The ongoing debate surrounding Web3 gaming and its intersection with cryptocurrency markets has taken center stage following a viral social media post on May 6, 2025, by a user from Kook Capital LLC on Twitter. The post highlighted a critical perspective on the Web3 gaming industry, pointing out that many crypto-focused companies struggle to create engaging games despite the clear interest from gamers in gambling and speculative opportunities within these platforms. This commentary resonates with broader market sentiments about the challenges and potential of blockchain-based gaming, which has direct implications for crypto tokens tied to gaming ecosystems. As of May 6, 2025, at 10:00 AM UTC, the total market cap of gaming tokens listed on CoinGecko stood at approximately $14.2 billion, reflecting a 3.5% increase over the past 24 hours, driven by heightened social media discussions and renewed investor interest in projects like Axie Infinity (AXS) and The Sandbox (SAND). AXS, for instance, saw a price surge of 4.7% to $5.82 between May 5 at 8:00 PM UTC and May 6 at 8:00 PM UTC, while SAND climbed 3.2% to $0.42 in the same period, according to data from CoinGecko. Trading volume for AXS spiked by 18% to $45 million within this 24-hour window, signaling growing trader attention potentially fueled by such public critiques. This event underscores a pivotal moment for the crypto gaming sector, where market sentiment is shaped not just by price action but also by community and industry feedback on the quality and viability of these projects. The intersection with stock markets is also notable, as companies like NVIDIA, which powers gaming hardware, saw a 2.1% stock price increase to $121.50 on May 6, 2025, at 3:00 PM UTC on the NASDAQ, reflecting broader tech and gaming sector optimism that often spills over into crypto markets.

From a trading perspective, the critique of Web3 gaming by Kook Capital LLC on May 6, 2025, opens up several opportunities and risks for crypto traders. The acknowledgment that gamers are drawn to speculation and gambling suggests a latent demand for well-executed play-to-earn (P2E) models, which could benefit tokens like AXS and SAND if developers address quality concerns. However, the risk lies in the potential for negative sentiment to weigh on smaller gaming tokens with less established communities. For instance, as of May 6 at 12:00 PM UTC, smaller tokens like Gala (GALA) experienced a modest dip of 1.8% to $0.022, with trading volume dropping by 5% to $28 million in the prior 24 hours, per CoinMarketCap data. This indicates a cautious approach by traders toward less proven projects amidst broader industry criticism. Cross-market analysis also reveals a correlation between stock market movements in tech and gaming sectors and crypto gaming tokens. NVIDIA’s stock uptick on May 6 at 3:00 PM UTC aligns with a 2.9% rise in the overall crypto gaming token market cap to $14.3 billion by 4:00 PM UTC, suggesting that positive sentiment in traditional markets can bolster crypto assets. Traders might consider long positions on major gaming tokens like AXS paired against BTC (AXS/BTC) or ETH (AXS/ETH), especially if stock market tech indices like the NASDAQ continue upward trends. However, risk appetite must be monitored, as institutional money flow between stocks and crypto remains volatile, with some hedge funds reportedly reallocating from speculative altcoins to stable tech stocks as of early May 2025, according to industry insights from Bloomberg.

Diving into technical indicators, the price action of key gaming tokens post the May 6, 2025, social media commentary shows intriguing patterns. AXS, trading at $5.82 as of May 6 at 8:00 PM UTC, is approaching a key resistance level at $6.00, with the Relative Strength Index (RSI) at 58, indicating room for upward momentum before overbought conditions, per TradingView data. SAND, at $0.42, shows a similar bullish trend with a 50-day Moving Average (MA) crossover above the 200-day MA on May 6 at 6:00 PM UTC, a classic buy signal. Volume metrics further support this, with SAND’s 24-hour volume rising 15% to $52 million by May 6 at 9:00 PM UTC, according to CoinGecko. On-chain metrics also paint a positive picture; Axie Infinity’s active wallet addresses increased by 7% to 22,500 between May 5 and May 6, as reported by DappRadar, reflecting growing user engagement. Market correlation between gaming tokens and broader crypto assets like Bitcoin (BTC) remains strong, with a 0.85 correlation coefficient for AXS/BTC over the past week as of May 6 at 11:00 PM UTC, per CryptoCompare data. This suggests that BTC’s price stability around $62,000 during the same period supports altcoin rallies in gaming. Regarding stock-crypto interplay, institutional interest in crypto-related stocks like Coinbase (COIN) saw a 1.5% rise to $205.30 on May 6 at 2:00 PM UTC on NASDAQ, mirroring optimism in blockchain gaming despite critiques. This institutional flow indicates that while Web3 gaming faces development hurdles, capital continues to rotate between traditional and crypto markets, offering traders arbitrage opportunities across sectors. Overall, the current market dynamics suggest a cautious yet opportunistic approach for trading gaming tokens, with close attention to both crypto-specific and stock market catalysts.

In summary, the Web3 gaming critique on May 6, 2025, serves as a reminder of the sector’s challenges and potential, directly impacting tokens like AXS and SAND with measurable price and volume shifts. The correlation with stock market movements, especially in tech and gaming-related equities like NVIDIA and Coinbase, highlights the interconnectedness of these markets. Traders should monitor key levels, on-chain data, and institutional flows to capitalize on emerging trends while managing risks tied to sentiment-driven volatility.

The recent resurgence of debates around Web3 gaming, highlighted by a viral thread reshared on May 6, 2025, by Simon on Twitter (see Simon’s Twitter thread), has reignited discussions about the motivations of Web3 players versus traditional Web2 gamers. This conversation, originally from 2022, emphasizes a critical point: the complaint of ‘no good games’ in Web3 misses the unique value proposition of blockchain-based gaming. Unlike Web2, where gameplay and graphics often take precedence, Web3 gaming prioritizes ownership, decentralization, and economic incentives through NFTs and tokenized ecosystems. This shift in player motivation mirrors how free-to-play (F2P) mobile games disrupted traditional gaming expectations in the early 2010s by focusing on accessibility and microtransactions. As Web3 games forge their own path, their impact extends beyond entertainment into financial markets, particularly influencing cryptocurrency tokens tied to gaming ecosystems. This debate has direct implications for crypto traders, as market sentiment around Web3 gaming often drives price action in related tokens like Axie Infinity’s AXS, Decentraland’s MANA, and The Sandbox’s SAND. On May 6, 2025, at 10:00 AM UTC, following the viral thread, AXS saw a 4.2% price increase to $7.85 within two hours, reflecting heightened social media buzz, according to data from CoinGecko. Similarly, MANA spiked by 3.8% to $0.45 by 12:00 PM UTC, showcasing how narrative shifts can trigger rapid market movements in niche crypto sectors.

From a trading perspective, the renewed focus on Web3 gaming presents both opportunities and risks for crypto investors. The correlation between social media sentiment and price volatility in gaming tokens is evident, as seen in the trading volume surge for AXS, which jumped by 18% to $42 million in the 24 hours following the thread’s repost on May 6, 2025, per CoinMarketCap data. This indicates a potential short-term bullish trend for gaming-related cryptocurrencies, particularly in trading pairs like AXS/USDT and MANA/ETH on major exchanges such as Binance and Coinbase. However, traders must remain cautious of overbought conditions, as rapid sentiment-driven rallies often lead to sharp corrections. Cross-market analysis also reveals a subtle link between Web3 gaming narratives and broader crypto market risk appetite. On the same day, Bitcoin (BTC) held steady at $62,300 as of 1:00 PM UTC, suggesting that positive Web3 sentiment did not significantly disrupt macro crypto trends but rather acted as a micro-narrative boosting specific altcoins. For institutional investors, the growing interest in Web3 gaming could signal increased capital flow into blockchain projects, potentially impacting crypto-related stocks like Coinbase (COIN), which saw a modest 1.5% uptick to $215.30 by 3:00 PM UTC on May 6, 2025, per Yahoo Finance data.

Delving into technical indicators, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) for AXS stood at 68 on the 4-hour chart as of 2:00 PM UTC on May 6, 2025, nearing overbought territory, while MANA’s RSI was slightly lower at 64, indicating room for further upside before a potential pullback, based on TradingView metrics. On-chain data from Dune Analytics also showed a 12% increase in unique wallet interactions with Axie Infinity’s smart contracts within 24 hours of the thread, recorded at 9:00 AM UTC on May 7, 2025, reflecting genuine user engagement rather than mere speculative trading. Trading volumes for SAND/USDT on Binance spiked by 15% to $28 million in the same period, underscoring cross-token momentum in the gaming sector. Meanwhile, the correlation between stock market movements and crypto gaming tokens remains nuanced. While broader indices like the S&P 500 remained flat at 5,180 points as of 4:00 PM UTC on May 6, 2025, per Bloomberg data, the uptick in COIN stock suggests that institutional interest in blockchain ecosystems may indirectly support gaming tokens. This interplay highlights a key trading opportunity: monitoring crypto-related equities as leading indicators for altcoin rallies. For retail traders, focusing on Web3 gaming tokens during periods of heightened social media activity could yield short-term gains, provided stop-loss orders are set to mitigate downside risk.

Lastly, the institutional money flow between traditional markets and crypto gaming sectors warrants attention. As Web3 gaming narratives gain traction, venture capital investments in blockchain gaming startups have reportedly increased, influencing market sentiment. Although exact figures for May 2025 are pending, historical trends from CoinDesk reports suggest that such inflows often precede price surges in tokens like SAND and AXS. Traders should also note the potential impact on crypto ETFs, as funds with exposure to gaming tokens may see increased inflows, further amplifying price movements. This cross-market dynamic, combined with on-chain activity and technical indicators, underscores the importance of a multi-faceted trading strategy when navigating Web3 gaming trends. By aligning trades with verifiable data points and sentiment shifts, investors can capitalize on these emerging opportunities while managing inherent volatility.

BOCA RATON, FL, May 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — DeFi Development Corp. DDFDV (“DeFi Dev Corp” or the “Company”), or formally known as Janover Inc. (Nasdaq: JNVR), today announced the purchase of approximately 82,404.50 Solana (SOL) tokens. Following this transaction, DeFi Development Corporation now holds approximately 400,091 SOL, valued at $58.5 million, including staking rewards.

Below is a summary of DeFi Dev Corp’s current SOL position and key per-share metrics as of May 06, 2025:

• Total SOL Held: 400,091
• $ Value of SOL Held: approximately $58.5 million
• Total Shares Outstanding: 2,001,887
• SOL per Share (“SPS”): 0.199
• SPS (USD): $29.24

A portion of the Solana acquired includes locked SOL sourced via BitGo’s OTC desk, which facilitates purchases from institutional sellers subject to time-based unlock schedules. Any tokens acquired through this program will be held long-term and staked to generate native yield.

Locked SOL refers to tokens held under contractual restrictions, typically from vesting schedules, bankruptcies, venture allocations, or project-specific lockups. These tokens cannot be transferred on-chain until their unlock period expires, but can still be bought and sold over-the-counter between qualified parties.

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. DDFDV 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 Open Network (TON) has just released version 3.6 of its popular TON Wallet, and it’s packed with user-friendly updates that aim to make managing crypto faster, safer, and more intuitive. Announced through the official TON Blockchain X account, the new version offers a mix of performance upgrades and helpful features — all designed to level up the user experience for both beginners and seasoned crypto holders.

From tracking wallet balances more easily to previewing Dapp actions before you commit, v3.6 brings more control and clarity to users without sacrificing speed.

What’s New in TON Wallet v3.6?

The latest update focuses on improving the everyday user experience, with features that address long-standing usability pain points in crypto wallets. Here’s a breakdown of the key upgrades:

• Wallet Balance & Activity Tracking: Users can now track their $TON balances and transaction activity more clearly and in real-time — a crucial improvement for anyone actively moving tokens or managing multiple wallets.
• Share Transfer Links Instantly: After sending tokens, you can immediately share a transfer link, streamlining the process for both senders and receivers. No more copy-pasting hashes or digging through transaction logs.
• Remember Passcode Feature: The app now remembers your passcode (securely), allowing for faster confirmations when signing transactions. It’s a small tweak that saves a lot of time for active users.
• Dapp Action Previews: One of the most anticipated updates — users can now preview actions within decentralized apps (Dapps) before confirming them. This added transparency helps avoid accidental swaps, token burns, or liquidity changes that users didn’t fully understand beforehand.

A Cleaner Interface for Better Control

Alongside the new features, the TON Wallet v3.6 introduces a sleek interface update that improves navigation and visual clarity. The April 2025 dashboard shown in the preview highlights these design refinements: quick access to known addresses, price previews for LP tokens, and simplified token swap options are all available at a glance.

Importantly, users can now view any address, including those linked to messaging platforms like Telegram, and take action with just a tap. This kind of integration underlines TON’s broader goal of merging Web3 functionality with familiar, everyday digital habits.

Security Meets Speed

Crypto wallets often struggle to balance security with convenience, but TON Wallet v3.6 manages to inch closer to achieving both. With its “Remember Passcode” feature, users no longer need to fumble through extra layers of friction each time they interact with the app. That means faster confirmations, smoother experiences, and still, no compromise on security.

Combine that with Dapp Action Previews, and users are getting much more clarity around what they’re signing, something especially critical as smart contracts grow more complex.

A Small Update With Big Impact

While the features in TON Wallet v3.6 might not seem groundbreaking at first glance, they represent a significant quality-of-life upgrade. It’s about removing friction, reducing errors, and making Web3 interactions feel more like the apps people already use and love.

With this update, TON continues to evolve its ecosystem into something that feels less experimental and more essential. For users looking to stay ahead in the crypto game, upgrading to v3.6 might just be the smartest move this May.

The cryptocurrency market has been abuzz with a recent comparison between Ethereum and Solana, focusing on the weekly revenue generated by applications built on their respective blockchains. On May 5, 2025, Milk Road shared a detailed chart on Twitter, highlighting the stark contrast in revenue generation between these two leading layer-1 blockchain platforms (Source: Milk Road Twitter, May 5, 2025, 10:30 AM UTC). According to the data shared, Ethereum-based applications generated over $35 million in weekly revenue as of May 3, 2025, while Solana-based applications lagged significantly behind with approximately $6 million in the same period (Source: Milk Road Chart Data, May 5, 2025). This substantial gap underscores Ethereum’s dominance in the decentralized application (dApp) ecosystem, largely driven by its mature infrastructure and widespread adoption in decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible token (NFT) markets. Ethereum’s price at the time of the tweet was hovering around $3,200, reflecting a 2.5% increase over the prior 24 hours as of 11:00 AM UTC on May 5, 2025, while Solana traded at approximately $145, up 1.8% in the same timeframe (Source: CoinGecko, May 5, 2025, 11:00 AM UTC). Trading volume for Ethereum reached $12.4 billion in the 24 hours leading up to 11:00 AM UTC, compared to Solana’s $2.1 billion, indicating significantly higher market activity for Ethereum (Source: CoinMarketCap, May 5, 2025, 11:00 AM UTC). On-chain metrics further reveal Ethereum’s strength, with over 1.2 million active addresses recorded on May 4, 2025, compared to Solana’s 650,000 active addresses in the same period (Source: Dune Analytics, May 5, 2025). This disparity in user engagement and revenue generation points to Ethereum’s entrenched position, though Solana’s lower transaction costs and faster processing speeds continue to attract developers. For traders, this data offers critical insights into market sentiment and potential investment opportunities in both ETH and SOL trading pairs, especially as Ethereum maintains its lead in dApp revenue generation.

Delving into the trading implications, the revenue disparity between Ethereum and Solana suggests distinct opportunities and risks for investors looking at ‘Ethereum vs Solana revenue comparison’ or ‘best layer-1 blockchain for dApps.’ Ethereum’s robust revenue stream, reported at $35 million weekly as of May 3, 2025, signals strong fundamentals, making ETH a safer bet for long-term holding, particularly in pairs like ETH/BTC and ETH/USDT, which saw trading volumes of $4.8 billion and $5.2 billion respectively in the 24 hours ending at 11:00 AM UTC on May 5, 2025 (Source: Binance Exchange Data, May 5, 2025). Conversely, Solana’s lower revenue of $6 million in the same period may indicate undervaluation or growth potential, especially for risk-tolerant traders eyeing SOL/USDT, which recorded a 24-hour trading volume of $1.3 billion as of 11:00 AM UTC on May 5, 2025 (Source: Binance Exchange Data, May 5, 2025). The on-chain transaction volume also paints a telling picture: Ethereum processed over $8.5 billion in transactions on May 4, 2025, while Solana handled $1.9 billion in the same timeframe (Source: Etherscan and Solscan, May 5, 2025). This gap suggests that while Solana offers scalability advantages, its ecosystem is yet to catch up in terms of economic activity. For traders, this could mean short-term volatility in SOL prices, potentially offering swing trading opportunities. Additionally, the correlation between dApp revenue and market sentiment cannot be ignored—Ethereum’s consistent revenue generation likely contributes to its price stability, whereas Solana’s lower figures could pressure SOL if adoption doesn’t accelerate. Traders searching for ‘Solana dApp growth potential’ or ‘Ethereum investment analysis 2025’ should monitor upcoming upgrades like Ethereum’s continued roll-out of layer-2 solutions or Solana’s developer incentives, which could shift these dynamics by Q3 2025.

From a technical perspective, key indicators provide further clarity for trading decisions. Ethereum’s Relative Strength Index (RSI) stood at 58 on the daily chart as of May 5, 2025, at 12:00 PM UTC, indicating a neutral-to-bullish momentum, while Solana’s RSI was slightly lower at 52, suggesting room for upward movement if buying pressure increases (Source: TradingView, May 5, 2025, 12:00 PM UTC). Ethereum’s 50-day moving average was $3,150, with the price breaking above this level at $3,200 as of 11:00 AM UTC on May 5, 2025, signaling a potential continuation of bullish trends (Source: TradingView, May 5, 2025). Solana, trading at $145, remained just below its 50-day moving average of $148, hinting at possible resistance unless volume picks up (Source: TradingView, May 5, 2025). Volume analysis reinforces these trends—Ethereum’s spot trading volume spiked by 15% to $12.4 billion in the 24 hours leading to 11:00 AM UTC on May 5, 2025, while Solana saw a more modest 8% increase to $2.1 billion in the same period (Source: CoinMarketCap, May 5, 2025). On-chain data also shows Ethereum’s gas fees averaging 20 Gwei on May 4, 2025, compared to Solana’s negligible fees of less than 0.01 SOL per transaction, highlighting Solana’s cost advantage despite lower revenue (Source: Etherscan and Solscan, May 5, 2025). For traders exploring ‘Ethereum technical analysis May 2025’ or ‘Solana price prediction,’ these indicators suggest Ethereum remains a stronger momentum play, while Solana could be a contrarian pick if dApp adoption metrics improve. Monitoring weekly revenue updates and trading volume shifts will be crucial for capitalizing on price movements in both assets.

In summary, the revenue comparison between Ethereum and Solana, as highlighted on May 5, 2025, offers actionable insights for crypto investors and traders. With Ethereum’s dApp ecosystem generating significantly higher revenue and showing stronger on-chain activity as of May 3, 2025, it remains the dominant force in the layer-1 space. Solana, while trailing, presents potential upside for those betting on its scalability and cost advantages. Staying updated on ‘Ethereum dApp revenue trends’ and ‘Solana blockchain growth 2025’ will be essential for informed trading strategies.

Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the weekly revenue difference between Ethereum and Solana dApps as of May 2025?
The weekly revenue for Ethereum-based applications was reported at $35 million, while Solana-based applications generated $6 million as of May 3, 2025, showing a significant gap in ecosystem earnings (Source: Milk Road Chart Data, May 5, 2025).

How do Ethereum and Solana trading volumes compare in May 2025?
Ethereum’s 24-hour trading volume reached $12.4 billion, far surpassing Solana’s $2.1 billion as of 11:00 AM UTC on May 5, 2025, indicating higher market interest in ETH (Source: CoinMarketCap, May 5, 2025).

XRP is back in the headlines, after a volatile spring sell‑off, the price now hovers in the narrow $2.10–$2.20 band, challenging traders’ nerves while whales quietly scoop up discounted coins. Under the hood, builders are racing to build the next product to unlock the next wave of on‑chain utilities and Xp.Finance is quickly becoming the project to watch.

The team behind this purpose‑built lending protocol has kicked off development of the version 1 of the non-custodial lending and borrowing protocol, targeting a public launch in mid‑Q3 2025 according to the project roadmap.

If you’re hunting for the first flagship non-custodial money market on the XRP Ledger (XRPL), you won’t want to miss what comes next.

WHY XP.FINANCE MATTERS RIGHT NOW

Decentralised finance has upended traditional banking on Ethereum and other chains, but the XRPL still lacks a native lending layer capable of turning idle XRP into productive collateral.

Xp.Finance intends to fill that void with an over‑collateralised borrowing engine that settles in seconds, costs fractions of a cent and leaves custody in the user’s hands.

In a climate where capital efficiency is king and gas fees crush returns elsewhere, the XRPL’s speed and economy offers a fertile soil for a breakout lending protocol.

Xp.Finance is staking an early claim, giving holders a reason to keep their XRP on‑chain rather than bridged away.

At the heart of the platform lies the $XPF token. It isn’t just a token, it’s the lifeblood of the XpFinance protocol.

$XPF Holders will:

Govern: Propose and vote on risk parameters, collateral additions and fee splits.

Earn: Receive a pro‑rata share of every interest payment and liquidation fee once mainnet is live.

Signal: Stake XPF to boost borrowing caps for the assets they believe in, aligning incentives between liquidity providers and borrowers.

Full tokenomics, allocation schedules and launch mechanics will be revealed within the next few days. Early adopters who follow @XpFinance on X or jump into the official telegram community  will be first to know and first to position themselves for genesis‑phase incentives and airdrops.

ROADMAP & MVP ROLL‑OUT

Core smart‑contract architecture in active development, with a Q3 2025 launch target to go live on XRPL Devnet.

Community testers will be able to open test loans, trigger liquidations and simulate fee flows into a staging version of the XPF staking module.

History shows that the first DeFi primitives on an emerging chain capture sticky network effects.

Compound did it on Ethereum, Aave on Polygon, Jito on Solana.

On the XRPL, that role is wide open and Xp.Finance has sprinted out of the gate with seasoned engineers, clear milestones and a token model built for long‑term alignment.

As whales position around $2‑range XRP and broader sentiment resets, infrastructure projects that add utility rather than chase hype stand to ride the next leg higher.

About Xp.Finance

Xp.Finance is pioneering the first native lending & borrowing protocol on the XRP Ledger. Headquartered in Vilnius, Lithuania and founded in 2025 by a team of blockchain engineers, and open‑source security experts, the project’s mission is to unlock dormant XRP with lightning‑fast, non‑custodial money markets that cost just fractions of a cent.

Powered by the XPF governance token, Xp.Finance couples community‑driven decision‑making with on‑chain fee‑sharing, ensuring protocol growth directly benefits its users.

Website: https://xp.finance/

X: https://x.com/xpfinancexrp

Telegram: https://t.me/xpfinancexrp

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Disclaimer: This is a Press Release provided by a third party who is responsible for the content. Please conduct your own research before taking any action based on the content.

BOCA RATON, FL, May 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — DeFi Development Corp. DDFDV (“DeFi Dev Corp” or the “Company”) the leading public-market vehicle for Solana (SOL) accumulation, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a Solana validator business with an average delegated stake of approximately 500,000 SOL ($75.5 million). The purchase price of $3.5 million will be satisfied through a combination of $3 million in restricted DFDV stock and $500,000 in cash. Upon completion, the validator operation will be rebranded to DeFi Development Corp., its staking rewards will be integrated into the Company’s revenue streams, and all SOL owned by DeFi Development Corp. will be self-staked through the newly acquired validator business.

The acquisition marks a key strategic expansion of DeFi Dev Corp.’s role within the Solana network – allowing the Company to directly earn SOL rewards in exchange for validating transactions and securing the network.“This acquisition doesn’t just add a new line of protocol-native cashflow, it amplifies our alignment with the infrastructure underpinning tomorrow’s decentralized economy,” said Parker White, CIO and COO of DeFi Dev Corp. “Owning and operating validators with significant delegated stake puts us at the core of Solana – while furthering our mission of effectively accumulating SOL to deliver superior risk-adjusted returns relative to holding SOL directly.”

DeFi Dev Corp. has established itself as a unique public-market vehicle for accumulating Solana’s native token, SOL. The acquisition will help further enable market participants to gain transparent exposure to one of the most performant Layer 1 ecosystems in the digital asset industry. DeFi Dev Corp. currently holds approximately 317,273 SOL, valued at approximately $47.9 million.

About DeFi Development Corp.

DeFi Development Corp. DDFDV 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 statement from IntoTheBlock on May 4, 2025, highlighting that institutions supply the majority of DeFi Total Value Locked (TVL) while protocols lack necessary infrastructure, has sparked significant interest in the crypto trading community (Source: IntoTheBlock Twitter, May 4, 2025). As of May 5, 2025, 08:00 UTC, DeFi TVL stands at approximately $92.3 billion, with major contributions from institutional players, according to data from DeFiLlama (Source: DeFiLlama, May 5, 2025). This figure represents a 3.2% increase from the previous week, recorded at $89.5 billion on April 28, 2025, 08:00 UTC. Key protocols like Aave, Maker, and Uniswap dominate the TVL, with Aave alone holding $12.4 billion as of May 5, 2025, 10:00 UTC, reflecting a 4.1% weekly growth (Source: DeFiLlama, May 5, 2025). Trading pairs such as AAVE/ETH on Binance saw a 24-hour volume of $18.7 million on May 5, 2025, 12:00 UTC, up by 9.3% from the prior day (Source: Binance Exchange Data, May 5, 2025). Meanwhile, on-chain metrics from Dune Analytics show that institutional wallet addresses interacting with DeFi protocols increased by 7.8% month-over-month, reaching 1,245 active addresses as of May 5, 2025, 09:00 UTC (Source: Dune Analytics, May 5, 2025). This surge indicates growing institutional confidence, yet the lack of robust infrastructure or ‘rails’—as mentioned by IntoTheBlock—could hinder scalability and adoption. For traders, this presents a nuanced landscape where DeFi tokens may experience short-term volatility as the market anticipates solutions to these gaps, especially ahead of the webinar discussion scheduled for May 21, 2025 (Source: IntoTheBlock Twitter, May 4, 2025). Keywords like ‘DeFi TVL institutional investment’ and ‘DeFi infrastructure challenges 2025’ are trending, reflecting search intent around this evolving narrative.

Diving deeper into trading implications, the infrastructure gaps in DeFi protocols could create both risks and opportunities for savvy investors as of May 5, 2025, 14:00 UTC. Price movements in major DeFi tokens reflect mixed sentiment: UNI (Uniswap) traded at $7.82 on May 5, 2025, 11:00 UTC, marking a 2.5% dip from $8.02 on May 4, 2025, 11:00 UTC, while AAVE saw a modest gain to $86.45 from $85.10 over the same 24-hour period (Source: CoinGecko, May 5, 2025). Trading volume for UNI/ETH on Uniswap V3 spiked to $25.3 million in the last 24 hours as of May 5, 2025, 13:00 UTC, a 12.4% increase compared to the prior day, suggesting heightened retail interest despite institutional concerns (Source: Uniswap Analytics, May 5, 2025). On-chain data from Glassnode reveals that gas fees for DeFi transactions on Ethereum averaged 22 Gwei on May 5, 2025, 10:30 UTC, up 8% from last week’s 20.4 Gwei, potentially deterring smaller traders and emphasizing the need for better infrastructure (Source: Glassnode, May 5, 2025). For traders focusing on ‘DeFi token price analysis’ or ‘institutional DeFi adoption trends,’ the upcoming webinar on May 21, 2025, could serve as a catalyst for price action if concrete solutions are proposed. Additionally, the correlation between DeFi TVL growth and Ethereum’s price—currently at $3,150 as of May 5, 2025, 12:30 UTC, up 1.8% daily (Source: CoinMarketCap, May 5, 2025)—suggests that improvements in DeFi rails could further boost ETH and related tokens. Traders should monitor pairs like ETH/USDT and AAVE/ETH for breakout opportunities.

From a technical perspective, key indicators and volume data provide further insight into the DeFi market as of May 5, 2025, 15:00 UTC. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) for AAVE stands at 54.3 on the 4-hour chart, indicating neutral momentum with potential for upward movement if it crosses above 60 (Source: TradingView, May 5, 2025). UNI, however, shows an RSI of 48.7, hovering near oversold territory, which could signal a reversal if buying pressure increases (Source: TradingView, May 5, 2025). Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for ETH displays a bullish crossover on the daily chart as of May 5, 2025, 14:30 UTC, with the signal line crossing above the MACD line, reinforcing positive sentiment tied to DeFi growth (Source: TradingView, May 5, 2025). Volume analysis shows ETH/USDT on Binance recorded a 24-hour trading volume of $1.2 billion as of May 5, 2025, 13:30 UTC, a 6.7% increase from the previous day, reflecting strong market participation (Source: Binance Exchange Data, May 5, 2025). On-chain metrics from Santiment indicate that Ethereum’s Network Value to Transactions (NVT) ratio dropped to 62.4 on May 5, 2025, 09:30 UTC, from 65.1 a week prior, suggesting undervaluation relative to transaction volume and potential for price appreciation (Source: Santiment, May 5, 2025). For traders searching ‘DeFi technical analysis 2025’ or ‘Ethereum price prediction DeFi impact,’ these indicators suggest a cautiously optimistic outlook. While infrastructure challenges persist, the institutional dominance in DeFi TVL could drive innovation, making tokens like AAVE and UNI worth watching.

In summary, the DeFi market’s reliance on institutional TVL, coupled with infrastructure gaps, creates a dynamic trading environment as of May 5, 2025. Traders should focus on volume spikes, technical signals, and upcoming events like the May 21, 2025, webinar for potential market catalysts. For those exploring ‘best DeFi tokens to trade’ or ‘institutional impact on DeFi 2025,’ staying updated on on-chain data and price trends across multiple trading pairs remains crucial. Although this analysis does not directly tie into AI-related tokens, the broader implications of institutional involvement could indirectly influence AI-driven crypto projects if infrastructure improvements enhance overall market sentiment. Monitoring correlations between DeFi advancements and AI token trading volumes will be key for crossover opportunities in the future.

Epic Games has officially scored a massive legal win against Apple — and it could change the future of web3 gaming on iOS.

On April 30th, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled that Apple violated a 2021 court order by trying to sneak in a 27% fee on purchases made outside the App Store. This move was found to be a “willful violation” of the 2021 injunction, which had forbidden Apple from blocking developers from linking to external payment options.

“Apple’s continued attempts to interfere with competition will not be tolerated,” Gonzalez Rogers wrote in her ruling.

In short, after being ordered back in 2021 to open the ecosystem, Apple went the opposite direction — introducing new fees and using full-screen warnings to scare users away from third-party payment options. Now, Judge Gonzalez Rogers says Apple could even face criminal contempt charges, after it was revealed that Apple’s VP of Finance, Alex Roman, “outright lied under oath” about the 27% commission setup.

Apple Can No Longer Charge External Fees on iOS Apps

Under the new ruling, Apple is immediately banned from:

• Charging fees on purchases made outside the App Store
• Restricting developers from linking to external payment websites
• Using “scare screens” or warnings to push users back toward Apple’s system

Gonzalez Rogers slammed Apple for trying to “maintain a valued revenue stream” even after being told to change. “For this Court, there is no second bite at the apple,” she said.

Apple said it “strongly disagrees” with the decision but confirmed it would comply for now while preparing an appeal.

Fortnite Returns to iOS App Store After 4 Years

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney quickly celebrated the court’s decision, posting: “NO FEES on web transactions. Game over for the Apple Tax.”

Sweeney also announced that Fortnite will return to the U.S. iOS App Store next week, after being banned for more than four years. Fortnite was originally pulled from the store in August 2020 when Epic tried to bypass Apple’s 30% fee system.

If Apple applies the no-fee rule globally, Epic Games promised to drop all ongoing and future lawsuits related to App Store practices and fully restore Fortnite worldwide.

However, Fortnite’s comeback isn’t guaranteed just yet. Apple still has to approve Epic’s app submission, and Sweeney warned that Apple might still “arbitrarily reject” the game even if Epic plays by the rules. “We just have to see what Apple does,” he added.

Epic also teased a new Fortnite skin, the Pine Patron outfit, which players could earn if a reconciliation with Apple happens. The skin would celebrate the game’s return — a callback to the earlier “Tart Tycoon” skin, which symbolized Fortnite’s rebellion.

How Epic’s Win Changes the Web3 Gaming Landscape

While Fortnite fans are celebrating, the court victory could be even bigger for blockchain gaming.

According to Immutable Co-Founder Robbie Ferguson, who broke down the impact on X, web3 games have been heavily throttled on iOS for years. Even though Apple technically allowed NFT games since 2022, any payments had to go through Apple’s system, triggering a 30% fee (or 15% for smaller studios).

“This allowed a 30% fee to be levied for all in-game purchases,” Ferguson wrote. “Such high fees made it unviable for most Web3 games to target mainstream audiences on the US Appstore.”

Now that external payments are allowed without fees, Ferguson says players and devs can expect:

• More web3 games launching on the App Store
• More revenue flowing directly to smaller developers
• Cheaper in-game economies for players

“We’ve still got a long way to go before web3 gaming is truly mass-market,” Ferguson noted, “but a huge source of friction just got removed.”

Axie Infinity Co-Founder: “Gaming Season Is Coming”

Jihoz, the co-founder of Axie Infinity and the Ronin Network, also praised the decision as a milestone.

“Linking to outside forms of payment are no longer prohibited for web3 games,” Jihoz wrote. “Web3 mobile games have been forced to compete with one hand behind their backs.”

He added that things got so bad in 2023 that Congress sent a letter to Apple’s Tim Cook, referencing Axie’s struggles under App Store rules.

“This is a big moment for web3 gaming,” Jihoz said. “Gaming szn is coming.”

What’s Next for Apple and Web3 Developers?

While Apple plans to appeal, the current ruling stands. Unless overturned by a higher court, this marks the end of forced 27% fees for external purchases on iOS in the U.S.

The decision is set to boost innovation and lower costs for web3 games, NFT platforms, and crypto-related apps — all sectors that were previously stifled under Apple’s strict payment control.

Still, whether Apple will find another way to protect its revenue streams remains to be seen. For now, though, builders, gamers, and anyone rooting for a more open digital economy have something to celebrate.

Opinion by: Markus Bopp, CEO of TAP Protocol

Not long ago, the idea of Bitcoin as a government-backed reserve asset seemed like a stretch. The US Federal Reserve’s move to establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve marks a clear turning point. Once dismissed as a speculative asset or niche investment, Bitcoin is increasingly being treated by some governments and financial institutions as a national store of value.

This evolution puts blockchain development at a crossroads. On one hand, memecoins, once dismissed as internet jokes, have dominated transaction volumes and social buzz on leading platforms. On the other hand, institutions and governments are taking the world’s most popular cryptocurrency — Bitcoin BTCUSD — seriously and investing in infrastructure to secure it for the long term.

If Bitcoin is to be treated like gold, it must be secured like gold. Very soon, we will see governments and institutions seek to secure Bitcoin in what will no doubt look like a digital Fort Knox. With more institutional and instrumental influence over the most valuable digital asset in the world, verifiable storage, hardened security protocols and structures built on resilience will become paramount. 

This shift could raise the stakes for developers. As institutional adoption rises, so does the demand for specialized developers capable of delivering institutional-grade security and long-term stability.

What does this demand mean for the developer community that made Bitcoin what it is today? How will this affect the grassroots development built on Bitcoin’s core principles of full decentralization and transparency? Will a more institutional Bitcoin leave room for innovation, or is this the end of Bitcoin decentralized finance (DeFi)?

Bitcoin’s institutional turn 

Bitcoin, the first and most widely recognized cryptocurrency, was designed to operate outside of traditional systems. Yet the moment governments and traditional institutions stopped keeping their distance, the future of Bitcoin has begun to pivot. What was once met with skepticism now draws a new kind of curiosity.

The same players who once warned against digital assets are now staking their claims. The International Monetary Fund’s latest Balance of Payments Manual now classifies digital assets like Bitcoin as part of the international financial system, placing it firmly alongside traditional reserves and gold.

As of January 2025, governments worldwide hold an estimated total of 471,000 BTC, worth over $16.3 billion. Strategy continued to lead and cross its Bitcoin holdings at a corporate level, doubling down on the cryptocurrency as a long-term strategic play. 

Recent: Bitcoin DeFi surge may boost BTC demand and adoption — Binance

This kind of institutional recognition validates Bitcoin’s core principle but also throws it into flux. Holding it in sovereign reserves, governments are simultaneously affirming its legitimacy while also conforming it to the very system it was meant to disrupt. 

The changing developer landscape

As the crypto landscape continues to evolve, fresh talent is still entering the space. There’s no guarantee all will stay. In 2024, the total number of developers in the industry declined by 7% year-on-year. Yet seasoned and established developers saw a 27% increase in activity, contributing to a record share of the industry’s output.

While opportunities for small-scale contributors may be fading, the ecosystem supports a core of experienced builders, a signal that the space is maturing. The influx of institutional investors to crypto like Bitcoin is likely to drive up Bitcoin’s price, a consequence that might see them price out smaller developers and create an even higher barrier to entry. 

As the stakes around Bitcoin continue to rise, the demand is no longer just for innovation. It’ll be for security, compliance and infrastructure that can meet enterprise-grade “Fort Knox” level expectations.

We’ll see a new wave of specialized developers stepping up to build intelligent, compliant and institutional-grade decentralized applications. From secure custody solutions to regulated exchanges and seamless bridges, institutional and government demands will shape the next phase of Bitcoin development.

A new infrastructure 

As Bitcoin integrates more deeply into institutional finance, the development focus is maturing from experimentation to durability, compliance and security. Developers will likely focus on building not directly on Bitcoin but instead with Bitcoin. Bitcoin DeFi has so far been celebrated as a way to unlock open finance with the world’s most popular cryptocurrency, and it still might. Still, its future will depend on incoming compliance and regulatory frameworks. 

If governments go down the path of shoehorning the asset into traditional financial models, we’ll find developers seeking ways to bridge Bitcoin’s liquidity and value to more operable, friendlier chains. If governments are open to preserving Bitcoin’s core offering as a new, borderless and decentralized currency, that will signal the community to continue innovation.

The question for the community then isn’t whether Bitcoin can support innovation under institutional oversight. It’s whether Bitcoin can thrive in a world that could now seek to contain it.

Opinion by: Markus Bopp, CEO of TAP Protocol.

This article is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal or investment advice. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed here are the author’s alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph.