ram Upen | VoltFi

Weekly Ecosystem recap April - May [27-04] Growth and Strategic Developments 1️⃣ BOB Gateway Expands BTC Swap Routes BOB Gateway's integration with @dzap_io opens new BTC swap routes, now accessible via DZap’s frontend app and API. This enhances liquidity pathways and aligns with the broader push for seamless Bitcoin transactions across platforms. 2️⃣ Rootstock Launches USDb Stablecoin @Rootstock introduces USDb, a USD-backed stablecoin designed for financial operations like invoices and payroll. Integrated with @paystand, it enables non-custodial BTC swaps via Lightning, leveraging Rootstock's smart contract capabilities secured by Bitcoin's hash power. 3️⃣ Stacks Unveils Gold-Backed Yield Vaults @Stacks, in collaboration with @VoltFiLabs, launches gold-backed yield vaults. The initiative includes gold exposure and arbitrage yield vaults, marking a significant step in turning Bitcoin into a comprehensive financial layer. Their 2026 roadmap is now live. 4️⃣ MezoNetwork's Institutional Bitcoin Yield MezoNetwork partners with @Anchorage Digital to launch Mezo Prime, focusing on institutional Bitcoin yield. With a 250 BTC commitment from @Bullish, this collaboration aims to activate idle BTC within institutional portfolios. 5️⃣ Zest Protocol's Robust Performance @ZestProtocol reports processing over 1,500 liquidations with zero bad debt, highlighting its reliable oracle architecture. Upcoming announcements at @TimDraper's Summit promise to further enhance Bitcoin lending and self-custodial infrastructure. 6️⃣ Syntetika and Morgan Stanley's Bitcoin Allocation Morgan Stanley now recommends a 4% Bitcoin allocation to clients, as reported by @Syntetika. This endorsement underscores Bitcoin's growing acceptance as a mainstream asset. Product Launches and Protocol Updates 1️⃣ Surge Credit's Public Beta Launch @surge_credit opens its platform to the public, inviting users to download and test their beta version. This move aims to refine user experience and gather feedback for further development. 2️⃣ Mintlayer Core 1.3.0 Goes Live @Mintlayer introduces Core 1.3.0, featuring improved wallet commands, faster sync, and a new Web-GUI for local full-node management. This release enhances user interaction and system efficiency. 3️⃣ Hemi Protocol's Yield Opportunities Hemi protocol's upcoming deployments are set to optimize fee-market interactions, facilitating better yield opportunities for BTC holders. Collaborations with Merkl aim to streamline the on-chain yield process. 4️⃣ EtherFi Deprecates weETH Bridging @EtherFi announces the deprecation of weETH bridging across multiple chains by June's end, extending the Dine Different campaign due to successful cashback rewards totaling over $30K. 5️⃣ Thunderhub's Anonymous Trading Launch @Thunderhub launches anonymous RailsX trading, allowing users to trade with full self-custody on open-source, peer-to-peer software, enhancing privacy and decentralization. Infrastructure and Metrics 1️⃣ MapProtocol's Validator Set Optimization @MapProtocol successfully transitions from 30 to 24 nodes, boosting efficiency and cross-chain finality. Their monthly report highlights $80.9M in cross-chain volume and 45,596 transactions. 2️⃣ Core's Strategic Positioning in BTC Borrowing @Core is becoming a key platform for borrowing against Bitcoin, securing 90% of Bitcoin's hashrate. This positions Core as a pivotal player in the institutional crypto space. 3️⃣ Bitcoin Core Contributor Increase Bitcoin Core sees a rise in contributors from just over 100 in 2024 to 135 in 2025, reflecting increased community engagement and development activity. Stay informed and strategic. The Bitcoin ecosystem continues to evolve with significant advancements in infrastructure, product development, and institutional engagement. See you next week 🫡

Weekly Ecosystem recap April - May [27-04] Growth and Strategic Developments 1️⃣ BOB Gateway Expands BTC Swap Routes BOB Gateway's integration with @dzap_io opens new BTC swap routes, now accessible via DZap’s frontend app and API. This enhances liquidity pathways and aligns with the broader push for seamless Bitcoin transactions across platforms. 2️⃣ Rootstock Launches USDb Stablecoin @Rootstock introduces USDb, a USD-backed stablecoin designed for financial operations like invoices and payroll. Integrated with @paystand, it enables non-custodial BTC swaps via Lightning, leveraging Rootstock's smart contract capabilities secured by Bitcoin's hash power. 3️⃣ Stacks Unveils Gold-Backed Yield Vaults @Stacks, in collaboration with @VoltFiLabs, launches gold-backed yield vaults. The initiative includes gold exposure and arbitrage yield vaults, marking a significant step in turning Bitcoin into a comprehensive financial layer. Their 2026 roadmap is now live. 4️⃣ MezoNetwork's Institutional Bitcoin Yield MezoNetwork partners with @Anchorage Digital to launch Mezo Prime, focusing on institutional Bitcoin yield. With a 250 BTC commitment from @Bullish, this collaboration aims to activate idle BTC within institutional portfolios. 5️⃣ Zest Protocol's Robust Performance @ZestProtocol reports processing over 1,500 liquidations with zero bad debt, highlighting its reliable oracle architecture. Upcoming announcements at @TimDraper's Summit promise to further enhance Bitcoin lending and self-custodial infrastructure. 6️⃣ Syntetika and Morgan Stanley's Bitcoin Allocation Morgan Stanley now recommends a 4% Bitcoin allocation to clients, as reported by @Syntetika. This endorsement underscores Bitcoin's growing acceptance as a mainstream asset. Product Launches and Protocol Updates 1️⃣ Surge Credit's Public Beta Launch @surge_credit opens its platform to the public, inviting users to download and test their beta version. This move aims to refine user experience and gather feedback for further development. 2️⃣ Mintlayer Core 1.3.0 Goes Live @Mintlayer introduces Core 1.3.0, featuring improved wallet commands, faster sync, and a new Web-GUI for local full-node management. This release enhances user interaction and system efficiency. 3️⃣ Hemi Protocol's Yield Opportunities Hemi protocol's upcoming deployments are set to optimize fee-market interactions, facilitating better yield opportunities for BTC holders. Collaborations with Merkl aim to streamline the on-chain yield process. 4️⃣ EtherFi Deprecates weETH Bridging @EtherFi announces the deprecation of weETH bridging across multiple chains by June's end, extending the Dine Different campaign due to successful cashback rewards totaling over $30K. 5️⃣ Thunderhub's Anonymous Trading Launch @Thunderhub launches anonymous RailsX trading, allowing users to trade with full self-custody on open-source, peer-to-peer software, enhancing privacy and decentralization. Infrastructure and Metrics 1️⃣ MapProtocol's Validator Set Optimization @MapProtocol successfully transitions from 30 to 24 nodes, boosting efficiency and cross-chain finality. Their monthly report highlights $80.9M in cross-chain volume and 45,596 transactions. 2️⃣ Core's Strategic Positioning in BTC Borrowing @Core is becoming a key platform for borrowing against Bitcoin, securing 90% of Bitcoin's hashrate. This positions Core as a pivotal player in the institutional crypto space. 3️⃣ Bitcoin Core Contributor Increase Bitcoin Core sees a rise in contributors from just over 100 in 2024 to 135 in 2025, reflecting increased community engagement and development activity. Stay informed and strategic. The Bitcoin ecosystem continues to evolve with significant advancements in infrastructure, product development, and institutional engagement. See you next week 🫡

Building @VoltFiLabs has shown me one thing: crypto only moves when builders, infra teams, and ecosystems work together. I love being in the middle of that — connecting founders, scoping integrations, and helping projects ship faster. If you're building infra, DeFi, or anything that expands the ecosystem, let’s talk.

Got STX or USDCx sitting idle? The first gold backed yield vault is live on Stacks through @VoltFiLabs. They launched two vaults: gold exposure and gold arbitrage yield ⚱️