Discover Rifampicin (RIF), a Solana-based token merging decentralized science with longevity research on Pump.science. Explore live experiments, gamified funding and predictions.

Rifampicin (RIF) is the gamified compound token for the Rifampicin experiment, representing longevity research conducted with the compound Rifampicin. As part of the 

 (DeSci) movement spearheaded by Molecule and 

, RIF is connected to the Pump.science platform, which leverages blockchain’s decentralized nature to democratize access to research and innovation.

This guide explores what Pump.science is, the RIF token (including its launch and trading) and the way Pump.science seeks to address critical challenges within longevity research.

 highlights three core challenges in developing life-extending interventions.

Traditional research, such as that conducted through human and mouse trials, is often slow and expensive. With more potential drug molecules than atoms in the universe, high-throughput methods are essential. Pump.science leverages blockchain and gamification to balance speed, cost and quality, accelerating discoveries while maintaining data integrity.

 is a blockchain-based research protocol that democratizes the process of conducting and funding scientific experiments, with a focus on longevity research. By breaking down barriers to scientific innovation, Pump.science fosters a more inclusive and creative environment for discoveries.

The platform allows users to propose longevity-focused drug regimens, test them on experimental platforms such as 

 (with plans to expand to other models) and retain ownership of the resulting intellectual property (IP). Results are transparently shared for community review and collaboration.

Think of it as a virtual arena for scientific experimentation, in which regimens compete to extend lifespans. The Colosseum is now a petri dish, the gladiators are microscopic organisms and their weapons are cutting-edge longevity strategies.

How Pump.science Aims to Solve the Longevity Trilemma

Pump.science uses tools such as WormBot to gamify research, creating a Percentage Life Extension (PLE) score as a benchmark for success. Here’s how the basic process works:

This approach reduces research costs, democratizes participation and introduces a transparent, collaborative system for scientific advancement.

Pump.science is a blockchain-based platform that decentralizes and funds longevity research through gamified experimentation. Its process includes the following steps:

This milestone-driven approach combines accessible funding with transparent experimentation, enabling a collaborative and efficient path to discovering effective longevity compounds.

Pump.science integrates decentralized funding with structured, milestone-based experimentation, ensuring each stage is financially feasible and tied to measurable thresholds, as follows:

These thresholds are informed by extensive analysis of historical trading data on platforms like 

, ensuring alignment between funding goals and realistic market behavior.

Efficient and Transparent Research Funding

This structured funding model reduces reliance on centralized gatekeepers, enabling community-driven innovation and collaboration.

 (RIF) is a token on the Solana blockchain that represents ownership in longevity experiments using the compound Rifampicin. Traditionally an antibiotic, Rifampicin is gaining attention for its potential anti-aging properties. Studies of 

 (worms) suggest Rifampicin enhances cellular defenses against stress and damage, extending lifespan by maintaining protein quality and reducing oxidative stress.

On Pump.science, investors can fund and monitor real-time experiments by using RIF tokens.

The RIF token represents intellectual property and experimental rights for Rifampicin on Pump.science. Participants can trade the token and view data from studies that assess its impact on longevity. Its tokenomics ensure efficient funding, as well as transparency and scalability for advancing scientific discovery.

As trading scales, RIF tokens empower participants to fund and benefit from transformative scientific breakthroughs.

 (FDV) of $42 million, reflecting its total supply of 1 billion tokens. Its price performance indicates its potential, as follows:

Pump.science’s clear and ambitious road map for 2025 indicates that the platform is set to expand its impact on decentralized longevity research.

By integrating RIF tokens and leveraging blockchain for funding and data sharing, Pump.science is transforming longevity research into a collaborative and gamified frontier.

Rifampicin (RIF) is now available to trade as a Bybit Perpetual contract. Trade 

Intermediate

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Rifampicin (RIF): Gamified Decentralized Science

Fuel (FUEL) redefines Ethereum Layer 2 with modular design, parallelized transactions, and developer-friendly tools, enabling scalable, low-cost DApps.

 blockchain solutions have mushroomed over the past few years. As a result, developers have a solution for building efficient, low-cost and scalable 

 (DApps), a phenomenon mainly driven by Ethereum's network congestion, poor scalability and high transaction costs. However, many of these Layer 2 networks continue to suffer from performance issues, albeit not to the extent of 

 network. Some blockchain technicians have attributed such performance limitations to the monolithic nature of these platforms.

Fuel is a Layer 2 solution for the Ethereum blockchain that aims to address these problems by adopting a highly modular design and technical innovations such as parallelized transaction processing. Having started as an 

, one of the first of its kind within the world of Ethereum, Fuel has evolved into a modular, high-performance execution layer designed to help developers build scalable DApps. While offering an efficient, high-performance execution layer, Fuel utilizes Ethereum's own data availability (DA) and 

First introduced in 2020, the Fuel project entered a new era at the tail end of 2024 with the launch of its native token, FUEL, and a sharper focus on providing high-performance execution layer infrastructure.

 (FUEL) is a Layer 2-focused blockchain infrastructure project offering a high-performance modular execution layer while utilizing Ethereum’s Layer 1 DA and consensus layers

.Fuel was initially launched in December 2020 as one of the earliest optimistic rollups for Ethereum. Over the next several years, the project’s team refocused their efforts on delivering a modular, scalable Layer 2 solution with its own execution layer, externalizing the DA and consensus layers.

The result of this new approach is the current Fuel network, sometimes referred to as Fuel V2, which acts as what the project has called an operating system for Ethereum rollups. In essence, Fuel V2 offers developers a convenient and flexible way to launch rollup networks and DApps that leverage Fuel's modular architecture principles — an internal and highly scalable execution layer interacting with Ethereum's DA and consensus layers.

Rollups developed using the Fuel framework will feature significant mutual interoperability, in addition to the core benefits of scalability, low costs and Ethereum-supported security. The project’s team launched the first of these Fuel-powered rollups, Fuel Ignition, in October 2024.

As of early 2025, Fuel is actively building an infrastructural ecosystem to support Fuel Ignition and other Fuel-based rollup networks. For instance, users can already take advantage of the platform's native 

, Fuel Wallet, which lets them interact with DApps based on Fuel-powered rollup networks.

Fuel is also actively working on decentralizing its network to enhance security and performance. While a typical rollup solution uses a single sequencer node, a key network actor responsible for both block-building and proposing blocks to the underlying Layer 1, Fuel separates the roles of the builder and the proposer between distinct nodes. Fuel has already completed Phase 0 of its sequencer decentralization initiative, and operates 12 proposers and a single builder. Phase 1 will introduce multiple builders, along with around 100 proposers. The final stage of decentralization, Phase 2, is envisioned to feature as many as 10,000 sequencer proposers.

Fuel aims to be developer-friendly, and offers blockchain developers a toolbox called 

 to facilitate easy scripting and deployment of 

The project's developer is Fuel Labs, a Vancouver (Canada)–based blockchain development company founded by John Adler and Nick Dodson in 2019.

Fuel-based rollups boast performance and security benefits, thanks to several technological innovations, particularly a modular design, a highly secure 

 address model and parallelized transaction processing.

Fuel's technical advantages are based on architectural modularity. Most other rollups use Ethereum Layer 1 only for consensus, internalizing their execution and DA layers. Sidechains, another popular Layer 2 network type besides rollups, often keep all three blockchain layers under the hood. Such monolithic designs may limit scalability or security — or both.

In contrast, Fuel internally handles only the execution layer, allowing the overall platform to remain highly flexible and adaptable. Some other modular rollups adopt the same approach, but they often outsource their DA layers to partnering DA providers, many of which are small projects with less established security profiles. Fuel, on the other hand, utilizes Ethereum Layer 1 directly for both DA and consensus. Since Ethereum is one of the industry's most secure and decentralized platforms, Fuel's overall modular setup enjoys high levels of security.

Another key security advantage of Fuel stems from its UTXO transaction model. While Ethereum and many Ethereum-linked Layer 2 chains employ an account-based model, Fuel utilizes a UTXO setup in which each network address contains unspent amounts from earlier transactions, and each transfer represents an exchange of these unspent funds. First implemented by 

’s blockchain, UTXO is regarded as more secure than Ethereum's account-based model, particularly with regard to protections from 

Fuel's UTXO model also features another critical performance advantage — namely, support for parallel transaction processing. At runtime, Fuel's processing engine determines which transactions don't overlap, in terms of the addresses and UTXO amounts involved. Non-overlapping transactions are then processed in parallel, delivering significant scalability and throughput advantages.

FuelVM is the platform's processing engine. Fuel's virtual machine (VM) is a register-based system designed to optimize performance and parallelized transaction execution. Register-based VMs are one of the two most popular types of VMs, along with stack-based systems like 

 (EVM). Within a stack-based VM, data is stored in and retrieved from a temporary memory stack during transaction processing. In such systems, data pieces are stored and accessed in a last-in, first-out (LIFO) fashion, creating performance bottlenecks, such as a need for frequent instructions or a lack of direct access.

In contrast, a register-based system such as FuelVM processes data pieces held in registers — separate labeled storage areas. Such a design delivers performance benefits in the form of fewer instructions, enabling a more straightforward implementation of parallelized processing.

Sway is a programming language for writing Fuel-based 

. It's a domain-specific language, adapted to the needs of blockchain developers. Sway is based on Rust, a popular general-purpose programming language that emphasizes performance and concurrent processing. Since Fuel heavily leverages parallelized processing in order to achieve its scalability and throughput benefits, the Rust-based Sway is an optimal language for the Fuel platform's smart contracts.

While Sway has inherited many of Rust's properties, Fuel Labs has specifically adapted it for blockchain-based smart contract development. As such, blockchain development with Sway is typically easier and more efficient than using Rust.

Fuel Ignition is the first rollup network to leverage FuelVM. We noted earlier that Fuel is essentially a high-performance execution layer that developers can leverage to launch custom rollups. Theoretically, many different Ethereum-linked rollup chains can utilize Fuel and become part of the platform's ecosystem. Fuel Ignition represents the first step in this direction.

Fuel Ignition features one-second block times and gas fees that are small fractions of a cent. According to the project's public communications, transaction fees on Fuel Ignition can be lower than $0.0002. The Fuel Ignition Layer 2 chain utilizes Ethereum's DA layer. It optimizes the cost and efficiency of data processing on the underlying Layer 1 through the implementation of 

, an experimental Ethereum feature that uses bundles of data called "blobs," instead of standard transactions.

Fuel Ignition boasts a throughput of over 600 

 (TPS) on the Ethereum DA layer. It also features a high TPS per CPU core, with a throughput of 21,000 TPS per CPU. With parallelized processing and high TPS per core, Fuel Ignition is ideally suited for mass adoption on consumer hardware.

Another distinct feature of Ignition is its nearly universal support for Ethereum and 

 (SOL) native wallets. As of early January 2024, the blockchain already has over 60 live DApps operating on it in areas ranging from 

FuelProver is the platform's hybrid proof-generation solution that combines the features of optimistic fraud proofs and 

. Rollups pass these proofs along with blocks of transactions to the underlying Layer 1 chain to help validate transaction data. Optimistic rollups generally offer lower computational overheads, while ZK-rollups feature greater security. FuelProver is envisioned to combine the benefits of the two rollup types, helping developers integrate Fuel's execution layer into both varieties.

Fuel's native cryptocurrency, FUEL, is an 

 token issued on the Ethereum blockchain in December 2024. One of the token's key functions is to support the project's decentralized sequencer network, which is based on the 

 (PoS) validation method. The network utilizes FUEL to secure its operations via staking and stake delegation. Sequencers are rewarded in FUEL for their transaction processing activity. Other platform users can delegate FUEL to preferred sequencers to earn a share of the rewards.

Developers pay in FUEL to utilize the platform's resources, such as access to DA. Gas fees on the sequencer network are also paid in FUEL tokens.

The FUEL token is also used for Application Specific Sequencing, whereby users can bond their FUEL to a specific DApp and earn staking rewards from that application.

FUEL has a total supply of 10 billion, with an annual supply inflation of 3%. The image below details the token’s distribution:

The Fuel project has announced a genesis airdrop campaign, during which 10% of the FUEL supply (1 billion tokens) will be distributed to more than 200,000 eligible addresses. Recipients include various groups of early adopters, including testnet users, holders of NFTs on Fuel Ignition, those bridging funds to the blockchain, active gas users and open-source code contributors. The airdrop is active between Dec 19, 2024 and Jan 19, 2025.

The FUEL token can be purchased as Spot pair (

) on Bybit. As of Jan 7, 2024, FUEL is trading at $0.067, which is 19.8% lower than its ATH of $0.08375 on Dec 29, 2024 and 78.5% higher than its ATL of $0.03762 on Dec 20, 2024.

Until Jan 14, 2025, 8AM UTC, you have the chance to 

 by embarking on Bybit’s Puzzle Hunt! To earn FUEL rewards, start by registering for the Puzzle Hunt event. Then, collect puzzle pieces either by completing simple daily tasks or receiving the pieces from your friends. If you complete three consecutive puzzle pieces, you can earn achance at a lucky draw to unlock even more FUEL rewards. Additionally, be among the first 600 participants to complete the entire puzzle, and you can claim 5,000 FUEL!

Fuel’s network offers developers a unique environment in which to spin off Ethereum rollups. The developer toolchain — featuring Fuel Orchestrator, the Sway programming language and the parallel processing–capable FuelVM — offers outstanding tools that, along with the platform's high throughput capacity and modular design, make the job of launching high-performance rollups that much easier. As Fuel progresses in 2025, the project’s team is determined to keep its focus on serving the developer community, and strives to promote collaboration, innovation, education, creativity and efficiency in all matters related to blockchain rollup development.

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Fuel (FUEL): The Modular Ethereum Layer 2 for Developers

Solana's new proposal introduces a lattice-based hashing system to address the "state growth problem," allowing the blockchain to scale to billions of user accounts. 

Daily Top Performer —  Pudgy Penguins (PENGU)

The S&P 500 rose 0.55% on Monday, driven by gains in tech and semiconductor stocks, with Nvidia and Micron leading the way. Coindesk Indices, an index measuring broader cryptocurrency market performance was up by 2.17%, with Bitcoin and Ether rising by 4.08% and 0.61%, respectively in the past 24 hours.

Today's top performer is PENGU, which surged 3.5% following the Pudgy Penguins assets surge ahead of the Abstract Network launch.

Pudgy Penguins (PENGU), launched in 2021, is a popular NFT collection with a market cap of over $1.19 billion as of December 2024. The brand has expanded into physical toys, generating $10 million in sales through partnerships with major retailers. Ahead of the launch of the Abstract Ethereum layer-2 network, Pudgy Penguins assets are increasing in value. The PENGU token has seen significant growth, while Pudgy Penguin NFTs are approaching a higher floor price. The rise is linked to growing PENGU holders and speculation of another airdrop. Companion collections Lil Pudgys and Pudgy Rods have also gained in value. Details about Abstract’s launch are still scarce, but anticipation is building.

Check Out the Latest Prices, Charts, and Data of Perp 

 introduces a lattice-based hashing system to address the "state growth problem," allowing the blockchain to scale to billions of user accounts. This system enables instant verification of accounts without recalculating the entire state, reducing computational overhead while maintaining security. Early tests have shown promising results, and the upgrade will be implemented through Solana’s formal improvement process, with gradual activation through validator voting.

Yesterday, the total flow for BTC Spot ETFs was $769.5 million, with $73.8 million in GBTC and $695.7 million in non-GBTC.

Check Out the Latest Prices, Charts, and Data of 

. To earn tokens, complete simple tasks like joining Discord or following on X. Tokens can be redeemed at TGE. To participate, connect your Solana wallet, complete tasks, and claim daily rewards. Additionally, the SLM Store charges 1 $ASRR token per query. Start now to maximize your rewards!

Beginner

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Solana's New Hashing Proposal Aims to Scale Blockchain to Billions of Accounts

Alchemist AI is a no-code development platform that transforms natural language into functional applications. Learn more about how it works in this article.

Complex coding requirements continue to block millions of web3 users from creating software applications. Alchemist AI offers a unique solution that combines AI and 

, enabling anyone to create applications through simple natural language while earning rewards in its marketplace ecosystem.

This article explores Alchemist AI’s workings, from its AI-powered application generation to its token-based monetization system. We'll examine its unique features, analyze its market potential and evaluate its position as both a development platform and investment opportunity.

 is a no-code development platform that transforms natural language into functional applications. Built on Solana, it combines AI-powered development with a blockchain marketplace, allowing users to build and monetize applications without technical expertise.

The Alchemist AI website tells a mythical origin story set in the ancient realm of Alberon. According to the tale, within the mist-shrouded valleys lies the Arcane Forge, an ancient school where masters of "Linguistic Alchemy" discovered how to transform words into digital reality.

This storytelling reflects the platform's core mission of making software creation as natural as speaking your ideas. By combining AI language models with blockchain technology, the anonymous team has built a system with which anyone can transform simple descriptions into working applications.

Alchemist AI's primary goal is to eliminate technical barriers to web application creation by transforming natural language into functional code. Removing the requirement for programming expertise enables anyone with an idea to create applications without learning complex programming languages.

Beyond accessibility, Alchemist AI seeks to shorten the development process from months to minutes. Through AI-powered code generation and automated testing, creators can rapidly prototype and iterate their applications to significantly reduce the time to market for new ideas.

Alchemist AI also aims to democratize application monetization through its marketplace ecosystem. Creators can sell their applications directly to users, earning ALCH tokens for their contributions while building a community in which anyone can turn their ideas into profitable solutions.

Alchemist AI uses a four-step process that helps transform simple text descriptions into functional applications.

Users can fine-tune this process using the Generation Settings slider, which controls the following parameters:

 enables integration with premium services and custom APIs, expanding the possibilities for application functionality.

Alchemist AI offers a comprehensive suite of tools and features to streamline the entire application development life cycle.

 is Alchemist AI's core development space, where users create fully functional applications using natural language. Instead of writing code, creators describe what they want to build — whether it's a game, productivity tool, or business application.

Using the AI Laboratory is straightforward:

The Laboratory adapts to your creative vision through its Generation Settings slider, while the integrated Wizard Chat Bot provides real-time assistance for refinements and improvements.

 is a decentralized store where the Alchemist AI community can share and monetize their creations. All transactions within the marketplace are powered by the platform's native ALCH token, which enables direct 

 transactions, a community tipping system and advanced creator monetization opportunities.

Creators can easily list their applications by navigating to the 

 tab, uploading their completed app, setting a price in ALCH tokens and providing descriptive information. Buyers can browse categories like 

 to find applications that match their particular needs.

 is Alchemist AI's control center for customizing application generation. Through its intuitive interface, users can fine-tune the way the AI creates applications by adjusting parameters and setting default configurations.

The system offers preconfigured profiles for different needs:

Users can enhance their workflow by setting default prompts, such as 

, ensuring consistent styling and features across all generated applications. These parameters can be adjusted at any time, giving creators complete control over their applications’ generation and refinement.

, the Alchemist AI team outlined their vision for 2025, with a focus on pushing beyond current capabilities for building basic applications. While the platform excels at creating programs from user prompts, it aims to tackle more sophisticated software development. The road map focuses on evolving Alchemist AI’s system to handle complex applications, while maintaining the platform's core principle of minimal technical requirements. 

Key to this evolution is the introduction of Pro Mode, a feature designed for users with the technical knowledge to create more intricate applications. This strategic direction positions Alchemist AI to compete with established Web 2.0 platforms, such as Bolt, while maintaining its accessibility advantage. Unlike platforms that require coding expertise, Alchemist AI promises to deliver advanced functionality through simple natural language inputs.

ALCH, the native token of Alchemist AI, powers its entire ecosystem. The token plays several crucial roles within the platform:

The ALCH token bridges the gap between creators and users, facilitating a sustainable economy within the Alchemist AI ecosystem. By powering all marketplace transactions, ALCH ensures seamless value transfer between community members while simultaneously incentivizing the creation of quality content.

While cryptocurrency price predictions are inherently speculative, various analysts have offered forecasts for ALCH. CoinCodex 

 between $0.07 and $0.29 in 2025, with an average price of $0.17. CoinDataFlow 

 between $0.13 and $0.34 in 2025, while its longer-term outlook for 2026–2031 suggests a range of $0.10 to $0.47.

These projections suggest moderate growth potential for ALCH, which aligns with increasing demand for AI-powered development solutions. Ultimately, the token's value will be determined by Alchemist AI's success in attracting users to its platform, as well as broader market trends and the wider adoption of no-code development tools.

Looking to trade ALCH tokens? Bybit now offers the ALCH/USDT Spot trading pair. To get started, you’ll first need to create a Bybit account, then fund it with cryptocurrency and navigate to the 

To celebrate this listing, Bybit is holding 

 for you to earn a share of a 1,500,000 ALCH prize pool through 

While Alchemist AI (ALCH) showcases innovative technology in the no-code development space, investors need to carefully consider both its strengths and risk factors before making investment decisions.

With its strong technical infrastructure and innovative approach to democratizing software development, Alchemist AI (ALCH) shows promising potential. However, potential investors will want to 

 and consider their own risk tolerance before investing.

Alchemist AI reimagines software development through its intuitive, language-based approach. Now, anyone can transform ideas into functional applications, setting the stage for a future in which software creation is truly accessible to all.

Its vision for 2025 extends this promise, evolving toward sophisticated application development while keeping creation as simple as a conversation. Executing this vision will be key to both Alchemist AI’s and the ALCH token's long-term success.

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Alchemist AI (ALCH): Forging Ahead in Innovation With AI Alchemy

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Altcoins

Puzzled about the recent hype behind the Terra ecosystem? Find out what are their differences as we highlight them in our LUNA vs. LUNC comparison.

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The market is still reeling from the spectacular collapse of the Terra ecosystem in May 2022. The trouble started when Terra's algorithmic stablecoin, UST, lost its peg to the dollar, sending its sister token, LUNA, into a hyperinflationary death spiral. Within a week, the two tokens, previously among the top 10 cryptocurrency tokens, had become almost worthless, wiping out over 

Do Kwon, the founder of Terraform Labs (developer of the Terra Blockchain), proposed a hard fork in an attempt to revive the project. The hard fork implementation resulted in a new chain with a native token called Luna (LUNA), and the original Terra blockchain's native token was renamed Luna Classic (LUNC).

With the market yet to recover from the debacle, Terra's back in the news again. This time, LUNC, the native token of the original Terra blockchain (Terra Classic), 

 in a month, launching it into the top 30 cryptos by market cap.

Is it the right time to return to Terra? First, let's analyze the recent price hikes of LUNA and LUNC and what they mean for investors.

 is a Cosmos-based blockchain payment platform built to support algorithmic stablecoins (crypto assets that automatically track the price of fiat currencies or other assets). The Terra blockchain attempts to leverage the combination of fiat currencies’ price stability and the censorship-resistance of decentralized networks to offer users instant and affordable exchanges, payments and settlements.

Terra, a Layer 1 blockchain, was powered by LUNA, its native token used for governance and staking, and 

, its main stablecoin. The two tokens had an innovative symbiotic relationship that involved a price-balancing model. Using smart contracts, Terra incentivizes users through an arbitrage model that seeks to keep the supply of UST in constant equilibrium with demand, thereby sustaining the 1:1 USD peg.

Terraform Labs, the startup behind the Terra ecosystem, was co-founded by Do Kwon and Daniel Shin in 2018. The Terraform team started developing the project the same year and officially launched the mainnet in April 2019. 

Do Kwon, who assumed the CEO role, had previously founded Anyfi, a blockchain startup that provides decentralized wireless communication network solutions. He was also a software engineer with Microsoft and Apple.

By 2021, the Terra network had rolled out various stablecoins pegged to different fiat currencies, including TerraUSD (UST), TerraCNY, TerraGBP, TerraJPY, TerraKRW, TerraEUR and TerraSDR (pegged to the International Monetary Fund's 

). Terra stablecoins facilitated cross-border payments and instant swaps at negligible fees.

This robust real-world utility made Terra a leading stablecoin payment system, and Terra UST quickly became the third largest stablecoin by market cap. The Terra ecosystem expanded in the DeFi space and included over 100 projects, notably Anchor Protocol, LoTerra, Chia, Vega Protocol, Mirror Protocol and Talis Protocol, which provide various solutions for millions of users globally.

On May 8, 2022, TerraUSD (UST) briefly lost its peg to the dollar, slipping from $1 to $0.985. Although it regained its peg, the event cast doubts over the project's sustainability. What followed next was a devastating erosion of value as investors rushed to liquidate their UST holdings.

To understand the Terra meltdown, we need a basic grasp of the underpinning mechanism of the LUNA-UST symbiotic relationship.

 wallet. This means that if UST drops below its $1 peg, say to $0.90, users can exchange it for $1 LUNA and then sell it for $1, making a profit of $0.10 on the transaction. The supply of UST will shrink, and demand for the token will rise as users leverage the arbitrage opportunity to make a quick buck. This buying pressure will force the price of UST back to its peg of $1.

The next day, May 9, UST lost its peg again, this time plummeting to $0.35. With the depegging of UST and the rising concern over the viability of the algorithmic stablecoin model, an organization known as the Luna Foundation Guard (LFG) managed to 

, to hedge against further slippage of UST against its dollar peg. Do Kwon and the Terra team had set up LFG in January to shore up UST's stability and support the growth of the Terra ecosystem.

However, these efforts were too little too late, and the devastating liquidations continued. Within days, UST's price dropped from $1 to $0.044. LUNA wasn't spared. As investors dumped UST, the mint-and-burn mechanism — which was supposed to stabilize UST’s peg — ensured the circulating supply of LUNA grew exponentially, causing its price to plummet from $80 to less than $0.10. 

The arbitrage mechanism failed, and swapping 1 UST for $1 LUNA became impossible as slippage — the quoted price vs. the actual exchange price — increased exponentially.

Within days of the Terra ecosystem's collapse, its contagion effect pulled down several top crypto companies linked to Terra in an intertwined web of loans. Leading crypto hedge fund Three Arrows Capital (3AC), Voyager Digital and Celsius Network were unwitting dominoes that filed for 

 and collapsed in the aftershock. Several DeFi protocols and stablecoins, such as USDX collateralized partially by UST, also went down. The shockwave traversed the cryptoverse, spooking investors and depressing an already bearish market. 

In the aftermath of the Terra fiasco, it was revealed that Do Kwon had dissolved Terraform Labs Korea shortly before the drastic turn of events. It was also alleged that he was involved in Basis Cash, another algorithmic stablecoin that failed shortly after launch.

In an attempt to salvage the situation, the embattled Do Kwon proposed the 

 His proposal to Terra's developer community involves creating a new blockchain through a 

 (a major split in a blockchain, typically to resolve differences arising within a community). The new chain's native token would be distributed among community members in proportion to their UST and LUNA holdings.

Most validators (network custodians who keep it running by validating transactions) voted in favor of the revival proposal.

Accordingly, the fork was implemented, and a new Terra blockchain (

) went live on May 28, 2022. Its native token inherited the LUNA name. The original blockchain, now referred to as Terra Classic, remained active, but with little visible development activity. Its token was renamed 

Finding it tough to tell them apart because they both have Terra in their names and are operating in parallel to each other? Don’t fret, our LUNA vs. LUNC comparison will easily clear up any confusion. While the two tokens share the same provenance, they’re different in a few fundamental ways.

Essentially, Terra Classic (LUNC) is the new name for Terra's original Luna token, linked to the doomed stablecoin, TerraUSD (UST), which was launched in 2018. LUNC (still LUNA at that time) dropped dramatically when UST lost its peg to the dollar, as the algorithm meant to stabilize UST minted trillions of tokens, causing it to lose almost 100% of its value in the process.

Luna (LUNA) is the name for the native token of the new offshoot blockchain, launched on May 28, 2022. Holders of the old UST and LUNC received the brand-new LUNA tokens through an airdrop in the first token distribution rounds.

LUNA cut its ties to the UST stablecoin after the fork, while LUNC retained it under a new identity, TerraClassicUSD (USTC). This might be viewed as a strategic decision to lay low amid scrutiny from the House of Representatives as they’re drafting a 

 that will ban algorithmic stablecoins for the next two years.

Recently, Terra Classic has been in the news thanks to a tax burn policy being passed. Edward Kim, a community member, 

 on September 1. Proposal #3568, as it's officially known, will charge a 1.2% fee for all on-chain USTC and LUNC transactions across different wallets and smart contracts. Aiming to make LUNC a deflationary token, the proposal entails burning the tax (or removing permanently from the circulating supply) by sending it to a dead address. The tax burn will continue till the total supply of LUNC is slashed to 10 billion, where it will remain unaltered.

The hype surrounding the proposal before it went live on September 20 sent

 to $0.000594 by September 8, 2022. This excitement was further driven by Binance’s decision to be onboard with the proposal and 

 on its LUNC spot and margin trading pairs.

 as of September 29, 2022 was $2.49 in the past 24 hours. LUNA has a daily traded volume of $168,176,481 and a current market cap of $411,316,857, with a total circulating supply of 165,041,684 LUNA tokens.

 as of September 29, 2022 was $0.00028034 in the previous 24 hours, with a 24-hour trading volume of $676,746,092. The token had a market capitalization of $1,956,290,506 and a circulating supply of 6,900,774,631,923 LUNC tokens.

Understandably, the FUD (fear, uncertainty and doubt) surrounding LUNA and LUNC is palpable. Given the rumors of underhand dealings by Do Kwon and the Terraform Labs team, it may take a while for the investing public to regain confidence in the tokens, especially LUNC. 

However, LUNA has comparatively more prospects of a bullish future since it severed ties with the old terra blockchain and its problematic stablecoin. Development on the original terra blockchain has petered out, due to little or no incentives for developers to build new projects on the chain.

Therefore, LUNA is a better option to buy if its rocky antecedents don’t scare you. Still, it may take some time before LUNA sees any sustainable growth. The new blockchain has to incentivize the multiple protocol development teams who worked on the old terra ecosystem to build on the new Terra 2.0 chain. They need to gain confidence to continue building applications on the new chain. This is vital to LUNA's growth, since the long-term prospects of any utility token depend on its use cases and the real-world solutions it can provide to users.

With the recent LUNC pump, it may seem like an attractive investment. But any token that

appreciates by 400% in such a short period should be approached with caution. 

As previously explained, part of the reason for the LUNC pump was the news of the 

, which promised to make the token deflationary in order to shrink the overabundant supply and drive demand and price. The news triggered a wave of speculation that saw the token apparently rebound. 

However, even after taking into account LUNC’s recent rally, it falls desperately short of the original LUNA at its peak. While the LUNC token rose to 

on September 8, LUNA's price was over $100 in March earlier this year. 

It followed that investors who suffered massive losses in the Terra ecosystems crash might

be excited by the hope of recovering their investment, seeing the strong efforts by the dedicated Terra community to revive the project. This is another reason for LUNC's recent gains.

In the end, the most critical question is if the two Terra tokens will be able to regain public trust after such a devastating implosion. Aside from the tax burn, a tactic which hasn’t always proven effective, there's little going on in terms of developments to make the Terra Classic project stand out from the crowded smart contract blockchain space. 

Again, the Terra Classic chain still retains the algorithmic stablecoin mechanism that brought it down in the first place.

LUNA vs. LUNC: Are These Terra Projects Still Good Investments?

Grab Up to 5,000 USDT in Rewards

Grab Up to 5,000 USDT in Rewards