Lido Staked ETH presyostETH

Underrated DeFi Gems: Projects Poised for Growth Amidst the Surge 1. Radiant Capital (RDNT) What It Is: A cross-chain lending protocol operating on Layer-2 networks like Arbitrum and BNB Chain. Radiant allows users to deposit and borrow assets seamlessly across multiple blockchains. Why It Stands Out: Cross-Chain Capability: Radiant addresses liquidity fragmentation by enabling borrowing and lending across chains via LayerZero's interoperability technology. Layer-2 Focus: Its focus on Arbitrum and other scalable chains makes it fast and low-cost compared to traditional lending platforms. Yield Potential: Users can earn RDNT tokens as incentives for providing liquidity. Growth Catalyst: Increased adoption of Layer-2 networks and the demand for cross-chain DeFi protocols positions Radiant as a leader in multi-chain lending. --- 2. Gains Network (GNS) What It Is: A decentralized derivatives and perpetual trading platform built on Polygon and Arbitrum, offering leveraged trading for cryptocurrencies, stocks, and forex. Why It Stands Out: High Capital Efficiency: Gains Network’s liquidity model minimizes slippage and maximizes trading efficiency without relying on traditional order books. Multi-Asset Support: Users can trade traditional financial instruments alongside crypto, appealing to both DeFi and TradFi traders. User Incentives: GNS stakers earn protocol fees, ensuring token holders benefit directly from platform growth. Growth Catalyst: Gains Network is gaining traction as demand for decentralized derivatives surges, and its ability to integrate traditional markets on-chain is a major innovation. --- 3. Velodrome Finance (VELO) What It Is: A decentralized exchange (DEX) and liquidity hub on Optimism, designed to address liquidity inefficiencies in DeFi through its innovative vote-escrow tokenomics model. Why It Stands Out: Vote-Escrow Model: VELO holders can vote to direct emissions to specific liquidity pools, aligning incentives for liquidity providers and token holders. Optimism Network: Velodrome benefits from low transaction fees and fast speeds on Optimism, encouraging greater user adoption. Sustainable Liquidity: Its unique design discourages mercenary liquidity, promoting long-term growth. Growth Catalyst: As Optimism grows as a Layer-2 powerhouse, Velodrome is positioned to be the central DEX, attracting traders and liquidity providers alike. --- 4. Pendle Finance (PENDLE) What It Is: A yield tokenization protocol that allows users to trade future yield, enabling innovative strategies to maximize DeFi returns. Why It Stands Out: Yield Tokenization: Pendle splits yield-bearing assets into principal and yield tokens, letting users speculate on or lock in future yields. Innovative Strategies: Traders can buy discounted future yields or hedge their yield exposure, making it ideal for advanced DeFi users. Growth in LSDs: The protocol has benefited from the rise of Liquid Staking Derivatives (LSDs) like stETH and rETH. Growth Catalyst: Pendle is capitalizing on the booming LSD market and the growing appetite for yield optimization strategies in DeFi. --- 5. Beefy Finance (BIFI) What It Is: A multi-chain yield optimizer that automates compounding for DeFi investments across various protocols and blockchains. Why It Stands Out: Cross-Chain Coverage: Supports yield farming strategies on multiple chains, including Binance Smart Chain, Avalanche, and Fantom. Auto-Compounding: Automates yield compounding, saving users time and maximizing returns. User-Friendly: Beefy simplifies complex DeFi strategies, making it accessible to new and experienced investors. Growth Catalyst: Beefy’s ability to aggregate opportunities across multiple chains positions it well in a multi-chain DeFi world. --- Conclusion The DeFi surge has highlighted major projects, but hidden gems like Radiant Capital, Gains Network, Velodrome, Pendle Finance, and Beefy Finance are emerging as leaders in cross-chain lending, decentralized derivatives, sustainable liquidity, and yield optimization. Their innovative solutions and positioning on Layer-2 and multi-chain ecosystems make them undervalued projects poised for exponential growth.

Ethereum’s Dencun Upgrade is Live on Goerli Testnet, But There is a Catch The widely-anticipated Dencun upgrade for the Ethereum network is live on the Goerli testnet. However, the upgrade is experiencing some issues. According to a livestream on YouTube, Dencun was launched on Goerli at 6:32 UTC on Wednesday, but the chain appears to have split as it failed to finalize when expected. The Dencun upgrade is Ethereum’s biggest since the Shapella upgrade in April 2023. While Shapella enabled the withdrawal of staked ether (stETH) on the network, the former is expected to significantly reduce transaction costs on layer 2 (L2) networks. They are significant steps in Ethereum’s transition from a Proof-of-Work (PoW) consensus mechanism to a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) after the Merge. Dencun is expected to enhance Ethereum L2 rollup efficiency through a mechanism called proto-danksharding or ephemeral blobs .

Bitcoin reaches a new all-time high of $98,384 on Thursday, with altcoins following the suit. Reports highlight that the recent surge in altcoins was fueled by the victory of crypto-friendly candidate Donald Trump in the US presidential election. On-chain data shows the Altcoin Season Index has more room for growth as capital flows more into BTC than altcoins. Bitcoin (BTC) reaches a new high of $98,384 on Thursday, with altcoins also rallying in response to US President-elected Donald Trump's crypto-friendly stance. On-chain data suggests the Altcoin Season Index has further growth potential, as investors appear hesitant to fully rotate into altcoins while BTC edges closer to the $100,000 milestone. Altcoin season is when cryptocurrencies other than Bitcoin see substantial price increases. Recent rally is an early sign of Altseason CryptoQuant’s weekly report on Wednesday shows that Layer-1 cryptocurrencies have seen a price surge after the US presidential election in early November. Cryptocurrencies like Ripple, Tron, Cardano, Toncoin, and Solana have seen their prices increase sharply based on expectations that the new US administration will be more pro-crypto. As showed in the report, Ripple Labs CEO said in an interview, “The crypto industry has embraced Trump; Trump has embraced the crypto industry…” Layer-1 cryptocurrencies price performance chart. Source: CryptoQuant The report further explains that the altcoin price surge was accompanied by a spike in spot trading volume, reaching one of the highest daily levels so far in 2024. Daily spot trading volume for altcoins increased after the US presidential election and spiked as high as $18 billion on November 11, the highest since early August. Before this, altcoin spot trading volume had remained muted since May. Altcoins Spot Trading Volume chart. Source: Santiment Despite the recent rally, the Altcoin Season has yet to start. The QCP report highlights that investors might not be ready to fully invest in altcoins, as BTC seems to have more legs to go before the 100K milestone. The report continued, “Historically, we’ve seen altcoins outperform whenever the majors consolidate after a significant rally as profits rotate into smaller-cap coins. BTC’s dominance is around 60% now, and it will probably need to be around <58% to signal the start of altcoin season.” Blockchaincenter.net’s Altcoin Season index chart provides a clearer picture. This metric shows whether it is Altcoin or Bitcoin season. If the index is below 25, it suggests that Bitcoin performs well compared to altcoins (money flows into Bitcoin from altcoins). However, if the index is above 75, it suggests that altcoins perform better than Bitcoin (money flows into altcoins from Bitcoin). The index stands at 33, indicating that altcoins have more room for growth. Investors still prefer to invest their money in Bitcoin or hold it rather than transferring it to altcoins. Altcoin Season index chart. Source: Blockchaincenter.net If 75% of the Top 50 coins performed better than Bitcoin $BTC over the last season (90 days), it also indicates Altcoin Season. These excluded from the Top 50 are Stablecoins (Tether, DAI…) and asset-backed tokens (WBTC, stETH, cLINK). The graph below shows that altcoins like Mantra (OM), Sui ($SUI ), Dogecoin ($DOGE ), and other coins have performed better. However, most other top altcoins are still under the woods. This shows more room for growth and the altcoin season is yet to come.

Bitcoin reaches a new all-time high of $98,384 on Thursday, with altcoins following the suit. Reports highlight that the recent surge in altcoins was fueled by the victory of crypto-friendly candidate Donald Trump in the US presidential election. On-chain data shows the Altcoin Season Index has more room for growth as capital flows more into BTC than altcoins. Bitcoin (BTC) reaches a new high of $98,384 on Thursday, with altcoins also rallying in response to US President-elected Donald Trump's crypto-friendly stance. On-chain data suggests the Altcoin Season Index has further growth potential, as investors appear hesitant to fully rotate into altcoins while BTC edges closer to the $100,000 milestone. Altcoin season is when cryptocurrencies other than Bitcoin see substantial price increases. Recent rally is an early sign of Altseason CryptoQuant’s weekly report on Wednesday shows that Layer-1 cryptocurrencies have seen a price surge after the US presidential election in early November. Cryptocurrencies like Ripple, Tron, Cardano, Toncoin, and Solana have seen their prices increase sharply based on expectations that the new US administration will be more pro-crypto. As showed in the report, Ripple Labs CEO said in an interview, “The crypto industry has embraced Trump; Trump has embraced the crypto industry…” Layer-1 cryptocurrencies price performance chart. Source: CryptoQuant The report further explains that the altcoin price surge was accompanied by a spike in spot trading volume, reaching one of the highest daily levels so far in 2024. Daily spot trading volume for altcoins increased after the US presidential election and spiked as high as $18 billion on November 11, the highest since early August. Before this, altcoin spot trading volume had remained muted since May. Altcoins Spot Trading Volume chart. Source: Santiment Despite the recent rally, the Altcoin Season has yet to start. The QCP report highlights that investors might not be ready to fully invest in altcoins, as BTC seems to have more legs to go before the 100K milestone. The report continued, “Historically, we’ve seen altcoins outperform whenever the majors consolidate after a significant rally as profits rotate into smaller-cap coins. BTC’s dominance is around 60% now, and it will probably need to be around <58% to signal the start of altcoin season.” Blockchaincenter.net’s Altcoin Season index chart provides a clearer picture. This metric shows whether it is Altcoin or Bitcoin season. If the index is below 25, it suggests that Bitcoin performs well compared to altcoins (money flows into Bitcoin from altcoins). However, if the index is above 75, it suggests that altcoins perform better than Bitcoin (money flows into altcoins from Bitcoin). The index stands at 33, indicating that altcoins have more room for growth. Investors still prefer to invest their money in Bitcoin or hold it rather than transferring it to altcoins. Altcoin Season index chart. Source: Blockchaincenter.net If 75% of the Top 50 coins performed better than Bitcoin $BTC over the last season (90 days), it also indicates Altcoin Season. These excluded from the Top 50 are Stablecoins (Tether, DAI…) and asset-backed tokens (WBTC, stETH, cLINK). The graph below shows that altcoins like Mantra (OM), Sui ($SUI ), Dogecoin ($DOGE ), and other coins have performed better. However, most other top altcoins are still under the woods. This shows more room for growth and the altcoin season is yet to come.

According to data on smart money holdings from @Alphanomics_io, $MNT by @0xMantle is held by a higher percentage of smart money (funds, highly profitable traders, etc.) than $PEPE or $stETH. Probably nothing, especially with the upcoming launch of $COOK.