DeFi’s rapid growth continues to reshape the financial landscape. With the total value locked (TVL) in decentralized finance soaring to $80.2 billion, nearly doubling from last year’s $39 billion, the ecosystem’s momentum is undeniable. However, this rapid expansion has brought new complexities, making it harder for users to move assets between chains and for projects to attract audiences beyond their native ecosystems. Fragmented liquidity, convoluted asset transfers, and integration challenges for developers are pressing issues.
Here’s how LI.FI simplifies the DeFi landscape by addressing these pain points.
The Challenges of Fragmented DeFi
As DeFi evolves, four primary challenges hinder the ecosystem’s progress:
1. Scattered Liquidity Across Chains
The proliferation of blockchain networks has distributed liquidity across multiple ecosystems, leading to inefficiencies like higher slippage and suboptimal trading conditions. Navigating this fragmented landscape often requires manual processes to connect to various liquidity sources, creating friction for users and developers.
The LI.FI Solution:
LI.FI aggregates liquidity from 30+ blockchains, 18+ bridges, and 38+ decentralized exchanges (DEXs) and DEX aggregators. By providing a unified platform, LI.FI ensures users and developers can access the best rates and deepest liquidity without needing multiple integrations. This results in better prices, reduced slippage, and smoother transactions.
2. Complex User Experiences in Multi-Chain Interactions
For users, swapping, bridging, or transferring assets across chains can be a tedious process. With multiple steps and tools required, this complexity often discourages full participation in DeFi.
The LI.FI Solution:
LI.FI’s Zaps streamline multi-step processes like swapping, bridging, and staking into single, seamless actions. By automating the complexities, users can perform cross-chain transactions through a single API call, ensuring a simplified and intuitive experience. This eliminates the need to understand the intricate processes happening behind the scenes.
3. Developer Hurdles in Multi-Chain Integration
Developers face significant challenges when incorporating multi-chain features into their applications. Integrating multiple bridges, liquidity sources, and protocols is time-intensive and increases maintenance demands, delaying innovation.
The LI.FI Solution:
LI.FI crypto offers flexible integration tools tailored to different development needs:
- APIs and SDKs: For developers seeking full customization, LI.FI provides APIs and SDKs to build cross-chain swaps, bridges, and liquidity solutions. These tools ensure optimal routing, efficient gas fee management, and minimized slippage.
- Widgets: For rapid deployment, LI.FI’s plug-and-play widgets allow developers to instantly integrate multi-chain capabilities with minimal effort.
This flexibility empowers developers to choose the best solution for their specific use cases, saving time and reducing costs.
4. Lack of Gas Tokens on Destination Chains
A frequent issue in cross-chain transactions is the absence of gas tokens on the destination chain, which can leave users stranded without the resources to complete their transactions.
The LI.FI Solution:
LI.FI addresses this with its gas refuel feature, ensuring users automatically have the required gas tokens for their destination chain. By eliminating the need to manually acquire gas tokens, LI.FI significantly reduces transaction failures and streamlines the user journey.
Redefining DeFi Simplicity
LI.FI’s comprehensive approach to solving DeFi fragmentation unlocks new opportunities for both developers and users:
- Developers can focus on building innovative applications rather than grappling with integration complexities.
- Users enjoy a frictionless experience, empowering them to engage more deeply with the DeFi ecosystem.
By aggregating liquidity, simplifying multi-chain transactions, and providing developer-friendly tools, LI.FI is paving the way for a more cohesive and accessible decentralized finance landscape.
Conclusion
DeFi’s potential to revolutionize finance is immense, but its current fragmentation presents significant obstacles. LI.FI bridges these gaps, creating a unified, user-friendly experience that benefits all stakeholders.
As DeFi continues to expand, platforms like LI.FI are essential for fostering growth, innovation, and accessibility. Whether you’re a developer building the next big application or a user exploring decentralized finance, LI.FI makes the journey smoother and more efficient.
Take the next step with LI.FI and embrace the future of seamless DeFi interactions.
Singularity Finance has announced a strategic partnership with Crymbo Tech to integrate Crymbo’s Oracle solution, a cutting-edge compliance technology that ensures adherence to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Travel Rule.
This collaboration aims to enhance the security, scalability, and efficiency of digital asset transactions within Singularity Finance’s blockchain ecosystem.
By incorporating Crymbo’s decentralized Oracle, Singularity Finance will streamline compliance workflows and align with global regulatory standards. Crymbo’s technology aggregates and validates compliance data in real time, enabling secure and efficient digital asset transfers while fostering trust among institutional users. This integration addresses critical challenges in regulatory compliance, paving the way for scalable solutions in secure digital asset management.
Crymbo is a pioneer in bridging on-chain and off-chain data through its decentralized Oracle platform. The company provides real-time validation, secure identity management, and privacy-centric compliance solutions.
Crymbo’s interoperable ecosystem connects traditional finance (TradFi), centralized finance (CeFi), and decentralized finance (DeFi), offering a seamless, cost-effective, and fully compliant digital asset management framework.
Singularity Finance, meanwhile, is the first AI-focused, EVM-compatible Layer 2 blockchain designed to bring the AI economy on-chain. It features a compliant framework for real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, enabling the monetization of AI’s value chain.
Originating from the SingularityNET ecosystem and affiliated with the Artificial Superintelligence Alliance, Singularity Finance aims to establish itself as the premier financial blockchain for AI applications.
Popular crypto sports betting platform Sportsbet.io is welcoming a diverse intake of new ambassadors, with a chef, a singer and a betting tipster joining with a shared goal to spread the word about Sportsbet.io.
The first is renowned Nigerian celebrity chef and lifestyle connoisseur Rasheed Sakajojo, better known as Unrashon. He joins the team to help introduce the exciting world of crypto sports betting to his fans.
Also joining Team Sportsbet.io is afropop singer Pinky Jay, who is famous for her hit singles and collabs with other top artists. The creativity and innovation behind Sportsbet.io resonated with Pinky, who puts the same passion into her music.
And also signing is Alex Etinosa, the man behind the successful Betweysure tips and predictions website. Alex has worked in the betting industry for some time, but this is his first foray into crypto betting. He recently attended the Sportsbet.io-sponsored CryptoFest conference, learning about the many benefits of using crypto to wager.
The trio join at the end of another landmark year for the ‘Join the Crypto Experience’ ambassador program, which encourages natural-born networkers with world-class content creation skills to earn while spreading the word about Sportsbet.io.
If you think you have what it takes to join, why not visit: https://jointhecryptoexperience.io/.
About Sportsbet.io
Founded in 2016 as part of Yolo Group, Sportsbet.io is the leading crypto sportsbook. Sportsbet.io has redefined the online betting space by combining cutting-edge technology, with cryptocurrency expertise and a passion for offering its players with the ultimate fun, fast and fair gaming experience.
Official Regional Partner of LALIGA, Official Turkish Betting Partner of English football team, Hull City and a Club Partner of Premier League team Newcastle United, Sportsbet.io provides an expansive range of betting action across all major sports and eSports, offering players more than 1M pre-match events per year and comprehensive in-play content.
As the first crypto sportsbook to introduce a cash out function, Sportsbet.io is recognised as a leader in both online sports betting and within the crypto community.
In December 2023, a lucky Sportsbet.io won the biggest ever online slots jackpot while playing on the site, turning a $50 spin into a prize of more than $42 million.
Sportsbet.io prides itself on its secure and trustworthy betting service, with withdrawal times of less than 90 seconds, among the fastest in the industry.
For more information about Sportsbet.io, please visit https://sportsbet.io.
Turkey unveiled new cryptocurrency regulations in late December 2024, drawing inspiration from global advancements, including Europe’s MiCA framework.
According to a Dec. 25 document published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Turkey, users conducting transactions exceeding 15,000 Turkish lira ($425) will be required to share identifying information with crypto service providers.
The Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations aim to prevent illicit fund laundering and terrorism financing through cryptocurrency transactions.
However, crypto providers are not mandated to collect information for transactions below the $425 threshold.
These regulations align with a global push for stricter crypto oversight and precede Europe’s comprehensive Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework, which takes effect on Dec. 30.
New Rules Target “Risky” Crypto Transactions
Turkey’s regulations, effective Feb. 25, 2025, also require service providers to verify information from customers using unregistered wallet addresses.
Transfers without sufficient sender information may be flagged as “risky.”
The new law states:
“In case sufficient information cannot be obtained, the issues of not performing the transfer or limiting the transactions made with the financial institution in question or terminating the business relationship will be considered.”
As of September 2023, Turkey ranked as the fourth-largest crypto market globally, with an estimated trading volume of $170 billion, surpassing markets like Russia and Canada, according to Chainalysis.
Crypto Regulations Drive Activity in Turkey
In 2024, Turkish crypto firms ramped up activity, with 47 license applications submitted to the Turkish Capital Markets Board (CMB) by August.
This followed the July implementation of the “Law on Amendments to the Capital Markets Law,” which established a regulatory framework for crypto service providers.
While individuals can buy, hold, and trade crypto in Turkey, using it for payments has been banned since 2021.
Turkey is also considering a 0.03% transaction tax to support its national budget.
Bitcoin (BTC) surpassed the $98,000 mark after the Dec. 24 Wall Street open, with “large spot buyers” driving the rebound in its price action.
Data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView showed BTC/USD reaching new local highs of $98,020 on Bitstamp.
The cryptocurrency gained over 3% in a day, recovering from earlier in the week when it retested December lows.
Popular X account Exitpump expressed optimism, suggesting that the long-anticipated “Santa rally” may have arrived for crypto.
“BTC Large spot buyers showing up, lfg,” Exitpump posted, accompanied by a chart depicting exchange order-book volumes.
Meanwhile, CoinGlass reported nearly $40 million in BTC short liquidations within the past 24 hours, with the total cross-crypto liquidations reaching $150 million.
Breaking Key Resistance Levels
Analytics account Bitcoindata21 highlighted Bitcoin’s positive momentum, noting progress in flipping key volume-weighted average price (VWAP) resistance levels.
“Nice strength in Bitcoin today,” they wrote, emphasizing the need to surpass the $98.5k VWAP to target all-time highs.
Their chart also illustrated a rebound in the Coinbase premium, signaling increased buying pressure during U.S. trading hours.
Cautious Optimism Amid Risks
While optimism grew among some market watchers, others struck a cautious tone.
Trader and analyst Rekt Capital warned about the risks of further downside.
“Yesterday, Bitcoin showed some signs of a relief rally after which price was rejected to almost new lows. Today, Bitcoin is rebounding yet again and once again into the old support,” Rekt Capital explained.
He added, “As long as the previously lost supports turn into new resistance, additional downside should be expected. Conversely, a reclaim of these previously lost supports would obviously be bullish.”
Analog, an innovator that has been leading when it comes to blockchain interoperability, has recently launched its mainnet setting a new benchmark for multi-chain technology. The platform, which will go live today, December 23, 2024, will work to empower developers to create next-generation decentralized applications (dApps) that will be capable of operating across several blockchain ecosystems. According to Analog, the initial rollout will feature a Proof of Authority (PoA) consensus mechanism which will provide a solid foundation for the upcoming advancements in the space.
The launch will go on and build on the successes of Analog’s capabilities as showcased on the testnet. Looking at the figures, the platform was able to amass more than 345,000 accounts as well as generate 1.9 million cross-chain datasets. As one would expect, having such figures would cement Analog’s reputation as a leader and that is exactly what it has done, with over 50 different projects already being committed to building on its ecosystem proving the same.
At its core, Analog’s mainnet will serve as a powerful interoperability hub that has been designed to smoothen the creation of cross-chain applications. As such, the developers will be in a position to make use of the tools that are available to build applications that respond to events occurring across multiple chains in real time. So, while the current PoA setup lays the groundwork, Analog has plans to integrate other features such as the Nominated Proof of Stake (NPoS) consensus, advanced cross-chain messaging, and dynamic data querying which will gradually roll out, culminating in full implementation by the Token Generation Event (TGE).
The transition to mainnet saw Analog being put under an extensive three-phase testnet to optimize its functionalities. And, it is noteworthy to mention that the results were nothing short of impressive since they generated significant engagement, which includes 12 million website visits and the creation of over 290,000 smart contracts. It doesn’t end there since the Proof of Humanity (PoH) verification process authenticated over 42,000 real users who will be there to ensure that the mainnet has a community that is ready to engage with the mainnet right from day one.
As of today, the ecosystem already boasts an array of projects that are already leveraging Analog’s technology. For instance, StationX has employed Analog’s automation workflows to revolutionize multi-chain DAO operations. A move that simplifies tasks such as fund distribution and event-triggered actions; Parami Protocol uses Analog to enable decentralized AI agents to connect with communities across different chains; Frax Finance uses Analog for real-time Oracle data and multi-chain governance to enhance the stability of its stablecoin ecosystem; XYO takes advantage of Analog’s cross-chain tools to offer seamless access to blockchain-powered location data and Vemo Network as well, which utilizes Analog to transform locked assets into tradable NFTs that represent cross-chain value.
When it comes to the developer ecosystem, Analog has itself bolstered by a comprehensive toolkit which includes Analog watch – a cross-chain data indexing platform akin to The Graph but tailored for multi-chain environments. By having such tools at one’s disposal, the development process becomes much simpler for the developers as they will be able to focus on innovation as Analog handles the interoperability bit of it.
In conclusion, Analog is redefining interoperability by providing a framework for dApps to operate across blockchains. Doing so positions it as a key enabler of the decentralized future while paving the way for a new era of innovation in the multi-chain space and blockchain as a whole.
El Salvador will make Bitcoin acceptance by merchants voluntary, reduce its involvement in the Chivo wallet, and limit public sector Bitcoin-related activities as part of a $1.4 billion loan agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The IMF announced on Dec. 18 that El Salvador would receive $1.4 billion over 40 months to lower its debt-to-GDP ratio.
“The potential risks of the Bitcoin project will be diminished significantly in line with Fund policies.
Legal reforms will make acceptance of Bitcoin by the private sector voluntary,” the IMF stated.
“For the public sector, engagement in Bitcoin-related economic activities and transactions in and purchases of Bitcoin will be confined.”
Additionally, taxes will continue to be paid in U.S. dollars — El Salvador’s official currency — and government involvement in the Chivo wallet will be gradually phased out.
El Salvador began purchasing Bitcoin in 2021 and currently holds 5,968.8 Bitcoin, valued at approximately $602 million, according to the National Bitcoin Office.
A spokesperson from the office told Cointelegraph that the country will continue its Bitcoin accumulation strategy.
“We will keep buying one Bitcoin a day (likely even more in the future), and we will not sell any of our current holdings,” the spokesperson stated.
“The plans for the Bitcoin Office remain the same as Bitcoin continues to be our main strategy.”
The agreement, still pending approval from the IMF Executive Board, concludes four years of negotiations following President Nayib Bukele’s adoption of Bitcoin as legal tender in September 2021, making El Salvador the first country to do so.
The IMF has consistently urged Bukele to abandon Bitcoin, citing its speculative nature as a potential risk to the country.
The deal will also unlock additional loans, including from the World Bank, for a total financing package exceeding $3.5 billion.
Reacting to the announcement, Bukele’s Bitcoin adviser Max Keiser dismissed the IMF’s stance, stating on X, “Nobody pays attention to these assh****,” and labeled the agreement “bureaucratic, meaningless nonsense.”
Keiser added, “Bitcoin use in El Salvador was always voluntary, and its usage has never been higher and continues to grow.”
However, a recent survey revealed that 92% of Salvadorans do not use Bitcoin for transactions, up from 88% in 2023.
Bitcoin briefly slipped below the $100,000 psychological level before reclaiming it, sparking mixed reactions among crypto analysts.
“Bitcoin is developing a bearish engulfing weekly candlestick formation,” pseudonymous trader Rekt Capital shared with their 518,900 followers on X in a Dec. 19 post.
Bearish Pattern Yet to Be Confirmed
Rekt Capital noted that the potential downtrend is not yet set in stone. “There are still a few days until the end of the week to ‘fully confirm’ the downtrend, and ‘lots can change’ in the meantime,” they stated.
“Technically, this is still a dip until Weekly levels are confirmed as lost,” they added.
Between 2 and 3 am UTC on Dec. 19, Bitcoin briefly dipped below $100,000 for the first time since Dec. 13, reaching a low of $99,047, according to CoinMarketCap.
This dip occurred amid a broader crypto sell-off following the U.S. Federal Reserve’s announcement of a 25 basis point rate cut and hints at fewer rate cuts in 2025 than initially anticipated.
Not Everyone Is Concerned
Some traders downplayed the dip. “This pullback is pretty normal for Bitcoin. We’ve had 8 of them since October,” Bitcoin Archive commented on X.
“If you’re selling your Bitcoin in reaction to what the Fed said today, you have no idea what you own,” added crypto commentator James Lavish.
Volatility Is Part of Price Discovery
Bitcoin reached $100,000 for the first time on Dec. 5, driven by ETF demand, the upcoming April halving, and Donald Trump’s election victory.
Rekt Capital reminded traders that volatility is natural in this phase. “Technically, it is Week 7 in Price Discovery, which historically meant that BTC corrections occur around this time,” they said.
While some see such dips as “flash crashes,” Rekt suggested the correction could extend into next week, adding, “We know that Week 7 and Week 8 in Price Discovery have historically been corrective weeks.”
Sportsbet.io, the world’s favourite crypto sportsbook, is celebrating the holiday season with two more blockbuster additions to its roster of ambassadors.
Navy Kenzo, the renowned and award-winning Tanzanian afrobeats duo, become the latest superstars from the world of music to ‘Join the Crypto Experience’ with Sportsbet.io.
Consisting of Aika and Nahreel, Navy Kenzo are known for hits including ‘Company’, ‘Fella’ and ‘Manzese’. They are excited to join other music sensations, like rapper King Kaka, in joining the Sportsbet.io team.
Also becoming a Sportsbet.io ambassador is Nigerian broadcaster, actor and sports presenter Jimmie Akinsola. Jimmie is well known in Nigeria and beyond for his work on Beat FM, SuperSport and more.
He’ll be helping to spread the word about Sportsbet.io across his extensive network in the entertainment world.
Sportsbet.io’s ‘Join the Crypto Experience’ ambassador program has rapidly expanded across sports, entertainment and other areas, with globally recognised names, like Nigerian actor and model JayPaul, joining the fray.
If you are a natural-born networker with world-class content creation skills, you may also be able to join.
Find out more here: https://jointhecryptoexperience.io/.
About Sportsbet.io
Founded in 2016 as part of Yolo Group, Sportsbet.io is the leading crypto sportsbook. Sportsbet.io has redefined the online betting space by combining cutting-edge technology, with cryptocurrency expertise and a passion for offering its players with the ultimate fun, fast and fair gaming experience.
Official Regional Partner of LALIGA, Official Turkish Betting Partner of English football team, Hull City and a Club Partner of Premier League team Newcastle United, Sportsbet.io provides an expansive range of betting action across all major sports and eSports, offering players more than 1M pre-match events per year and comprehensive in-play content.
As the first crypto sportsbook to introduce a cash out function, Sportsbet.io is recognised as a leader in both online sports betting and within the crypto community.
In December 2023, a lucky Sportsbet.io won the biggest ever online slots jackpot while playing on the site, turning a $50 spin into a prize of more than $42 million.
Sportsbet.io prides itself on its secure and trustworthy betting service, with withdrawal times of less than 90 seconds, among the fastest in the industry.
For more information about Sportsbet.io, please visit https://sportsbet.io.
Chill Pepe could turn early investors into multi-millionaires, like Shiba Inu (SHIB) and Dogecoin (DOGE) did.
Chill Pepe (CHILPEPE), a new Solana memecoin that was launched today, is set to explode over 14,000% in price in the coming days.
This is because CHILPEPE is set to soon be listed on numerous crypto exchanges, according to reports.
This will give the Solana memecoin exposure to millions of additional investors, who will pour funds into the coin and drive its price up.
Currently, Chill Pepe can only be purchased via Solana decentralized exchanges, like Jup.ag and Raydium.io, and early investors stand to make huge returns in the coming days.
Early investors in SHIB and DOGE made astronomical returns, and Chill Pepe could become the next viral memecoin.
Chill Pepe launched with over $9,000 of liquidity, giving it a unique advantage over the majority of other new memecoins, and early investors could make huge gains.
How to Buy
To buy Chill Pepe on Raydium.io or Jup.ag ahead of the CEX listings, users need to connect their Solflare, MetaMask or Phantom wallet, and swap Solana for Chill Pepe by entering its contract address – AfPftBmzfb2pan4Drt2ZKgT7VK5Rn7CLQHpp8DpLhXZj – in the receiving field.
If you don’t have one of these wallets already, you can create a new wallet in a few minutes and transfer some Solana to it (which will then be used to buy the memecoin), from an exchange like Coinbase, Binance and many others.
In fact, early investors could make returns similar to those who invested in Shiba Inu (SHIB) and Dogecoin (DOGE) before these memecoins went viral and exploded in price.
If this happens, a new wave of memecoin millionaires could be created in a matter of weeks – or potentially even sooner.
The Solana memecoin craze continues amid larger memecoins, like Shiba Inu (SHIB), Dogecoin (DOGE) and DogWifHat (WIF) trading sideways in recent weeks and losing momentum.
This is why many SHIB, DOGE and WIF investors are instead investing in new Solana memecoins, like CHILPEPE.
Such memecoins have no utility and no inherent value, but investors looking for high gains have been investing in them due to their potential to rapidly rise in price.