Crypto Lake

💰 U.S. Authorities Target $225M in Cryptocurrency Linked to Investment Scams 🚨 U.S. authorities have filed a civil forfeiture complaint against over $225.3 million in cryptocurrency allegedly tied to investment scams. The complaint was submitted to federal court on June 18, 2025, by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. It claims that the cryptocurrency is linked to the theft and laundering of funds from victims of cryptocurrency confidence scams. 🔍 Investigators from the U.S. Secret Service and FBI utilized blockchain analysis to trace the funds, uncovering a complex laundering network that conducted hundreds of thousands of transactions across various cryptocurrency addresses to obscure the origin and ownership of the fraud proceeds. The investigation confirmed dozens of U.S. victims and identified over 400 suspected victims globally, all of whom suffered significant losses after being misled into believing they were making legitimate investments. 💬 U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro emphasized the goal of the action was to

rip

stolen funds from criminals and restore them to victims. Matthew R. Galeotti, head of the DOJ’s Criminal Division, described it as part of an ongoing effort against scams that cost Americans billions each year. Special Agent in Charge Shawn Bradstreet noted that this seizure

marks the largest cryptocurrency seizure in U.S. Secret Service history

while FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani pointed out the devastating impact on victims extends beyond financial loss. 📊 According to the FBI’s 2024 Internet Crime Report, cryptocurrency investment fraud resulted in over $5.8 billion in reported losses last year. The investigation was led by the Secret Service and FBI San Francisco Field Offices, with assistance from Tether.

💰 Defunct Crypto Firms Still Control $1.5B in Onchain Assets 📉 In recent years, several digital asset firms have collapsed due to various reasons, including major incidents like the FTX and Terraform Labs failures. Despite their demise, some of these firms still retain significant onchain wealth.

Though these companies have vanished due to collapses and bankruptcies, their wallets—such as those tied to FTX—remain under the stewardship of court-appointed bankruptcy estates.

💼 Terraform Labs, which imploded in May 2022 after its algorithmic stablecoin UST lost its peg, still holds $2.45 million onchain as of June 14, according to Arkham Intelligence. Most of this value is in two tokens: $1.26 million in convex finance token (CVX) and $1.09 million in governance OHM (GOHM).

FTX followed in November 2022, unleashing a broader shockwave after disclosures revealed customer funds were misappropriated and leveraged to support its own token.

🔗 FTX, the bankrupt exchange, controls wallets with $611.93 million in digital assets. This includes $266 million from its OXY tokens and $232 million from its native token FTT, which still trades at $0.90 per coin. FTX also holds about $52 million in MAPS and $16.31 million in FIDA. 🟢 FTX US, the American branch of the exchange, has $1,640,348 in onchain assets, primarily from 5.938 million tron (TRX). Blockfi, another crypto lender that filed for bankruptcy after its exposure to FTX, maintains $36.37 million in digital holdings, mostly in ethereum (ETH).

Celsius Network, which halted withdrawals and entered bankruptcy in July 2022 amid liquidity woes and risky bets, currently holds $6.89 million.

📊 Meanwhile, Alameda Research, FTX's quantitative trading arm, still possesses $887.46 million in digital assets, primarily in solana (SOL). In contrast, Three Arrows Capital (3AC) holds only $46,036.

At the time of writing, these eight defunct entities collectively hold an eye-popping $1.546 billion in onchain assets.

🌐 Shopify Integrates USDC Stablecoin for Global Payments 🚀 Shopify has announced the integration of the USDC stablecoin into its Shopify Payments system, in collaboration with Coinbase and Stripe. This early access feature enables merchants worldwide to accept USDC payments via the Base blockchain network. Customers can use USDC-supported wallets during checkout, including guest checkout and Shop Pay, without needing any new integrations or gateways. 💱 Merchants on Shopify will automatically receive settlements in their local currency, eliminating foreign transaction or exchange fees. They also have the option to receive USDC directly into their crypto wallets, thanks to Stripe's involvement. USDC, issued by Circle and pegged 1:1 to the U.S. dollar, aims to provide stability compared to more volatile cryptocurrencies like bitcoin (BTC). Transactions are processed through the Base network, an Ethereum layer two (L2) developed by Coinbase. 🛠 To facilitate this integration, Shopify and Coinbase created a new smart contract and open-source payment protocol tailored for commerce needs such as tax calculation, delayed capture, and refunds. During checkout, consumers can select the USDC payment option, connect their compatible crypto wallet via a secure pop-up window, and confirm the transaction. 💰 In the U.S., Shopify plans to offer a 1% cash back on USDC payments later this year at no cost to merchants. This feature is currently available to early access merchants and will be rolled out to all Shopify Payments users globally by late 2025. The companies assure that no additional setup is required for eligible merchants.

💰 New ETFs Launch Amid CRCL's Soaring Debut 🚀 Two new single-stock exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are set to launch, aiming to take advantage of Circle Internet Group's (CRCL) remarkable 266% surge since its IPO last Thursday, now trading at $113 per share. Proshares and Bitwise are introducing these specialized funds to cater to varying investor risk appetites. 📈 The Proshares Ultra CRCL ETF aims to deliver 2x the daily performance of CRCL’s stock through derivatives like swaps to amplify returns—and losses. This leveraged approach is tailored for short-term traders, as compounding effects can significantly deviate from the 2x target over longer periods. 💵 On the other hand, the Bitwise CRCL Option Income Strategy ETF utilizes a covered call strategy, selling call options on CRCL shares to generate income while capping upside potential. This conservative options strategy allows investors to collect premiums in exchange for agreeing to sell shares at a set price if the stock rises beyond that level. 📊 CRCL’s volatility makes it an ideal candidate for these strategies. Despite its current price of $113, CRCL reached an all-time high of $138.57. The stock’s wild swings—driven by its connections to stablecoin issuer Circle and the broader crypto market—could attract both aggressive traders and income seekers. ⚠️ Proshares’ filing emphasizes risks, including the potential for total loss in leveraged positions if CRCL drops 50% intraday. In contrast, Bitwise’s fund aims to mitigate downside through options income but may underperform in a sustained rally. As single-stock ETFs linked to crypto gain popularity, these launches underscore Wall Street’s rush to capitalize on CRCL’s momentum.

💰 Metaplanet Inc. Aims for 1% of Bitcoin Supply with $5.4 Billion Equity Raise 📈 Metaplanet Inc., a Tokyo-listed investment firm, has announced a bold plan to raise $5.4 billion through the issuance of 555 million shares. This capital will be used to significantly increase its bitcoin holdings to 210,000 BTC by 2027, which represents approximately 1% of the total bitcoin supply. This new target marks a substantial increase from its previous goal of 21,000 BTC by 2026.

Thrilled to announce Asia’s largest-ever equity raise to buy bitcoin — again! This time: $5.4 billion to accelerate our bitcoin strategy. Our new target: 210,000 BTC by 2027

CEO Simon Gerovich stated. 📊 The capital raise, referred to as the “555 Million Plan,” involves the use of moving strike warrants, a unique financial instrument in Japan that adjusts the exercise price based on market conditions. This approach aims to optimize capital raising while minimizing shareholder dilution. The majority of the funds will be allocated for purchasing additional bitcoin, with some set aside for bond redemptions and income-generating strategies like selling put options. 🌍 Metaplanet’s aggressive bitcoin acquisition strategy aligns with a growing trend among corporations looking to hedge against economic uncertainties and currency devaluation. The company has seen a significant increase in its stock value, rising 275% since early 2025 and delivering a remarkable 1619% return over the past year. With its current holdings of 8,888 BTC, Metaplanet ranks among the top corporate bitcoin holders globally.

📉 High Failure Rates in VC-Backed Crypto Projects: A Study 📊 A recent study by Chainplay and Strorible reveals alarming statistics about venture capital (VC)-backed crypto projects. It found that nearly 45% of these projects have shut down, and 77% fail to generate $1,000 in monthly revenue. The study analyzed 1,181 projects that received funding between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2024. 🔍 The findings challenge the common belief that VC backing ensures a project's success. Notably, Polychain Capital, a top-tier VC firm, had the highest rate of investment failures, with 44% of its projects failing. The study also revealed that 37.45% of promising projects backed by top-tier VC firms have failed, while 34.56% are dead. Over a third (33.41%) earn less than $1,000 per month. 💔 Other prominent VC firms also experienced significant failures. Yzi Labs (formerly Binance Labs) saw 72% of its backed projects fail, and Circle (38%), Delphi Ventures (33%), Consensys (30%), and Andreessen Horowitz (24%) all reported high rates of project shutdowns. 👤 Among angel investors, Balaji Srinivasan had the highest share of dead projects at 57%, followed by Arthur Hayes (34%) and Santiago Santos (15%). Sandeep Nailwal and Stani Kulechov each saw 10% of their backed projects cease operations. 💰 Despite these grim statistics, the study suggests a strong correlation between fundraising amounts and project success. It indicates that raising over $50 million significantly lowers failure rates, while projects that raised less than $5 million faced failure rates above 33% and nearly 20% ended up dead. The report emphasizes that substantial capital is crucial for survival in the crypto space.

🌐 The Shift from DeFi to On-Chain AI: Insights from Ram Kumar 🔄 Ram Kumar, co-founder of Openledger, observes a significant migration of blockchain developers from decentralized finance (DeFi) to artificial intelligence (AI) projects. He attributes this shift to the appeal of new technical challenges, sustainable business models, and AI's cultural relevance. Kumar advises aspiring developers to view AI as a research project aimed at addressing open challenges. 📉 While DeFi remains a cornerstone of Web3, it has encountered obstacles on its path to widespread adoption. Kumar notes that “DeFi has plateaued in terms of continued breakthroughs with additional technical and regulatory challenges,” contrasting this with the growing opportunities in AI. He emphasizes that “AI-centric topics like verifiable inference, data-royalty flows, and gas-aware model execution provide a new interesting challenge for developers.” 🔍 Looking ahead, Kumar believes the convergence of AI and Web3 is fundamentally reshaping the landscape. He explains that “AI today is turning Web3 from a capital coordination layer into a knowledge coordination layer,” suggesting a profound shift in the function and value proposition of decentralized networks. ⚠️ Despite the excitement surrounding AI and Web3, their integration remains largely theoretical, with mainstream applications lagging behind. Kumar identifies key obstacles to adoption, including the high cost of running large models on-chain and the lack of quality data on public blockchains. He points out that “the current user experience is perceived as cumbersome,” but expresses optimism that solutions like rollups and zero-knowledge coprocessors will soon reduce costs and complexity. 🟢 As concerns grow about the potential dangers of unregulated AI, many countries are implementing laws to address issues like deepfakes and algorithmic bias. Kumar views regulation as a reactive force that often follows technology but can have unintended consequences. He cites the European Union’s AI Act as an example of well-intentioned regulation that “may price startups out before they ever reach product market fit.” 💡 When asked about his approach to regulation, Kumar advocates for a function-first taxonomy that distinguishes between different types of tokens and allows for a safe harbor period for new networks. He argues for lighter regulations to encourage open-source AI models that promote transparency and address stakeholder concerns without compromising consumer protection.

💰 Liquidium Launches Cross-Chain Loans for Seamless Crypto Transactions ➡️ Liquidium has introduced its innovative Cross-Chain Loans product, allowing users to lend and borrow across bitcoin, ethereum, and solana without relying on centralized bridges or wrapped tokens. This new protocol enables users to use native bitcoin as collateral while borrowing native assets like USDT on Ethereum or USDC on Solana. 🔗 The platform utilizes ICP’s Chain Fusion technology for secure cross-chain communication. With around $430 million in loan volume and nearly 100,000 loans facilitated, Liquidium aims to leverage the billions of dollars in idle bitcoin liquidity currently locked in wrapped assets. 🔄 The rebranding of its original bitcoin lending app to Liquidiumwtf signifies the platform's focus on Ordinals, Runes, and BRC-20 tokens while enhancing its cross-chain capabilities. A closed beta is scheduled for Q3 2025, with a public release anticipated later this year.

🔍 3 Reasons BTC Price Is Not Rallying to $120,000 or Higher 🚀 👉 Read more

⏱️ Franck Muller and Solana: A Revolutionary Timepiece ➡️ Swiss luxury watchmaker Franck Muller has teamed up with the Solana blockchain to introduce a limited edition watch, the Franck Muller 41mm Solana. This exclusive timepiece is limited to just 1,111 pieces and is priced at $24,360 (20,000 francs). This launch marks a significant milestone in merging high watchmaking with the innovative realm of Web3. 🛠 The watch is crafted by Franck Muller’s artisans and features a sleek dial with a distinctive QR code. This code provides a direct link to the wearer’s personal Solana wallet, showcasing a blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern technology. A representative from Franck Muller remarked,

This collaboration represents a perfect harmony between timeless design and the dynamic world of Web3.

🎁 In addition to its unique design and technological features, the watch offers owners exclusive benefits such as early access to new ventures, curated on-chain experiences, and invitations to private events. Each of the over 1,100 pieces is individually numbered, with the owner’s Solana wallet address securely embedded within the watch. This transforms the timepiece into a personal digital hub, effectively making it the wearer’s wallet, keys, and data.

➡️ R3 and Solana Foundation Join Forces to Bridge Blockchain Networks 🌐 R3 has announced a strategic partnership with the Solana Foundation to integrate public and private blockchain networks, enhancing institutional access to digital capital markets. This collaboration will utilize R3’s enterprise-grade private blockchain technology alongside Solana’s high-performance public mainnet. The goal is to connect regulated financial institutions with tokenized real-world assets (RWAs). 📈 The initiative is poised to boost institutional adoption of public blockchain networks amid growing regulatory clarity and demand for digital assets. R3’s appointment of Lily Liu, President of the Solana Foundation, to its Board of Directors highlights this strategic shift. This positions R3 as a frontrunner in merging traditional finance (TradFi) with decentralized finance (DeFi). 🔒 The collaboration seeks to streamline the management of RWAs on public blockchains while ensuring compliance and security. This marks a significant advancement towards the future of regulated digital finance.

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🛡 Genesis Takes Legal Action Against DCG and Barry Silbert Amid Bankruptcy Claims ⚖️ Genesis Global, a crypto lending platform, has initiated legal proceedings against its parent company, Digital Currency Group (DCG), and its CEO Barry Silbert. The company accuses them of orchestrating a series of insider transactions that led to its bankruptcy. In a complaint filed in the Delaware Court of Chancery, Genesis alleges that Silbert and his associates "recklessly operated, exploited, and then bankrupted" the firm through self-dealing and misleading financial disclosures. 💰 Genesis is seeking to recover at least $2.2 billion in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other crypto assets through this lawsuit. The aim is to redistribute the recovered funds to creditors who are still awaiting payment. Additionally, a second lawsuit has been filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, focusing on over $1 billion in allegedly fraudulent fiat and crypto transfers. These include eight transfers totaling approximately $450 million to DCG and more than $297 million in crypto assets sent to DCG International. 📉 Genesis claims that these transfers occurred while it was facing severe liquidity stress due to the 2022 collapse of Terra-Luna and the broader market downturn. However, court filings reveal that Genesis was already insolvent by the end of 2021, burdened by $14 billion in outstanding loans. The New York complaint states,

Genesis faced extraordinary systemic risk and had virtually no internal controls to mitigate that risk.

⚠️ The filing also discloses that DCG was warned as early as November 2021 by consulting firm Oliver Wyman about Genesis’s financial vulnerabilities but failed to act. The financial troubles of Genesis began with the collapse of 3AC, which triggered liquidity issues, and worsened with the implosion of FTX later that year. In January 2023, Genesis filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, disclosing over $3.5 billion in debts to its top 50 creditors. 🔄 Following court approval, the company finalized its restructuring plan in August 2024 and has since started returning over $4 billion in assets to its creditors. Earlier this year, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced enforcement actions against DCG and Genesis for violations of securities laws. The SEC accused them of defrauding investors through misrepresentation, resulting in penalties and legal action. DCG agreed to settle the charges by paying a $38 million fine.

🚀 XPFinance: A New Era for DeFi on the XRP Ledger 🌟 The XRP Ledger is gaining attention with the launch of XPFinance, a decentralized lending and borrowing protocol. In just 24 hours, its presale has filled over 10% of its 100,000 XRP soft cap, attracting whales from Solana and Cardano ecosystems. 🔍 XPFinance is the first fully decentralized, non-custodial platform built on the XRP Ledger. It aims to create a vibrant DeFi ecosystem where users can lend, borrow, and earn passive income without intermediaries. The platform leverages XRPL’s strengths—fast settlement speeds, low fees, and strong security—to appeal to both institutional and retail investors. 💰 Several features drive XPFinance’s popularity: fully decentralized lending allows users to retain control over their XRP; transparent tokenomics offer a fixed presale rate with potential for profit; high yield staking rewards provide sustainable income; and reduced borrowing fees coupled with governance rights enhance user engagement. ➡️ The XPF token is central to XPFinance, offering staking rewards, lower fees, and governance power. Key details include a total supply of 200 million XPF, a presale allocation of 60 million tokens, a fixed presale price of 1 XRP = 200 XPF, and a DEX listing price of 1 XRP = 140 XPF. 📝 To participate in the presale, users need to acquire XRP, transfer it to a non-custodial wallet, visit the presale page, and set a trustline for XPF tokens. With over 10,000 XRP already committed, XPFinance is poised to play a significant role in the upcoming XRP DeFi bull run.

➡️ Animoca Brands Eyes NYSE Listing Amid Favorable Crypto Regulations 🚀 Animoca Brands, a prominent player in blockchain gaming and crypto investments, is set to announce its plans for a listing on the New York Stock Exchange soon. Executive Chairman Yat Siu indicated that this move is influenced by U.S. President Donald Trump’s supportive regulatory approach towards digital assets. 📉 Since taking office, Trump has actively reversed Biden-era policies that critics argue stifled innovation in the crypto sector. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has halted lawsuits against digital asset companies, creating a more favorable environment for firms like Animoca. Siu described this period as a

unique moment

for the industry. 🗣 Reflecting on the shift in regulatory landscape, Siu noted,

If the U.S. didn’t do what they did with the regulators [under Biden], we probably would have competitors in the U.S.

He emphasized the importance of seizing this opportunity, stating,

It’s a unique moment in time. I feel like it would be one heck of a wasted opportunity if we didn’t at least try.

💰 Animoca Brands has raised nearly $6 billion in private funding and boasts a diverse investment portfolio that includes Opensea, Kraken, and Consensys. The company reported a revenue surge to $314 million last year, with earnings before taxes rising to $97 million. With substantial cash reserves and digital assets, Animoca is poised for its entry into U.S. public markets. 📈 Siu asserted,

We think we’re the biggest non-financial services crypto firm.

As Animoca prepares for its potential listing, it underscores the Trump administration’s regulatory shift as a pivotal factor in the crypto industry’s expansion.

📈 Standard Chartered Revises Bitcoin Forecast Amid Surging Prices 🚀 Standard Chartered has swiftly adjusted its Bitcoin forecast, admitting that its previous target of $120,000 underestimated the cryptocurrency's recent explosive growth. Geoffrey Kendrick, the bank's head of digital assets, acknowledged in an email to clients that Bitcoin's surge past $100,000 and increasing institutional investment had exceeded his expectations. He stated,

I apologise that my USD120K Q2 target may be too low.

📊 Kendrick's revised outlook comes as Bitcoin continues its aggressive rally, recently surpassing the $100,000 mark. His earlier projection, made last month, anticipated that macroeconomic factors and significant investor buying would drive Bitcoin to new highs by mid-year. At that time, he had stated,

We expect these supportive factors to push BTC to a fresh all-time high around USD 120,000 in Q2.

However, he now believes that the price level that once seemed ambitious is now "very achievable" due to changing market dynamics and increasing institutional interest. 💡 Kendrick pointed out that the narrative surrounding Bitcoin has shifted. He explained,

The dominant story for bitcoin has changed again... It is now all about flows. And flows are coming in many forms.

He attributed the recent upward momentum to $5.3 billion of net inflows into U.S. spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) over the past three weeks. Additionally, he highlighted significant institutional activity as evidence of this trend, including Microstrategy's increase in Bitcoin holdings, Abu Dhabi's sovereign wealth fund investing in Blackrock's IBIT Bitcoin ETF, and the Swiss National Bank purchasing shares in Microstrategy.

🚀 Crypto Expands to Washington, D.C. for Regulatory Engagement 🟢 Crypto has announced its plans to open a regional office in Washington, D.C., marking a strategic move to enhance its engagement with U.S. policymakers. Located near the White House, this office will focus on public and government affairs related to the company's operations in the U.S. 🗣 Matt David, President of North America at Crypto, highlighted the importance of the "maturing regulatory environment" in this decision, stating that the U.S. is a "central" market for the firm's growth. Initially, existing staff will occupy the new office, with plans to fill additional roles soon. 📈 This move comes amidst recent regulatory changes under U.S. President Donald Trump, including the introduction of a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR) to enhance federal cryptocurrency holdings. The administration has positioned these actions as efforts to promote innovation while maintaining market stability. 🌍 Crypto's expansion follows its establishment of a North American headquarters in Tyler, Texas, reflecting the industry's broader efforts to adapt to evolving policy frameworks. The D.C. office aims to facilitate collaboration with federal stakeholders, especially as lawmakers consider crypto-specific legislation. 🟢 As regulatory clarity improves, Crypto joins a growing number of firms prioritizing direct dialogue with the government to navigate the next phase of the sector. However, the company did not provide a specific timeline for the opening of its new office.

🟢 Bitcoin's Current Market Status and Future Outlook 📈 Bitcoin is currently trading at $96,101 with a market capitalization of $1.907 trillion. In the past 24 hours, its trading volume reached $21.413 billion, fluctuating between $95,944 and $97,821. The daily chart shows a bullish trend as Bitcoin has risen from $74,434 to a recent high of $97,938. However, the increasing volume during this rise has started to decrease, indicating a potential loss of bullish momentum. A rising wedge pattern has formed, which often signals impending reversals. The immediate support zone is between $90,000 and $91,000, with secondary support around $84,000. 🔄 The 4-hour chart shows a sideways-to-bearish structure since Bitcoin peaked on May 1. Lower highs are being established, suggesting a possible downtrend, especially with a significant red volume bar recorded on May 2 indicating growing selling pressure. The price is currently fluctuating between $96,000 and $97,000. A decisive break above $97,500 with strong volume could lead to short-term upside movement, while a drop below $96,000 might result in a pullback towards the $94,000 support level. 📉 Short-term signals on the 1-hour chart confirm a bearish outlook. A double top pattern near $97,938 has resolved downward, and the trend is marked by lower highs and lower lows. Volume on red candles has increased, indicating sellers dominate the intraday action. Immediate support is between $95,500 and $95,800; a break below this range could lead to $94,500. Conversely, reclaiming $96,500 with strong bullish volume could allow for intraday long scalps. ⚖️ Oscillator readings across all timeframes show a generally neutral stance. The relative strength index (RSI), Stochastic percentage, commodity channel index (CCI), average directional index (ADX), and Awesome oscillator are all neutral. However, the momentum indicator is signaling a sell, while the moving average convergence divergence (MACD) is in buy territory, reflecting a conflict between short-term selling pressure and longer-term bullish bias.

💰 April 2025: Crypto Industry Faces Significant Losses Due to Phishing Attacks 📉 On April 30, 2025, Certik reported that the crypto industry suffered losses of approximately $364 million due to exploits, hacks, and scams. After accounting for $18.2 million returned, the net loss stood at $345.8 million. Phishing attacks were the primary culprit, accounting for $337 million of the total losses, highlighting the ongoing threat of social engineering in Web3 ecosystems. 🔄 Despite these challenges, there were some positive developments. Whitehat exploiters successfully returned funds to several platforms, including Kiloex, Loopscale, and zkSync. Notably, Loopscale recovered $5.8 million. However, the overall picture remains concerning, with losses in April representing a sharp increase from March's $28.8 million. Certik's findings underscore the urgent need for enhanced security measures to protect digital assets against increasingly sophisticated phishing schemes.

🌐 Bitcoin's New Role: Lombard and Eigenlayer's Groundbreaking Partnership ➡️ Lombard has teamed up with Eigenlayer and the Eigen Foundation to introduce bitcoin into Eigenlayer’s restaking ecosystem for the first time. This integration allows bitcoin (via Lombard’s LBTC) to be used as collateral for decentralized services on Ethereum. 💰 This collaboration enables bitcoin holders to restake LBTC, earning yield while securing Autonomous Verifiable Services (AVSs) such as Layerzero and Babylon-validated networks. Eigenlayer, a prominent Ethereum restaking protocol, will broaden its ecosystem to incorporate bitcoin, which has traditionally been a passive asset. 🔗 Lombard’s LBTC is a liquid staking token native to Ethereum, allowing bitcoin holders to engage in decentralized finance (DeFi) without losing liquidity. The integration offers dual rewards: base yield from Babylon and additional earnings through Eigenlayer restaking. 🚀 The Eigen Foundation will promote LBTC adoption across Eigenlayer’s ecosystem, which comprises over 190 AVSs and 80,000 staking addresses. Lombard and Eigenlayer are also collaborating on slashing risk management research to enhance security for restaked bitcoin. ➡️ A Decentralized Validation Node (DVN), developed with Layerzero, will further enhance bitcoin’s utility by improving cross-chain data availability. This aligns with Eigenlayer’s modular infrastructure, promoting interoperability. 🔄 The partnership signifies a shift for bitcoin from being merely a store of value to becoming an active participant in decentralized innovation. Lombard and Eigenlayer aim to redefine BTC’s role in the evolving blockchain landscape.