Ethereum marked its 10th anniversary on July 30, 2025, with a series of global events and the launch of a commemorative NFT, drawing widespread attention from the blockchain community. The Ethereum Foundation, along with leading developers and community members, organized the celebrations, which included a special NFT release, funded meetups under the Ecosystem Support Program, and a global recognition of Ethereum’s transformative impact on blockchain technology [1]. The anniversary highlights the platform’s sustained influence, evidenced by rising market activity and a surge in ETH price to around $3,700 [2].

The Ethereum Torch NFT, launched to commemorate the occasion, symbolizes the platform’s journey and honors key contributors over the past decade. Passed from wallet to wallet, the NFT is designed to reflect the collaborative spirit and innovation that have defined Ethereum’s growth [2]. The event also included heightened on-chain activity, with the Torch NFT minting alone consuming $584,000 in gas fees, signaling strong community engagement and interest [3].

Ethereum’s anniversary coincided with broader advancements in the crypto space, including institutional interest in Ether as an alternative reserve asset and discussions on regulatory developments in the U.S. Vitalik Buterin, a core figure in the Ethereum movement, reiterated the platform’s mission to foster digital autonomy and enable decentralized applications that enhance human cooperation [2]. Developers like Justin Drake emphasized Ethereum’s 100% uptime and over 35.7 million ETH staked, representing roughly $130 billion in value [2]. Looking ahead, the network is focusing on scaling solutions, aiming to push Layer 1 throughput to 1 gigagas/s and Layer 2 to 1 teragas/s, positioning Ethereum for a “beast mode” operation [2].

The anniversary celebrations also underscored the platform’s global reach, with events hosted in cities such as Prague and Atlanta, showcasing the enthusiasm for Ethereum’s legacy and future potential [3]. Limited-time initiatives, such as Bitpanda’s double staking rewards, encouraged further participation in securing and decentralizing the network [1]. As Ethereum continues to evolve from a smart contract platform to a foundational layer for the next-generation global economy, the focus remains on improvements in consensus, data availability, and execution efficiency [2].

The Ethereum 10th anniversary not only celebrates past achievements but also reinforces the platform’s strategic positioning in the future of blockchain innovation. With a growing ecosystem and expanding institutional adoption, Ethereum remains at the forefront of the decentralized economy. The combination of global events, community-driven initiatives, and technological advancements illustrates Ethereum’s enduring role in shaping the future of digital finance and decentralized technologies [1][2][3].

Sources:

[1] https://blog.bitpanda.com/en/celebrate-10-years-ethereum-blockchain-double-staking-rewards

[2] https://medium.com/@Rhaez/ethereum-at-10-commemorate-mint-and-trade-smart-fa4f9cf9e01b

[3] https://www.bitget.com/price/apenft/news

[4] https://x.com/pwndao?lang=en

[5] https://cointelegraph.com/tags/cryptocurrency-investment

James Howells, a Welsh IT professional, has shifted his focus from recovering a hard drive containing 8,000 Bitcoin—lost in a 2013 office cleanup—to launching a new DeFi project inspired by his 12-year journey. The device, buried in a landfill in Newport, UK, now holds Bitcoin worth approximately $905 million. After multiple failed attempts to secure excavation rights, including a rejected bid by the UK Court of Appeal in March 2025, Howells has abandoned the physical retrieval effort and is now turning to blockchain technology for a new approach [1].

Howells plans to create a DeFi token that symbolically represents the value of the lost Bitcoin, without granting access to the actual coins. This token, built on Bitcoin’s Layer 2 infrastructure, will serve as a digital representation of the inaccessible 8,000 BTC. Howells emphasizes that the project is not a legal claim or a method to recover the hard drive, but rather a conceptual reimagining of the value it represents. “The landfill becomes a vault no one can open, but everyone can see,” he explained [1].

The idea builds on a previous proposal from Howells, which involved tokenizing a portion of the potential Bitcoin recovery for investors. However, this initiative was shelved after local authorities failed to respond to his offers. The new project, in contrast, is designed to be a speculative or symbolic token, drawing on the narrative rather than any legal or financial claim to the Bitcoin [1].

Critics, including Harry Donnelly, CEO of Circuit, have expressed skepticism about the token’s value proposition. “It’s better viewed as a memecoin than a real investment,” he said, noting that the token would likely trade based on story rather than any tangible claim [1].

Beyond the DeFi project, Howells has also attracted interest from the entertainment industry. In April 2025, he signed an exclusive deal with a Los Angeles-based production company, Lebul, to adapt his story into a docuseries titled “The Buried Bitcoin.” The project aims to bring global attention to the unique case of lost digital assets and the broader implications for crypto self-custody [1].

Howells’ pivot from physical excavation to tokenization marks a notable evolution in how digital value is conceptualized and represented. While the token’s future remains uncertain, the project underscores the growing intersection of personal stories, blockchain technology, and speculative finance. For Howells, the journey from lost Bitcoin to a new DeFi experiment reflects the ever-changing landscape of digital assets and innovation [1].

Source: [1] UK Man to start Token to Reclaim Lost 8000 Bitcoins (https://thecurrencyanalytics.com/bitcoin/uk-man-who-lost-8000-bitcoin-in-landfill-pivots-to-tokenizing-ownership-188983)

DAR Open Network has launched DAR Citizenship, a premium membership program designed to provide universal access to web3 gaming experiences. The membership offers a range of benefits, including reduced fees, exclusive in-game rewards, and cross-game perks for dedicated web3 gamers. Available starting August 5, 2025, the initiative supports titles such as Mines of Dalarnia and Dalarnia Legend, both of which are part of the DAR ecosystem.

The membership is aimed at players, key opinion leaders, and gaming guilds, enabling them to access a variety of gameplay experiences within the DAR ecosystem. These include roguelike adventures and strategic base-building games, each offering unique challenges and immersive gameplay. DAR Citizenship aims to incentivize continued engagement by rewarding loyalty and performance, with members unlocking daily, weekly, and seasonal quests. These quests offer opportunities to earn $D airdrops and Mooncoins, enhancing the in-game experience and providing additional currency for customization and exploration.

Manfred Pack, Chief Product Officer at DAR Open Network, emphasized the program’s focus on fairness, reward, and player-centric design. He described DAR Citizenship as a multiverse-based loyalty program that eliminates barriers between games while offering strong token utility. The launch has also introduced a one-month beta test for DAR’s Quest System, which will initially focus on quests for Dalarnia Legends, rewarding players with Mooncoins for their participation [1].

DAR Citizenship is designed to evolve alongside the expanding DAR ecosystem. Future updates will introduce new perks, benefits, and game integrations, providing a continuous stream of incentives for users to explore new digital experiences and engage with emerging web3 games. This approach aligns with DAR Open Network’s broader mission to democratize app development and enhance user agency through shared technology and digital asset exchange.

DAR Open Network is an AI-powered, chain-agnostic infrastructure that supports web3 applications with shared technology, assets, and the $D token. The token has governance, staking, and marketplace utility, as well as serving as a platform and in-game currency. By providing tools for the creation, exchange, and utilization of digital assets, DAR Open Network aims to foster innovation and creative contributions across the web3 space [1].

The launch of DAR Citizenship is part of a broader trend in the web3 gaming industry to create more inclusive and rewarding ecosystems for players. By integrating token utility with real-world perks and cross-game benefits, DAR Open Network is positioning itself at the forefront of next-generation gaming experiences that prioritize user engagement and long-term value creation.

Source:

[1] DAR Citizenship Launches Across the Open Network to Deliver Universal Access to Web3 Gaming (5 Aug)

https://coinmarketcap.com/community/articles/689211d7c8d0247f47f33bf5/

Linea, an Ethereum Layer 2 (L2) solution, has announced the integration of Lido V3’s staking-as-a-Service (SaaS) infrastructure to power its native ETH yield program [1]. This initiative is designed to automatically generate staking rewards for ETH bridged into Linea and route those rewards to liquidity providers (LPs) and DeFi participants within the ecosystem. By leveraging Lido’s stVaults, Linea aims to deliver non-custodial, secure, and sustainable yield generation while enhancing capital efficiency and liquidity.

According to the project’s design, the integration will allow Linea to stake bridged ETH through Lido V3’s smart contracts, which are operated by Node Operators selected by Linea [1]. These contracts, known as stVaults, will manage the staking process in a trustless and transparent manner, with withdrawal keys controlled via a secure contract rather than any single entity. Furthermore, the system incorporates EIP-7002 to enable forced unstaking, reinforcing non-custodial guarantees in case of governance risks or operational failures.

To ensure liquidity and fast withdrawal times, Linea will maintain a Liquidity Buffer of unstaked ETH. If withdrawal demand exceeds capacity, users may receive stETH as a temporary alternative, which can be quickly liquidated on secondary markets [1]. This mechanism is designed to balance between capital efficiency and user experience, particularly under high-traffic conditions.

Governance safeguards are also a key component of the design [1]. A Native Yield Operator is tasked with managing the yield generation process, but users can trigger unstaking or rebalancing actions if liquidity thresholds are not met. This ensures that the system remains resilient to censorship and operational risks. An additional “escape hatch” mechanism allows the stVault to disengage from DAO control should a potential threat be detected, adding another layer of security.

By prioritizing non-custodial and permissionless operations, Linea is differentiating its model from other L2 platforms that rely on token emissions or grant programs to incentivize liquidity [1]. Instead, Linea’s approach offers a more stable and predictable yield environment, which could attract long-term capital and strengthen the DeFi infrastructure on its chain. The system is expected to improve trade execution, liquidity depth, and accessibility to borrowing and trading at scale.

However, some skepticism has been raised about the maturity of Lido V3’s stVaults, which have only been deployed for a short time and have not yet been tested at scale [1]. Critics suggest that more battle-tested alternatives, such as StakeWise V3 Vaults, might provide better risk mitigation. Despite this, Linea has not indicated any changes to its roadmap and remains on schedule for a planned launch in October 2025.

The success of Linea’s Native Yield program will depend heavily on its ability to attract and maintain liquidity. If it delivers on its promises, the chain could emerge as a leading destination for ETH capital seeking secure, high-yield opportunities within a robust DeFi framework.

Source:

[1] Linea Native Yield – Protocol Design (https://community.linea.build/t/linea-native-yield/10588)

Bitcoin is entering a new era with the emergence of BTCFi—Bitcoin DeFi—which aims to transform the cryptocurrency from a static store of value into a dynamic, yield-generating asset. According to Tiger Research, BTCFi is inevitable due to a growing demand for capital efficiency, institutional adoption, and technological advancements that are making the Bitcoin network more programmable and scalable [1].

Over 14 million BTC—nearly 99% of the market cap—are currently sitting idle in wallets and cold storage, earning no yield [1]. In contrast, Ethereum has successfully integrated DeFi mechanisms such as staking and liquidity provision, where a significant portion of ETH is actively deployed in financial applications. BTCFi seeks to replicate this model on Bitcoin, enabling lending, staking, insurance, and other DeFi use cases that turn idle BTC into productive capital [1].

Institutional interest is accelerating this trend. The approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs in late 2023 and 2024 marked a turning point, embedding Bitcoin into mainstream institutional portfolios [1]. Institutions, which have historically viewed Bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset, are now increasingly seeking ways to generate yield on their holdings. With the BTCFi ecosystem offering returns ranging from 3–5% to as high as 10–20% annually, institutions are finding compelling reasons to deploy their BTC in lending, staking, and structured products [1].

The infrastructure supporting BTCFi is also maturing rapidly. Regulated custody solutions from Fidelity Digital Assets, Coinbase Custody, and BitGo now allow institutions to participate in DeFi while maintaining compliance [1]. Yield-bearing Bitcoin ETPs have already launched in Europe, with Valour’s BTCD ETP offering a 5.6% APR as of late 2024 [1]. Meanwhile, products such as BounceBit Prime combine traditional instruments like U.S. Treasury bills with Bitcoin yield strategies, structuring returns to align with institutional expectations [1].

Technological upgrades are further enabling BTCFi’s growth. The 2021 Taproot upgrade improved Bitcoin’s efficiency and privacy, while also enhancing smart contract capabilities [1]. New layer-2 solutions like BOB, Stacks, and Merlin Chain are bringing smart contracts and tokenization to the Bitcoin network. These platforms are supported by robust infrastructure, with protocols like Babylon and Merlin already securing billions in TVL [1]. Concepts such as BitVM are also advancing the possibility of Ethereum-style smart contracts on Bitcoin, with testnets potentially launching in 2025 [1].

The rise of tokenization standards like Ordinals and BRC-20 has also expanded Bitcoin’s utility. By the end of 2024, over 69.7 million Ordinal inscriptions had been created, generating significant miner fees and demonstrating strong demand for Bitcoin-based digital assets [1]. This trend has paved the way for more expressive uses of Bitcoin, including NFTs and DeFi applications.

The BTCFi ecosystem operates through a structured lifecycle, beginning with the tokenization of BTC via custodial or decentralized bridges. Once wrapped, BTC can be used across multiple DeFi layers, including lending, staking, insurance, and liquidity provision [1]. Protocols like SolvBTC and lstBTC facilitate cross-chain and structured yield strategies, while projects such as Botanix and Bitlayer are expanding Bitcoin’s programmability.

As the ecosystem grows, BTCFi is demonstrating the potential to become the foundation of a new financial system. Much like U.S. Treasuries underpin traditional capital markets, Bitcoin could serve as the base layer of yield in crypto finance, influencing lending rates and DeFi valuations [1]. The convergence of regulatory clarity, institutional demand, and technological innovation is creating a strong tailwind for BTCFi, positioning Bitcoin as not just a reserve asset, but a central pillar of decentralized finance.

Source: [1] [BTCFi Part 1] – The BTC Thesis: Why DeFi on Bitcoin Is Inevitable (https://coinmarketcap.com/community/articles/689170****68723f95d81ba9/)

Opinion by: Vikram Arun, co-founder and CEO of Superform

DeFi already moves billions of dollars daily, lets anyone create new assets in minutes and rewards users with yields that banks can’t match. Using one app to find opportunities, another to bridge, a third to swap, a fourth to deposit and yet another to track your position — all while juggling wallets, chains and gas settings — doesn’t feel like a financial revolution. It’s more like a flight simulator where most pilots crash on the runway.

That complexity must disappear if crypto upgrades global finance and surpasses the earliest risk-takers. But the answer isn’t just another protocol. It’s a re-architecture of how DeFi is built and used. One that pairs ownerless, composable infrastructure with productized, intuitive interfaces.

This depends on two missing layers in today’s DeFi stack: the Hyperstructure and the Superapp. 

Hyperstructures are the internet back-end of money

The foundation of this new stack is what we call a hyperstructure. First theorized by Jacob Horne, hyperstructures are protocols that are free to use, valuable to govern and built to last. To support superapps, a hyperstructure must empower builders, as it rewards users and investors. It is permissionless and decentralized, with incentives to improve and add to the protocol. It is also free to use, but valuable to own and govern.

Hyperstructures can be created for all kinds of use cases, like trading platforms like Uniswap and Curve, and creator networks like Zora and Farcaster. These platforms began as protocols and are now evolving into ecosystems, offering the backbone for the next generation of applications, aka the superapp.

Related: Stop making crypto complex

The most urgent frontier is building a hyperstructure for one of money’s most basic functions: growing itself. Historically, the ability to grow wealth, through savings, investing and yield, has been heavily permissioned and gatekept. Crypto made transferring money permissionless. With hyperstructures, we can make growing money permissionless, too.

DeFi’s rapid growth revealed a problem. In scaling yield, many projects adopted models that leaned heavily on centralized APIs, privileged roles and opaque offchain arrangements. The experience appealed to a narrow cohort of users with high risk tolerance and institutional connections. It contradicted the core principles that made crypto valuable in the first place.

Superapps support seamless UX on permissionless rails

That’s where the superapp comes in. It takes the fragmented chaos of DeFi and condenses it into a single, intuitive experience. For this to work, the earn layer needs dedicated infrastructure that expands access to yield while solving two key problems: discovery and execution.

Discovery automatically surfaces a comprehensive menu of earning opportunities with reliable onchain data so issuers don’t have to apply, promote themselves or rely on centralized listings. Execution compresses complex workflows into one atomic transaction, giving every user the same superpowers.

Doing so requires separating the fast-moving product layer from a slower, neutral base that is naturally far more resilient and secure with a lower cost of capital. Anyone can deploy, extend or fork the base without requesting permission. Yet, it must still be able to ship modern primitives that rival the convenience of today’s centralized platforms.

DeFi that feels like fintech

As the base layer standardizes, experience becomes the differentiator. Superapps turn raw infrastructure into products people want to use. You open the app and see familiar tools: “Cash Now,” “Savings,” “Highest Return.” Tap one, and the app automatically bridges, swaps and deposits, all behind the scenes. The best superapps will win on speed, strategy, support and design. The hyperstructure is the engine; users fall in love with the car.

Here’s the catch: If we optimize only for experience and neglect neutrality, DeFi risks becoming fintech in disguise. Centralized vaults. Opaque risk. Silent governance. That’s the danger. And that’s exactly what hyperstructures are meant to prevent. 

Some will argue that users don’t care about decentralization. Others will say good design justifies centralization. But crypto was never about short-term convenience; it was about long-term power. If we lose that, we lose the point.

In the 2000s, few imagined streaming 4K video across devices over a single protocol. Today, it’s second nature. The same will happen with money. People won’t ask whether they’re “using DeFi.” They’ll just be using money… on open, invisible, and unstoppable rails.

DeFi doesn’t scale as a patchwork of protocols. It scales as a new financial interface. Hyperstructures provide the foundation. Superapps deliver the experience. When they’re aligned, the result is more than just better apps. It’s a better system. 

Opinion by: Vikram Arun, co-founder and CEO of Superform.

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.