Vitalik Buterin: Decentralized Exchanges Should Lead The Way 4590

During an interview at Tech Crunch Sessions: Blockchain 2018, Ethereum Founder, Vitalik Buterin hoped “centralized exchanges burn in hell as much as possible” as he strongly advocated for the use of decentralized cryptocurrency exchanges.

Vitalik’s fiery comments stemmed from his annoyance towards centralized exchanges wielding “stupid king-like power” as they have the power to dictate which cryptocurrencies “become big” after making projects pay extortionate “$10 to $15 million dollar [exchange] listing fees.”

Buterin’s comments caused quite a stir within the crypto community invoking a response from Binance Founder, Changpeng ‘CZ’ Zhao on Twitter. Zhou fired back by highlighting several flaws in Buterin’s arguments by stating that:

“There is no absolute decentralization. Projects with core teams still have centralization. Today, Vitalik probably has more king-like powers than anyone else in this industry, and has used it, by serving as advisors to projects, therefore helped to decide their fate, at least fate of their ICOs to a large extent.”

Zhou further remarked that “Decentralization” is not safer by default” and this was clearly evidenced by the recent hack of decentralized exchange Bancor with the less of $12m worth of Ether as well as EtherDelta also falling victim to a phishing attack late last year.

On the same day, CZ shared his response, Buterin chose not to reply publicly instead opting to respond to a cheeky Tweet from a new French cryptocurrency exchange Blockchain.io that asked whether their “decentralized settlement feature” would send them to purgatory. Buterin surprisingly — or perhaps not so surprisingly — responded in French saying:

“It’s much better than a fully centralized exchange, but it doesn’t solve the other problem, as centralized exchanges have a lot of control over the market and can choose which currencies become the most popular etc etc.

In all, I think this is a very good idea and I hope that more cryptocurrency exchanges will use this semi-centralized method.”

IDEX, arguably one of the most popular semi-centralized crypto exchanges as they offer features from both centralized and decentralized exchanges is currently ranked #91 in terms of total trading volume for all crypto exchangesin a 24 hour time frame.

Aside from IDEX, there are only a handful of decentralized exchanges ranking within the top 100 overall trading volume for crypto exchanges with the majority of the chart being dominated by centralized exchanges.

There is clearly a long way to go until decentralized exchanges begin to gain greater traction and adoption however, at the end of the day, it does seem both Buterin and CZ agree that decentralized exchanges will be the best option moving forward. In March, Binance announced their intentions to launch a decentralized exchange along with a public blockchain:

“Centralized and Decentralized exchanges will co-exist in the near future, complementing each other, while also having interdependence.” — Binance

In the near future, it’s possible that we may see centralized exchanges shift more and more towards offering hybrid solutions similar to what IDEX offers and what Blockchain.io proposes to do.

The gradual shift will likely be necessary for the wider community to witness greater levels of decentralization in crypto exchanges resulting in less actors who may wield “stupid king-like powers”.

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Velvet Capital launches Velvet Unicorn AI Copilot to help users navigate DeFi smarter 1879

Velvet Capital has launched the beta version of its Velvet Unicorn AI Copilot, an assistant built to help DeFi users discover new tokens, evaluate onchain opportunities, and make more informed trading decisions across ecosystems.

The Unicorn is the first step in Velvet Capital’s broader vision of building a DeFAI Operating System – a platform where users, funds, and agents can analyze markets, allocate capital, and eventually execute onchain strategies with minimal manual effort.

The Velvet Unicorn Copilot is now available inside Velvet Capital’s Trading Terminal and supports a range of discovery and analysis functions.

What the Velvet Unicorn AI Copilot can do

In its current beta release, the Velvet Unicorn Copilot offers:

  • Alpha Discovery: Identify trending tokens and active narratives
  • Token Analysis: Evaluate tokenomics, onchain activity, holder behavior, and liquidity trends
  • Price Forecasting: Get access to in-house statistical models that surface directional signals

The tool is designed to reduce friction for users navigating fast-moving markets—helping them filter noise, identify promising assets early, and build conviction with data-backed insights.

To unlock access to the Copilot, users must hold 420,000 $VU tokens in their connected wallet.

Looking ahead: from assistant to agent

While the current version is assistive, the Velvet Unicorn is built to evolve. Future releases will introduce more agentic capabilities, allowing the Copilot to:

  • Execute intent-based trades on behalf of the user
  • Manage structured DeFi strategies and portfolios
  • Act autonomously on behalf of DAOs, funds, or individual users

This progression reflects Velvet Capital’s broader mission: to build an intelligent, modular DeFAI OS where strategy logic, execution, and AI agents can co-exist onchain.

Try the AI Copilot during the Binance Wallet Pre-TGE campaign

As part of the rollout, Velvet Capital has launched a limited-time campaign in partnership with Binance Wallet, running through May 7, 2025.

Participants can connect their Binance Wallet, complete a series of social and onchain tasks, and earn from a pool of 8 million $VELVET tokens prior to the TGE.

The onchain tasks involve using Velvet’s Trading Terminal and Portfolios, offering a low-barrier way to explore the product while accumulating early rewards.

Why it’s worth trying

Velvet Capital isn’t aiming to be another DEX aggregator or vault product. The team is building toward a longer-term thesis:

  • AI will be core to how capital is deployed onchain
  • Onchain execution layers are moving toward agents and abstraction
  • DeFi’s UX needs to improve—without reducing optionality or control

The Velvet Unicorn AI Copilot is a first expression of that thesis. The Binance Wallet campaign provides a lightweight way to try it out—and earn something for doing so.

Introducing Upscale: The first StarsFi prop trading platform on Telegram 1890

Storm Trade, the leader in decentralized derivatives on TON, is once again setting industry trends. With millions of users, an integrated academy, generous airdrops, and the fastest trading experience in a Telegram Mini App, Storm Trade has become synonymous with innovation in decentralized finance.

The protocol combines a professional-grade mobile interface with the full functionality of a web version, providing a seamless experience even for seasoned traders. Here, users can trade not only cryptocurrencies but also forex, commodities, and stocks — all without leaving Telegram.

Today, Storm Trade announces the next step in the evolution of its ecosystem — Upscale, the first prop trading product in a Telegram mini-app, built on StarsFi.

Prop Trading — the next big narrative for 2025?

Following a wave of mass liquidations in the futures market fueled by the hype around meme coins like $TRUMP and others, many traders have started seeking more sustainable trading models. Memes come and go — but losses stay.

In this context, prop trading could become one of the key narratives of 2025.

Prop trading encourages traders to focus not on reckless profit-chasing, but on discipline, risk control, and steady growth. Here, there are no wild liquidations — only clear terms, real money, and a path toward professionalism.

According to analysts, the total trading volume on crypto prop platforms exceeded $10 billion in 2024, with the number of traders in this segment growing by more than 40%.

Instead of chasing fleeting “x’s”, prop trading challenges traders to manage risks and stick to strategies, bringing them closer to becoming truly successful professionals. Upscale is built exactly for that — giving traders a chance to showcase their skills and earn by sharing profits.

Up to $100,000 under management — Transparent terms directly in Telegram

Upscale offers the opportunity to manage up to $100,000 without risking your own funds. Access to the program is available through a Telegram Stars subscription — fast, convenient, and transparent.

In the profit-sharing model, traders keep 80% of their profits, with the possibility to increase this share with consistent performance. This is one of the highest payout rates among prop platforms, where the average usually sits around 75%.

Trading conditions:

  • 0.008% fees on opening and closing positions — lower than major CEXs (which average around 0.05–0.1%).
  • Zero slippage on top crypto assets, including BTC, ETH, and other highly liquid pairs.
  • Support for short-term strategies, including scalping — execution speed meets professional traders’ standards.

Trader support is available 24/7 — the Upscale team is ready to quickly resolve any issues, from technical problems to challenge progression. According to Binance Research, 60% of traders consider the quality of support a key factor when choosing a platform.

How Upscale works: From challenge to funded account

Upscale offers a clear and transparent path to gaining access to a trading account with up to $100,000 in capital:

  1. Access — choosing challenge parameters. At this stage, traders select the profit targets and risk limits that suit them best.
  2. Challenge phase — the period where traders demonstrate their skills under controlled conditions. It’s crucial to show the ability to manage risks and achieve profit targets.
  3. Funded phase — access to a real account with up to $100,000 in company capital. From this point, traders work with company funds and can withdraw up to 80% of the profits.

The Telegram mini-app ensures constant communication — all progress updates, results, and new opportunities are delivered directly inside the messenger. For those who prefer extended features and analytics, a web version will be available soon.

A ranking and achievements system will make the process not only profitable but also more engaging and fun. New levels, rewards, and challenges will keep traders motivated and moving forward.

Upscale and Telegram Mini Apps — A new standard for trading

Upscale was created to remove the barriers between traders and trading opportunities. It’s not just about the conditions or the capital — it’s about making the trading environment itself accessible.

Instead of building a separate application with a traditional onboarding flow, Upscale works as a Telegram Mini App — within an ecosystem already used by over 1 billion people. Telegram is no longer just a messenger — it’s a platform for next-generation products.

Telegram Mini Apps offer:

  • Instant start — no downloads or registrations, directly within the familiar chat interface;
  • Simplified onboarding — one click and the user is already inside the trading terminal;
  • Viral effect — the platform can be easily shared with friends, organically expanding the trader community.

For Upscale, this is not just about convenience — it’s a strategic choice, making prop trading accessible to millions of Telegram users.

Upscale — A new chapter in prop trading

Prop trading has been a growth tool for professional traders in traditional finance. Today, Upscale brings this model into Telegram, providing access to capital and professional conditions where the crypto community already lives and evolves.

Everything is changing — trading formats, platforms, and growth models. But one thing remains unchanged — the opportunity to grow with the market. Upscale makes this path easier: no extra barriers, no clunky interfaces, and no compromises between convenience and quality.

Seamless access via Telegram, up to $100,000 under management, transparent terms, and 24/7 support — all of this forms a new standard of prop trading that becomes part of the Storm ecosystem.

The Future of Finance Powered by AI, Driven by DeFi – DeFylo the newest and growing Crypto investing platform, rises in the market 1819

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Utilizing the power of AI and Decentralized Finance, DeFylo is making its name as the rising Crypto investment platform with a secure financial system and guaranteed return of investment up to 48% per year.

Blockchain-based investment platform, DeFylo, sets a new standard for the DeFi market by introducing its unique AI-based algorithm trading technology to create stable and sustainable high profits. Boasting an exceptional staking return (APY) of 48% per year, DeFylo carves its way as the market’s smartest and seamless blockchain investment platform.

KEY FEATURES

  • Accessibility. The platform is open globally and easily accessible to both newcomers and seasoned investors.
  • Security. Provides real-time monitoring and smart contract protections.
  • Automated and innovative user experience. Its AI-based technology handles all the work while the user reaps the rewards.

INNOVATIVE AI-BASED TRADING TECHNOLOGY

DeFylo’s high-yield strategy lies in its core AI trading algorithm based on the industry’s leading transformer, unlocking opportunities across global markets securely, automatically, and intelligently. The platform’s algorithm thoroughly analyzes the long-term price flow and short-term volatility of the market whilst sourcing various external information, such as real-time news and social events, to ensure precise investment decisions that go beyond human judgment.

GUARANTEED SECURITY

DeFylo has established a wallet processing scheme using multilateral security calculation (MPC) to ensure industry-leading security, such as AML/KYC. Private keys are being distributed into several pieces to prevent the risk of a single hacking point and any form of abnormal transaction detection system through its real-time monitoring. Its thorough security design provides high reliability at the level of banks and institutions beyond the security vulnerabilities of general DeFi services.

IMPROVED USER EXPERIENCE

The platform operates an innovative reward system that connects digital finance and the real economy by introducing an NFT compensation program linked to real assets. Beyond simple token rewards, it provides differentiated added value to users by providing NFTs with practical benefits in the real world. This feature increases user participation and retention while providing marketing partners with opportunities such as attracting new customers and brand collaborations.

In recognition of the international reliability of technology and service quality, Defylo has formed a partnership with projects to build a global blockchain financial hub, such as the RWA project under the Lao government. In the future, Defylo plans to provide investors with safer and more profitable investment opportunities based on AI technology and innovative security systems proven in the global financial market.

DeFlyo Official links:
Website link: https://defylo.com/
Email: [email protected]

Paddle Finance Announce launch on Berachain: Liquidity Tools for Assets Most Protocols Ignore 2018

Paddle Finance has announced its launch on Berachain, bringing liquidity tools for assets that most protocols ignore in the Decentralized Finance industry.

While most DeFi protocols chase the same categories, such as blue-chip tokens, staking protocols, and liquid stablecoins, a different type of asset activity is growing behind the scenes. People hold NFTs, LP tokens, meme coins, and tokenized real-world assets in their wallets that represent value, but most of them sit unused because few platforms are built to support them.

Paddle Finance was designed for this gap: a lending and trading protocol built to unlock liquidity from non-standard assets. It operates on Base and Berachain, where activity is accelerating. Berachain alone has reached $2.69 billion in TVL. While others chase volume in familiar categories, PaddleFi focuses on helping users make use of what they already hold.

Why Berachain Fits the Model

There’s no shortage of new L1s and L2s, but Berachain stands apart in how it ties liquidity to real utility. Its Proof of Liquidity (PoL) model rewards protocols for real on-chain activity rather than passive staking, making it a strong match for products built around asset movement and user interaction.

Berachain has also become home to a fast-growing NFT ecosystem, especially among more degen communities. Projects like Steady Teddys, Bullas, Mibera, and Yeet are drawing in active participants. These collections are already being used within PaddleFi for borrowing, OTC trading, and community-focused liquidity programs.

On the technical side, Berachain uses Ethereum-compatible tools, lowering friction for deployment. But what sets it apart is its alignment with platforms like PaddleFi that serve assets outside the ERC-20 standard—assets that often emerge organically from community-driven culture, not top-down design.

What PaddleFi Actually Does

Most DeFi platforms were built around standard tokens, and that makes sense as for a long time, those were the only assets with enough liquidity to be usable. But that’s no longer the case. NFTs now hold real on-chain value, RWAs are being tokenized, and meme coins often have strong market caps and communities. These assets still get limited support, but PaddleFi is designed specifically for them.

It offers:

  • NFT lending through peer-to-peer and instant loan models
  • Trustless OTC trading for NFTs, RWAs, and tokens without going through centralized platforms or brokers.
  • Basket collateral for multiple assets to be packaged into a single loan or trade.

This structure gives users more flexibility without needing to sell or split up what they own. It also creates access for groups that often get left out—collectors, small token holders, and early-stage RWA participants.

$2.55 Million TVL and Growing

PaddleFi’s traction on multichain is measurable. As of now, the protocol holds over $2.55 million in assets locked across its contracts. In just April, it has already processed more than $3 million in volume, with growing usage in lending and OTC functions. That’s a meaningful signal in an ecosystem still in its early stages, especially considering the complexity of the assets being supported.

And the activity isn’t coming from generalized DeFi users; it’s coming from NFT-native and degen communities on Berachain. Many of the assets being used on PaddleFi aren’t tokens you’ll find on major exchanges. They’re “middle-class” NFTs—collections with strong engagement, but not always headline prices, low-float meme tokens, and in-development real-world asset projects that are experimenting with early liquidity.

This fits naturally with Berachain’s design, a chain built around activity, not polish. Where value is more about how assets are used than how they look, PaddleFi offers clear utility for communities that want to do more than just hold.

Filling a Gap That’s Easy to Overlook

Berachain already has protocols that cover the basics: Kodiak for swaps, Infrared for staking, and Honey for stablecoin liquidity. What’s been missing is a way to use assets that don’t fit into those buckets.

That’s where PaddleFi fits in. It connects overlooked assets like NFTs and RWAs to usable tools. NFT holders can borrow without selling. RWA investors can access capital without waiting for centralized approval. Smaller tokens can be traded directly without needing a formal market.

PaddleFi doesn’t aim to replace other dApps; it adds functionality around asset types that usually get ignored. And in a chain like Berachain, where liquidity is high but fragmented, that role matters. PaddleFi helps bring more of that capital into circulation.

The Bigger Picture

If you zoom out, what PaddleFi is doing is simple: it’s building tools for assets that don’t yet have default infrastructure. But the implications are larger. As the definition of “on-chain assets” continues to expand, the platforms that support the long tail, rather than only the top 10 tokens, will be the ones that grow alongside the space.

PaddleFi is betting that the future of DeFi won’t just be about liquidity, but also about how many types of assets you can make liquid. And so far, that bet is paying off.

With Berachain scaling quickly and its Proof of Liquidity (PoL) model rewarding real usage, PaddleFi is well-positioned to go deeper. The upcoming launch of NFT-backed money markets will give collections another way to tap into DeFi building blocks, and protocols like PaddleFi are key to making that possible.

This combination of infrastructure and community alignment is proving durable. It’s a glimpse of what the next phase of DeFi infrastructure might look like: fast, flexible, and built for assets that don’t follow a template but still belong in the same system.

Monad Joins Chainlink Scale, Bringing Chainlink Data Feeds, Data Streams, and CCIP to Monad 2163

Joining Chainlink Scale gives developers on Monad access to low-cost, reliable Chainlink services

Monad—a layer-1 blockchain bringing parallel execution to the EVM—and Chainlink, the standard for on-chain finance, announced today that Monad has joined Chainlink Scale to drive the expansion of its ecosystem. As part of the program, highly secure, reliable, and decentralized Chainlink Data Feeds are being integrated on Monad.

This initiative is aimed at accelerating ecosystem growth and the long-term adoption of Monad by equipping its developers with low-cost, reliable Chainlink services. As part of this program,Chainlink oracle nodes will supply the network with an extensive array of Data Feeds—spanning diverse asset classes and categories such as Proof of Reserve—alongside other essential oracle services.

Monad is a high-performance Ethereum-compatible L1 that materially advances the efficient frontier in the balance between decentralization and scalability. Monad introduces optimizations in four major areas—MonadBFT, Asynchronous Execution, Parallel Execution, and MonadDb—resulting in a blockchain with a throughput of over 10,000 transactions per second.

This will be in addition to the deployment of Chainlink CCIP and Data Streams on Monad Testnet, deepening the integration between the Chainlink and the Monad ecosystems.

“We’re excited to join Chainlink Scale to bring highly reliable price data to our layer-1 blockchain. Chainlink’s proven infrastructure and ultra-reliable data feeds are essential to unlocking next-gen DeFi on Monad.”—Keone Hon, Co-Founder & CEO, Monad

“Monad joined Chainlink Scale to expand DeFi innovation on its high-performance L1. With tamper-proof data provided by the Chainlink standard, Monad developers can unlock powerful new use cases and user experiences. We look forward to a deep strategic relationship with the Monad ecosystem.”—Johann Eid, Chief Business Officer at Chainlink Labs

About Monad

Monad is a Layer 1 Blockchain built from scratch that provides 10,000 TPS, single-slot finality, and 0.5s block times. Powered by consumer-grade hardware and 1:1 EVM compatibility, Monad delivers performance at scale for users and developers. To learn more, visit monad.xyz.

About Chainlink

Chainlink is the standard for onchain finance, verifiable data, and cross-chain interoperability. Chainlink is unifying liquidity across global markets and has enabled over $20 trillion in transaction value across the blockchain economy. Major financial market infrastructures and institutions, such as Swift, Fidelity International, and ANZ Bank, as well as top DeFi protocols including Aave, GMX, and Lido, use Chainlink to power next-generation applications for banking, asset management, and other major sectors. Learn more by visiting chain.link.

Paimon Finance to launch on Plume, Expanding Access to Blackstone BCRED for Global Investors 2593

Plume, the first fully integrated blockchain and ecosystem built specifically for Real World Asset Finance (RWAfi), today announced that Paimon Finance, a pioneer in RWA tokenization and Binance Most Valuable Builder Season 8 incubatee, will be launching on Plume to expand access to the underlying asset, Blackstone Private Credit Fund (BCRED), in addition to their tokenized Airbus A320 aircraft leasing deal.

This collaboration broadens the availability of institutional-grade investment products – traditionally limited to accredited investors – to Plume users, combining enhanced transparency, security, and efficiency.

“Alternative assets like Blackstone’s BCRED and A320 leasing offer diversification while maintaining attractive returns,” said Chris Yin, CEO and Co-Founder of Plume. “Over the past decade, alternatives have outpaced other asset classes. We’re thrilled to partner with Paimon to onboard more high-quality assets onto Plume’s ecosystem.”

Guyan Liu, Co-Founder of Paimon Finance, added: “Tokenization is a massive market, and current players are only scratching the surface. Plume provides exceptional infrastructure to drive demand, a thriving ecosystem, and is a reliable partner. Paimon has a robust pipeline of unique assets and is dedicated to unlocking access for on-chain investors.”

Institutional adoption of tokenization continues accelerating, with Standard Chartered projecting a $30 trillion RWA market opportunity. Major financial institutions are increasingly recognizing tokenization’s potential to transform traditional markets through fractional ownership, enhanced liquidity, and 24/7 trading capabilities.

Larry Fink recently stated “Every stock, every bond, every fund—every asset—can be tokenized. If they are, it will revolutionize investing,” while JP Morgan, BlackRock, and other Wall Street leaders have launched their own digital asset initiatives. The availability of Blackstone’s BCRED on Plume marks another step in the institutional embrace of blockchain-powered financial infrastructure.

The upcoming launch of Paimon Finance on Plume signals the beginning of a new era in which sophisticated investors can access premier credit investments with unprecedented ease and accessibility. As the tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs) continues to evolve, this development highlights blockchain’s role in expanding access to financial infrastructure, offering broader participation in traditionally restricted asset classes.

About Paimon Finance

Paimon Finance empowers DeFi with tokenized real-world assets, offering institutional-quality RWAs like private credit, venture equity, and aviation leases. Recognized by Binance Most Valuable Builder Season 8, Paimon’s team combines decades of experience from Goldman Sachs, Citadel, UBS, Franklin Templeton, and J.P. Morgan with deep DeFi innovation. Users can learn more: https://www.paimon.finance/

About Plume

Plume is the first full-stack RWA Chain and ecosystem purpose-built for RWAfi, enabling the rapid adoption and demand-driven integration of real world assets. With 200+ projects building on the network, Plume offers a composable, EVM-compatible environment for onboarding and managing diverse real world assets. Coupled with an end-to-end tokenization engine and a network of financial infrastructure partners, Plume simplifies asset onboarding and enables seamless DeFi integration for RWAs so anyone can tokenize real world assets, distribute them globally, and make them useful for native crypto users.

Users can learn more at https://plumenetwork.xyz/