assets—a reward worth more than $20 million—if the funds were returned voluntarily. As of Friday evening, there were no signs that the attacker had responded to the proposal or moved the funds back. Balancer’s response mirrors tactics used in other major DeFi exploits, where protocols publish messages directly onchain to open communication with the attacker, offering incentives for partial recovery. Such negotiations have yielded mixed outcomes across the industry, depending on the attacker’s sophistication and motivations. Investor Takeaway The case underscores DeFi’s lingering security gap: even audited smart contracts can expose vulnerabilities worth hundreds of millions, leaving governance DAOs to pursue recovery in public view. Audit Questions and Industry Fallout The incident has prompted fresh questions about the effectiveness of multi-firm audits in decentralized finance. While Balancer said four separate companies had reviewed its codebase, the exploit suggests the vulnerabilities escaped detection during those assessments. As of publication, one of the auditing firms contacted by Cointelegraph had not provided comment. Balancer’s exploit follows a string of high-value DeFi breaches in 2025, including attacks on Curve Finance and Manta Network earlier this year. Analysts say the incident may pressure exchanges and liquidity protocols to increase bug bounty allocations and strengthen real-time transaction monitoring to prevent cascading losses.

Zcash cryptocurrency be expected to rise further to the next resistance level 800.00 (which is the target price for the completion of the active impulse wave (3)).    Zcash broke resistance area Likely to rise to resistance level 800.00 Zcash cryptocurrency continues to rise sharply after the earlier breakout of the resistance area between the round resistance level 500.00 and the resistance trendline of the daily up channel from the start of October (which encloses the previous waves 1, 2 and 3, as can be seen from the daily Zcash chart below) . The breakout of this resistance area accelerated the active short-term impulse wave 5 – which belongs to the intermediate impulse wave (3) from the end of September. Given the overriding daily uptrend and the improving sentiment that can be seen across the cryptocurrency markets today, Zcash cryptocurrency be expected to rise further to the next resistance level 800.00 (which is the target price for the completion of the active impulse wave (3)). [caption id="attachment_167392" align="alignnone" width="800"] Zcash Technical Analysis[/caption] The subject matter and the content of this article are solely the views of the author. FinanceFeeds does not bear any legal responsibility for the content of this article and they do not reflect the viewpoint of FinanceFeeds or its editorial staff. The information does not constitute advice or a recommendation on any course of action and does not take into account your personal circumstances, financial situation, or individual needs. We strongly recommend you seek independent professional advice or conduct your own independent research before acting upon any information contained in this article.    

Researchers Find Artificial Trading Inflated Volumes Polymarket’s rapid expansion may have been boosted by fake trading activity, according to new research from Columbia University. An 80-page paper titled “Network-Based Detection of Wash Trading,” published Thursday on SSRN, claims that about a quarter of the prediction platform’s total trading volume over the past three years came from wash trading — where the same trader or group of traders buys and sells the same asset to inflate market activity. The study examined more than two years of onchain data and found that wash trades made up nearly 60% of Polymarket’s volume in late 2024, before falling to around 20% in October 2025. The authors said the activity persisted for months before subsiding, then spiked again in recent weeks. Over 90% of trades in certain sports and election markets were identified as suspicious during peak periods. “This activity persisted through late April 2025 before subsiding substantially, and once again increased to about 20 percent of volume in early October 2025,” the researchers wrote. They estimate that around 25% of total historical volume was artificial. Investor Takeaway The findings raise questions about how much of Polymarket’s explosive growth was driven by genuine demand versus automated volume designed to attract users and investors. Algorithmic Detection of Trading Clusters The Columbia team said it developed a network-based algorithm to identify suspicious trading patterns across wallet addresses. The method tracked how often traders opened and closed positions within short time frames and how frequently they interacted with wallets showing similar behavior. One detected cluster involved more than 43,000 wallets responsible for roughly $1 million in trades, nearly all under one cent and flagged as likely wash trades. In several cases, traders appeared to pass contracts among dozens of wallets in rapid succession, even taking losing positions to simulate authentic trades. Researchers also noted repeated use of the same USDC balances across wallets, suggesting coordination rather than organic activity. Many wallets made no actual profit, leading the authors to suggest the motive may have been to qualify for future incentives such as token airdrops or ranking rewards rather than financial gain. “I’m hopeful that Polymarket will welcome the analysis in our paper,” said Yash Kanoria, a Columbia Business School professor and one of the study’s co-authors, in comments to Bloomberg. Regulatory and Industry Context Wash trading is banned in the United States because it manipulates markets and misleads investors. The practice has been a recurring issue in crypto markets, where anonymous trading and automated systems make it difficult to detect. A 2023 report by analytics firm Solidus Labs found that nearly 70% of Ethereum-based decentralized exchange pools showed evidence of wash trading over a three-year period. Polymarket, one of the largest decentralized prediction markets, allows users to bet on real-world outcomes using the USDC stablecoin. It does not require identity verification and charges no trading fees, features that researchers said may have made it especially prone to artificial activity. The study also cited speculation over a potential future Polymarket token as an incentive for wash trading, mirroring behavior seen in other DeFi platforms before airdrops. Polymarket has been under scrutiny before. In 2022, the company settled charges with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) over offering unregistered binary options markets. The firm is now preparing to re-enter the U.S. after acquiring a clearinghouse that received a CFTC no-action letter earlier this year. Investor Takeaway The report may increase regulatory pressure on decentralized prediction markets as they expand in the U.S., especially ahead of the 2024 election cycle. Impact on Polymarket and Prediction Markets The allegations cast doubt on Polymarket’s trading data, which has fueled investor optimism about its rapid rise. The platform became popular during the 2024 U.S. election season for correctly forecasting outcomes and has been linked to a valuation of up to $15 billion in recent fundraising discussions. The research suggests, however, that much of its recorded activity may not reflect genuine liquidity or user engagement. Some academics and analysts disagree. Harry Crane, a statistics professor at Rutgers University, argued last year that concerns about manipulation were exaggerated and politically motivated. “I believe the narrative about manipulation is an attempt by legacy media to discredit these markets, which threatens their ability to control the narrative,” he told CoinDesk in 2024. Still, the Columbia study concludes that inflated volume can distort traders’ perception of sentiment and market depth. The authors propose using network analytics to flag suspicious activity in real time, a model that could eventually extend to other decentralized exchanges and prediction platforms.

A new analysis from the U.S. Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has uncovered roughly $9 billion in transactions tied to what officials call an Iranian “shadow-banking” web that reached U.S. correspondent accounts through front companies and shipping intermediaries across Asia and the Gulf. The October 2025 Financial Trend Analysis (FTA), drawn from 2024 Bank Secrecy Act filings, maps a network of oil traders, shell firms, and investment vehicles that FinCEN says moved funds for Iranian state-linked entities despite sanctions. The data show flows clustering in the United Arab Emirates—especially Dubai—alongside Hong Kong and Singapore, highlighting how third-country structures continue to serve as conduits for Iran’s restricted trade. About $5 billion of the total passed through shell companies, many registered in Hong Kong but using non-resident accounts at mainland Chinese banks, while nearly $4 billion ran through oil-sector firms believed to act for Iranian producers in the UAE and Singapore. Roughly $413 million involved technology procurement for Iran’s defense and aerospace sectors, FinCEN said in the report. The release is intended to sharpen banks’ monitoring of high-risk payment corridors following a June 2025 Treasury advisory that replaced FinCEN’s 2018 guidance on Iran. That earlier notice warned lenders about Tehran’s use of exchange houses and trading fronts to access dollars; the new version expands the typologies and adds modern red flags drawn from recent suspicious-activity reports. A long shadow from past sanctions The analysis caps more than a decade of cat-and-mouse enforcement. When sanctions tightened between 2012 and 2016, Iranian firms built layers of intermediaries—traders, money-changers, ship managers—to bypass banking blocks. The brief reprieve during the 2015 nuclear deal ended in 2018, when the U.S. reinstated sanctions and FinCEN issued its earlier advisory, now rescinded. By 2020, independent research by groups such as the Carnegie Endowment was already warning that Dubai’s free zones and corporate registries offered ideal cover for trade-based laundering. Those findings echo through FinCEN’s latest data, which show more than half of the UAE-linked flows moving through on-shore Dubai limited-liability companies, many appearing to exist only on paper. The pattern grew clearer in 2024, when the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned a network accused of moving billions for Iran’s defense ministry and the Revolutionary Guard. Subsequent press reports detailed Hong Kong and UAE entities routing petrochemical revenue through shell accounts. The twin strike of June 2025 On June 6 this year, Treasury took what officials called a “twin strike”: OFAC blacklisted more than 30 entities tied to brothers Mohammad and Mehdi Zarringhalam, whose currency-exchange and front-company web allegedly laundered oil revenue across Asia. The same day, FinCEN issued its new Iran advisory, outlining updated typologies for oil smuggling, shadow-banking, and procurement. The October FTA crystallizes that advisory’s data picture, giving compliance officers the granular evidence behind those red flags. How the networks operate FinCEN lists four main channels. The largest involves oil-trade obfuscation—ship-to-ship transfers, renamed vessels, and payments funneled through law-firm escrow accounts or trading companies to disguise origin. A second centers on “shell-company ping-pong”, where paper firms in Hong Kong and Dubai cycle funds among each other and into Chinese NRAs. A third typology traces procurement payments from Hong Kong shells to suppliers in Oman, Qatar, and China providing dual-use electronics for sanctioned defense bodies such as the Aerospace Industries Organization (AIO) and Shahid Babaei Industries Group (SBIG). The last involves investment-market access, with entities using brokerage accounts to margin oil trades or move collateral—flows FinCEN estimates at $665 million. Dubai remains attractive for its light-touch formation rules and the opacity of free-zone registries like the DMCC. Hong Kong companies, meanwhile, gain access to China’s banking rails via NRAs, letting them move dollars through global correspondents without triggering Iran-specific blocks. Singapore appears smaller in volume but recurs in oil-shipping transactions. FinCEN said 81 percent of Hong Kong-linked flows relied on Chinese NRAs, underscoring the mainland connection. The report urges banks to scrutinize counterparties in these jurisdictions, especially when trade documents, cargo details, or payment purposes appear inconsistent. The FTA lands as OFAC keeps tightening the screws on Iran’s weapons-procurement web, adding fresh designations through late 2025 targeting electronics brokers and aviation suppliers linked to AIO, SBIG, and the Shahid Eslami Industries Group (SEI). “These findings reflect the continued evolution of Iran’s tactics to exploit the international financial system,” the report says, urging institutions to update screening for shell structures, escrow accounts, and layered oil payments.

Shiba Inu has found itself trading 88% below its all-time high. However, recent buzz around the SHIB ETF listings and whale activities suggests the cultural dog might be on its way to a full recovery.  While SHIB eyes a potential comeback, here are four other meme coins that promise better returns this cycle, led by the viral frog coin: Little Pepe (LILPEPE). Little Pepe (LILPEPE): The Meme Chain Revolution With 100x Potential Little Pepe is leading the pack as one of the most promising meme projects of 2025. Built as a Layer 2 blockchain explicitly designed for memes, Little Pepe aims to address the issues with old meme tokens, including high gas fees, bot exploitation, scalability, and fairness. The project’s presale has been one of the fastest-growing this year. It has raised over $27.4 million, selling 16.6 billion tokens. This massive capital inflow suggests high investor confidence even before the official exchange debut. Key features giving Little Pepe its edge include: Sniper bot protection, ensuring fairer launches. Ultra-low fees and fast finality through its Layer-2 infrastructure. A Meme Launchpad enabling other meme creators to deploy tokens easily. CertiK audit and CoinMarketCap listing, adding credibility before launch. Beyond its tech, the team has launched multiple giveaways, including a $777,000 global incentive and a Mega Giveaway worth 15 ETH for top presale participants. With listings confirmed on two top-tier exchanges and plans to expand after launch, Little Pepe has both utility and hype on its side.  If SHIB was the meme of 2021, many believe LILPEPE could define 2025, combining meme energy with real blockchain purpose. Pippin Rides the AI Token Wave  Another standout this year is Pippin, the AI-inspired meme coin from the Solana ecosystem. PIPPIN was born out of an experiment in AI creativity, with ChatGPT generating the token’s concept and image, and the community shaping its narrative. Despite the market downturn, Pippin experienced a 54% surge in the past week, drawing massive attention from Solana traders. Analysts are now projecting another 260% rally if momentum continues. [caption id="attachment_167307" align="aligncenter" width="602"] Pippin Price Chart | Source: CoinGecko[/caption] Pippin combines AI and community-driven narrative, a niche that could grow as more AI-based Web3 applications emerge. With the token still trading below $0.05, early buyers see Pippin as an intersection between tech innovation and meme energy, much like Dogecoin’s early days, but with unique branding. Is Dogecoin Eyeing $4?  Dogecoin has shed over 15% in the past week as the broader cryptocurrency market struggles to find a sustainable reversal. The downtrend has pushed DOGE into a strong demand zone that formed a rounding bottom pattern.  [caption id="attachment_167306" align="aligncenter" width="603"] Dogecoin Price Chart | Source: Trader Tardigrade on X[/caption] Depending on macro and technical factors, analysts note that DOGE could bounce between $0.18 and $0.26 in the short run and $4.14 in the long term. The upcoming ETF debuts are expected to play a significant role in its anticipated upswing.  With the post-Bitcoin halving and renewed social buzz, Dogecoin could still surprise skeptics, though its massive market cap limits its explosive upside compared to newer tokens like Little Pepe. GIGGLE Binance’s New Meme Darling The most recent entry shaking up the meme charts is Giggle Fund (GIGGLE). The Binance-based meme coin surged 150% after Binance announced its upcoming listing, featuring trading pairs such as GIGGLE/USDT and GIGGLE/USDC. [caption id="attachment_167305" align="aligncenter" width="602"] GIGGLE Price Chart | Source: CoinGecko[/caption] GIGGLE’s unique angle lies in its charitable focus, donating portions of its proceeds to community projects such as Giggle Academy. This combination of humor, purpose, and strong exchange backing has created massive hype. With the Binance listing transitioning from Alpha to full spot trading, traders are closely watching whether GIGGLE can sustain its momentum or if profit-taking will weigh on prices. For now, the coin’s growing retail base and exchange exposure make it one of the most closely watched tokens this cycle. The New Meme Landscape Belongs to Builders While Shiba Inu aims to rebuild, the significant gains are likely to be directed towards other projects. Dogecoin continues to hold its veteran status, Pippin merges AI and creativity, and Giggle Fund thrives on community and charity. However, among them, Little Pepe stands out as the most comprehensive package, featuring a dedicated meme Layer-2 chain, transparent vesting, certified security, and vibrant community engagement.  With listings ahead and presale momentum still climbing, Little Pepe could easily become the best meme coin to buy in 2025 for investors looking beyond nostalgia and into innovation. For more information about Little Pepe (LILPEPE) visit the links below: Website: https://littlepepe.com Whitepaper: https://littlepepe.com/whitepaper.pdf Telegram: https://t.me/littlepepetoken Twitter/X: https://x.com/littlepepetoken $777k Giveaway: https://littlepepe.com/777k-giveaway/ Disclaimer: This content is provided by a sponsor. FinanceFeeds does not independently verify the legitimacy, credibility, claims, or financial viability of the information or description of services mentioned. As such, we bear no responsibility for any potential risks, inaccuracies, or misleading representations related to the content. This post does not constitute financial advice or a recommendation and should not be treated as such. We strongly advise seeking independent financial guidance from a qualified and regulated professional before engaging in any investment or financial activities. Please review our full disclaimer for more details.

Hong Kong has handed down its first jail term for an unlicensed “finfluencer,” marking a watershed moment in the city’s tightening grip on online investment advice. The Eastern Magistrates’ Court on Friday sentenced Chau Pak Yin, known online as Chau Kin Hei, to six weeks in prison for running a paid Telegram group that sold stock tips without authorization. He was also ordered to cover the Securities and Futures Commission’s investigation costs, according to court filings and local press. Prosecutors said Chau operated the subscription-only chat room “Futu 真。財自 Private Group” between April 16 and May 14, 2021, charging members about US $200 a month and pocketing roughly US $5,580. Inside the group, he provided buy-and-sell calls, target prices and one-on-one Q&As — conduct regulators deemed commercial advisory work rather than casual commentary. The conviction caps a four-year process that began when the SFC first disclosed the case in May 2025, setting a pre-trial review then. Chau was taken into custody but remanded pending appeal, meaning his legal battle is not yet over. Under Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Ordinance, “advising on securities” is a Type 4 regulated activity that requires a license if done “by way of business.” Limited exemptions exist for journalists or mass-media outlets offering general information to the public, but pay-walled channels giving tailored calls fall outside those carve-outs. The SFC’s Licensing Handbook clarifies that interactive, subscriber-based chat groups are not considered media. Regulators argue that monetized trading tips amount to professional advisory work — and therefore sit squarely under the licensing regime. Friday’s decision shows the courts agree. By treating a Telegram-based tip service as a financial-advisory business, magistrates have drawn a bright line between public commentary and private, for-profit guidance. Parallels in London and Dubai The case is the latest signal that Hong Kong’s market watchdog intends to rein in social-media voices blurring the boundary between education and solicitation. Earlier this year, the SFC suspended another influencer, Franky Wong, after his separate conviction for similar conduct. The regulator has also pursued criminal complaints and administrative penalties against creators running Discord and Telegram trading communities that mimic licensed advisory firms. An SFC spokesperson declined to comment on individual proceedings but pointed to previous statements warning that “any person providing specific securities recommendations to the public for payment must hold a license.” Hong Kong’s move aligns with a global clampdown on retail finance influencers. In the UK, the Financial Conduct Authority and law-enforcement agencies have pursued criminal cases against social-media promoters of high-risk products such as contracts-for-difference. A September 2025 operation saw three individuals charged after coordinated raids and platform takedowns. The UAE’s Securities and Commodities Authority went in the opposite direction, launching a licensing regime for financial influencers earlier this year. The new system requires influencers to obtain formal SCA approval before posting investment or trading content — effectively professionalizing the once-gray area of online finance commentary. Why Regulators Are Digging In For watchdogs, the core issue is consumer harm. When unlicensed creators sell specific buy-and-sell signals, followers may mistake entertainment for regulated advice — often without any recourse if trades sour. UK data shows substantial retail losses tied to social-media promotions of speculative assets, prompting regulators to toughen both enforcement and disclosure rules. In Hong Kong, the SFC warned repeatedly that paid access combined with individualized answers and price targets crosses into business activity. “That’s the dividing line,” said one compliance lawyer familiar with SFO cases. “Once money changes hands for tailored guidance, you’re no longer a commentator — you’re an adviser.” Chau’s case now moves to appeal, where the outcome will set a precedent for future prosecutions. If the conviction stands, it could embolden regulators to file more criminal charges against operators of subscription-based Telegram or Discord groups, and even suspend existing licensed individuals who moonlight as influencers.

Joe Longo, the chair of ASIC, gave a speech at the National Press Club recently in which he warned that Australia might become "a land of missed opportunity" if it doesn't quickly implement asset tokenization and update its financial infrastructure. The country used to be a leader in electronic trading innovation, but it could soon be forgotten as countries like Switzerland, the UK, and the US quickly tokenize bonds, securities, and money market instruments.​ What Tokenization Means Tokenization is the process of turning traditional assets like bonds, funds, or real estate into digital tokens that may be exchanged quickly, all over the world, and at cheaper rates.  This procedure makes it easier for regular investors to get involved, makes the market more efficient, and promises quick settlements instead of the days-long waits that present systems require. Newcomers can challenge existing financial conventions thanks to distributed ledger technology, which makes Australia's capital markets more open to everyone.​ Global Momentum Shows the Risks for Australia Larry Fink of BlackRock and other financial elites around the world think that tokenization will completely change how assets are traded. For example, JPMorgan has said it will tokenize $730 billion in money market funds over the next two years.  The SIX Digital Exchange in Switzerland has already issued more than $3.1 billion in digital bonds since 2021. The UK is also testing tokenized securities in regulated sandboxes.​ Australia's regulatory surveys show that many domestic businesses are unwilling to work with ASIC. Half of the respondents either didn't meet with ASIC or didn't react at all, and only a third supplied useful comments. This delay in private-sector action could push issuers and investors to global markets that move faster.​ The Regulator's Call to Action Longo said that the government, industry, and regulators need to work together to clarify how tokenized assets should function. ASIC is reviving its Innovation Hub to assist fintech and regtech businesses in understanding the rules and entering the market more quickly. The regulator has requested prompt investment in infrastructure and regulations, advising all parties involved not to let "conviction come second to capital treatment."​ Australia's Choice: The Future Australia's $4.3 trillion superannuation system and robust private markets make it a favorable location to leverage tokenization. However, if there are delays, it could result in outdated systems and loss of its leadership to more adaptable economies. Taking action now might keep Australia essential and put it at the top of the global tokenized economy.

Tether, the company behind the USDT stablecoin, has made headlines by quietly but significantly increasing its Bitcoin holdings. In recent transactions, the company acquired approximately 960 BTC, valued at over $98 million. Tether's total reserves now stand at 87,296 BTC, which is worth about $8.84 billion. This makes the corporation the sixth-largest corporate holder of Bitcoin in the world.​ Strategic Accumulation in a Changing Market Tether's current plan is to put 15% of its net revenues into BTC reserves, and the most recent Bitcoin allocation is part of that plan. In the past, these purchases typically occurred at the end of each financial quarter. However, the latest mid-quarter purchase indicates that the company is responding strategically to the current market conditions.  Tether made two significant transfers from Bitfinex accounts, consolidating assets that demonstrate a renewed confidence in Bitcoin's long-term value.​ Tether has a tremendous unrealized profit of $4.55 billion, equivalent to approximately $49,121 per BTC. This demonstrates the effectiveness of their strategy in accumulating over time.​ More Investors Are Buying Bitcoin Quickly Tether's buildup is similar to what is happening in the rest of the market, where vital groups have rapidly expanded their Bitcoin holdings. According to CryptoQuant, the number of Bitcoin addresses accumulating has doubled from approximately 130,000 to 262,000 in just two months. The 30-day demand metric indicates that more than 375,000 BTC have been taken out of circulation, suggesting a dominant phase of strategic accumulation, typically associated with favorable market conditions.​ Long-Term Holders Show Important Changes in the Market More than 13,000 BTC that had been dormant for three to five years were also recently moved on-chain. These changes suggest that long-term holders may be preparing for expected volatility or significant macroeconomic shocks.  Most of the time, these moves occur at considerable price levels or just before primary market liquidity triggers are reached.  Market participants closely monitor this pattern to gauge potential price developments in the future.​ Tether is currently the second-largest private non-exchange BTC holding, after Block.one, which is also a private non-exchange BTC holder.  This milestone highlights the increasing impact of institutional and corporate investors on the supply and market dynamics of Bitcoin.​ Tether's proactive purchases of Bitcoin and growing reserves bolster long-term confidence in digital assets, conveying a strong message to both institutional and retail investors.  As major investors continue to buy more, the market is quite interested in whether these tendencies will lead to long-term price increase or short-term consolidation. For investors, Tether's daring investments show that they still believe in Bitcoin's value and its importance to the future of money.​

Tokenized Equities Arrive on Layer 2 Bybit has teamed up with Backed Finance to launch tokenized shares of major U.S. companies such as Apple, Nvidia, Microsoft and Strategy on the Mantle Layer 2 blockchain, the firms said on Friday. The collaboration expands the reach of Backed’s xStocks product, already available through centralized and DeFi venues including Kraken, Kamino, Raydium and Jupiter. Backed said onchain transaction volume for xStocks has surpassed $1.6 billion. The integration will allow users to withdraw and deposit assets between Bybit and Mantle “efficiently and securely,” the companies said in a joint statement, describing the move as a way to speed up user onboarding and add liquidity to the network. Investor Takeaway The deal links one of crypto’s largest exchanges with a leading tokenization platform, signaling how Layer 2 networks are becoming gateways for regulated real-world asset trading. Bringing Real-World Assets Onchain Backed’s tokenized stocks allow non-U.S. investors to gain exposure to listed equities via digital tokens that can trade across multiple blockchains and time zones. Each tokenized share mirrors its underlying stock and can be exchanged or used as collateral within decentralized finance protocols. The company said its goal is to make tokenized equities tradeable “around the clock and across ecosystems” while remaining compliant with jurisdictional rules that restrict U.S. residents. The partnership with Bybit gives retail and institutional traders a new channel to access these products through a large exchange already familiar to crypto users. Bybit ranked among the world’s top exchanges by trading volume in 2025, while Mantle has promoted itself as a “distribution layer” connecting traditional finance firms with onchain liquidity. Mantle completed its transition to a zero-knowledge (ZK) rollup with Succinct Labs late last year, cutting transaction costs and increasing throughput for tokenized products. Industry Push Toward Tokenized Equities The collaboration comes as tokenized real-world assets, or RWAs, draw growing interest from investors and institutions. Analysts expect the market for tokenized assets—including government bonds, private credit, and equities—to reach several trillion dollars within the next decade. Backed’s xStocks platform is one of the few offerings already providing live exposure to publicly traded companies through blockchain infrastructure. “Together with Backed and Bybit, we’re turning tokenized equities from static instruments into programmable assets that scale into new innovations and use cases across the Mantle ecosystem,” Mantle advisor Emily Bao said in the announcement. The companies said users would be able to access tokenized shares directly from decentralized applications and wallets they already use. Bybit added that the partnership would create a bridge between centralized exchange liquidity and Mantle’s onchain settlement layer, integrating traditional assets into Web3 trading environments. Investor Takeaway Tokenized stocks could bring mainstream equity exposure to blockchain users while giving Layer 2s like Mantle a foothold in the fast-growing market for real-world assets. What Comes Next The rollout marks another step in the convergence between traditional finance and decentralized infrastructure. With Mantle hosting tokenized equities, traders could soon gain round-the-clock access to blue-chip stocks through crypto wallets, bypassing traditional brokerage platforms. Whether the products see sustained demand will depend on liquidity, regulatory clarity, and investor confidence in the custody models used to back the tokens.  

KEY TAKEAWAYS DeFi democratizes infrastructure finance, allowing global participation beyond traditional banks and institutions. Smart contracts automate funding, payments, and milestone verification, reducing costs and corruption risks. Tokenization of infrastructure assets introduces liquidity to projects once locked in illiquid markets. DAOs enable transparent governance, allowing communities to collectively fund and monitor infrastructure projects. Cross-chain DeFi ecosystems improve capital flow efficiency, attracting diverse investors across blockchains. Renewable energy projects benefit significantly from DeFi mechanisms like staking rewards and tokenized ownership. Regulatory clarity and education remain vital for bridging traditional finance and decentralized systems.   Decentralized Finance (DeFi) is swiftly transforming the global financial landscape by democratizing access to capital, automating transactions, and enabling programmable money without intermediaries. One of the most promising frontiers for DeFi lies in funding infrastructure projects, the backbone of economic growth worldwide.  Traditional infrastructure financing often suffers from bureaucratic delays, excessive costs, lack of transparency, and limited access to capital markets. DeFi’s open, transparent, and efficient financial protocols now offer innovative pathways to mobilize capital for the next generation of infrastructure projects, reshaping how roads, energy grids, water systems, and public transport are funded and built. The Traditional Challenges in Infrastructure Financing Building and maintaining infrastructure requires massive investments, usually spanning billions of dollars and requiring cooperation among governments, private investors, and financial institutions. Conventional financing includes government budgets, public-private partnerships (PPPs), and bond issuances. Despite these mechanisms, projects frequently face hurdles: Lengthy approval and funding cycles slow project initiation. Centralized intermediaries increase transaction costs and risks. Lack of transparency leads to inefficiencies and corruption. Access to funding is often limited to well-established institutional investors. Smaller investors have minimal participation opportunities. These factors restrict innovation, delay critical infrastructure delivery, and impose barriers to financing sustainable and resilient projects. DeFi’s Value Proposition for Infrastructure Funding DeFi protocols operate on decentralized blockchains and use smart contracts to automate financial services like lending, borrowing, asset tokenization, and fundraising. This open financial system brings several key advantages to infrastructure financing: Global Access to Capital: DeFi removes geographic and institutional barriers, enabling anyone with an internet connection to invest in infrastructure projects through tokenized assets. Transparency and Trust: Fully auditable on-chain transactions reduce risks of fraud and corruption. Investors can track fund utilization and project milestones with ease. Efficiency and Cost Reduction: Smart contracts automate payments, enforce agreements, and reduce intermediaries, lowering fees and speedily releasing funds. Liquidity through Tokenization: Infrastructure assets can be tokenized into tradable digital securities or utility tokens, offering liquidity to previously illiquid investments. Programmable Incentives: Yield-bearing tokens and staking mechanisms incentivize long-term investor engagement aligned with project success. These benefits position DeFi as a potent tool to bridge global infrastructure funding gaps while enhancing accountability and democratizing participation. Real-World Use Cases of DeFi in Infrastructure Projects The integration of DeFi with infrastructure funding is underway across several groundbreaking initiatives: Tokenized Infrastructure Bonds and Funding Pools Several blockchain projects have launched tokenized infrastructure bonds, allowing investors, retail and institutional alike, to purchase fractional stakes in roads, bridges, renewable energy projects, and real estate developments. For example, platforms built on Ethereum and Polygon enable the issuance of digital bonds whose proceeds directly fund infrastructure construction, with smart contracts ensuring orderly repayment of principal and interest. Concurrently, decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) pool capital from global communities to collectively decide which infrastructure projects to finance, combining crowd wisdom with blockchain transparency. Decentralized Lending and Yield Farming for Infrastructure Capital Leading DeFi lending protocols such as Aave and Compound facilitate decentralized borrowing using collateralized digital assets, providing a new avenue for project developers to access capital without relying on traditional banks. Smart contracts enable conditional fund release upon achievement of construction milestones, improving accountability. Some projects also incentivize yield farmers to stake tokens for infrastructure pools, earning passive income while supporting critical developments like solar farms or water treatment facilities. Cross-Chain Interoperability Boosts Funding Efficiency Emerging Layer 1 blockchains specializing in interoperable DeFi, inclusive of Injective Protocol and Cosmos, offer high-speed, low-cost cross-chain liquidity flows. These technological advances facilitate seamless capital movement across multiple blockchain ecosystems, broadening investor bases and maximizing funding sources for infrastructure. The Impact of DeFi on Infrastructure Project Lifecycle DeFi’s influence extends beyond funding to optimizing entire infrastructure project lifecycles: Project Initiation: DAO-based governance enables transparent project vetting and funding decisions involving diverse stakeholders. Procurement and Payment: Smart contracts enforce procurement rules, release payments automatically upon verifying progress, and reduce corruption risks. Operation and Maintenance: IoT devices connected to blockchain record operational data immutably, allowing for performance-based payouts and maintenance tracking. Asset Trading: Tokenized infrastructure assets can be traded on secondary markets, offering liquidity and attracting continuous investment. This holistic integration enhances trust, efficiency, and sustainability across infrastructure development phases. Challenges and Regulatory Landscape Despite its promise, DeFi-powered infrastructure finance faces several challenges: Regulatory Uncertainty: Jurisdictions worldwide are still shaping frameworks for tokenized securities, cross-border capital flows, and DeFi governance, raising legal risks. Scalability and Security: Infrastructure projects demand long-term, large-scale investments; exchanges and protocols must ensure blockchain networks can handle high transaction volumes securely. Investor Education and Trust: Wider adoption requires educating traditional investors and governments about blockchain’s benefits and risks. Governance Complexity: DAO participation demands inclusive yet efficient decision-making mechanisms to avoid factionalism or manipulation. Addressing these challenges requires collaboration between regulators, technologists, developers, and infrastructure stakeholders. Case Study: Renewable Energy and DeFi Funding Synergies Renewable energy projects, solar farms, wind parks, and hydrogen plants represent a rapidly growing infrastructure segment well-suited to DeFi funding. Tokenization enables distributed ownership among individuals and institutions motivated by green investments. Smart contracts automate incentive programs, rewarding energy production or carbon credit generation with tokens. Decentralized marketplaces increase liquidity, and DAO governance ensures transparency in environmental impact reporting. For example, a solar energy DAO could raise capital through a token sale, maintain project oversight via collective voting, and distribute profits equitably. This model reduces reliance on traditional financiers and accelerates transitions to sustainable infrastructure. Outlook and Future Trends By 2030, DeFi-driven infrastructure finance is projected to grow exponentially alongside broader blockchain adoption. Anticipated developments include: Integration of artificial intelligence (AI) for project risk assessment and performance optimization. Expansion of fractional ownership models, allowing micro-investments in major public works. More sophisticated regulatory frameworks fostering secure innovation. Increased collaboration between DeFi protocols and traditional finance institutions. Enhanced cross-border capital flows are accelerating global infrastructure development. The technology’s potential to overcome capital inefficiencies and increase transparency will be critical as infrastructure demand soars amid urbanization and climate change adaptation needs. DeFi and the Future of Global Infrastructure Funding In conclusion, DeFi is fundamentally reimagining infrastructure funding by democratizing capital access, automating financial flows, and fostering transparent governance. Through tokenization, decentralized lending, and smart contract automation, DeFi platforms empower a global pool of investors to actively finance and participate in next-generation infrastructure projects.  While challenges remain, ongoing technological advancements and regulatory maturation signal that DeFi will play an integral role in building sustainable, resilient infrastructure worldwide, unlocking economic growth and societal progress for years to come. FAQ How does DeFi improve infrastructure financing compared to traditional systems? DeFi removes intermediaries, automates funding through smart contracts, and enables global access to capital. This makes project financing faster, more transparent, and more inclusive. What types of infrastructure projects can DeFi fund? DeFi can fund diverse sectors such as transportation, energy, water systems, telecommunications, and renewable energy projects through tokenized assets and decentralized funding pools. How does tokenization work in infrastructure projects? Tokenization divides infrastructure assets—like bridges or solar farms—into digital tokens representing fractional ownership. Investors can trade or hold these tokens, providing liquidity to long-term projects. What role do DAOs play in DeFi infrastructure funding? DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations) pool global capital, vote on funding proposals, and ensure transparent project governance through blockchain-based decision-making. Is investing in DeFi infrastructure safe? While DeFi introduces transparency, it still carries risks—such as smart contract vulnerabilities, regulatory uncertainty, and volatile token markets. Due diligence and diversified participation are recommended. How does DeFi promote sustainable infrastructure? By funding renewable energy and environmentally responsible projects via tokenization and yield incentives, DeFi channels capital into sustainable infrastructure development. What are the main barriers to large-scale DeFi adoption in infrastructure finance? Key barriers include unclear regulations, limited investor understanding, blockchain scalability challenges, and complex DAO governance structures.