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18 Mar 2026, 15:51

THE drops over 40% after DeFi exploit tied to Venus Protocol shakes investor confidence

A few days after the supply cap manipulation attack that saw an attacker borrow over $14.9 million from the DeFi platform Venus Protocol, the value of $THE, the native token of another DeFi platform, Thena, which was used in the attack, continues to drop. Thena has insisted that its own smart contracts were never affected, but this has not been sufficient to change market sentiments, as THE has dropped by over 44% since March 15. The token has gone from $0.27 following the incident to $0.15 as of the time of writing. Its trading volume has also contracted by more than 51%. Thena’s token continues to trend downward despite its latest moves. Source: CoinMarketCap Meanwhile, XVS , the governance token of Venus Protocol, which has been pointed to as the source of the whole debacle, tells a different story, as it is up more than 12% over the same seven-day window while trading at over $3.35. Venus Protocol’s VXS token has stayed in the green despite the exploit news. Source: CoinMarketCap Analysts are assuming that it seems the markets have largely assigned blame to the architecture of one specific Venus lending market rather than to either protocol’s integrity, and in this case, it is Thena that’s bearing the brunt. The protocol is now making moves to reverse its fortunes, one of which is rewarding remaining holders with markedly higher annual percentage yields (APRs). Can a ‘large APR increase’ restore confidence in Thena? As part of its next steps, Thena stated on March 17 that THE Single Sided Vaults will see a large increase in APR, driven by fees generated during the incident. It added that this will be updated weekly on Tuesdays. In a separate post on the same day, Thena confirmed that it had refreshed the Single Sided Vault APRs to reflect fee generation over the past 7 days. It also mentioned that the vaults, operated in conjunction with ICHI Foundation, allow users to enter with a single asset while dynamically managing exposure, typically holding between 65 and 95% of the deposited token depending on prevailing conditions. Voters in the current governance epoch are also set to receive outsized returns following the volume surge. So far, Thena’s token has not responded to these stimuli, and market observers will continue to keep a close watch on developments. Attacker leaves bad debt after borrowing $14.9 million According to the post-mortem published by Venus Protocol, the attacker who started this drama started working on the exploit about nine months ago, accumulating $THE across multiple wallets and eventually controlling roughly 84% of the 14.5 million token supply cap on Venus Protocol’s THE lending market. That accumulation phase was funded by 7,447 ETH, worth approximately $16.29 million, per the report. This amount was withdrawn in 77 separate transactions from Tornado Cash, deposited as collateral on Aave, and went on to borrow about $9.92 million in stablecoins (USDT, DAI, USDC), which the attacker used to purchase THE progressively without triggering alarms. The attack itself was executed on March 15 at 11:55 UTC, bypassing the supply cap check. This inflated the contract’s internal exchange rate by 3.81 times, and this caused a $3.3 million collateral position to transform into more than $12 million of recognized borrowing power. The attacker then extracted $14.9 million in assets, all comprising 6.67 million CAKE tokens, 2,801 BNB, 1,972 WBNB, $1.58 million USDC, and 20 BTCB. The attacker stated a cycle of borrowing, swapping, and donations that pushed THE’s price from $0.26 to $0.51 on-chain, pushing total supplied tokens 3.67 times the supply cap to 53.2 million. When it ended, Venus held approximately $2.15 million in bad debt, denominated primarily in CAKE and THE. In the post-mortem, it was mentioned that the vulnerability that was exploited was first flagged in 2023, to which Venus’ development team deemed to have no side effects and did not deploy a remediation to solve the issue. The Venus Protocol team now acknowledges that more could have been done to prevent the exploit . If you're reading this, you’re already ahead. Stay there with our newsletter .

18 Mar 2026, 14:30

Ethereum Foundation’s Strategic Move: Confidently Deposits 3,400 ETH into Morpho Lending Protocol

BitcoinWorld Ethereum Foundation’s Strategic Move: Confidently Deposits 3,400 ETH into Morpho Lending Protocol In a significant development for decentralized finance, the Ethereum Foundation has strategically deposited an additional 3,400 ETH into the Morpho lending protocol, reinforcing its commitment to the DeFi ecosystem it helped pioneer. This move, confirmed on March 21, 2025, from the organization’s operational base in Zug, Switzerland, represents a substantial vote of confidence in on-chain lending mechanisms. Consequently, it highlights a continued institutional strategy for managing digital asset treasuries. Furthermore, this action follows the foundation’s previous deposit of 2,400 ETH and $6 million in stablecoins last October, establishing a clear pattern of engagement. Ethereum Foundation Deepens Morpho Commitment The Ethereum Foundation’s latest transaction involves a considerable sum, valued at approximately $8.5 million based on current market prices. This deposit directly interacts with the Morpho protocol’s smart contracts on the Ethereum mainnet. Morpho, a peer-to-peer layer built atop established protocols like Compound and Aave, optimizes capital efficiency for lenders and borrowers. Therefore, the foundation’s choice signals a preference for innovative, capital-efficient DeFi infrastructure. Moreover, this action provides tangible, on-chain evidence of the foundation’s operational use of the technology it supports. Analysts immediately scrutinized the blockchain data, confirming the transaction’s origin from a publicly known Ethereum Foundation wallet. The funds now reside within a Morpho vault, where they can earn yield through the protocol’s lending markets. This strategy contrasts with simply holding ETH in a cold wallet, as it potentially generates a return on the organization’s sizable treasury. Importantly, the move demonstrates a practical application of DeFi beyond speculative trading. Context and Historical Precedent This is not the Ethereum Foundation’s first foray into using DeFi protocols for treasury management. Last October’s deposit of 2,400 ETH and stablecoins set a clear precedent. That initial move was widely interpreted as a test of Morpho’s security and reliability. The decision to commit more capital, therefore, suggests a successful trial period and growing institutional comfort. Historically, the foundation has funded grants, research, and development; its direct participation as a user marks an evolution in its role. The broader context involves increasing institutional adoption of DeFi. Traditional finance entities have begun exploring tokenized assets and on-chain yield. The Ethereum Foundation, as a cornerstone entity in the crypto space, often acts as a bellwether. Its actions can influence perceptions of risk and legitimacy for other large holders. As a result, this deposit may encourage similar organizations to evaluate DeFi for treasury operations. Analyzing the Strategic Implications From a treasury management perspective, depositing ETH into a lending protocol serves multiple purposes. Primarily, it allows the foundation to earn a yield on otherwise idle assets. This yield can help fund ongoing operations without selling the principal ETH holdings. Additionally, it supports the health of the DeFi ecosystem by providing liquidity. The foundation’s participation also stress-tests the protocol’s security with significant capital, benefiting all users. Experts point to the non-custodial nature of the deposit as a key factor. The Ethereum Foundation retains control of its assets through its private keys while they are deployed. This contrasts with handing assets to a centralized custodian or exchange. The move aligns with the foundational principle of “self-custody” championed by the crypto community. It also mitigates counterparty risk associated with traditional financial intermediaries. Technical Mechanics of the Morpho Deposit Understanding this transaction requires a basic grasp of how Morpho operates. The protocol does not create its own liquidity pools. Instead, it acts as an optimization layer on top of existing money markets. Here is a simplified breakdown of the process: Deposit Initiation: The Ethereum Foundation wallet approved and executed a transaction to the Morpho smart contract. Token Wrapping: The 3,400 ETH was converted into a yield-bearing token (like cETH or aETH) from the underlying protocol (e.g., Compound). Position Creation: Morpho’s algorithm then seeks the best available peer-to-peer matches or places the liquidity in the underlying pool for optimal rates. Yield Generation: The foundation now earns interest from borrowers on the protocol, accruing in real-time and viewable on-chain. This process is fully automated and transparent. Anyone can verify the deposit, the earned yield, and the foundation’s ability to withdraw at any time. This transparency is a cornerstone of DeFi’s value proposition for institutional actors seeking auditability. Market Impact and Ecosystem Signals The announcement immediately influenced market sentiment. Observers noted a slight increase in the total value locked (TVL) within the Morpho protocol. More importantly, the action sent a powerful signal about protocol security and longevity. For other developers and projects, the Ethereum Foundation’s repeated use of Morpho serves as a strong endorsement. It suggests the protocol’s code has undergone rigorous review and is deemed safe for nine-figure sums. The move also highlights the maturation of Ethereum’s DeFi stack. Five years ago, such a deposit by a major foundation would have been unthinkable due to technical and security risks. Today, it is a calculated operational decision. This progression underscores the real-world utility being built on Ethereum. It demonstrates that the network supports not just tokens, but sophisticated financial functions. Risk Management and Security Considerations While significant, this deposit does not come without acknowledged risks. The Ethereum Foundation’s team undoubtedly conducted extensive due diligence. Key risks in DeFi lending include smart contract vulnerabilities, oracle failures, and liquidity crises. Morpho’s design, which leverages battle-tested protocols like Compound, mitigates some of this risk. The foundation’s gradual approach—starting with a smaller deposit last year—indicates a careful, phased risk assessment strategy. Security experts emphasize that such institutional moves help harden the entire ecosystem. Large, sophisticated users often have the resources to conduct deeper audits and stress tests. Their continued participation implies ongoing confidence in the protocol’s security posture. This creates a positive feedback loop, attracting more developers and users to the ecosystem. Conclusion The Ethereum Foundation’s deposit of 3,400 ETH into the Morpho lending protocol is a multifaceted strategic action. It provides yield on treasury assets, supports DeFi liquidity, and validates a key infrastructure project. This move, building on last year’s initial deposit, reflects a growing institutional comfort with decentralized finance mechanisms. As a leading entity, the foundation’s operational choices offer a blueprint for others. Ultimately, this transaction reinforces the viability of Ethereum not just as a technology platform, but as a functional, institutional-grade financial system. FAQs Q1: How much ETH has the Ethereum Foundation deposited into Morpho in total? The Ethereum Foundation has deposited a total of 5,800 ETH into Morpho across two transactions: 2,400 ETH in October of last year and an additional 3,400 ETH in March 2025. Q2: Why would the Ethereum Foundation deposit ETH into a lending protocol instead of just holding it? Depositing ETH into a protocol like Morpho allows the foundation to earn interest (yield) on its assets, helping fund operations without selling ETH. It also provides liquidity to the DeFi ecosystem and demonstrates practical use of the technology. Q3: What is the Morpho protocol? Morpho is a decentralized finance (DeFi) lending protocol that operates as an optimization layer on top of established platforms like Compound and Aave. It aims to improve capital efficiency by facilitating peer-to-peer matches between lenders and borrowers when possible. Q4: Does this mean the Ethereum Foundation is “investing” in Morpho? Not in the equity sense. The foundation is using Morpho as a financial tool to deploy its treasury assets. This is an operational use of the protocol, not a venture capital investment, though it does serve as a strong public endorsement. Q5: What are the risks of such a large DeFi deposit? Primary risks include smart contract bugs or exploits, failures in the price oracles that secure loans, and sudden liquidity shortages (“bank runs”). The Ethereum Foundation likely performed significant security audits before committing funds, and Morpho’s design mitigates risk by building on audited, time-tested protocols. This post Ethereum Foundation’s Strategic Move: Confidently Deposits 3,400 ETH into Morpho Lending Protocol first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

18 Mar 2026, 14:20

Paradigm And Stripe Roll Out New Payment Standard For AI Agents With Visa’s Support

The firms behind Tempo, a new payments-focused blockchain, are launching the network alongside a protocol designed to enable AI agents to transact autonomously across the internet.

18 Mar 2026, 14:05

Stripe-led payments blockchain Tempo goes live with protocol for AI agents

The Stripe-led blockchain targets fast, low-cost digital payments and a new Machine Payments Protocol that allows AI agents pay autonomously.

18 Mar 2026, 14:00

Revolutionary LINQ V2 Crypto-Fiat Exchange Launches on Sui, Slashing Nigerian Naira Settlement to 5 Seconds

BitcoinWorld Revolutionary LINQ V2 Crypto-Fiat Exchange Launches on Sui, Slashing Nigerian Naira Settlement to 5 Seconds In a significant development for African digital finance, the crypto-fiat exchange service LINQ has officially launched the second version of its platform on the Sui blockchain network. This strategic move, announced via the company’s official X account, fundamentally enhances financial access by enabling direct Nigerian Naira purchases within its digital wallet. Consequently, the upgrade introduces critical features like bank deposits, withdrawals, and automated deposits. Most notably, integration with the Sui network has dramatically reduced transaction settlement times from one minute to a mere five seconds, marking a potential turning point for crypto-fiat efficiency in the region. LINQ V2 Ushers in a New Era for Crypto-Fiat Exchange The launch of LINQ V2 represents a targeted expansion within Nigeria’s rapidly evolving financial technology landscape. Nigeria consistently ranks among the top nations for cryptocurrency adoption globally, driven by a young, tech-savvy population and demand for alternative financial instruments. Therefore, LINQ’s decision to prioritize Naira integration directly addresses a substantial market need. The platform now facilitates seamless movement between traditional banking and digital assets. This bridge is crucial for everyday usability. Key operational features of the new version include: In-Wallet Naira Purchases: Users can now fund their LINQ wallets directly with Nigerian Naira, eliminating intermediate conversion steps. Bank-Linked Transactions: The service supports direct deposits from and withdrawals to verified Nigerian bank accounts. Automated Deposit Systems: This feature allows for scheduled or recurring transactions, enhancing convenience for regular users. Industry analysts view this development as a logical progression. “The fusion of localized fiat gateways with high-performance blockchain infrastructure is the next logical step for mass adoption,” noted a recent report from a Lagos-based fintech research group. This approach moves beyond speculative trading toward practical, daily financial utility. The Sui Blockchain Advantage: Engineering Speed and Scalability The choice of the Sui blockchain as the foundational layer for LINQ V2 is a central technical pillar of this upgrade. Sui is a Layer-1 blockchain designed by Mysten Labs, with a core architecture focused on parallel transaction processing. Unlike some networks that process transactions sequentially, Sui’s engine allows multiple independent transactions to be validated simultaneously. This design is the primary catalyst for the reported 92% reduction in settlement time. A comparative analysis of settlement times highlights the improvement: Platform/Network Typical Settlement Time Use Case LINQ V1 (Previous System) ~60 seconds Legacy crypto-fiat exchange LINQ V2 on Sui ~5 seconds Current upgraded service Traditional Bank Transfer (Nigeria) Minutes to 24 hours Standard interbank settlement This performance leap addresses a major pain point in user experience. Long wait times for transaction confirmation can create uncertainty and hinder the use of crypto for time-sensitive payments. Sui’s low-latency finality provides a confirmation speed that begins to rival traditional digital payment processors. Furthermore, the blockchain’s scalable design aims to maintain low fees even during high network demand, a critical factor for cost-sensitive markets. Technical Foundations and Real-World Impact The migration to Sui involved significant backend engineering. LINQ’s development team had to integrate its exchange engine with Sui’s Move programming language and its unique object-centric data model. This technical overhaul enables the platform to leverage Sui’s consensus mechanism for rapid asset settlement. The five-second metric refers to the time for a transaction to be irreversibly confirmed on the blockchain, not just initiated at the user interface. For Nigerian users and businesses, the practical impact is multifaceted. Faster settlements mean merchants can accept crypto payments with near-instant confirmation, reducing counterparty risk. Individuals remitting funds or paying for services experience a fluidity previously associated only with centralized digital wallets. This speed, combined with the transparency of blockchain settlement, creates a compelling value proposition. It also positions LINQ to potentially serve as infrastructure for other fintech applications requiring swift and reliable asset transfers. Contextualizing the Move Within Africa’s Fintech Surge LINQ’s launch cannot be viewed in isolation. It is a direct response to macroeconomic conditions and regulatory shifts within Nigeria and broader Africa. The continent has witnessed explosive growth in mobile money and digital payments, with systems like M-Pesa pioneering the space. Cryptocurrency and blockchain technology are increasingly seen as the next evolutionary layer, offering borderless and programmable money. However, the path has included challenges. In early 2021, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) directed commercial banks to close accounts of cryptocurrency exchanges. This action pushed trading toward peer-to-peer (P2P) platforms and heightened demand for non-custodial solutions. The regulatory environment has since evolved, with authorities exploring a central bank digital currency (eNaira) and more nuanced frameworks for digital assets. LINQ V2’s model, which incorporates formal bank linkages, suggests an alignment with evolving regulatory expectations for monitored fiat on-ramps and off-ramps. The service also enters a competitive landscape. Established international exchanges and local platforms already offer Naira pairs. LINQ’s differentiating factor is its dedicated build on a high-performance blockchain like Sui, promising a superior technical foundation for speed and future feature development. Success will depend on user adoption, liquidity depth, and maintaining robust security protocols for both fiat and crypto assets. Conclusion The launch of LINQ V2 on the Sui blockchain marks a concrete step toward maturing the crypto-fiat exchange ecosystem in Nigeria. By drastically cutting settlement times to five seconds and deepening Naira integration, the platform addresses core usability issues that have historically limited cryptocurrency’s utility for daily transactions. This development underscores a broader trend of blockchain innovation targeting real-world financial efficiency. As the infrastructure for seamless digital asset exchange continues to improve, services like LINQ V2 play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between traditional finance and the decentralized future. The focus now shifts to user adoption, regulatory continuity, and whether this model of speed and local currency focus can be replicated across other emerging markets. FAQs Q1: What is the main improvement in LINQ V2 compared to the previous version? The most significant improvement is the integration with the Sui blockchain, which reduces transaction settlement times from approximately 60 seconds down to just 5 seconds. Additionally, V2 enables direct Nigerian Naira purchases within the LINQ wallet. Q2: How does the Sui blockchain achieve such fast transaction times? Sui uses a novel parallel transaction processing architecture. Instead of validating transactions one after another in a sequence, it processes many independent transactions simultaneously. This design eliminates bottlenecks and allows for much faster finality. Q3: Can I withdraw Nigerian Naira from my LINQ wallet to my local bank account? Yes, according to the announcement, LINQ V2 provides features for both bank deposits and withdrawals. This means users should be able to move Naira from their verified LINQ wallet directly to a linked Nigerian bank account. Q4: Is this service only available to users in Nigeria? While the announcement specifically highlights Nigerian Naira functionality, the service may be accessible to users in other regions for trading different asset pairs. However, the bank deposit and withdrawal features are tailored for the Nigerian banking system. Q5: What are the potential risks of using a crypto-fiat exchange like LINQ? As with any financial platform, users should be aware of standard risks including cybersecurity threats, potential platform insolvency, and regulatory changes. It is crucial to use strong security practices (like 2FA) and only use licensed and reputable services that comply with local financial regulations. This post Revolutionary LINQ V2 Crypto-Fiat Exchange Launches on Sui, Slashing Nigerian Naira Settlement to 5 Seconds first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

18 Mar 2026, 13:24

Aster Expands WLFI Collaboration, Launches USD1-Denominated Perpetual Markets

George Town, British Virgin Islands, March 18th, 2026, Chainwire Aster , a trading ecosystem backed by YZi Labs, today announced a major expansion of its collaboration with World Liberty Financial (WLFI). The collaboration introduces USD1-denominated perpetual contracts and new trading incentives, including WLFI token rewards and reduced fees on USD1 pairs, while also allowing users to earn additional rewards on their holdings. The integration is intended to support USD1 liquidity on the platform, laying the groundwork for Aster Chain, the project’s newly-launched Layer 1 blockchain. Building a Diverse Foundation for Aster Chain Adding USD1 as collateral and USD1-denominated perpetual markets reduce Aster’s reliance on any single stablecoin, giving users greater flexibility as the Aster Chain launches. WLFI’s global community helps support Aster’s efforts to expand access to USD1 markets within DeFi. “Aster Chain’s success depends on the depth of its underlying liquidity,” said Leonard, CEO at Aster. “By bringing USD1 into our core trading engine during this phase, we’re building the trading foundation for the Aster Chain launch. Our 0-bps maker fees are designed to encourage participation in USD1 markets on Aster as the mainnet launch.” “Perpetual markets are where a significant portion of trading volume lives. Aster listing USD1 perps pairs and matching USDT collateral ratios means traders can use USD1 in a manner similar to any major stablecoin. That’s the bar we set: functional parity, rather than positioning USD1 a secondary option.” said Zak Folkman, Co-founder & COO of World Liberty Financial. Establishing the USD1 Trading Hub Aster supports USD1-denominated perpetual contracts, launching with BTC, ETH, and SOL pairs, with an additional 10+ pairs planned in the coming weeks. To encourage market participation, Aster is offering zero-bps maker fees and a competitive 0.5-bps taker fee. USD1 is also supported as a core margin asset and collateral, with a collateral ratio on par with USDT – allowing traders to maximize capital efficiency. Rewards for Early Adopters This partnership introduces several incentives as part of Aster Chain’s mainnet launch: USD1 Perp Trading Rewards: Up to 2.5 million WLFI tokens distributed monthly through the USD1 perpetual trading incentive program based on trading activity, with rewards distributed weekly. WLFI reserves all rights regarding program interpretation and distribution. USD1 Holding Incentives: Users holding USD1 on Aster may be eligible to participate in platform incentive programs. Reduced Trading Fees: Zero maker fees and 0.5-bps taker fees on all USD1 pairs, a significant reduction compared to USDT pairs.* Aster will also launch tracking tools including integrated Points Program entry points across web and mobile, allowing users to monitor their progress and participation in early Aster Chain market activity. *Aster’s standard taker fee on USDT pairs is 4 bps. USD1 taker fee is 0.5 bps, representing an approximate 87.5% reduction. Maker fees on USD1 pairs are 0 bps. All fees are set by Aster and subject to change. See Aster’s fee schedule at Aster fee page for current rates. About Aster Aster is a privacy-first onchain trading platform backed by YZi Labs, featuring innovations like Hidden Orders to shield user trading activity. It offers perpetual contracts across crypto, stocks and commodities, as well as crypto spot trading, and is powered by Aster Chain, a Layer 1 blockchain built to power the future of decentralized finance. Users can learn more about Aster on the official website or follow Aster on X . About World Liberty Financial (WLFI) World Liberty Financial (WLFI) operates at the intersection of traditional financial infrastructure with blockchain innovation, creating accessible, transparent, and scalable solutions for a new era of digital finance. This documentation is intended for developers, integrators, researchers, and community members seeking to understand the World Liberty Financial ecosystem. Contact PR & Content Manager Lola Chen Aster [email protected]