The world's largest crypto exchange,Binance, announced a massive listing event today, adding several new pairs to its roster. In a recent blog announcement, the black and yellow crypto giant revealed APE/FDUSD, FDUSD/USDC, HBAR/USDC, OM/USDC, RAY/USDC, TAO/USDC and TURBO/FDUSD as newly listed pairs. Binance has also extended its Trading Bots services to these pairs, enabling automated trading strategies for users.

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As you can see, the tokens in the latest wave of listings are all different in nature. Here we can see some artificial intelligence plays in the face of TAO from Bittensor. Also, severalmeme coins, such as APE and Turbo, which were already listed there, received new pairings.

Raydium’s RAY token, another new entrant, is tied to theSolana ecosystem and highlights the platform's increasing traction among traders. Solana-based decentralized exchanges like Raydium and Meteora have become focal points for trading tokens within the SOL network this cycle, many of which are meme coins, obviously.

In contrast, the listing of HBAR and OM offers a more grounded perspective, representing real-world asset tokenization and enterprise-focused crypto solutions. HBAR has established itself as a key player in distributed ledger technology, while OM focuses on bridging digital and physical asset ecosystems.

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All in all,Binance seems to be ticking all the boxes with its new offerings, giving market participants a glimpse of what is trending on the crypto market right now. As the market looks to record volumes in the coming years, the rivalry between exchanges is heating up, and such offerings are necessary to maintain a leading position there.

According to PANews, a notable transaction involving a cryptocurrency whale has been observed by Onchain Lens. The whale, identified on the blockchain as 'chartrapist.eth,' initially purchased 1,395 DOGE tokens for 620 USDC. However, six days later, the whale sold these tokens for 3.09 million USDC, resulting in a substantial loss of 3.11 million USDC.

This transaction highlights the volatile nature of the cryptocurrency market, where significant financial movements can occur rapidly. The whale's decision to sell at a loss underscores the unpredictable price fluctuations that can impact even large-scale investors. Such transactions are closely monitored by blockchain analysts to understand market trends and investor behavior.

The sale of DOGE at a loss by 'chartrapist.eth' adds to the ongoing discussions about the risks and rewards associated with cryptocurrency investments. As the market continues to evolve, investors are advised to remain vigilant and informed about potential market shifts that could affect their holdings.

TLDR

Coinbase Wallet launches 4.7% APY rewards program for USDC holders

Program features monthly payouts with no lock-up periods

Available globally, including US rollout this week

Supports multiple blockchain networks (Base, Ethereum, Polygon, etc.)

Zero-fee transactions available on Base network

The cryptocurrency landscape saw a notable development this week as Coinbase Wallet announced the launch of its USDC Rewards program, offering users a 4.7% annual percentage yield (APY) on their USDC holdings.

The program, which began rolling out on November 20, 2024, requires no lock-up periods and provides monthly payouts directly to users’ wallets.

USDC, a stablecoin designed to maintain a one-to-one value with the US dollar, combines traditional currency stability with digital transaction capabilities. The new rewards program allows users to earn passive income simply by holding USDC in their Coinbase Wallet.

The program’s reach extends across multiple blockchain networks, including Base, Ethereum, Arbitrum, Avalanche C-Chain, Polygon, and Optimism. This multi-chain compatibility provides users with flexibility in how they manage their digital assets.

For users on the Base network, Coinbase has eliminated transaction fees entirely. This means customers can send USDC to friends or business partners worldwide without incurring additional costs, making it more economical than traditional payment methods.

Monthly reward payments are automatically deposited into users’ wallets, streamlining the earning process. The program’s automation means users don’t need to actively manage their rewards or manually claim them.

While the program is available in most regions worldwide, American users are receiving access this week. The reward rates may vary by region, with current rates displayed within eligible users’ wallets.

To participate in the program, users need to download Coinbase Wallet and activate USDC rewards through the asset page if they’re eligible. The process has been designed for straightforward user implementation.

The stablecoin’s structure ensures that USDC maintains its dollar peg, providing stability for users who want to earn rewards without exposure to cryptocurrency price volatility. Each USDC token is designed to be redeemable for one US dollar.

Cross-border payment capabilities remain a key feature of the USDC system. Users can send and receive payments instantly across international boundaries, potentially reducing the time and complexity associated with traditional banking transfers.

The launch comes during a period of increased interest in stablecoin integration within financial services. Throughout 2024, various companies including Circle, Visa, and PayPal have pursued stablecoin-related projects and partnerships.

Payment providers and fintech companies have been working to incorporate stablecoins into their platforms, enabling users to settle accounts and make payments using these digital assets.

The compatibility of major stablecoins like USDC with various blockchain networks has helped create connections between different payment systems, potentially improving the overall user experience in digital transactions.

In related developments, reports emerged this week about potential changes in the regulatory landscape. The Wall Street Journal reported that President-Elect Donald Trump planned to meet with Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong regarding personnel appointments.

The report mentioned Armstrong’s recommendation of former SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce as a potential head of the Securities and Exchange Commission, amid ongoing regulatory discussions between Coinbase and the SEC.

Trump had previously announced plans to establish a presidential advisory commission focused on bitcoin and cryptocurrency if elected, with the goal of developing clear regulatory guidance for the sector.

The post Earn While You Hold: Coinbase’s New USDC Rewards Program appeared first on Blockonomi.

Ethereum still dominates the stablecoin market, despite hype for minting tokens on other chains. The chain has 52.59% of the stablecoin supply, in addition to the most active usage based on smart contract data. 

The Ethereum chain is still important for stablecoin supply and turnover. Despite the hype for new mints on TRON and Solana, Ethereum’s supply is still not replaceable. The chain carries 52.59% of the total stablecoin supply, with a mix of USDT, USDC, and multiple algorithmic stablecoins. 

Ethereum’s dominance happens at a time when the overall stablecoin supply is at an all-time high. A total of $174.7B in value is locked in stablecoins, with the bulk concentrated with USDT and USDC, as well as DAI, currently being swapped for USDS. USDT alone has a supply of more than 129B, accrued after the past days of active daily inflows and new mints. 

To underscore the importance of Ethereum’s version of USDT, recently Tether moved $2B in tokens, burning them on less active chains to boost exchange reserves of the ERC-20 version. The increased usage of stablecoins on Ethereum is tied to the current peak CEX activity, especially the concentration of liquidity and volumes on Binance. The ERC-20 version of USDT has a turnover of 114% of its supply each day, rising higher during the busiest trading days.

Ethereum sees highly active usage of USDT, with activity spikes in November. | Source: Artemis

Additionally, Ethereum carries more than 27B USDC, with over 2.4M holders. USDC remains a key addition to USDT liquidity, due to the token’s more transparent reserves. USDC is also replacing stablecoins in the Euro area, due to stricter requirements for cash reserves. 

The ERC-20 version of USDT is the oldest and most widely adopted stablecoin, with the biggest selection of trading pairs. The primacy means tokens from other networks cannot easily displace the asset. The ERC-20 version is also needed to bridge to Arbitrum, Optimism, Base, and other chains that contain highly active apps. 

Stablecoin liquidity remains siloed, with a big part locked into the TRON ecosystem. However, Ethereum’s L1 stablecoin transfers are at the heart of crypto activity. 

Tether remains the top smart contract

Tether is usually among the top 3 smart contracts on Ethereum, barring day-to-day activity fluctuations. The stablecoin burns more than 6% of all gas on Ethereum, producing more than $285K in daily gas fees. Separately, the Tether protocol sees $13.37M in daily fees, based on data from DeFi Llama.  

USDT has a marked weekly pattern of transfers, with the busiest times during mid-week rallies, and lower activity on weekends. In the past three months, transfers have ranged between $5B daily to above $48B daily. 

While ERC-20 USDT can carry small-scale transactions, the stablecoin was used for high-value transfers of $1.2B on average. 

Despite being the most widely traded stablecoin, ERC-20 USDT is not the most active on-chain. Other networks have a higher transfer rate, as well as more senders and receivers. The Ethereum stablecoin version is more widely used for transfers between protocols and smart contract settlements. 

The biggest user of ERC-20 USDT is still Binance, followed by OKX. The actual trading does not happen on-chain, leading to a lower overall sender and receiver count. 

The bulk of high-speed payments for USDT happen on TRON, and Solana is a hotspot for USDC activity. Ethereum carries both USDT and USDC, though with a different transaction profile, focusing on liquidity and secure transfers. Ethereum’s stablecoin supply is also key to its DeFi sector. The chain locks in more than $59B in various protocols. At the same time, the stablecoin supply on Ethereum is estimated at $97.18B. USDT is often used in liquidity pairs, as well as in lending protocols. USDT has also been used as collateral to issue other types of stablecoins. 

The Ethereum version of USDT has 6,378,609 holders, while on TRON more than 53M wallets hold the token. TRON is also the chain where USDT is used for payments, with a strong section of transactions between $10-100K. 

The presence of stablecoins on Ethereum has not helped the ETH market price. ETH remains suppressed, trading under $3,100 while Bitcoin (BTC) continues to trade near its all-time peak above $94,000.

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USDT now accounts for 70% of the stablecoin market cap, reaching ~$184 billion amid increasing activity on the Tron blockchain.

Tron leads USDT transactions, contributing $61.7 billion in activity due to its efficiency and cost-effective network.

Despite regulatory backing for USDC, USDT’s adoption highlights the significance of network performance and user preferences.

There have still been significant swings in the stablecoin market and while USDT is fast becoming the most dominant stablecoin with an approximate 70% of the total market cap. Such dominance comes as the global market value of stablecoins hit an estimated figure of $184.02 billion. While USDT is still a preferred option to wash coins by regulators and institutions compared to USDC, the continuously growing market share of USDT proves the world is changing.

Growth Fueled by Tron Activity and Regulatory Implications

A strong usage case for USDT is significant activity connected to the Tron blockchain: approximately $61.7 billion out of the total. Due to its low transaction cost and high TPS, Tron has become a popular choice for stablecoin usage mostly for areas where the cost of transactions is crucial. This has placed USDT at the forefront while USDC has a more embracing regulatory recognition and acceptance in traditional financial systems.

https://twitter.com/LeonWaidmann/status/1859137100492534110

Although USDC is in the category of stablecoins that are known to have a working in harmony with the regulators’ stance, it has not experienced the freedom to take more market share of the market. However, according to millionaires, the strategic control of emerging markets, especially decentralized finance (DeFi) has contributed to the continued high growth rates of USDT. 

A Shift Worth Monitoring

The fast pace of growth of the share of USDT can be considered as an important trend in the development of stablecoins. Since stablecoins have a growing utilization in global crypto markets, the utilization patterns provide information about user’s preferences regarding the networks as well as the liquidity of the markets. Market participants shall probably remain cautious of how regulatory environments affect the competition between USDT, USDC, and other stablecoins in the long term.This increase in the market share is also a sign of change in the stable coin market, especially the importance of the infrastructure decision, and geographical preference. 

The post Stablecoin Wars: USDT’s 70% Share Signals a Shift in Preferences appeared first on Crypto News Land.

Solana is showing peak activity, though not only meme tokens are responsible for the increased growth. Stablecoins have been flowing into Solana at peak levels. 

Solana reached a record for daily stablecoin inflows. In the past few weeks, Solana has been increasing its value locked, to over $8.39B, of which around $4.5B are in the form of bridged stablecoins. The supply of stablecoins on Solana increased to levels not seen since the crash of FTX at the end of 2022. The bulk of the growth came from USDC, which added another 1B tokens from October 20 to date. 

Solana saw more active inflows of USDC in the past 30 days. | Source: Dune Analytics

The additional growth of stablecoins arrives at a time when Solana is close to its price record, stabilizing around $232.51. SOL also traded on the highest volumes since its peak in March 2024. Open interest for SOL was also near a three-year high at $3.69B. 

The latest inflow coincided with the launch of USDS on Solana. The stablecoin by Sky Ecosystem, formerly Maker, is still a limited addition to the total balance. The bulk of stablecoin flows come from bridged USDT and USDC. Stablecoin usage remains one of the key features of top blockchains, especially Ethereum and TRON. Solana is also turning into a more liquid hub for trades, payments, DeFi, or other use cases. 

The other factor for Solana is the renewal of crypto invoicing and payments through Stripe. Solana is one of the networks to carry USDC, leading to some of the increased traffic. DeFi usage, DEX, and token transactions are also adding to the need for more stablecoins. 

Solana’s network marks increased stablecoin usage

Solana sees not only bulk inflows but also increased usage and turnover of the bridged assets. The transaction value doubled to $446B in the past 30 days, while the number of transactions is up by 50% in the past month. The average transaction size on Solana is more than $17K, barring days of trading anomalies. 

Solana increased both its supply and turnover of stableoins, aiming to return to levels since before the 2022 crash. | Source: Artemis

While SOL tokens are mostly used for decentralized trading, stablecoins offer additional utility in DeFi, lending protocols, or as a tool for low-cost payments. The increased usage coincides with peak Solana transaction activity for all assets. 

In addition to stablecoins, Solana also brings in more than $1.4B in bridged tokens. Some of the Ethereum memes can find more active turnover on Solana, in addition to cheaper swaps. Multiple top Ethereum tokens have bridged supply to Solana, to tap active Raydium trading. 

Jupiter is the biggest user of stablecoins, both through its aggregator and its native DEX. The app holds $437.5M in USD value in various stablecoins. In total, the DEX has $2.24B in value locked, growing exponentially in the past few months. 

Another $1.43B in tokens, bridged assets, and stablecoins is locked on the Aerodrome DEX. Aerodrome uses USDC for its targeted liquidity pairs, becoming one of the causes of stablecoin inflows. 

Solana ecosystem keeps posting record fees

The Solana ecosystem continues posting extremely high daily fees, often out-competing other top apps. After a series of daily records, the Raydium DEX flipped Tether as the biggest daily fee producer. The DEX posted more than $15M in fees from users, as meme token activity accelerated. 

Raydium hosts around 1.43% of all tokens launched on Pump.fun. During the latest meme token boom, Pump.fun produced up to 51K launches daily. This was enough to boost Raydium with newly trending pairs. Raydium uses mostly SOL for its base pair but has a highly active SOL/USDC pair for cashing out into intuitive dollar-denominated positions. 

Jito, the MEV and validator service, produced $11.95M in daily fees, while the Solana main chain reached $11.26M in fees. All three services surpassed Ethereum, which produces a fixed amount of incentives for its validators. Additionally, Ethereum has seen an outflow to L2 chains, while Solana continues to handle the traffic without outages or problems. 

Solana is not free and still requires significant priority fees and bribes to make sure transactions go through. Despite this, Solana manages to carry the biggest meme token traffic, surpassing BNB Chain and Base. Solana carries more than 68% of overall meme token activity, based on Cryptorank data. 

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Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, has expanded its trading portfolio by introducing seven new pairs: APE/FDUSD, FDUSD/USDC, HBAR/USDC, OM/USDC, RAY/USDC, TAO/USDC, and TURBO/FDUSD. The announcement also revealed the extension of Binance’s Trading Bots services to these pairs, enabling users to implement automated strategies for streamlined trading. Diverse Additions to Meet Market Trends The newly …

Continue reading "Binance Adds 7 New Crypto Trading Pairs"

The post Binance Adds 7 New Crypto Trading Pairs appeared first on Cryptoknowmics-Crypto News and Media Platform.

According to BlockBeats, on November 19, Whale Alert reported that the USDC Treasury destroyed 118,573,070 USDC earlier this morning. This significant transaction was detected by the monitoring service, highlighting a substantial reduction in the circulating supply of the stablecoin.

The destruction of such a large amount of USDC could have implications for the stablecoin market, potentially affecting liquidity and market dynamics. The reasons behind this move by the USDC Treasury have not been disclosed, leaving market participants to speculate on the motivations and potential impacts on the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem.

Stablecoins like USDC are often used for trading and as a hedge against volatility in the cryptocurrency market. The destruction of a large volume of these coins can influence market sentiment and trading strategies. As the market absorbs this development, stakeholders will be closely monitoring any subsequent actions by the USDC Treasury and their effects on the stablecoin's value and utility.

Getting cash without selling your crypto holdings used to require navigating complex decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols, but a new platform called Rocko is making crypto-backed loans simpler than ever.

In this article, we'll take an in-depth look at Rocko and how it streamlines the process of borrowing against your digital assets. By the end, you'll understand why Rocko could become your go-to solution for accessing funds while maintaining ownership of your crypto.

So whether you're a seasoned DeFi pro or just getting started, keep reading to learn how Rocko can help unlock the value of your blockchain bags. Rocko might just become your new crypto credit card.

Simplifying DeFi lending

DeFi protocols allow crypto holders to leverage their digital assets in new ways. For example, you can deposit crypto as collateral and take out a loan denominated in a stablecoin like USDC. This provides cash in hand while keeping your original crypto.

The catch has been that directly using DeFi can be downright daunting. You need crypto wallets, an understanding of smart contracts, and technical know-how. Additionally, you need to research different protocols and evaluate which offers the best rates. This high barrier limits DeFi mostly to crypto nerds. 

Enter Rocko. By acting as an easy-to-use interface and marketplace for the top DeFi protocols, Rocko removes much of the intrinsic complexity of DeFi lending and enables you to easily compare rates and access crypto-backed loans. Setting up a loan takes just a few clicks on their website - no coding skills required.

You select your loan amount, collateral type and amount, lending protocol/loan terms, and where to send the borrowed funds. Upon finalizing your selections, you’ll receive a non-custodial Rocko smart wallet that will work behind the scenes and integrate with lending protocols to deposit your collateral and transfer your funds to your specified account/wallet.

Feature Crypto-Backed Loans Traditional Loans Collateral Crypto assets (e.g., ETH, BTC) Typically fiat currency, real estate, or other assets Credit Check No credit check required Credit check required Interest Rates Often lower than traditional lenders Generally higher than DeFi loans Loan Terms More flexible, often open-ended Fixed terms and repayment schedules Accessibility Available to anyone with crypto assets Restricted by credit history and income requirements Custody Non-custodial, users maintain control of assets Custodial, lender maintains control of collateral

In other words, Rocko streamlines DeFi borrowing down to a simple and quick process while leveraging the powerful and transparent structures of protocols like Aave and Compound. This lower barrier means almost anyone can now benefit from crypto-backed loans.

Competitive rates and flexible terms

When exploring traditional loans, you're often limited to standardized terms and rates set by the bank. With Rocko, you have much more flexibility to customize loans to your specific needs.

Firstly, Rocko provides access to a variety of lending protocols on Ethereum, Base, and Arbitrum, each offering their own unique interest rates. This allows borrowers to compare terms and leverage the best rates across the DeFi ecosystem.

No need to worry about monthly minimum payments either -  repay the principal plus interest on your own schedule.

Perhaps best of all, you can easily refinance your loan through Rocko if rates fall. Just a few clicks allows you to switch protocols and keep costs low, something traditional banks don't allow. Rocko puts the borrower fully in control.

Using crypto as collateral

When leveraging DeFi lending, crypto assets are used as collateral to back the loans. With Rocko, you can use Ether, Wrapped Bitcoin, and other coins as collateral. Rocko supports collateralizing 10 tokens that each have their own loan-to-value ratios:

Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC)

Coinbase Wrapped BTC (CBBTC)

Threshold tBTC (TBTC)

Ethereum (ETH)

Wrapped Liquid Staked Ether 2.0 (WSTETH)

Coinbase Wrapped Staked ETH (CBETH)

Chainlink (LINK)

Uniswap (UNI)

Compound (COMP)

Aave (AAVE)

For each protocol, there are different collateral requirements like loan-to-value ratios. Rocko provides all key information and streamlines the process so you can choose the best option for your loan.

A major perk of DeFi loans using Rocko is that your crypto collateral isn’t stored with a centralized custodian, exposing you to counterparty risk, but instead in an audited smart contract. Additionally, using your crypto as collateral allows you to maintain exposure to potential price increases while accessing cash.

Funds delivered almost instantly

After finalizing your loan and depositing collateral, your loan is sent to you almost instantly. You’ll get your loan in USDC, one of the most popular stablecoins, providing stability regardless of crypto markets.

Better yet, Rocko seamlessly integrates with Coinbase and other exchanges. Within minutes, you can opt to send your loan directly into an exchange account. From there, a few clicks convert it to fiat for spending on anything from real estate to paying down higher-interest debt.

The speed and convenience of this process truly sets Rocko apart from traditional routes that can take weeks. Your crypto is working for you without having to sell. 

Comprehensive loan management

Once your Rocko loan is open, their powerful dashboard provides ongoing management tools. Track your current balance, collateral amount, interest rate, and more. You can also:

Borrow additional funds Make payments

Adjust your collateral amount

View any rewards earned from lending protocols

Set collateral value and rate alerts by SMS or email

Rocko's dashboard also clearly displays the necessary loan-to-value amount you need to maintain for your loan and enables you to set up SMS or email alerts so you can monitor any changes due to price volatility. buffer amounts. You can then top up collateral or pay down balances proactively to avoid liquidation - a critical safety feature.

It's like a personal finance app, but focused entirely on crypto-backed loans. This level of control and transparency is rare among traditional lenders.

Security and support

Understandably, security is a top concern when dealing with any financial platform. On this front, Rocko has implemented robust protections for both users and the platform itself.

Importantly, all Rocko wallets are fully non-custodial. This means only you control private keys and have access to funds. You can easily set up multi-factor authentication to better protect access to your wallet and funds. Also, Rocko never stores your collateral and loan proceeds.

Their platform only supports DeFi protocols that undergo comprehensive third-party security audits. This provides an extra assurance layer that underlying smart contracts powering loans are thoroughly vetted.

For any questions along your lending journey, Rocko also offers customer support. Speak to an expert about signing up, funding loans, using advanced features, or managing risk. It's a refreshing change from self-serve DeFi interfaces.

Bringing crypto lending to the masses

By simplifying access to DeFi lending, Rocko is primed to usher in mainstream adoption of crypto-backed loans. No longer must crypto owners choose between holding or selling - they can now leverage holdings to access cash on their own terms.

With competitive rates, customizable terms, and powerful risk management tools, Rocko streamlines a process that was previously too complex or risky for most. For those looking to utilize holdings or unlock liquidity, their platform is a true game changer.

With continued progress, platforms like Rocko may render traditional lending obsolete. If you hold crypto and occasionally need access to cash, Rocko could be your easiest and most powerful solution. Use Rocko to ensure you’re getting the best rate on your loan. Sign up and get funds in minutes!