VanEck’s BNB Spot ETF proposal could bring BNB to U.S. markets, expanding access and marking a key milestone for BNB Chain's growth in regulated finance.

After the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved spot exchange-traded fund (ETF) products based on 

 (ETH) in 2024, a flurry of new altcoin ETF applications emerged in early 2025. Many prominent asset management firms are vying for the approval of their ETF products, based on coins like 

 (AVAX) and others. Even some smaller-cap meme coins, specifically Pudgy Penguins' 

, have joined the SEC's ETF waiting list.

Given that most top cryptos already have their ETF applications filed with the country's financial regulator, it's little surprise that BNB Chain's 

, the fifth-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, has joined the bandwagon. In late March 2025, the New York–based global investment management giant VanEck registered a trust entity named VanEck BNB ETF in the US state of Delaware. The registration is an early sign that the acclaimed investment manager is planning to lodge a BNB ETF application with the SEC.

If approved, it will be the first US-based BNB ETF product on the market, likely leading to significant growth within BNB Chain's already well-established ecosystem.

On Mar 31, 2025, one of the leading asset managers in the world, VanEck, registered a trust named VanEck BNB ETF in the US state of Delaware. This is the strongest imaginable indicator that the company plans to subsequently launch an application with the SEC for the ETF’s approval. If approved by the regulator, the product will be the first spot ETF in the US to track BNB coin. As of the time of this writing (Apr 23, 2025), VanEck hasn't formally applied with the SEC, but this step is likely imminent.

Following the SEC filing, BNB coin will join a long list of other leading cryptocurrencies whose spot ETF applications have been lodged with the US regulator. Over the past few months, the SEC has received spot ETF applications for Solana, 

The VanEck BNB Spot ETF will track BNB coin, allowing holders to invest in the asset without directly holding it. While BNB is among the most popular assets in the crypto market, many investors are eschewing it and other cryptocurrencies due to their unregulated nature. Upon approval, the ETF product would be available for trading on regulated stock exchanges.

The exact composition of a crypto ETF product is usually unknown before its application is filed with the SEC. Therefore, we can assume that at this stage the ETF will be based entirely upon tracking BNB coin. Any additional components, such as minor holdings of other assets such as cash equivalents, could theoretically be included, but this will only be known upon VanEck’s formal application to the SEC.

VanEck itself is among the leading ETF issuers in the finance industry and is a pioneer of crypto ETFs. The firm already offers approved 

, and has filed applications with the SEC for spot ETFs based on several other cryptocurrencies, including a 

Currently, there’s no ETF in the US based on the BNB coin. In that respect, VanEck’s registration is the first serious effort to introduce such a product. Internationally, there is one exchange-traded product (ETP) that tracks BNB — the 21Shares Binance BNB ETP (ABNB), listed on the Swiss Stock Exchange. This ETP is offered by 21Shares, a leading digital asset management firm based in Zurich, Switzerland.

. ETPs may be based on various assets, such as stocks, bonds, commodities or cryptocurrencies. However, ETFs often offer better liquidity, lower fees and greater tax efficiency than other types of ETPs.

In short, despite the presence of the ABNB ETP on the market, the BNB ETF landscape remains an empty niche, as the 21Shares product isn’t a full-fledged ETF and has no regulatory approval in the US.

Current impact of BNB ETF applications on the crypto market

VanEck’s BNB ETF application — or, to be precise, its registration in Delaware — has so far had no immediate impact on the coin’s market price. In fact, BNB coin is currently trading at $615.68, barely different from its price of $600 in the early days of April when news of the ETF’s registration first surfaced.

BNB is a major cryptocurrency featuring at least one billion dollars in daily trading volumes. The news of VanEck's initiative is unlikely to seriously affect BNB’s price. However, if the ETF ultimately gains approval from the SEC, such a development may have a significant positive impact on the crypto's future price.

What will it mean if a Spot BNB ETF application is approved?

If the SEC approves the Spot BNB ETF, it will likely lead to higher demand for BNB coin — as demand from investors for the product rises, VanEck will need to source more BNB to back its ETF shares. This increased demand would push the price of BNB higher. As noted above, BNB is one of the market's largest cryptos and features substantial trading volumes. Therefore, it's unlikely that a Spot BNB ETF would cause drastic rises in the coin’s price. However, a certain positive price effect is a safe bet, and the magnitude of the effect will be directly related to the popularity of the ETF among investors.

Additionally, the ETF will improve the visibility of the BNB ecosystem, potentially leading to more 

 (DApps) and projects launched on its blockchain.

If approved by the SEC, the Spot BNB ETF by VanEck would usher in a new era for the coin. For the first time ever, BNB as a financial asset would become available through the regulated environment of US stock exchanges. This would not only help support the coin’s price and expand the chain’s ecosystem, but would also be a major reputational gain for Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange and the corporate entity behind BNB Chain.

Over the years, Binance has had its fair share of troubles and arguments with US regulators. A fully approved spot ETF based on Binance’s own coin would, therefore, send a signal to the crypto market that the major components of the Binance ecosystem — BNB crypto, BNB Chain’s blockchain and the Binance crypto exchange — aren’t as risky to deal with as some Americans may believe.

Intermediate

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BNB Spot ETF: A new gateway as BNB Chain evolves

In this article, we explore liquid staking protocol StakeStone's key features, the STO token launch, tokenomics and how to trade STO on Bybit.

StakeStone (STO) is a next-gen omnichain liquidity infrastructure protocol designed to optimize yield and cross-chain liquidity. Its introduction of liquid yield-bearing versions of ETH and BTC — STONE and STONEBTC — enables users to earn sustainable yield while enhancing capital efficiency. This article explores StakeStone’s architecture, core assets, founding team, tokenomics and recent market performance.

 is a decentralized liquidity infrastructure protocol that issues liquid, 

-bearing assets like STONE (Ethereum) and STONEBTC (Bitcoin). Designed for omnichain integration, it empowers users and protocols with composable 

 solutions and efficient cross-chain liquidity.

Launched in 2024, StakeStone was built to address the fragmented and capital-inefficient nature of ETH and BTC staking by introducing secure, flexible and modular primitives. StakeStone’s mission is to maximize on-chain yield while ensuring deep liquidity across ecosystems.

StakeStone was founded in 2023 by a team of DeFi-native builders led by Charles K, a crypto veteran with over 10 years of experience in centralized exchanges (CEXs), hardware wallets and DeFi infrastructure The core team includes Rose Li, Chief Strategy Officer, and Ivan K, Chief Marketing Officer.

The project has secured funding from notable crypto funds, including Polychain Capital, Binance Labs, OKX Ventures, Amber Group, HashKey Capital and Bankless Ventures. These backers not only provide capital but also strategic ecosystem access — positioning StakeStone as a serious player in omnichain liquidity and yield infrastructure.

StakeStone converts ETH and BTC into liquid, yield-bearing assets — STONE (ETH) and STONEBTC (respectively) — through a modular and omnichain framework. When ETH is staked, it flows into the StakeStone Vault and is allocated to the Strategy Pool, and STONE is minted via the Minter.

Yield is generated through strategies such as:

Users can deploy STONE across chains via the 

 (LP) rewards, with optional LP locking for enhanced returns. SBTC is the liquid BTC asset mirroring Bitcoin’s value, with STONEBTC adding a yield layer to BTC and unlocking passive income without sacrificing liquidity.

StakeStone implements key security measures, including the following:

STONE (ETH): Omnichain yield-bearing asset

 derivative. It’s minted when users stake ETH, and is backed by underlying yield from stETH, EigenLayer restaking and additional DeFi strategies.

STONE supports seamless cross-chain bridging, enabling deployment across supported networks and STONE-Fi Pools for additional rewards. Users benefit from passive yield, cross-chain utility, governance participation and on-demand liquidity.

SBTC is a liquid Bitcoin asset that mirrors BTC’s value and enables seamless use within EVM-compatible chains. STONEBTC, on the other hand, enhances SBTC by adding a yield layer, empowering users to earn yield from BTC-based strategies while preserving liquidity.

 utility by unlocking native BTC liquidity and enabling new use cases, such as cross-chain lending and borrowing, LP participation in BTC-based DeFi pools and composable integration across multichain DeFi protocols.

Together, SBTC and STONEBTC aim to position Bitcoin as an active capital layer across Ethereum and beyond.

 of StakeStone, with a total supply of 1 billion. It underpins protocol governance via OPAP proposals, voting-escrowed STO (veSTO) staking and 

Emissions are set to taper gradually until 2031, aligning incentives with long-term ecosystem growth.

According to CoinGecko, as of Apr 24, 2025, 

with a market cap of over $25 million. The token has recently shown strong momentum, rallying 85.4% over the past two weeks. Furthermore, StakeStone’s value could benefit from various catalysts, such as the rise in demand for 

 the STOUSDT Perpetual futures contract in the Innovation Zone, with up to 20x leverage.

 a Bybit account, complete identity verification and fund your 

 using crypto deposits or fiat currencies. 

StakeStone STO.png

StakeStone (STO): Cross-chain liquid staking protocol

The MANTRA (OM) token’s wild crash on Apr 13, 2025, shocked the crypto world. Discover the causes, fallout, and what’s next in MANTRA’s road to recovery.

In the morning and daytime hours of Apr 13, 2025, the MANTRA blockchain's native token, OM, sat at a respectable market cap of $6 billion, making it the third-highest-ranked cryptocurrency in the 

 (RWA) category, the area the platform specializes in. Everything seemed like smooth sailing for the token.

Then, just after 6 PM UTC, the price of the OM token suddenly began to free-fall, declining from nearly $6 to about $0.50 in the space of just two hours.

A project that started the day as one of the top players in the RWA field was now worth 90% less as the evening approached. OM's abrupt, sharp crash immediately caught the market's attention, with speculation of a 

However, MANTRA's CEO, John Patrick Mullin, immediately sprang into action for PR damage control on social media, reassuring the public that the team members weren’t dumping OM tokens at all. Instead, MANTRA's founder and CEO alleged that deliberate actions of some 

 (CEXs) had caused the catastrophic plunge.

As of our coverage date of Apr 23, 2025, this is a developing story. In this article, we’ll establish what actually happened, who's involved and what awaits the OM token in the foreseeable future.

 decentralized network dedicated to RWA tokenization and utilization in compliance with real-world regulatory requirements.

 It features high scalability and low transaction fees. The project is one of the earliest initiatives dedicated to RWA use via blockchain technology. Originally, MANTRA debuted as a 

 (ETH) in August 2020. In October 2024, the project migrated to its own dedicated Layer 1 platform, the MANTRA Chain. The MANTRA blockchain is based on the Cosmos SDK framework, and is part of the wider 

The MANTRA ecosystem's main products include MANTRA DEX, a 

 (DEX); a digital identity (DID) management tool; a compliant token development and management solution; and a comprehensive compliance and permissioning system. MANTRA has also partnered with global powerhouses like Google Cloud, and with DAMAC Properties, one of Dubai's most prominent developers, to propel innovative solutions for 

Starting in late 2024, right after its own dedicated mainnet launch, MANTRA had become a significant player in the RWA corner of 

 (DeFi). By late February 2025, the platform’s native OM token had climbed to a value of nearly $9, with its market cap peaking at around $8.2 billion. Before the fateful events of Apr 13, 2025, OM was the third-highest-capped crypto in the RWA category, trading at $6.27, with a market cap of slightly over $6 billion, according to the CoinGecko portal.

In the evening hours (UTC time) of Apr 13, 2025, OM began to lose its value precipitously, dive-bombing from over $6 to about $0.52 in the space of two hours. The token’s market cap fell to slightly under half a billion dollars — a loss of more than 90%.

CEO John Mullin was quickly online, reassuring the crypto community that no team member had sold their OM holdings, and that this wasn’t a case of the bad ol’ rug pull. Instead, Mullin alluded that after OM tokens were moved to two leading CEXs (Binance and OKX) to use as collateral, the exchanges initiated a cascade of 

 of positions backed by the token. Both exchanges refuted the allegations, and connected OM’s price collapse to its recent unusually high price 

, and significant tokenomics changes made to OM in October 2024 that greatly undermined its value.

As a chain of liquidations took place, the token’s price started to plummet, causing significant panic that quickly led to further price drops. The situation only stabilized closer to the end of the day, with OM’s price remaining under $1. As of Apr 23, it’s trading at $0.5543 — a far cry from its rate of over $6 just two weeks ago.

After investigating, crypto analytics firm Lookonchain concluded that 17 wallets had deposited 43.6 million OM tokens (4.5% of the token's circulating supply) into the implicated exchanges. Two of these wallets are believed to belong to Laser Digital, one of MANTRA's investors. Another investor in the project, Shorooq Partners, is also suspected to be among the 17 wallets. Both Shorooq and Laser Digital have denied the allegations.

Although the price plunge was immediately compared to the 2022 collapse of the 

 (LUNA) blockchain, many analysts point out that the two crashes are fundamentally different. Terra's crash resulted from structural abnormalities in the 

 regulating UST, the project's stablecoin. In contrast, OM's fiasco is suspected to be the direct result of market-driven manipulation by 

, and possibly exchanges. No security breach, disruption to services or data, or other adverse structural events have occurred on the platform.

While this development is unprecedented for the project, MANTRA has been embroiled in other controversies throughout its history. One of these was its 

, first announced in August 2024 and then delayed multiple times. Around 50% of the wallets believed to be bots were cut off from the airdrop list. However, many considered the bot-culling process to have been conducted without much proof.

There have also been reports of vote rigging in the project's governance system in a bid to obscure MANTRA’s centralized model of profit allocation. Additionally, some analysts have accused the project of "forced bridging" to manipulate the market price. Platform users had to migrate their Ethereum-based OM tokens to MANTRA's native OM tokens via 

, which would increase gas fees and allow the project team to control the token's circulation pace.

How is MANTRA (OM) headed toward recovery?

MANTRA’s CEO rapidly reassured users that the team is now working hard to jump-start the token’s recovery. On Apr 14, 2025, Mullin unveiled plans to initiate a buyback scheme, along with the intent to burn all OM tokens held by the project team. The team's supply totals 300 million tokens, representing about 17% of the total supply.

He also denied factually incorrect assertions circulating online that the team effectively controls 90% of OM's supply. Mullin further assured the public that no large-scale selling events by investors have occurred.

As OM’s value has stayed firmly under $1, it remains to be seen how these PR efforts — as well as the planned buyback and burn — will affect the token’s future.

 as a swap pair with USDT, or on the Derivatives market as the 

Naturally, given the ongoing situation with the OM token, buying OM is at your own discretion, as right now the token is truly for the adventurous and brave at heart.

As of Apr 23, 2025, the OM token is trading at $0.5543, 93.8% lower than its ATH of $8.99 on Feb 23, 2025, and 3,138.8% higher than its ATL of $0.01726 on Oct 12, 2023.

Curiously, most crypto price prediction portals are optimistic about the OM token's long-term prospects. DigitalCoinPrice 

 of $1.81 in 2027 and $2.82 in 2030, whilePricePrediction 

It's hard to verify all the allegations flying around regarding the involvement of exchanges and key investors in the MANTRA OM incident. What matters at this stage is that the project team has been quick and proactive in injecting transparency and clarity into the situation.

The free fall in the token's price seems to be over by now. In fact, OM’s decline was over within hours of the incident. Moreover, unlike Terra's LUNA and UST coins, OM hasn't become worthless. All these factors point to potential stabilization and recovery ahead. The question now is: Will the pace and magnitude of the recovery be enough to save the project in the long term? At this early stage after the collapse, few people could answer the question with confidence. We'll eagerly await the developments over the next few weeks to see if MANTRA finds its way out of the woods. 

mantra om crypto.png

MANTRA (OM): Understanding its wild ride and road to recovery

In this article, we explore WalletConnect's features, its native token (WCT) and how you can trade WCT on Bybit Spot and Futures.​

WalletConnect is an open source bridging protocol that facilitates secure connections between digital wallets and 

 (DApps). With over 38 million unique active wallets and 57,000 supported apps, it’s getting noticed by the crypto community. In this article, we explore WalletConnect's features, its native token (WCT) and how you can trade WCT on Bybit.​

 protocol that allows users to connect their mobile wallets to DApps via QR code. This eliminates the need for browser extensions, and enhances security by keeping 

The protocol supports a wide range of wallets and DApps, making it a versatile tool for users navigating DeFi and web3.

 is essentially a decentralized infrastructure that facilitates a uniformed way for users to easily connect their crypto wallets with thousands of DApps. It operates through a network of

 that relay messages, ensuring reliable and secure connections. The network's design emphasizes scalability and resilience, catering to the growing demands of DeFi. 

When a user initiates a connection between their wallet and a DApp, WalletConnect establishes a secure session through a relay server that enables encrypted communication, allowing users to interact with DApps directly from their wallets. 

The network's architecture ensures that messages are transmitted efficiently, maintaining a seamless user experience.​

The WalletConnect ecosystem comprises various stakeholders, including node operators, wallet providers and DApp developers. Node operators play a crucial role by maintaining the network's infrastructure and relaying messages. 

To incentivize participation, the network implements a rewards mechanism whereby node operators earn WCT tokens, based on their performance and contribution. Prominent organizations like Consensys, Ledger and Figment are among the network's node operators, underscoring its robustness and reliability.​

 is the native utility and governance token of the WalletConnect network. It has a total supply of 1 billion, 

Initially, WCT is nontransferable to ensure that tokens remain within the WalletConnect ecosystem, supporting its focus on network functionality and development. Based on discussions within the community, transfers will be enabled based on community consensus and future governance decisions.

Where to buy the WalletConnect token (WCT)

 on Bybit Spot, and as a Perpetual contract with up to 75x 

. Bybit provides a secure and user-friendly platform for buying and selling WCT, allowing users to participate in the WalletConnect ecosystem. 

How to trade the WalletConnect token (WCT) on Bybit

Bybit's platform ensures efficient execution and provides various tools to assist users in their trading journey with ease.​ 

walletconnect wct.png

WalletConnect (WCT): Bridging web3 beyond wallets and DApps

Crypto

Crypto investment can be lucrative, but it brings new risks, especially in the DeFi realm. Is crypto-insurance the solution for everything? Learn more.

The crypto market is growing in leaps and bounds. As it does so, it’s gaining more acceptance in the traditional financial system. Governments are exploring their options for incorporating cryptocurrencies into their central banks, while financial institutions are investigating new crypto-inspired products to offer their customers. The world of 

 is an exciting one, offering consumers numerous worldwide options to access vibrant new financial products, applications and services. But crypto also brings new risks. Is crypto insurance, which promises the protection we seek, the next big thing?

Crypto insurance is a type of insurance policy designed to protect against losses associated with cybersecurity breaches. Most major crypto exchanges carry at least some insurance to protect the digital assets in their custody against losses from theft and other security breaches. 

Because cryptocurrency isn’t legal tender, it’s not protected the same way other deposits might be by bank insurance. For example, in the United States, bank deposits are typically protected by the 

 (FDIC) or Securities Investor Protection Corporation.

On contrary, exchange insurance is designed to protect against losses incurred in covered security events. However, total losses may occasionally exceed insurance recoveries, leaving some investors unable to recover their entire investments. Additionally, policies don’t cover personal losses, such as those associated with lost credentials or personal data breaches — which means that there can be coverage gaps for some users.

Do Crypto Exchanges Insure Your Digital Assets?

The crypto insurance industry is still in its infancy, and many crypto assets simply aren’t protected by insurance. Most insurance policies are designed for businesses and corporations, not for private consumers.

Crypto wallets and exchanges purchase insurance policies with coverage, designed to protect against cyber theft and security threats. Other types of coverage are still in development and may feature additional protection, such as decentralized finance (

) insurance, which could feature protection against the loss of funds associated with the shutdown of a service provider, lost private crypto keys, or similar catastrophes. However, these policies aren’t yet available for consumers to purchase.

In other words, the average consumer’s protection depends largely on the services they access and use. For the safest experience, the most basic level of security should include two-factor authentication (2FA) as a standard. Users are asked to provide additional information, such as a code, whenever they log in. Using a cold wallet for the majority of digital assets is also advisable. 

 are more convenient, but they’re more easily accessible to hackers. Cold wallets are offline and are typically air-gapped, making them well-protected from those with ill intentions.

Most exchanges offer additional security measures, including crypto insurance programs. These aren’t backed by government-sponsored insurance plans the way conventional banks are, but if the exchanges are hacked, your funds will be protected and you’ll be compensated for your loss up to the amount specified in the insurance policy.

Do We Need Insurance in the Cryptocurrency Ecosystem?

, numerous hacks have put crypto funds in peril. The 

 resulted in more than $600 million being stolen from Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain and Polygon wallets. 

 nearly $150 million in Ether, Bitcoin and stablecoins in two separate hacks, and in December, hackers stole nearly $200 million from Ethereum and BSC wallets.

Investing in cryptocurrency brings the promise of major returns, but the risks can be very real with a volatile crypto marketplace. There’s a real need for crypto insurance policies, but insurance industry policies and premiums tend to be based on historical data. Because the crypto marketplace is still so new, historical data tends to be lacking, and market volatility can make the process even more difficult. 

When Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies skyrocket in value, hot wallets and exchanges become especially attractive to hackers and thieves. For example, on Jan. 20, Crypto.com confirmed that it had been hacked with over 400 users being affected with unauthorized withdrawals on their accounts. Subsequently, Lloyd’s of London also reported using a variety of risk mitigation strategies, including cold storage, multi-signature wallets and server-side security.

Crypto insurance can fill the gaps, protecting against losses in a vulnerable, volatile system.

When Bitcoin was first unveiled, it was intended to serve as an alternative to the traditional financial markets. It would serve as a way for people to send and receive money via the internet without the need for an overseeing body or centralized authorities, but it would work much like any other currency.

Since its introduction, Bitcoin has grown in popularity and value, and numerous other cryptocurrencies have subsequently been introduced. The cryptocurrency markets have expanded rapidly, and crypto exchanges have had to move quickly to protect the integrity of their markets. The regulatory environment has evolved alongside the crypto markets, too. Regulators have gone from simply tolerating the existence of cryptocurrency to actively engaging with the markets.

From the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) and Germany’s Federal Financial Supervisory Authority to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), more countries’ regulatory bodies are taking proactive approaches when it comes to cryptocurrency.

 such as the Financial Action Task Force (

) have issued guidance regarding cryptocurrency, as widespread adoption continues with market volatility a commonplace occurrence. The ultimate goal is to create a strong framework, or regulatory environment, to inhibit fraud and money laundering without quashing the free-thinking and innovation that encourage economic development and let crypto markets continue to thrive.

Since Bitcoin’s introduction in 2009, the cryptocurrency market has grown in fits and spurts. Still, the market was largely retail-driven until the mid-2010s, when the total market value was valued at around

. At that time, the market entered what was known as a crypto winter, and prices cooled. Speculators fled the market, leaving only diehard crypto users who continued supporting the industry.

Their hard work paid off in the form of stronger infrastructure, new products and soaring demand. The long bitter crypto winter is now over, and institutions are ready to add crypto products to their investment portfolios. The demand for crypto products is hotter than ever, and the general public is clamoring for cryptocurrency and tailored products, financial services — and more regulated infrastructure.

The cryptocurrency market has also never been stronger or more viable for venture capital funds, banks and other institutional investors.

 investing in digital assets include Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan Chase, Citibank and BNY Mellon, with institutional investors beginning to significantly outweigh individual investors in the crypto marketplace. Retirement accounts are also increasingly turning to crypto investments.

There’s no better time than now to unveil a crypto insurance market.

Surge for Decentralized Finance (DeFi) Products

DeFi is still a relatively new concept in the crypto marketplace. Through the blockchain, users can complete hundreds or thousands of individual peer-to-peer transactions with complete security and privacy before settling them on the blockchain.

Decentralized finance refers to financial services that enable users to trade, borrow or lend via cryptocurrency on public blockchains. DeFi uses smart contracts to facilitate transactions without the need for a third-party regulator and facilitates peer-to-peer transactions through the use of DApps and/or exchanges.

The unregulated atmosphere surrounding the crypto marketplace and DeFi have allowed for some exciting and perhaps unexpected outcomes. In the traditional financial industry, regulations are intended to keep all parties safe and secure — but they can also have a dampening effect, preventing innovation and creativity that allow for stronger financial outcomes for both parties. In DeFi, transactions are built on the concept of “trustlessness.”

This doesn’t mean you cannot trust the transaction. Rather, it means that you do not need to put your trust in a third party or intermediary to complete the transaction. The process instead depends on smart contracts, a series of protocols that must be accomplished before the transaction can complete. This process protects both you and the other party in a transaction. Once the transaction is sent, it’s final. It cannot be reversed or altered in any way.

The growth potential for DeFi is enormous, which is why so many major players are looking to it, such as JPMorgan Chase and the Royal Bank of Canada.

Currently, the total value locked across DeFi stands at 

, compared to about $435 billion for this time last year. Comparatively, the

 is threatened by consumer inflation rates in the U.S.

This makes stablecoins and other cryptocurrencies with yields of 20 percent or greater even more attractive, for both individual and institutional investments. As the infrastructure has advanced, so has the access to and increased adoption of permissioned applications requiring KYC and Layer 1 blockchains, and Layer 2 scaling solutions for increased speed and improved asset management.

This has led to a new stage of evolution, with new cryptocurrencies, stablecoins and non-fungible tokens bringing new products and services — not just to more countries, but potentially to the entire world. This includes the estimated 1.7 billion currently unbanked people who could obtain simple mobile wallets, granting them instant access to the currency of their choice at a fraction of the cost of a traditional financial institution.

Bitcoin was the first cryptocurrency in history, and its blockchain was initially slow to attract fans. The first BTC cost just a fraction of a penny. Over time, its value slowly and steadily increased until it was nearly a dime.

Although at first only intended as a way to opt-out of the traditional banking structure after the 2007 financial crisis, the Bitcoin blockchain has grown to so much more. Recently, its price has soared and is currently trading

Cryptocurrency is a volatile market, though, and prices can drop quickly, even within a few hours — which is why experts recommend keeping only

 in cryptocurrency investments. Crypto insurance isn’t necessarily designed to cover the devaluation of your crypto, but it can protect against certain types of losses, such as a misplaced or forgotten key, or hacking or theft.

Increasing Crypto Hacks and Cyber Infiltration

As more people opt into cryptocurrency for everything from day-to-day transactions to investing for retirement, they attract another type of attention: that of bad actors with ill intentions. Hackers, infiltrators and thieves find the large volumes of currency passing through exchanges to be irresistible, and they use every tool at their disposal to access it. Security has been a concern for Bitcoin since its inception.

Blockchain technology has always been secure and difficult to hack, but it’s not totally impenetrable. Security risks are almost inevitable at every stage of the transaction process. From hacking into hot wallets to outright scams, hackers will attempt to access digital funds any way they can.

They’ll also attempt to infiltrate security systems. Crypto exchanges hold private wallet keys on behalf of their users via a custodial structure. This allows for speedier transactions, improved service and protection against loss. However, it can also pose a grave cyber threat if the administrative key is compromised by a security breach. The “admin key” provides complete control over smart contracts. If user funds are lost through a breach, they can only be protected for the amount insured by any policy covering them.

Therefore, both leading-edge security and high-quality insurance coverage are essential for protecting your digital assets when using a crypto exchange.

Generally, crypto insurance is designed to cover institutional losses. If a crypto exchange is affected by a security breach, its losses will be covered up to the amount covered in the policy. However, this emerging industry is beginning to recognize the need for individual crypto coverage as well. One insurer is now offering the service:

 to create a crypto policy that covers losses beyond that which an exchange might typically include. The policies range in cost from $10 to $750, and cover account holders’ digital assets against hacking, phishing, malware, device theft, trojan software and brute force attacks. There are some exclusions, however, and certain types of losses aren’t covered, including price fluctuations, blockchain failures and hardware loss or damage.

Other insurers haven’t yet entered the crypto insurance market — but they likely will as the insurance industry continues to heat up.

Crypto has gone mainstream, and as more people adopt and invest in digital assets, the industry will continue to expand. The potential for this virtually unregulated industry is nearly limitless — which is just what makes the risk-averse insurance market hesitate. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t plenty of opportunities for you, however. Proceed with caution, keep your wallet secure, and choose your investments wisely.

Is Crypto Insurance the Next Big Thing?

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