Top Stories
Jupiter Rises, After (Air)Dropping
Solana's leading decentralized exchange aggregator, Jupiter, conducted one of the largest airdrops ever on January 31, distributing JUP tokens to nearly a million eligible wallets. This aligns with the ongoing trend of prominent Solana ecosystem protocols launching tokens, enhancing the platform's renewed attention. With several high-profile Solana projects yet to release tokens and three more Jupiter airdrop rounds planned, these launches are expected to fortify the foundation of a revitalized Solana ecosystem. The airdrop also served as a "real-world" stress test for Solana's blockchain, revealing some performance limitations such as overloaded nodes and transaction failures. Despite these challenges, Solana has demonstrated stability, sustaining over 2,000 transactions per second and avoiding widespread blockchain halts. The elevated airdrop activity highlighted the need for ongoing improvements in Solana's fee mechanisms and scalability approaches.
Surge in Layer 2 Solutions
Arbitrum and Optimism have seen significant price surges of 54% and 49%, respectively, in the last two months. Concurrently, alternative Layer 2 solutions (L2s) like Blast, Mantle, and Metis have experienced notable increases in both price and Total Value Locked (TVL). Mantle, with a $2 billion market cap, stands out with a remarkable 100% growth in TVL to $150 million over 60 days. Manta, part of Celestia network, achieved a TVL of $550 million in two months through incentives and airdrop farming. However, the reliance on incentives is evident, as Manta faced challenges like a DDoS attack and fluctuating user counts, emphasizing potential drawbacks of such strategies.
Source: Messari
EtherFi Launches deVamp to Incentivize Eigenlayer Deposit Swaps
EtherFi initiates 'deVamp' to encourage users staking Lidoās stETH, Coinbaseās cbETH, and Binanceās wBETH on Eigenlayer to swiftly convert deposits into eETH. This move eliminates the 7-day withdrawal delay. Users earn 3,000 loyalty points per restaked ETH, and holders of liquid staking tokens (LSTs) can exchange them for eETH, gaining points on the deVamp platform. Traders enjoy fee exemptions and earn 2,000 points per ETH traded. Amid Ethereum staking pool controversies, EtherFi addresses centralization concerns, particularly around Lido Finance's dominance. The protocol commits to supporting minority clients and implements measures like Vamp Badges to deter system manipulation.
Source: DefiLlama
Two Sides of the Same COIN
Coinbase has seen a successful start to 2024 as the custodian for 8 out of 11 recently launched spot bitcoin ETFs. Despite a fee war lowering overall fees, Coinbase's victory is symbolic, establishing trust with major issuers. The ETF success adds complexity to the SEC's legal battle with Coinbase, where a recent hearing hinted at a favorable outcome for the exchange. However, Coinbase's stock (COIN) hasn't performed strongly, dropping from $186.36 to $124.75. Factors contributing to the decline include broader macro sentiment, hotter-than-expected inflation data, and a potential sell-the-news trend. While the ETF approval might be "priced in," the uncertain outcome of the legal battle may be affecting Coinbase's stock performance.
Source: The Block
The Graph Stays on the Board
In Q4'23, The Graph's decentralized network reported a 14% QoQ increase in published subgraphs, reaching a total of 1,509, reflecting a substantial 144% YoY growth. Despite a 6% decline in indexing rewards denominated in GRT terms, the rewards in USD surged by 24% QoQ, reaching nearly $10 million. This increase was driven by the rise in the GRT/USD exchange rates. On the demand side, revenue experienced a downturn, decreasing by 10% in USD terms and a more significant 25% in GRT terms on a quarterly basis, attributed to optimizations in query pricing. The Graph introduced an upgrade to its Indexer, facilitating the transition of hosted service subgraphs to the decentralized network, aligning with the broader initiative for decentralized data. Additionally, The Graph unveiled a roadmap addressing various data service needs, including improvements to Indexer tooling and the introduction of new data services like SQL, file hosting, and LLMs.
Source: Messari
Telecom Giant TelefĆ³nica Launches Solana-Powered Helium Mobile Hotspots
TelefĆ³nica, a global telecom provider, has teamed up with Nova Labs to launch Helium Mobile hotspots in Mexico City and Oaxaca. Operating on the Helium 5G network, these hotspots enable TelefĆ³nica to expand mobile coverage and offload data traffic in Mexico. Configured to authenticate through customers' existing SIM cards, the hotspots connect to TelefĆ³nica's network while utilizing Helium 5G for data transmission. TelefĆ³nica, with 383 million customers across Europe and Latin America, pioneers the deployment of Helium Mobile hardware among major carriers in Mexico. This collaboration aligns with TelefĆ³nica's strategy to explore cost-effective, cooperative solutions for coverage expansion, showcasing the potential integration of decentralized physical infrastructure networks. The crowdsourced model, reducing infrastructure costs, positions Helium Mobile as an innovative, community-driven network.
More Than a FEEling
Solana (SOL) and Ethereum (ETH) have experienced varying trends recently, showcasing differences in their market dynamics. Solana, after a momentary dip in excitement, has seen a resurgence, particularly with the airdrop of the new memecoin WEN to over a million wallets. Despite a temporary drop in active addresses, Solana has rebounded, reaching 767k from a low of 580k this month, with new addresses hitting a record high of 458k. The network faced a decline in its native token (SOL) price, dropping to $80 from over $120 in late 2023 but has since recovered to $99. Solana's ecosystem is vibrant, with activities like staking PYTH and Drift's points program gaining popularity. However, a notable metric lagging behind is the ratio of decentralized exchange (DEX) volume on Solana compared to Ethereum. While Solana achieved a remarkable 40% of Ethereum's DEX volume in December 2023, it has now receded to 17.6%. The decline may be attributed to the waning popularity of certain memecoins on Solana, leading to decreased trading volumes. The recent launch of WEN and increased activity on platforms like Jupiter could potentially reverse this trend in the coming weeks.
Source: The Block
Regulation
Bank of England and UK Treasury Undecided on Digital Pound
The Bank of England and UK Treasury remain undecided on the necessity of a digital pound but express interest in continued research and design efforts for such a digital asset. While stating that it's premature to make a definitive decision, they believe further preparatory work is justified. This approach aims to stay responsive to changes in the payments landscape and reduce lead time if a decision is made to introduce a digital pound. The stance is a response to a consultation paper from February, which explored the concept of a central bank digital currency in the form of a digital pound.
FTX Decides Against Relaunch, Plans Full Repayment to Former Customers
Defunct crypto exchange FTX has announced it will not relaunch its platform but aims to repay former customers in full. FTX's lawyer, Andrew Dietderich, stated that the company anticipates having sufficient funds to fulfill all allowed customer and creditor claims entirely. Despite possessing valuable customer data for monetization, no investor is willing to commit the required capital for restarting the offshore exchange. Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried, found guilty of defrauding customers, lenders, and investors, led the exchange before it filed for bankruptcy in November 2022.
US files notice to sell $130M in bitcoin linked to Silk Road agent
The United States has filed a notice to sell over $130 million in bitcoin associated with forfeitures related to the Silk Road case. The sale includes two lots of bitcoin, with the larger lot consisting of approximately 2,800 BTC valued at around $129 million, and the second lot comprising 58 BTC with an estimated value of $3 million. These bitcoins are linked to Ryan Farace, convicted of money laundering conspiracy, and Shaun Bridges, a former Secret Service agent involved in the Silk Road Task Force. The funds are associated with darknet transactions and the theft of BTC during the Silk Road investigation.
OpenSea Open To Acquisition
OpenSea, facing challenges after the NFT market collapse, is considering acquisitions, according to CEO Devin Finzer. The NFT marketplace, once valued at $13.3 billion, has seen a drastic drop in monthly trading volume. Finzer remains open-minded about potential partnerships or acquisitions. While OpenSea has faced competition from platforms like Blur, which surpassed it in daily trading volume, Finzer is focused on building a brand that prioritizes user safety. OpenSea, previously backed by venture capitalists like Andreessen Horowitz and Coatue Management, had its valuation slashed by Coatue in November 2022. The company has previously acquired Gem, Dharma, and Mintdrop, emphasizing a focus on talent in acquisitions.
Coinbase's App Store Ranking Amidst Challenges
Coinbase's stock price isn't the only metric facing challenges; its App Store ranking tells a similar story. Despite recent victories, including custodianship for eight spot bitcoin ETFs and a positive stance in a legal battle with the SEC, Coinbase's app ranking has declined. The app, which once held the top spot in 2021, has slipped in recent months, reaching 43rd place. The decline may be attributed to crypto market fluctuations post-ETF approval and investors seeking exposure through alternative avenues like ETFs with lower fees in their primary brokerage accounts. While Coinbase's custodianship is a win, the evolving landscape raises questions about its future trading business amid new investor options. See more: Phantom flipped Coinbase in app store downloads
Source: SensorTower
CFTC Issues Seminal Report on Decentralized Finance
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has released a significant report titled "Decentralized Finance," marking the first in-depth exploration from a U.S. government subcommittee. The Digital Assets and Blockchain Technology Subcommittee of the Technology Advisory Committee (TAC) created the report to assist the Department of Treasury in understanding the risks associated with DeFi. It emphasizes the spectrum of decentralization in DeFi solutions and recommends a balanced assessment of benefits and risks, emphasizing transparency and efficiency while addressing vulnerabilities to fraud and regulatory violations. The report advocates for measures to identify individuals in DeFi, KYC features, and enhanced anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CTF) efforts. It also calls for increased collaboration and engagement with regulatory agencies and DeFi builders to understand and regulate the sector effectively.
Other Domestic Regulation Updates
- Tokenization top of mind for Taurus in 2024 after FINMA approval
- Report: U.S. SEC Took 46 Actions Against Crypto Firms in 2023 Ā
- Google Changes Advertising Policy to Allow Bitcoin ETF Ads
- Ripple co-founder and Executive Chairman Chris Larsen said on Twitter (aka X) that there "was unauthorized access to a few of my personal XRP accounts."
Other International Regulation Updates
- EU Extends Strict AML, Terrorist Financing Rules to Crypto
- Hong Kong Sets Exchange Insurance Requirement at 50% of Customer Assets
- UK Dark Web Dealer Surrenders $340 Million In Bitcoin Under Plea Deal
- A U.S. judge rejected Binance founderĀ CZ's request to travel to the UAE last month
- Finland's National Bureau of Investigation (KRP) is claiming it was able to track Monero transactions, despite the coin's privacy-centric design. Quantum computing?Ā Human error, most likely
- Dubai Licenses OKX Exchange to Sell to Retail Investors
Pain & Gain
Pain
- Spot bitcoin ETFs saw the highest level of net outflows in a single day
- Floki Inu has blocked users in Hong Kong from accessing its staking programs
Gain
- January was the first $50M+ volume month for on-chain prediction markets
- Bitwise says bitcoin received to ETF wallet will benefit the fundās shareholders
- Bitcoin-based DEX Portal raises $34 million in seed funding from Coinbase Ventures and others
- Manta co-founder on why Manta Pacific became the third-largest Layer 2 network by TVL
- Solana Flips Ethereum in DeFi Trading as Jupiter Airdrop Nears
- Solana signups surge to record highs amid WEN token airdrop
- Mining rig maker Canaan raises $50 million in preferred shares financing
- Onchain Crypto Users Grew By Record 62M in 2023
- Transaction Fees on Ethereum Layer 2s Surged 400% Last Year
Important Legal Notices
This reflects the views MJL Capital LLC (āMJLā), but it should in no way be construed to represent financial or investment advice. Nothing in this correspondence is intended to constitute or form part of, and should not be construed as, an issue for sale or subscription of, or solicitation of any offer or invitation to subscribe for, underwrite, or otherwise acquire or dispose of any security, including any interest in any private investment fund managed by MJL. Any such offer may only be made pursuant to a formal confidential private placement memorandum of any such fund, which may be furnished to potential investors upon request and which will contain important information to be considered in connection with any such investment, including risk factors associated with making any investment in any such fund. Further, nothing in this correspondence is, or is intended to be treated as, investment or tax advice. Each recipient should consult their own legal, tax and other professional advisors in connection with investment decisions.
Domenic Salvo is a Managing Partner at MJL Capital, helping lead Portfolio Research and Investor Relations.
