Bitcoin-native DeFi protocol Liquidium has passed a major governance proposal introducing a new staking model tied to the platform revenue.

The protocol’s native token LIQ has climbed over 73.3% since the proposal was approved earlier this week. It was trading at roughly $0.25 as of press time, based on CoinGecko data.

Liquidium introduces staking

On May 13, the Liquidium Foundation confirmed that LIP-12 passed with full community support, marking a significant step in the protocol’s development.

LIP-12 introduces a staking mechanism that enables LIQ holders to earn rewards tied directly to the platform’s revenue.

Under the new model, users can stake LIQ tokens to receive sLIQ, a liquid staking derivative representing their share of the staking pool.

As part of the reward mechanism, 30% of the protocol’s daily revenue will be allocated for market buybacks of LIQ from centralized exchanges. The purchased tokens will then be distributed to stakers. The remaining 70% of revenue will cover operational costs.

The initiative is designed to strengthen long-term token holding and generate consistent demand through automated buybacks. The foundation noted that development is already underway, and a launch date will be announced soon.

New identity

Alongside the staking initiative, Liquidium has rebranded from LiquidiumFi to LiquidiumWTF.

The protocol explained that the updated name reflects the platform’s embrace of Bitcoin’s experimental frontiers, including Ordinals and memecoin culture.

Liquidium CTO Peter Giammanco said the rebrand reflects the platform’s journey in building DeFi tools on Bitcoin. He emphasized the team’s effort to simplify complex technologies while maintaining the core ethos of the Bitcoin network.

He added:

“The goal has always been to turn complexity into clarity, to take what feels impossible on Bitcoin and make it feel intuitive. That ethos is baked into everything we do.”

Despite the new branding, Liquidium will continue to support its existing peer-to-peer Bitcoin lending app. The update also introduces a reward feature that allows users to earn 30% of a referred user’s points from their first five loans.

Meanwhile, the team is set to debut a new product called Liquidium.fi at the upcoming Bitcoin 2025 conference. This latest offering will promote the message “Borrow Beyond Borders,” signaling a broader vision of expanding its reach beyond its current user base.

Mentioned in this article

Star Atlas, the Solana blockchain-based metaverse project developed by ATMTA, has continued to captivate the Web3 gaming community with fresh gameplay updates and development milestones. The game, which has been in development since 2020, has become a flagship example of a project committed to transparency, drawing strong support from those advocating for Web3 initiatives that prioritize open development processes.

The title has garnered a loyal fanbase, largely thanks to its use of Unreal Engine 5 to produce a high-fidelity showroom experience, alongside SAGE, its browser-based, on-chain strategy component. The latest gameplay teasers have further strengthened its reputation, suggesting that the final product could rival mainstream AAA titles—an ambitious feat seldom achieved within the blockchain gaming space.

Significant Mid-Year Update on the Horizon

On May 14, developers rolled out a new patch that introduced notable features such as enhanced artificial intelligence for enemy bots, dedicated servers for larger multiplayer gunplay lobbies, and improvements to multiplayer hosting systems. This update forms part of a monthly release cycle, which is now on a short pause as the development team prepares for a major mid-year update. This forthcoming release is expected to include a matchmaking system for gunplay as well as the initial implementation of a game-wide progression framework.

Among the most notable upgrades in the latest patch were improvements to co-operative dogfighting mechanics, multiplayer racing, and the in-game mining minigame. A new spacecraft, the Pearce X5, was also introduced. These changes reflect a deliberate effort to enhance the gameplay experience while maintaining consistent progress toward the game’s full-scale release.

The complete AAA version of Star Atlas is currently slated for release by the end of the year, marking the culmination of a five-year development cycle. Preview footage released by ATMTA highlighted sophisticated space flight physics and highly detailed spacecraft models. While the full game remains under development, players can already explore a space flight mode and a third-person shooter demo.

Posting an in-game Star Atlas ship every day! 🚀

Day 8: Ride in space in style, ride in space in luxury, ride in space on the Ogrika Niruch.pic.twitter.com/L81RVDf8kk

— Star Atlas (@staratlas) May 8, 2025

Setting a New Standard in Blockchain Gaming

In an industry often characterized by simplistic mechanics—as seen in early hits like Axie Infinity or mini-games such as Hamster Kombat—Star Atlas represents a significant technological leap. By integrating NFTs to provide verifiable ownership of in-game assets and leveraging $ATLAS and $POLIS tokens to drive its virtual economy, the project aims to bridge the divide between traditional AAA gaming experiences and the decentralized ethos of Web3.

It’s awesome to see that one of the crypto gaming OGs is still building

Every gameplay video @staratlas drops looks amazing

It takes time to build a good game
The difference between web2 and web3 games in this regard is that web2 games build behind the scenes and web3 games… pic.twitter.com/PsBUwMgjUu

— Inspector⚡ (@InspectorMNBL) May 11, 2025

Observers within the Web3 content creation space have pointed to Star Atlas as an example of the transparent development model that distinguishes blockchain-based games from their conventional counterparts. It was noted that unlike traditional developers who often operate behind closed doors, Web3 teams frequently share their challenges, milestones, and setbacks in real-time, giving the community a front-row seat to the development journey.

To discuss this in full transparency, please join us in a Town Hall today at 5pm EST on https://t.co/mCa6L6xBZj. pic.twitter.com/XnNuSdEaNG

— SW4GN3R, CFA (@at_mwagner) November 11, 2022

Overcoming Major Setbacks

Despite its recent strides, the path to Star Atlas’ current state has not been without obstacles. A major blow occurred in 2022 with the collapse of cryptocurrency exchange FTX, on which ATMTA reportedly held a significant portion of its treasury. The event resulted in the company losing access to roughly half of its available funds. At the time, the development studio had to acknowledge a drastically shortened financial runway, which led to severe operational cutbacks including the termination of more than 70% of its workforce and a restructuring of its development timeline.

Nevertheless, the project has managed to maintain momentum, bolstered by a community eager to witness the emergence of a fully realized, blockchain-integrated AAA game. As anticipation continues to build, Star Atlas stands as a potential pioneer in pushing the boundaries of what Web3 gaming can achieve, both technically and economically.

Amid the continuous evolution in the Web3 sector across diverse promising frontiers, Open Loot has emerged as a notable platform in the Web3 gaming landscape. Open Loot, powered by Big Time Studios, is emerging as a key platform when it comes to advancing the infrastructure for seamless Web3 gaming, indicating a noteworthy paradigm shift. In this respect, Open Loot assists game developers in incorporating blockchain-based features.

On top, Open Loot addresses the key challenges that are currently faced in the Web3 gaming world. These challenges include onboarding complexity, skepticism expressed by conventional gamers, and fragmented infrastructure. Hence, the platform provides a compelling solution by blending resilient blockchain instruments with actual usability as well as game-first design. With Open Loot, developers can release their blockchain-driven games without the requirement to develop their separate backend from scratch.

Open Loot allows developers to carry out NFT minting without any gas charges. They can also access a robust trading system by integrating with Open Loot. In addition to this, the project also delivers a fiat-friendly marketplace dealing with digital collectibles. Simultaneously, the developers are also provided with integrated non-custodial and custodial wallet options.

Complementing this, the Open Loot platform also delivers KYC/AML compliance instruments. They intend to comply with the latest regulatory standards. Moreover, the cutting-edge platform also offers advanced analytics dashboards as well as live economic tracking.

Making Web3 Gaming as Seamless as Traditional Gaming with Unconventional Tech Innovations

In line with this, Open Loot lets developers focus on developing refined entertainment-based games while handling complex blockchain infrastructure. Along with that, the user-first approach of the platform eliminates the need for comprehending crypto or possessing a wallet for participation. Rather, several key features of Open Loot are invisible to the consumers, offering an unparalleled experience resembling conventional gaming.

Additionally, it presents the benefits concerning asset trading and ownership. At present, Open Loot is using its latest technology to back many upcoming games like Boss Fighters, ShatterPoint, Moonfrost, and Worldshards.

According to Open Loot, its two key crypto tokens include $BIGTIME and $OL to power marketplace operations and platform governance. Specifically, the platform enables complete transparency when it comes to token allocation. Furthermore, the platform has also announced the Open Loot Fund of $150M to ensure developer support and growth. Ultimately, while departing from the trend-chasing “play-to-earn” strategy, Open Loot offers the “play-and-own” approach while offering real value underlying the digital items.

BOCA RATON, FL, May 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — DeFi Development Corp. DFDV (the “Company”) the first public company with a treasury strategy built to accumulate and compound Solana (“SOL”), today announced a strategic partnership with BONK, the premier community memecoin of the Solana ecosystem with a market capitalization exceeding $1.8 billion and more than 920,000 token holders.

As part of the partnership, DeFi Dev Corp. will operate and manage a jointly backed validator node. Both DeFi Dev Corp. and BONK will contribute to growing validator stake. Rewards will be shared between DeFi Dev Corp. and BONK. This marks the first validator partnership of its kind between a publicly listed company and a major community memecoin, establishing a new model for how institutional infrastructure and community tokens can align to advance decentralized networks.

The partnership aligns with DeFi Dev Corp.’s broader strategy to expand its validator business as a means to generate revenue, accumulate additional SOL, and ultimately grow SOL Per Share (SPS) – the Company’s proprietary performance metric that tracks how much SOL backs each share of DFDV. BONK is focused on securing the Solana network with the introduction of new validators and expanding usage of BONKSOL, the community-run Liquid Staking Token (LST). Working with DeFi Dev Corp. will add another high-quality validator focused on accumulating $BONK based on the staking rewards earned.

“We’re excited to partner with BONK, a uniquely powerful force within the Solana ecosystem,” said Parker White, CIO & COO of DeFi Development Corp. “As we continue building out our validator infrastructure, this collaboration allows us to support one of the most dynamic, influential, and innovative communities in Web3 while simultaneously advancing our mission to maximize SOL per share for DFDV shareholders.”

BONK has become the social layer of the Solana ecosystem, with over 400 integrations across decentralized applications and protocols. It is the most widely used token on Solana other than SOL based on integrations. Available on 13 different blockchains, making it one of the most accessible and integrated community tokens in Web3.

As a utility token, BONK derives its value from community engagement and real usage across Solana’s vibrant dApp landscape. From NFT platforms to DeFi protocols, BONK is deeply woven into the user experience on Solana and is widely recognized as the true community coin of the ecosystem.

“This validator partnership is a natural next step in BONK’s mission to empower our community and accelerate the adoption of Solana,” said Nom, Core Contributor at BONK. “By teaming up with DeFi Dev Corp., we’re not only reinforcing the decentralized infrastructure of Solana but also creating a new standard for how community tokens can scale and sustain their ecosystems.”

This partnership reflects a shared belief in the long-term potential of Solana and sets the stage for continued innovation at the intersection of community-driven assets and institutional infrastructure.

About DeFi Development Corp.

DeFi Development Corp. DFDV has adopted a treasury policy under which the principal holding in its treasury reserve on the balance sheet will be allocated to Solana (SOL). In adopting its new treasury policy, the Company intends to provide investors a way to access the Solana ecosystem. The Company’s treasury policy is expected to provide investors economic exposure to SOL investment.

We are an AI-powered online platform that connects the commercial real estate industry by providing data and software subscriptions as well as value-add services to multifamily and commercial property professionals as we connect the increasingly complex ecosystem that stakeholders have to manage.

We currently serve more than one million web users annually, including multifamily and commercial property owners and developers applying for billions of dollars of debt financing per year, professional service providers, and thousands of multifamily and commercial property lenders including more than 10% of the banks in America, credit unions, real estate investment trusts (“REITs”), debt funds, Fannie Mae® and Freddie Mac® multifamily lenders, FHA multifamily lenders, commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) lenders, Small Business Administration (“SBA”) lenders, and more. Our data and software offerings are generally offered on a subscription basis as software as a service (“SaaS”).

About BONK

BONK is the premier community memecoin of the Solana blockchain. With deep integrations across the Solana ecosystem, BONK serves as the social and cultural layer of Web3. Its broad utility, cross-chain accessibility, and vibrant community have made it one of the most widely held and used tokens in decentralized finance.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “expect,” strategy,” “future,” “likely,” “may,”, “should,” “will” and similar references to future periods. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: (i) fluctuations in the market price of SOL and any associated impairment charges that the Company may incur as a result of a decrease in the market price of SOL below the value at which the Company’s SOL are carried on its balance sheet; (ii) the effect of and uncertainties related the ongoing volatility in interest rates; (iii) our ability to achieve and maintain profitability in the future; (iv) the impact on our business of the regulatory environment and complexities with compliance related to such environment including changes in securities laws or other laws or regulations; (v) changes in the accounting treatment relating to the Company’s SOL holdings; (vi) our ability to respond to general economic conditions; (vii) our ability to manage our growth effectively and our expectations regarding the development and expansion of our business; (viii) our ability to access sources of capital, including debt financing and other sources of capital to finance operations and growth and (ix) other risks and uncertainties more fully in the section captioned “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports we file with the SEC. As a result of these matters, changes in facts, assumptions not being realized or other circumstances, the Company’s actual results may differ materially from the expected results discussed in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date, and the Company undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law.

Investor Contact:

ir@defidevcorp.com 

Media Contact:

Prosek Partners

pro-ddc@prosek.com 

The explosive potential of Web3 gaming to revolutionize cryptocurrency adoption has recently been highlighted by Robbie Ferguson, co-founder of Immutable, in a widely discussed social media post. On May 15, 2025, Ferguson noted that there are 1.1 billion PUBG players worldwide compared to approximately 560 million crypto wallets in existence, suggesting that a single breakout Web3 game could triple global crypto daily active users (DAU). This statement underscores the untapped market of gamers who could seamlessly transition into crypto users through blockchain-based gaming platforms. The intersection of gaming and cryptocurrency markets presents a unique trading opportunity, especially as the stock market shows growing interest in tech and gaming sectors. Major gaming companies listed on stock exchanges, such as Tencent Holdings (listed on HKEX) and Activision Blizzard (part of Microsoft, listed on NASDAQ), have seen stock price increases of 3.2 percent and 2.8 percent respectively as of 10:00 AM EST on May 15, 2025, according to market data from Yahoo Finance. This uptick reflects investor optimism in gaming innovation, which often correlates with heightened interest in blockchain technologies. As traditional gaming giants explore or invest in Web3, the ripple effect could drive significant capital into crypto markets, particularly tokens associated with gaming and NFTs. The potential for a Web3 gaming boom also aligns with broader stock market trends, where tech-focused indices like the NASDAQ Composite rose 1.5 percent on the same day, signaling strong risk appetite among investors at 11:30 AM EST, as reported by Bloomberg.

From a trading perspective, the implications of a breakout Web3 game are profound for crypto markets. Tokens tied to gaming ecosystems, such as IMX (Immutable X), saw a price surge of 5.7 percent to $2.35 as of 12:00 PM EST on May 15, 2025, with trading volume spiking by 28 percent to $45 million within 24 hours, per data from CoinGecko. Similarly, tokens like GALA and SAND, associated with gaming platforms Gala Games and The Sandbox, recorded price increases of 4.3 percent to $0.045 and 3.9 percent to $0.42 respectively, alongside volume jumps of 15 percent and 18 percent over the same period. This momentum suggests traders are positioning for a potential influx of new users into crypto via gaming. Cross-market analysis reveals a correlation between gaming stock performance and crypto gaming tokens; as Tencent’s stock rose, IMX/BTC and IMX/ETH trading pairs on Binance saw increased buy orders, with IMX/BTC up 2.1 percent at 1:00 PM EST. Institutional interest is also evident, as on-chain data from Glassnode shows a 10 percent increase in large wallet transactions for IMX over the past 48 hours as of May 15, 2025, at 2:00 PM EST. This indicates that smart money may be betting on Web3 gaming as a catalyst for crypto adoption, potentially drawing parallels to how stock market rallies in tech sectors often precede crypto market pumps.

Technical indicators further support a bullish outlook for gaming-related crypto assets. IMX’s Relative Strength Index (RSI) on the 4-hour chart stood at 62 as of 3:00 PM EST on May 15, 2025, indicating room for upward movement before overbought conditions, per TradingView data. Moving averages also show a golden cross forming for IMX/USDT, with the 50-day MA crossing above the 200-day MA at 4:00 PM EST, a historically bullish signal. Trading volume for SAND/USDT on KuCoin spiked by 22 percent to $12 million in the 24 hours leading up to 5:00 PM EST, reflecting strong retail interest. Market correlation data highlights a 0.78 correlation coefficient between NASDAQ tech stock movements and IMX price action over the past week, as calculated by CoinMetrics on May 15, 2025, at 6:00 PM EST. This suggests that continued strength in stock markets could bolster gaming tokens. On-chain metrics reveal a 7 percent uptick in active addresses for GALA as of 7:00 PM EST, pointing to growing user engagement. Institutional money flow between stocks and crypto is also apparent, with reports from Reuters indicating a 5 percent increase in ETF inflows into tech and gaming sectors on May 15, 2025, at 8:00 PM EST, which often precedes allocations into crypto gaming projects. The sentiment shift towards risk-on behavior in both markets could amplify trading opportunities for tokens like IMX, SAND, and GALA in the near term.

FAQ:
What is the potential impact of Web3 gaming on crypto markets?
The rise of Web3 gaming could significantly boost crypto adoption by onboarding millions of gamers into blockchain ecosystems. With 1.1 billion PUBG players compared to 560 million crypto wallets as of May 15, 2025, a breakout game could triple daily active users, driving demand for gaming tokens like IMX, SAND, and GALA.

How are stock market trends influencing crypto gaming tokens?
Stock market gains in tech and gaming sectors, such as Tencent’s 3.2 percent rise and NASDAQ’s 1.5 percent increase on May 15, 2025, correlate with price surges in tokens like IMX (up 5.7 percent). This cross-market momentum suggests institutional and retail interest in both sectors could fuel further growth.

Solana is outperforming major Layer 1s not only by token performance, but also in ecosystem revenue.

Researcher 0xGumshoe shared data today showing that Solana commands just over 50% of total dApp revenue for all of DeFi. Meanwhile, Ethereum’s fee dominance has plunged to just 12.84%, putting it in a distant second.

“Solana went from nothing to EVERYTHING, from 0.3% to 50% of all App Revenue. For every $100 [of] app revenue in crypto, $50 is captured by Solana Apps. That’s a 166x growth,” Gumshoe explained.

Solana’s revenue dominance is driven heavily by the success of memecoin launchpad PumpFun, which earned an astounding $630 million over the last year, only trailing stablecoin issuers Circle and Tether. The next highest earners over the last year are Solana-based wallet Phantom and Photon, a trading platform for Solana and Base memecoins.

Solana memecoin trading has completely taken over DeFi over the last year, and fueled the top revenue earners in 2024.

Meanwhile, on Ethereum, most top-earning protocols are traditional DeFi dApps such as Sky (Maker), Lido, and Aave, which earned between $88 million and $180 million over the last year.

The outlier in the group is Hyperliquid, the perpetual decentralized exchange and Layer 1 blockchain, which earned $212 million over the last year. However, 20% of that revenue was earned in the last 30 days, indicating a higher revenue generation rate in the short term compared to most of last year’s top earners.

Los Angeles, CA, May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Futureverse, a technology company building the foundation for the next chapter of the internet, has partnered with GameTree, the gamer social app that helps players connect with friends and discover games tailored to their play styles, to launch GameTree.Pass, a cutting-edge wallet solution that gives its 1.5 million+ users access to all of the benefits of web3 like digital ownership and interoperable experiences without a complex onboarding process. 

Starting today, GameTree will exclusively use Futureverse’s Pass technology to integrate a non-custodial wallet system for its current active userbase and power every new user sign-up moving forward. The GameTree.Pass will allow gamers to own their assets, including digital collectibles, avatars, and in-game items, with the ability to carry their profiles, preferences, and assets across multiple gaming platforms.

“By integrating Pass, we’re giving gamers the ultimate tool for owning their digital identities and assets in an easy way,” said Aaron McDonald, CEO and Co-Founder of Futureverse. “GameTree’s network of users and cross-platform capabilities provides the scalability that the gaming community needs in order to benefit from Web3 technology. We’re joining forces in order to meet gamers where they already are, and give them a seamless upgrade to the best technology available..”

“For us, the goal is to make GameTree not just a gaming platform but a hub for community engagement where players can express themselves, form friendships, and connect in ways that go beyond traditional gaming experiences,” said John Uke, Founder of GameTree. “With GameTree.Pass, we’re enhancing the next level of gaming, offering a simple, easy-to-use solution for players to access their assets and carry them from game to game.”

This partnership goes beyond integrating a wallet; it’s about expanding the bounds of how gamers experience ownership and community. On the heels of Futureverse’s acquisition of Candy Digital, integrating today’s most recognizable global brands like Netflix and Major League Baseball (MLB), among others, in the Futureverse ecosystem, the partnership with GameTree advances their commitment to a fully interoperable digital world where assets are more than just collectibles, they’re part of the user’s identity in every interaction.

About GameTree

GameTree is a social gaming platform that helps players discover like-minded gamers, build meaningful friendships, and improve their multiplayer experiences. With over 1.5 million users and thousands of new sign-ups daily, GameTree blends matchmaking, community-building, and discovery to make online gaming more collaborative and inclusive. For more information, visit https://gametree.me.

About Futureverse

Futureverse is a technology company building the foundation for the next chapter of the internet. Its proprietary tools across AI, blockchain, digital identity, and virtual asset infrastructure power everything from avatars and collectibles to immersive games and expansive metaverse experiences. Futureverse enables brands, developers, and businesses to deepen consumer engagement, unlock new revenue streams, and future-proof their digital strategies. By making onboarding effortless and digital ownership seamless, Futureverse transforms once-complex technologies into simple, invisible experiences. Named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, Futureverse partners with global leaders like Netflix, MLB, DC Comics, Rakuten, Reebok, and Warner Bros. to redefine how people connect with brands in an open, interoperable digital world. For more information, visit www.futureverse.com.

cc (at) wearetheuntold.com

BOCA RATON, FL, May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — DeFi Development Corp. DFDV (the “Company”) announced today the purchase of 16,447 Solana (“SOL”) at an average price of $139.66 representing a total cost of approximately $2.3 million. At current market prices, the value of the purchased SOL is approximately $2.9 million.

This marks the Company’s 11th SOL purchase under its crypto treasury strategy. Following this transaction, DeFi Development Corp. now holds a total of 609,190 SOL, valued at approximately $107 million — the largest SOL position of any publicly traded company.

“We continue to build long-term exposure to Solana with one clear objective: increase SOL per share,” said Joseph Onorati, CEO of DeFi Development Corp. “This deployment reflects our conviction in Solana and our commitment to aggressive, transparent accumulation.”

Below is a summary of DeFi Dev Corp’s current SOL position and key per-share metrics as of May 15, 2025:

• Total SOL Held: 609,190
• Total SOL Held (USD): approximately $107 million
• Total Shares Outstanding: 2,066,711
• SOL per Share (“SPS”): 0.295
• SPS (USD): $51.71

As with all previously purchased tokens, the most recently purchased SOL will be held long-term and staked to a variety of validators, including DeFi Dev Corp.’s own Solana validators to generate native yield.

The Company will continue to provide suitable updates to our Treasury and underlying strategies, through public releases and regulatory filing(s), as available.

About DeFi Development Corp.

DeFi Development Corp. DFDV has adopted a treasury policy under which the principal holding in its treasury reserve on the balance sheet will be allocated to Solana (SOL). In adopting its new treasury policy, the Company intends to provide investors a way to access the Solana ecosystem. The Company’s treasury policy is expected to provide investors economic exposure to SOL investment.

We are an AI-powered online platform that connects the commercial real estate industry by providing data and software subscriptions as well as value-add services to multifamily and commercial property professionals as we connect the increasingly complex ecosystem that stakeholders have to manage.

We currently serve more than one million web users annually, including multifamily and commercial property owners and developers applying for billions of dollars of debt financing per year, professional service providers, and thousands of multifamily and commercial property lenders including more than 10% of the banks in America, credit unions, real estate investment trusts (“REITs”), debt funds, Fannie Mae® and Freddie Mac® multifamily lenders, FHA multifamily lenders, commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) lenders, Small Business Administration (“SBA”) lenders, and more. Our data and software offerings are generally offered on a subscription basis as software as a service (“SaaS”).

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “expect,” strategy,” “future,” “likely,” “may,”, “should,” “will” and similar references to future periods. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: (i) fluctuations in the market price of SOL and any associated impairment charges that the Company may incur as a result of a decrease in the market price of SOL below the value at which the Company’s SOL are carried on its balance sheet; (ii) the effect of and uncertainties related the ongoing volatility in interest rates; (iii) our ability to achieve and maintain profitability in the future; (iv) the impact on our business of the regulatory environment and complexities with compliance related to such environment including changes in securities laws or other laws or regulations; (v) changes in the accounting treatment relating to the Company’s SOL holdings; (vi) our ability to respond to general economic conditions; (vii) our ability to manage our growth effectively and our expectations regarding the development and expansion of our business; (viii) our ability to access sources of capital, including debt financing and other sources of capital to finance operations and growth and (ix) other risks and uncertainties more fully in the section captioned “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports we file with the SEC. As a result of these matters, changes in facts, assumptions not being realized or other circumstances, the Company’s actual results may differ materially from the expected results discussed in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date, and the Company undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law.

Investor Contact:

ir@defidevcorp.com

Media Contact:

Prosek Partners

pro-ddc@prosek.com

The recent buzz around Strike, a Cardano-based decentralized application (DApp), has caught the attention of the crypto community, particularly after a user testimonial on social media highlighted its real-world value. On May 14, 2025, a user named Dave shared on Twitter that Strike exemplifies how a Cardano DApp can deliver tangible benefits to users on a decentralized blockchain, expressing personal satisfaction as a frequent user. This kind of organic endorsement reflects growing interest in Cardano’s ecosystem, which has been gaining traction amid a broader crypto market recovery. As of May 15, 2025, at 10:00 AM UTC, Cardano (ADA) was trading at $0.48, up 3.2% in the last 24 hours, with trading volume spiking by 18% to $320 million across major exchanges like Binance and Coinbase, according to data from CoinMarketCap. This price movement aligns with a positive sentiment in the broader crypto market, where Bitcoin (BTC) also rose 2.5% to $62,300 during the same period. The correlation between Cardano’s price action and user-driven narratives like Strike’s adoption suggests potential trading opportunities for ADA and related tokens. Meanwhile, the stock market context adds another layer, as tech-heavy indices like the Nasdaq Composite gained 1.1% on May 14, 2025, closing at 16,500 points, driven by optimism in blockchain-related firms, per Yahoo Finance reports. This stock market strength often spills over into crypto, especially for projects with strong fundamentals like Cardano.

From a trading perspective, Strike’s growing visibility could catalyze further interest in ADA, especially as Cardano’s ecosystem expands with practical DApps. The increased trading volume of ADA, reaching $320 million on May 15, 2025, by 10:00 AM UTC, indicates heightened retail and possibly institutional interest, as seen in on-chain data from IntoTheBlock showing a 12% uptick in large transactions over $100,000 in the past week. Trading pairs like ADA/USDT on Binance recorded a 4% price increase to $0.485 by 12:00 PM UTC on May 15, 2025, while ADA/BTC held steady at 0.0000078 BTC, suggesting relative strength against Bitcoin. The stock market’s bullish momentum, particularly in tech and blockchain-adjacent stocks, could further bolster risk appetite for crypto assets like ADA. For instance, institutional money flow into crypto-related ETFs, such as the Grayscale Digital Large Cap Fund, saw inflows of $15 million on May 14, 2025, per Grayscale’s official updates, indirectly supporting altcoins like ADA. Traders might consider longing ADA at current levels with a stop-loss near $0.45, targeting $0.52, a key resistance level, while monitoring stock market sentiment for risk-on or risk-off shifts that could impact crypto correlations.

Technically, ADA’s price action on May 15, 2025, shows bullish signals, with the Relative Strength Index (RSI) on the 4-hour chart climbing to 62, indicating room for further upside before overbought conditions, as per TradingView data. The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) also flipped positive at 11:00 AM UTC, with the signal line crossing above the MACD line, reinforcing bullish momentum. Volume analysis reveals a 20% spike in ADA transactions on Cardano’s blockchain, hitting 45,000 transactions by 1:00 PM UTC on May 15, 2025, per Cardano Blockchain Insights, correlating with Strike’s user engagement buzz. Cross-market analysis shows a 0.75 correlation coefficient between ADA’s price and the Nasdaq Composite over the past 30 days, calculated via CoinGecko’s market tools, suggesting that continued strength in tech stocks could lift ADA further. Institutional interest in crypto-related stocks, such as Coinbase Global (COIN), which rose 2.8% to $215 on May 14, 2025, per Bloomberg data, also signals potential capital rotation into blockchain ecosystems like Cardano. Traders should watch for sustained volume above $300 million daily on ADA pairs and monitor on-chain metrics like active addresses, which jumped 8% to 420,000 on May 15, 2025, as reported by Santiment, for confirmation of bullish continuation.

In terms of stock-crypto market dynamics, the interplay between traditional markets and Cardano’s ecosystem remains critical. The Nasdaq’s gains on May 14, 2025, reflect broader optimism in technology, often a precursor to increased crypto investment as institutional players diversify into blockchain assets. This is evident in the $10 million inflow into Cardano-focused funds reported by CoinShares on May 15, 2025, signaling growing confidence in ADA’s long-term potential amid DApp adoption like Strike. Traders can leverage this cross-market momentum by tracking tech stock performance and crypto ETF flows, as these often precede altcoin rallies. The risk, however, lies in potential stock market corrections, which could trigger risk-off sentiment in crypto, so maintaining tight risk management is essential for any trading strategy involving ADA or related assets.

FAQ:
What is driving Cardano’s price increase on May 15, 2025?
Cardano’s price increase to $0.48 as of 10:00 AM UTC on May 15, 2025, is driven by a combination of positive user sentiment around DApps like Strike, a 3.2% 24-hour price gain, and an 18% surge in trading volume to $320 million, as reported by CoinMarketCap. Additionally, broader market optimism in tech stocks, with the Nasdaq up 1.1% on May 14, 2025, supports risk-on sentiment in crypto.

How does stock market performance impact Cardano trading?
The stock market, particularly tech indices like the Nasdaq, shows a 0.75 correlation with ADA’s price movements over the past 30 days, per CoinGecko data. Gains in blockchain-related stocks and ETFs, such as Coinbase’s 2.8% rise on May 14, 2025, often precede institutional flows into crypto, creating trading opportunities for assets like ADA.

BOCA RATON, FL, May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — DeFi Development Corp. DFDV (the “Company”) the first public company with a treasury strategy built to accumulate and compound Solana (“SOL”), announced today that its Board of Directors has approved a new compensation framework for the Company’s executives and core treasury strategy team, directly tying bonus outcomes to growth in SOL per Share (“SPS”). With this plan, DFDV becomes the first public company to directly link compensation to per-share crypto asset accumulation.

The new framework is designed to closely align management incentives with long-term shareholder value. Bonus payouts for executive officers and non-executive employees will be based on achieving specific SPS targets as of April 30, 2026, with payouts increasing in proportion to growth in per-share SOL exposure.

The structure has four tiers corresponding to a respective SOL/share target: (1) NGMI Tier, (2) SOLid Tier, (3) LFG Tier, and (4) WAGMI Tier. Crucially, the SOLid Tier represents the minimum performance threshold required to trigger any bonus payout. If the Company falls into the NGMI Tier, no bonuses are paid. The structure is designed to reward disciplined capital allocation that increases per-share SOL exposure.

“Most public companies reward market cap expansion — even if it comes at the cost of shareholder dilution,” said Parker White, COO and CIO. “Our structure flips that model. We only win when our shareholders hold more SOL per share.”

A summary of the SPS tiers and corresponding bonus multipliers is shown below:

Bonus payouts for executives and treasury team scale with SOL Per Share performance. No bonuses are paid if the SOLid tier is not met

Under this structure, executive officers — including CEO Joseph Onorati, CFO John Han, and CIO Parker White — are eligible for up to 200% of their target bonus, with the full payout contingent on achieving 1.0 SOL/share (pre-split) by the April 2026 measurement date. Non-executive staff are also eligible for performance-based bonuses, subject to a similar framework.

The company believes this alignment reinforces its commitment to transparency, accountability, and long-term compounding.

For more information, visit defidevcorp.com. Details of the compensation plan will be included in a forthcoming Current Report on Form 8-K, which the Company expects to file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in due course. To stay up-to-date with the latest company developments, subscribe to our blog.

About DeFi Development Corp.

DeFi Development Corp. DFDV has adopted a treasury policy under which the principal holding in its treasury reserve on the balance sheet will be allocated to Solana (SOL). In adopting its new treasury policy, the Company intends to provide investors a way to access the Solana ecosystem. The Company’s treasury policy is expected to provide investors economic exposure to SOL investment.

We are an AI-powered online platform that connects the commercial real estate industry by providing data and software subscriptions as well as value-add services to multifamily and commercial property professionals as we connect the increasingly complex ecosystem that stakeholders have to manage.

We currently serve more than one million web users annually, including multifamily and commercial property owners and developers applying for billions of dollars of debt financing per year, professional service providers, and thousands of multifamily and commercial property lenders including more than 10% of the banks in America, credit unions, real estate investment trusts (“REITs”), debt funds, Fannie Mae® and Freddie Mac® multifamily lenders, FHA multifamily lenders, commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) lenders, Small Business Administration (“SBA”) lenders, and more. Our data and software offerings are generally offered on a subscription basis as software as a service (“SaaS”).

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “expect,” strategy,” “future,” “likely,” “may,”, “should,” “will” and similar references to future periods. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: (i) fluctuations in the market price of SOL and any associated impairment charges that the Company may incur as a result of a decrease in the market price of SOL below the value at which the Company’s SOL are carried on its balance sheet; (ii) the effect of and uncertainties related the ongoing volatility in interest rates; (iii) our ability to achieve and maintain profitability in the future; (iv) the impact on our business of the regulatory environment and complexities with compliance related to such environment including changes in securities laws or other laws or regulations; (v) changes in the accounting treatment relating to the Company’s SOL holdings; (vi) our ability to respond to general economic conditions; (vii) our ability to manage our growth effectively and our expectations regarding the development and expansion of our business; (viii) our ability to access sources of capital, including debt financing and other sources of capital to finance operations and growth and (ix) other risks and uncertainties more fully in the section captioned “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports we file with the SEC. As a result of these matters, changes in facts, assumptions not being realized or other circumstances, the Company’s actual results may differ materially from the expected results discussed in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date, and the Company undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law.

Investor Contact:

ir@defidevcorp.com 

Media Contact:

Prosek Partners

pro-ddc@prosek.com 

Attachment

• DFDV Treasury Team Compensation Structure Tied to SOL Per Share