Unichain, Uniswap’s L2 network, now handles over 76% of Uniswap v4 volume, driven by UNI incentives and its new Rollup-Boost feature. 

The S&P 500 jumped 3.26% as US-China tariff easing lifted market sentiment. Investors now await CPI and retail data for signs of inflation trends under the new trade regime. Gold fell near $3,208 as easing US-China trade tensions reduced safe-haven demand. With CPI data ahead, further downside is likely. Technicals suggest bearish momentum, with key support at $3,202. The Coindesk Indices, which tracks the broader crypto market, fell 1.97%, with Bitcoin and Ether down 2.53% and 0.95%, in the past 24 hours. Trade these markets and more with up to 500x leverage on Bybit MT5 using this 

Today's top performer is RUNE, which surged by 4.4% following the completion of Halborn's security audit for Rujira Network's omnichain DeFi layer on THORChain.

THORChain (RUNE), created in 2018, is a decentralized protocol enabling native asset swaps across blockchains without wrapping. Built on Cosmos SDK and Tendermint, it uses Proof-of-Stake and Byzantine Fault Tolerance for secure cross-chain transactions. Halborn has 

 a smart contract security audit for Rujira Network, which is building an omnichain DeFi app layer on THORChain. Rujira enables seamless access to DeFi apps using native assets across connected chains.

Check out the latest prices, charts, and data of 

Unichain, Uniswap’s L2 network, now handles over 76% of Uniswap v4 volume, driven by UNI incentives and its new Rollup-Boost feature. This upgrade enhances MEV handling, cuts failed transaction gas costs, and sets the stage for Flashblocks—an upcoming 200ms block time system. Despite v4’s growth, Uniswap v3 still leads in total volume. The aim of Unichain is to solve Ethereum mainnet and L2 liquidity fragmentation while improving speed and decentralization.

Yesterday, BTC spot ETFs saw total outflows of $64.2 million, with $32.9 million from GBTC and $31.3 million from all other ETFs combined.

Multipli’s Season 1 has ended with 359.2M ORBs distributed (50% of supply). 

, allocating 30% of ORBs. Users can continue earning by keeping funds on mainnet or testnet—no action required. New users can join via testnet (free) or deposit stablecoins on BSC/Ethereum.

Beginner

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Unichain leads Uniswap v4 activity with rollup-boost upgrade and upcoming flashblocks feature

Ethereum surged 29% this week, breaking a 10-week downtrend and catching short sellers off guard with $400M liquidated. 

The S&P 500 extended its rally with a nine-day winning streak, its longest since 2004, as optimism over potential trade deals and upcoming Fed and earnings updates lifted sentiment. Gold rose to $3,245 on trade uncertainty and Fed rate cut hopes. CoinDesk Indices, which tracks the broader crypto market, fell 1.50% in the past 24 hours, while Bitcoin and Ether dropped 0.10% and 0.51%, respectively. Trade these markets and more with up to 500x leverage on Bybit MT5 using this 

Today's top performer is AI16Z, which surged 7.0% after Bonsai's smart media protocol integrated with Eliza to empower agent-driven social content creation.

elizaOS (AI16Z), launched in October 2024, formerly ai16z, is a Solana-based DApp that uses a DAO and an AI agent, "Marc AIndreessen," to manage community-driven investments in tech and crypto projects. 

, lets developers create agent-driven social media scripts and templates using ElizaOS plugins. The Bonsai Client, its first implementation, enables easy deployment of these smart media agents on platforms like Lens. Builders can explore these tools and compete for prizes in the Lens Spring Hackathon.

Ethereum surged 29% this week, breaking a 10-week downtrend and catching short sellers off guard with $400M liquidated. Despite muted ETF flows and neutral derivatives sentiment, ETH’s dominance remains unshaken—boasting $64B in TVL, dwarfing Solana, BNB Chain, and Tron combined. With fresh momentum from the recent pectra upgrades and Trump distancing from rival altcoins, all eyes are now on a potential push toward $2,700. 

BTC spot ETFs saw $920.9M in net inflows this week, driven by $1.09B into non-GBTC funds despite $171.5M outflows from GBTC. Since inception, total net inflows stand at $41.1B.

 are now live and claimable as a small bonus for users farming the upcoming Aster (AST) airdrop. By depositing BNB to mint asBNB, users can start earning points toward both the main airdrop and future ecosystem rewards. Optional perp trading can boost points further, but simply holding asBNB is enough to qualify.

Ethereum outperforms with a 20% rally as fresh capital flows in and undervaluation signals flash

Our monthly report delves into insights from options volatility to inspire your next crypto move.

: April 2025 saw BTC's implied volatility surge above 75% due to tariff chaos, but it collapsed to 35% within a week, indicating a surprising short-term drop in volatility expectations despite ongoing macro uncertainty.

: BTC's return above $100K was met with muted enthusiasm in the derivatives market, suggesting that 

traders no longer view this level as a significant psychological barrier, and the rally isn’t likely to be sustained.

: ETH significantly outperformed BTC with a 23% rally, leading to increased demand for short-dated calls and a positive shift in the options market, highlighting renewed bullish sentiment.

: Historical trends suggest a potential summer lull in volatility in store for BTC, raising questions about whether this pattern will repeat in 2025 amidst ongoing macroeconomic challenges.

Bitcoin’s volatility plunges in late April

April 2025 witnessed significant volatility in the cryptocurrency market, particularly influenced by US trade policies. As President Trump announced steep reciprocal tariffs, the crypto landscape experienced sharp fluctuations. Bitcoin (BTC) initially demonstrated resilience, despite widespread sell-offs in equities and the US dollar, only to succumb to a decline from $88K to $75K by early April. This period was characterized by a dramatic rise in implied volatility that peaked above 75% as traders sought protection through short-dated puts. However, as the tariffs faced moderation, implied volatility plummeted to 35% by mid-April, marking the lowest level since early March.

Interestingly, while short-tenor volatility collapsed, 

the back end of BTC's term structure remained elevated, signaling that market participants expect heightened volatility in the mid-term

. Amidst this backdrop, realized volatility fell below the five-year seasonal average, paralleling similar trends in previous years and suggesting a 

. The historical pattern contrasts that BTC often experiences a rebound in volatility heading into May, raising questions about whether this trend will persist.

Subdued derivative response suggests Bitcoin rally might not endure

The market's reaction to BTC's resurgence above the $100K threshold was notably subdued compared to previous instances. While BTC rallied 20% following the initial tariff sell-off, the derivatives market displayed a muted response. The 25-delta put/call skew, a measure of market sentiment, indicated only a slight bias toward out-of-the-money calls, contrasting sharply with sentiment previously when BTC first breached the $100K mark in December 2024. This lack of exuberance suggests that traders no longer view $100K as a significant inflection point, raising concerns about the sustainability of the rally. 

Meanwhile, funding rates and implied volatility — though still bullish — didn’t reach the extremes observed in earlier months, indicating more cautious market sentiment. The relationship between BTC's spot price and implied volatility suggests that although traders are optimistic, they’re waiting for BTC to approach previous all-time highs before adjusting their volatility expectations.

Ethereum's option data points to further rally

In stark contrast to BTC, Ethereum (ETH) displayed remarkable resilience and outperformed major cryptocurrencies, gaining 23% overnight following favorable trade news. This rally catalyzed a surge in demand for short-dated calls, pushing front-end volatility expectations significantly higher. The response from the derivatives market was robust, inverting the term structure and indicating renewed bullish sentiment toward ETH, even as it’s trading well below its all-time high.

The ETH options market exhibited a shift from neutral to slightly negative skew, to a 10% bias favoring out-of-the-money calls, reflecting the market's confidence in ETH's potential to regain lost ground. Despite overall macroeconomic uncertainty, the demand for ETH options suggests that traders are optimistic about Ether’s future price movements.

In conclusion, April 2025 highlighted the complex interplay between macroeconomic factors and cryptocurrency market dynamics. While BTC faced challenges in eliciting strong responses from derivatives markets upon recrossing the $100K threshold, ETH's performance indicated a divergence in market sentiment. As traders navigate the evolving landscape, the potential for seasonal volatility patterns and the influence of macroeconomic developments will remain critical factors in shaping future market expectations.

Advanced

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Bybit X Block Scholes options volatility report (April 2025): Data suggests Bitcoin rally might not endure, but Ether sees further upside

Our weekly crypto derivatives analytics report delves into macro events; the current state of crypto and trading signals from spot trading volume; and futures, options and perpetual contracts.

After mostly trading sideways at the end of April 2025, a US-UK trade deal sparked a crypto rally. BTC surged past $100K for the first time since February, but it’s ETH's performance that captured the derivatives market's attention. 

A 23% increase in ETH's spot price led to an inverted term structure and a spike in front-end volatility. The put/call skew for ETH shifted from a bearish bias to a nearly 10% skew toward OTM calls. Other sentiment indicators, such as perp funding rates and futures yield, also supported the rally. In contrast, while BTC's funding rates and skew have increased, its implied volatility remains low at 40%, over 30 points below ETH's 7-day implied volatility.

Please check out the report’s highlights.

ETH’s record performance since 2021 was propelled by positive term structure

ETH has significantly outperformed BTC and the top 10 cryptocurrencies, marking its largest single-day gain since May 2021. The options market has reflected this enthusiasm, with implied volatility for short tenors rising sharply and inverting ETH’s term structure, thus contrasting with BTC's muted, positively sloped structure. The 7-day tenor for ETH is now trading at a 33-point premium over that for BTC. 

While puts dominate BTC's open interest, ETH is seeing the opposite trend. On May 8, 2025, options volumes surged over $120M, more than double the typical monthly volume, with $60M more in calls than puts. ETH now boasts a positive futures curve and funding rates, as well as a strong skew toward OTM calls.

ETH sees exceptionally bullish put/call skew

ETH's substantial outperformance in the current crypto rally has led to bullish sentiment in its derivatives markets. Funding rates have surged, futures yields are strongly positive and the put/call skew has shifted significantly toward OTM calls, now close to 10%. This starkly contrasts with early April, when the skew was 20% toward OTM puts. Although ETH has underperformed (relative to BTC and other "ETH killers"), it has rebounded in this rally, with the ETH/BTC ratio rising after spending most of the year declining.

Open interest for Bitcoin options increased, with implied volatility remaining suppressed

The announcement of the new US administration's first trade deal, nearly 30 days into Trump's 90-day tariff pause, jolted crypto markets, pushing BTC back up above $100K. Surprisingly, implied volatility has remained suppressed, failing to invert BTC's term structure, with front-end volatility trading at around an 18-month low of 35-40%. On May 8, 2025, options volumes surged, with call volume reaching $189M, reversing last week's trend of higher put volumes. Meanwhile, open interest rose steadily to exceed $300M, the highest level this month, but remains significantly larger for puts than for calls despite the price increase.

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Bybit X Block Scholes crypto derivatives analytics report (May 9, 2025): Ether’s put/call skew turns remarkably more bullish than Bitcoin’s

Bybit Learn

DeFi

DeSo is a decentralized social network that offers users ownership over their own content and the ability to monetize it. Find out more about how it works here.

Social media is becoming a more important part of our everyday lives. 

 can improve scalability, privacy and overall infrastructure.

. It’s a web3 social layer that enhances the way we interact with one another. The use of on-chain open data allows multiple decentralized social media applications to quickly share data. The 

 cost-effective technology is also designed to efficiently store data. Use this guide to learn more about DeSo, and how it’s affecting the future of social media.

DeSo is a decentralized social network that not only offers users most of the functionality of Web 2.0 social media platforms, but also enhances it by offering users ownership over their own content and the ability to monetize it. 

DESO is the native cryptocurrency on the Decentralized Social blockchain. This unique, open-source Layer 1 blockchain is designed to support and scale social media applications that require large amounts of data.

, a former Google software engineer. Because of his dedication to decentralized social media, he’s been given the nickname “the Facebook Killer.” Development for the Decentralized Social blockchain began in May 2019 under the name 

. He also began the DeSo Foundation to support blockchain development and the decentralization of social media.

Several early investors were on board with BitClout’s concept. The DeSo platform raised $200 million for development from 

In March 2021, BitClout launched a prototype of a decentralized version of Twitter built on the DeSo platform. Only a few select early investors were given access to the website. These investors were encouraged to invite other users to the platform, which became very active within a few weeks. This unique prototype demonstrated the versatility of the DeSo infrastructure, and showed how decentralized social apps could easily use the technology to scale. DeSo quickly introduced other features in 2021, including social tipping, NFTs, 

In December 2021, DESO became listed on Coinbase, only a few months after the DeSo platform was introduced. This meant that DeSo was among the fastest Layer 1 blockchains to be listed on the exchange, which has its own standards and requirements.

 joined the DeSo team to help scale the business. His current goal is to expand the web3 capabilities of the decentralized social media platform and further enhance the creator economy.

DeSo aims to be the first decentralized blockchain-based social media platform. The DeSo platform will connect people with common interests, and give people more control over their social media interactions. Because the platform is blockchain-based, users will also be able to maintain a sense of privacy and an added layer of security when interacting with one another.

As social media continues to grow, privacy is becoming a bigger issue. Major social media platforms have a long history of controlling and selling user data. DeSo allows users to control every aspect of their social graph in a decentralized environment. Not only will this give you access to all your social content on a single platform — it means you truly own your own data.

DeSo also makes it easier for social media applications to scale. Web 2.0 social media platforms require a lot of digital storage to support billions of users. Uploading “likes,” pictures and status updates onto a blockchain like Ethereum would cost millions of dollars, as compared to DeSo. According to their website, the cost of storing about 200 characters on-chain is $0.000017, compared to Ethereum’s $78.75. Even more cost-efficient options like 

 don’t come close to the platform’s storage prices.

, or IPFS, which connects all devices on the network to the same set of files. This data isn’t stored in a single location — as it would be on a typical Web 2.0 social network — making it less prone to hackers.

The token-based system allows all users to easily access and contribute to the network. DeSo’s native token, DESO, can be exchanged between users on the network. Users can also earn tokens by posting content, commenting or liking posts, and tagging other users. Content creators can also easily be tipped diamonds, which are directly deposited into the user’s wallet. According to

, some users earn thousands of dollars in diamonds each week.

All activities on the DeSo platform have a price. Whether you’re voting in a poll or posting a status update, you’ll need to pay tokens. The more active you become on the blockchain, the higher the fee becomes. While at first this may sound like a disadvantage, keep in mind that 25 percent of the fees collected are redistributed to token holders.

Decentralized Social is based on the Ethereum blockchain, but it uses a hybrid 

 (PoW) consensus mechanism to operate. This results in far lower energy costs. While the hybrid PoW mechanism is efficient, the DeSo Foundation has announced that a 

Decentralized Social has a number of features that make it a truly unique platform. Most blockchains are built with 

 (DeFi) applications in mind. Instead, DeSo focuses on running social media applications. Social media has several different requirements from typical DeFi applications, especially when it comes to interaction and storage. Here are just some of the features that set DeSo apart.

The DeSo platform currently uses a hybrid consensus mechanism to operate. By using a PoW model, the blockchain is able to maintain high levels of security while using considerably less energy than other major blockchains. The development team is consistently working to enhance the model, and plans to move to a PoS protocol in the future.

A social graph illustrates the connections between users, groups and organizations on a social network. With decentralized social media, all user data is open. This allows users to store all of their posts and social graphs directly on-chain, which makes it impossible for social platforms and third parties to use your connections against you.

Most blockchains are designed to store light amounts of data for efficiency. While DeFi protocols typically only need a few bytes of storage space, social applications require infinite amounts of data. 

 addresses this issue while allowing for enhanced scalability.

Blockchain activities are typically synced by downloading blocks. Every transaction contained within the block is downloaded. While this can happen very quickly, it uses large amounts of data to process each transaction. Hypersync reduces the amount of data being used by providing users with a snapshot of block activity. The records are trimmed down, and made smaller and more efficient.

On-chain storage is a problem for many blockchain networks. When it comes to the amount of storage space required for large social media networks, blockchain technology typically can’t keep up. That’s because most blockchains were built to power finite-state applications, with a set amount of storage requirements. However, social media apps are infinite-state applications that can grow indefinitely. The DeSo platform uses a custom-built complex system of indexes to increase scaling.

 is a development tool that allows users to easily store key pairs, or credentials, in applications built on the DeSo platform. Developers don’t need to worry about creating extensive forms or input validations to verify individual identities. Instead, this is seamlessly integrated into the app.

At the time of this writing (December 5, 2022), there are hundreds of 

 accessible on the DeSo platform. With several development tools readily available, new applications are popping up regularly. Among the most popular are:

The DeSo platform is the perfect place for content creators to earn money. With multiple decentralized social applications, there are dozens of ways creators can get paid for their work so they can start earning additional income. With web3 and blockchain technology, it’s easier for creators to maintain ownership over your content and connect with your followers.

Every profile on the DeSo platform has its own unique 

 that’s assigned to it. Also known as creator coins, social tokens are unique assets that can help draw users to your content. When creator coins are sold, the creator receives a portion known as the founder’s reward, or FR for short. While the default FR for social tokens is 100 percent, you can lower the amount later to entice investors.

Utilizing creator coins can be a great way to raise extra funds for a project. You can find unique ways to promote your social tokens online. 

NFTs are continuing to grow in popularity. Using the NFTz application, artists can sell their work to the highest bidder, much as they would on OpenSea. Unlike other blockchains, creating a new NFT on DeSo costs very little and uses a gasless 

 process. The Social Zone also allows you to easily coordinate NFT projects and build your fan base.

Social tipping allows fans or viewers on DeSO to easily donate diamonds to their favorite creators. Rather than “liking” content, users can send content creators real money with the click of a button. Social tipping encourages content creators to develop regular content on the DeSo platform, while extra incentive also encourages users to create engaging content of value. Because of the way the DeSo platform operates, there are several opportunities to collect tips.

It can be a difficult choice to move to a new platform if you already have an existing following. It takes time and effort to fully learn all of the features of a new social application. While Decentralized Social may seem complex, the DeSo platform is easy to navigate, and has a low learning curve. There are also several unique benefits to using the DeSo platform that you won’t find on a typical Web 2.0 social platform.

Did you know that several social media platforms can use your content without your permission after you post it? While most popular platforms allow you to maintain your intellectual property, you may not have full control over who sees it. With the DeSo platform, you’re always in control over your content. Blockchain technology also allows you to easily move your content from one social application to another.

As mentioned above, monetization is much easier with the DeSo platform. There are several methods content creators can use to generate extra revenue. The easiest way to monetize is through diamonds, but you can also take advantage of the NFT marketplace or social tokens. Whether you want to monetize by encouraging others to buy your creator coins, or through social tipping, all you need to do is start posting engaging content and build a community to monetize on DeSo. The more people who interact with your content, the greater your potential to earn.

Creating new applications on the DeSo platform is fairly straightforward, and a lot of resources are available.

 is a great place to start researching what you’ll need to complete your project. You’ll also be able to use programming languages you may already be familiar with, such as 

. Because the DeSo platform is open-source, the possibilities for application development and the use of the web3 social layer are endless.

Blockchain technology makes it easier to keep your social media activities private. Instead of private companies holding your data, it’s safely stored on the DeSo platform. It can’t be accessed without your permission, much like when you’re using blockchains for financial applications.

While the content you see on the network isn’t regulated, it does use a reputation system. This decentralized system can be used to rate the accuracy of the content you see. Because users must pay for all activities, they’re less likely to see people with multiple accounts. The lack of an algorithm also allows users to tailor the content they’re shown with more precision.

Decentralized Social has achieved a lot in the past two years, especially when you consider that the DeSo platform is unique with its own set of challenges. In 2022 alone, Decentralized Social launched Hypersync, 

 that outlines the achievements DeSo hopes to make over the next few months. While the document reminds us that this road map is a draft, it helps to show some of the many projects the development team is working on.

Q3 2022 marked the start of the “Social Layer of Web3,” also known as Phase One. During this time, MetaMask was integrated, enabling the ecosystem to be utilized cross-chain. This also facilitated easy integration among Ethereum-focused platforms needing a decentralized social layer for communication. The quarter also saw the launch of the 

, and the ability to accept any funds, including 

, on DAODAO. Toward the end of the year, users will be introduced to on-chain end-to-end encrypted group chats.

During Q4 2022, there will be a transition into Phase Two, also known as the “Internet of DeSo.” This phase will focus on recruiting new creators and increasing global DESO liquidity. There will be a heavy focus on long-form content, and encouraging creators to post blogs. This in turn will help creators monetize their content and, ideally, make DeSo a top way to share long-form thoughts.

Associations, a “verification paradigm” expected in Q4 2022, will allow app developers and users to easily establish relationships between users and their content, which will help creators build authority and trust among their followers.

Storage capabilities may also get an upgrade in Q4 2022 with the launch of DeSo Vaults, a way to store content directly on the blockchain. Users will be able to create and render static html pages, essentially creating a fully-decentralized version of the internet.

The last phase, “Revolution,” begins with the development of new content for 

 and the integration with a major NFT platform. Moving into 2023, users can expect to see more cross-chain social integrations appearing on top blockchains. There will also be major upgrades to creator coins.

One of the more ambitious items on the road map is 

, scheduled for launch in Q1 2023. Short for “Infinite Proof of Stake” it will likely be published before Q4 2022, leading the way for DeSo 2.0.

While an additional phase, known as “DeSo Glass,” has been announced for Q2 2023, the road map doesn’t currently contain any details.

DESO has varied greatly in price since its initial launch in June 2021. At the time of its release, the token was valued at just over $178. As of Dec. 5, 2022, the token is valued at over $9. While this is a big jump downward, the token has had two years of big ups and downs.

Listing the token on Coinbase in December 2021 caused a temporary spike in price. This sharp increase led its price to a high of $438.10, an impressive 151 percent price jump.

While the blockchain is open-source, a large amount of funds are currently reserved for future development. Additional investments in the blockchain could result in future price fluctuation and an increased number of individual users.

Decentralized Social has a wide range of price predictions. While the chart indicates a steady downtrend, some price predictions are less bearish.

 past $10 in 2023. Their prediction is based on tech industry growth. Should existing social media platforms, such as Facebook and Google, continue to grow, prices could reach as high as $17.90 in 2023.

Decentralized Social still has a lot of potential, despite its downward trend in pricing. Deciding whether or not DESO is a good investment will depend on several factors, the biggest of which is determining how major social media networks adapt and incorporate web3 technology.

Another factor to consider is how much future development will be going into Decentralized Social. If demand for decentralized social media rises, DeSo could become a more viable investment. Judging from recent destabilization on platforms such as Twitter, it’s worth keeping an eye on DeSo.

The DeSo platform is incredibly ambitious, and has a fast-paced road map with several items in development throughout the remainder of 2022 and early 2023. Integrations with other blockchain technology could make the blockchain more widely used as the year progresses. For example, the MetaMask integration allows users to interact with a variety of social applications cross-chain. 

Because the platform is developer-friendly and open-source, we’ll likely continue to see new applications in development for years to come. The $50 million Octane Fund, 

, is still fueling the development of the ecosystem. Combined with the development team’s strong drive, DeSo technology could easily shape the way people use social media.

Decentralized Social takes advantage of innovative web3 technology to apply the advantages of using a blockchain with social media. While the future may still be a bit unclear for investors, the Decentralized Social platform boasts several advantages, including low storage costs, enhanced privacy and a variety of decentralized social applications. It’s going to be exciting to see how this growing technology will shape the future of social media.

DeSo Crypto: An L1 Blockchain for the Decentralized Community

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