DeFi's Rising Stars: Protocols & Strategic Investment Insights



In the ever-evolving landscape of decentralized finance (DeFi), innovation springs from unexpected corners. As we step into the new year, here's a peek at four burgeoning DeFi protocols that have been quietly making waves, but might not have reached your radar yet.



1. Stake Stone - Powering Liquidity Across Chains

Stake Stone, an omni-chain Liquid Staking token developed by LayerZero Labs, has swiftly climbed the ranks. Leveraging the OFT standard for seamless cross-chain transfers, $STONE (the LST) has seen users staking on ETH, transitioning to Manta Network, and participating in LP for the STONE-WETH pool. With TVL surging to $522m within a mere three weeks, its aim to grab airdrops from Stake Stone and Manta stands testament to its rapid growth.



2. LayerBankFi - Pioneering Lending on Manta Network

A lending protocol situated on Manta, LayerBankFi has amassed an impressive $259m in TVL within a similar time frame. Noteworthy lending pools like $wUSDM, $STONE, and $TIA are part of Layerbank's Manta Incentivization program, offering avenues for earning $MANTA tokens, contributing significantly to its swift ascent.



3. MountainUSDM - The Backbone of Yield-Bearing Stablecoin

The driving force behind $USDM, a yield-bearing stablecoin secured by US T-Bills, MountainUSDM's listing on Manta Network has led to a fivefold increase in TVL, now standing at $141m.



4. DriftProtocol - Solana's Gateway to Perpetual Dex

DriftProtocol, a Perp Dex entrenched in Solana's ecosystem, offers an array of order types coupled with low fees. The inclusion of 'retail friendly' assets such as $SEI, $INJ, $TIA has substantially bolstered volumes and TVL, currently at $115m.



Insights from the Community

Wondering what some industry experts think about these emerging protocols? The perspectives of various thought leaders and analysts like @0xMughal, @arndxt_xo, @0xTindorr, and others offer valuable insights into the potential growth trajectories of these protocols.



The recent leverage-driven market downturn has presented unique opportunities for smart-money investors to strategically position themselves for potential gains. Here are five strategies being considered:



1) Identifying Resilient Altcoins:

Seeking out altcoins that exhibited strength during the flash crash is a primary focus. Examples include tokens within AI, trading hubs, and Layer 2 solutions, showcasing resilience amidst market turbulence.



2) Anticipating Post-ETF Narratives:

Foreseeing the next significant narrative post-ETF approval involves a keen eye on Ethereum rollups. The Dencun Upgrade's testnet launch is expected to significantly reduce data posting costs, thereby enhancing the profitability of Rollups. Tokens associated with Layer 2 solutions might also gain traction in this context.



3) Exploring Solana Airdrop Opportunities:

Despite the market's focus on the crash, potential airdrop opportunities on Solana remain. Speculation suggests significant airdrops from various projects operating within the Solana ecosystem.



4) Staking Strategies and Airdrop Expectations:

Smart-money stakeholders are observed staking specific tokens, anticipating airdrops from various projects, showcasing interest in potential yield or reward opportunities.



5) Eyeing Emerging Chains and Unique Narratives:

Keeping an eye on emerging chains like Cosmos and narratives around parallelized EVMs are areas of interest. Additionally, monitoring meme-coin protocols and their potential implications is on the radar.



Now, to uncover the 4 fastest growing protocols flying under the radar in the ever-evolving landscape of decentralized finance (DeFi); discovering promising protocols early can be a rewarding endeavor. Here, we shine a spotlight on four protocols that have been quietly gaining momentum, thanks to the insights of market navigators and early adopters.



- @ether_fi: Liquid Restaking on Eigenlayer

@ether_fi has carved its niche as a Liquid Restaking protocol on Eigenlayer. Functioning as a support for staking native $ETH, it introduces reward-bearing (eETH) and rebasing (weETH) versions of LRT. Notably, the protocol distributes all Eigen Points to users and operates its EtherFi points program, complete with an upcoming airdrop, and a referral program. With rapid growth, the Total Value Locked (TVL) has soared to $140 million, making it a notable player in the DeFi space.



- @ALEXLabBTC: Financial Hub on Stacks

@ALEXLabBTC operates as a financial hub on @Stacks, effectively functioning as a Layer 2 to Bitcoin. Users benefit from the ability to swap various $BTC-related assets, bridge from Bitcoin to Stacks, and stake LP tokens and $ALEX for rewards. Positioned as an essential bridge between Bitcoin and DeFi, it has attracted attention for its innovative approach.



- @kinzafinance: Lending Protocol on BSC and opBNB

@kinzafinance has swiftly risen as a lending protocol on Binance Smart Chain (BSC) and opBNB. Boasting a remarkable TVL growth to $111 million in just two months, it has penetrated the top 10 protocols. The surge can be attributed, in part, to an airdrop points campaign. However, the true test lies in whether this growth will translate into sustained organic usage over time.



- @Parcl: RWA Protocol on Solana

@Parcl stands out as a Real World Asset (RWA) protocol on Solana, offering a unique proposition in global real estate trading. Facilitating synthetic versions of various real estate indices, it allows for leverage trading on its Perpetual Dex. Impressively, the TVL has reached $32 million in just three weeks. Much like its counterparts, Parcl has implemented a points program with a likely upcoming airdrop.



Special Thanks:



The insights provided in this exploration are credited to market navigators and early adopters who have diligently tracked these protocols. The valuable contributions of individuals such as @0xMughal, @arndxt_xo, @defitrader_, and many others have been instrumental in uncovering these promising projects.



Disclaimer:



It is crucial to note that this information is not financial advice (NFA). The protocols mentioned carry inherent risks, and individuals are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research (DYOR). Additionally, members of the @loch_chain team may hold some of these tokens. Always exercise due diligence before making any financial decisions in the rapidly evolving DeFi space.



Via https://twitter.com/Prithvir12/status/1745342468487598341

https://twitter.com/Prithvir12/status/1742956234230358030

https://twitter.com/Prithvir12/status/1742539081630748720

DeFi's Rising Stars: Protocols & Strategic Investment Insights



In the ever-evolving landscape of decentralized finance (DeFi), innovation springs from unexpected corners. As we step into the new year, here's a peek at four burgeoning DeFi protocols that have been quietly making waves, but might not have reached your radar yet.



1. Stake Stone - Powering Liquidity Across Chains

Stake Stone, an omni-chain Liquid Staking token developed by LayerZero Labs, has swiftly climbed the ranks. Leveraging the OFT standard for seamless cross-chain transfers, $STONE (the LST) has seen users staking on ETH, transitioning to Manta Network, and participating in LP for the STONE-WETH pool. With TVL surging to $522m within a mere three weeks, its aim to grab airdrops from Stake Stone and Manta stands testament to its rapid growth.



2. LayerBankFi - Pioneering Lending on Manta Network

A lending protocol situated on Manta, LayerBankFi has amassed an impressive $259m in TVL within a similar time frame. Noteworthy lending pools like $wUSDM, $STONE, and $TIA are part of Layerbank's Manta Incentivization program, offering avenues for earning $MANTA tokens, contributing significantly to its swift ascent.



3. MountainUSDM - The Backbone of Yield-Bearing Stablecoin

The driving force behind $USDM, a yield-bearing stablecoin secured by US T-Bills, MountainUSDM's listing on Manta Network has led to a fivefold increase in TVL, now standing at $141m.



4. DriftProtocol - Solana's Gateway to Perpetual Dex

DriftProtocol, a Perp Dex entrenched in Solana's ecosystem, offers an array of order types coupled with low fees. The inclusion of 'retail friendly' assets such as $SEI, $INJ, $TIA has substantially bolstered volumes and TVL, currently at $115m.



Insights from the Community

Wondering what some industry experts think about these emerging protocols? The perspectives of various thought leaders and analysts like @0xMughal, @arndxt_xo, @0xTindorr, and others offer valuable insights into the potential growth trajectories of these protocols.



The recent leverage-driven market downturn has presented unique opportunities for smart-money investors to strategically position themselves for potential gains. Here are five strategies being considered:



1) Identifying Resilient Altcoins:

Seeking out altcoins that exhibited strength during the flash crash is a primary focus. Examples include tokens within AI, trading hubs, and Layer 2 solutions, showcasing resilience amidst market turbulence.



2) Anticipating Post-ETF Narratives:

Foreseeing the next significant narrative post-ETF approval involves a keen eye on Ethereum rollups. The Dencun Upgrade's testnet launch is expected to significantly reduce data posting costs, thereby enhancing the profitability of Rollups. Tokens associated with Layer 2 solutions might also gain traction in this context.



3) Exploring Solana Airdrop Opportunities:

Despite the market's focus on the crash, potential airdrop opportunities on Solana remain. Speculation suggests significant airdrops from various projects operating within the Solana ecosystem.



4) Staking Strategies and Airdrop Expectations:

Smart-money stakeholders are observed staking specific tokens, anticipating airdrops from various projects, showcasing interest in potential yield or reward opportunities.



5) Eyeing Emerging Chains and Unique Narratives:

Keeping an eye on emerging chains like Cosmos and narratives around parallelized EVMs are areas of interest. Additionally, monitoring meme-coin protocols and their potential implications is on the radar.



Now, to uncover the 4 fastest growing protocols flying under the radar in the ever-evolving landscape of decentralized finance (DeFi); discovering promising protocols early can be a rewarding endeavor. Here, we shine a spotlight on four protocols that have been quietly gaining momentum, thanks to the insights of market navigators and early adopters.



- @ether_fi: Liquid Restaking on Eigenlayer

@ether_fi has carved its niche as a Liquid Restaking protocol on Eigenlayer. Functioning as a support for staking native $ETH, it introduces reward-bearing (eETH) and rebasing (weETH) versions of LRT. Notably, the protocol distributes all Eigen Points to users and operates its EtherFi points program, complete with an upcoming airdrop, and a referral program. With rapid growth, the Total Value Locked (TVL) has soared to $140 million, making it a notable player in the DeFi space.



- @ALEXLabBTC: Financial Hub on Stacks

@ALEXLabBTC operates as a financial hub on @Stacks, effectively functioning as a Layer 2 to Bitcoin. Users benefit from the ability to swap various $BTC-related assets, bridge from Bitcoin to Stacks, and stake LP tokens and $ALEX for rewards. Positioned as an essential bridge between Bitcoin and DeFi, it has attracted attention for its innovative approach.



- @kinzafinance: Lending Protocol on BSC and opBNB

@kinzafinance has swiftly risen as a lending protocol on Binance Smart Chain (BSC) and opBNB. Boasting a remarkable TVL growth to $111 million in just two months, it has penetrated the top 10 protocols. The surge can be attributed, in part, to an airdrop points campaign. However, the true test lies in whether this growth will translate into sustained organic usage over time.



- @Parcl: RWA Protocol on Solana

@Parcl stands out as a Real World Asset (RWA) protocol on Solana, offering a unique proposition in global real estate trading. Facilitating synthetic versions of various real estate indices, it allows for leverage trading on its Perpetual Dex. Impressively, the TVL has reached $32 million in just three weeks. Much like its counterparts, Parcl has implemented a points program with a likely upcoming airdrop.



Special Thanks:



The insights provided in this exploration are credited to market navigators and early adopters who have diligently tracked these protocols. The valuable contributions of individuals such as @0xMughal, @arndxt_xo, @defitrader_, and many others have been instrumental in uncovering these promising projects.



Disclaimer:



It is crucial to note that this information is not financial advice (NFA). The protocols mentioned carry inherent risks, and individuals are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research (DYOR). Additionally, members of the @loch_chain team may hold some of these tokens. Always exercise due diligence before making any financial decisions in the rapidly evolving DeFi space.



Via https://twitter.com/Prithvir12/status/1745342468487598341

https://twitter.com/Prithvir12/status/1742956234230358030

https://twitter.com/Prithvir12/status/1742539081630748720

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DeFi's Rising Stars: Protocols & Strategic Investment Insights

Jan 12, 2024

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DeFi's Rising Stars: Protocols & Strategic Investment Insights

Jan 12, 2024

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