MetaMask will roll out native support for Solana ($SOL) in May 2025, enabling users to directly access SOL tokens and interact with Solana-based decentralized applications (dApps) from within the wallet. 

Daily top performer — Hyperliquid (HYPE)

The S&P 500 rose 0.41% on Thursday, supported by trade optimism and cooling inflation, marking its fourth straight gain. Gold climbed 1.3% to $3,218 as weak U.S. data and a softer dollar raised Fed rate cut hopes, while geopolitical tensions added safe-haven demand. The Coindesk Indices, which tracks the broader crypto market, down 0.91%, with Bitcoin and Ether down 0.13% and 2.42%, 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 HYPE, which rose 7.9% after Hyperliquid was spotlighted in a Bloomberg podcast for its transparent onchain revenue model.

Hyperliquid (HYPE), launched in June 2023, is a decentralized perpetuals exchange built on a high-performance Layer 1 blockchain. It offers fast, low-cost perpetual futures trading with full on-chain transparency and performance comparable to centralized exchanges. Bloomberg’s Surveillance podcast 

 crypto’s role in shaping the future of finance, citing projects like Hyperliquid for their transparent, onchain revenue models.

Check out the latest prices, charts, and data of 

, enabling users to directly access SOL tokens and interact with Solana-based decentralized applications (dApps) from within the wallet. Confirmed by MetaMask’s CEO and co-founder, this integration marks a major step in expanding beyond Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) chains. The move enhances interoperability across blockchain ecosystems and broadens MetaMask’s reach in the multichain DeFi space.

Yesterday, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs saw $294.8 million in net outflows on May 15, with $39.1 million from GBTC and $255.7 million from other issuers.

, offering users a chance to earn testnet access through Galxe quests. Participants can complete tasks to win invite codes for the APT Game, a rollup built by Radius. Only 1,000 codes will be released over the next month.

Beginner

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Metamask to add native Solana support in May, expanding beyond EVM chains

Explore Vulcan Forged (PYR), a leading web3 ecosystem with gaming, NFTs, metaverse, and its own L1 blockchain, Elysium. Discover what sets it apart.

Vulcan Forged started out as a gaming hub targeting 

 users who could access play-to-earn (P2E) games on it that are powered by 

 blockchains. However, over time, Vulcan Forged has evolved into an all-encompassing blockchain and web3 platform. It now offers Elysium (a Layer 1 blockchain), a 

 (NFT) projects, and Vulcan Studios for developing mobile and PC web3 games.

Let's explore the Vulcan Forged web3 ecosystem and learn why it's definitely a project to watch in the busy web3 space.

, a blockchain-powered gaming ecosystem, offers comprehensive solutions to web3 users, suited to all gaming needs.

Founded in 2019 by a team led by current CEO and founder Jamie Thomson, Vulcan Forged started out as a gaming hub in which users could access NFT-powered web3 games. However, with Thomson at the helm, Vulcan Forged has transitioned into a full-fledged blockchain ecosystem that’s designed to solve the challenges faced by web3 users, such as high fees, slow transaction times and user-unfriendly gaming interfaces.

At the core of its comprehensive ecosystem is Elysium, a 

 designed specifically to power gaming and the metaverse. By leveraging the Elysium blockchain, Vulcan Forged is better positioned to offer enhanced functionalities, such as dynamic NFTs, an advanced suite of tools and a more immersive gaming experience.

Vulcan Studios, part of the Vulcan Forged ecosystem, supports the development of blockchain games. Several enhancements to Vulcan Studios now provide for an interconnected universe for gamers, a critical move in the platform's bid to become a more unified gaming ecosystem.

Vulcan Forged NFT marketplaces like Agora and Cedalion offer users a seamless experience in trading and creating digital assets. In particular, Agora provides a user-friendly interface for minting NFTs without gas fees that makes it accessible for creators and collectors alike.

Furthermore, the Vulcan Forged team has announced that VulcanX, its 

 (CEX), is almost complete. VulcanX will provide the platform's users with a gamified trading experience in which landholders In its ecosystem will share in generated revenue.

The entire Vulcan Forged ecosystem is governed by a dual-token economy consisting of PYR and ELY (previously LAVA) tokens.

 blockchain developed by Vulcan Forged that’s designed to power the future of web3 gaming, NFTs and 

 (DApps). Created with developers and users in mind, Elysium combines scalability, high throughput and a strong sustainability ethos to deliver a robust and eco-friendly blockchain ecosystem.

 (EVM) framework, Elysium supports fast, low-cost transactions, and is fully compatible with both Ethereum-based and Substrate-based tools. Its interoperability makes it an ideal platform for developers looking to deploy DApps, launch NFT collections or create gaming projects with dynamic on-chain mechanics.

A standout aspect of Elysium is its growing ecosystem of integrated tools, such as:

In addition to its robust technology, Elysium is central to the larger Vulcan Forged vision of a unified digital universe. It underpins diverse applications, including Vulcan’s NFT marketplaces, upcoming CEX and multi-game metaverse.

With an emphasis on accessibility, innovation and real-world use cases, Elysium is positioning itself as the core infrastructure for the mission Vulcan Forged has to merge gaming, blockchain and digital ownership into one immersive ecosystem.

In order to lower barriers to entry through enhanced user experience, Elysium offers three protocols that work together seamlessly to benefit web3 individuals and businesses. These protocols simplify the process of converting tokens, while offering fee delegation and allowing users to utilize any token in their wallets when transacting.

Vulcan Forged has created a comprehensive ecosystem to enhance web3 user experiences. Apart from the Elysium blockchain discussed above, other key components of the Vulcan Forged ecosystem are as follows.

Vulcan Studios is a gaming development platform designed to facilitate the creation, development and playing of PC and mobile games. In the revamped Vulcan Forged road map, these studios’ DeFi games are undergoing various enhancements to improve user experience.

Some of the notable games produced by Vulcan Studios include 

Vulcan Verse, Vulcan Runner, Berserk, Vulcan’s Creed

​MetaScapes is an innovative metaverse-as-a-service (MaaS) platform that empowers users to create and customize their own digital realms. Offering four distinct worlds — Fantasy, Cartoon, Urban and Futuristic — MetaScapes provides a versatile environment for creativity and exploration. Its users can personalize their avatars, design unique landscapes and even monetize their creations through in-world economies. 

With features like VR compatibility and AI assistance, MetaScapes aims to deliver an immersive and user-friendly experience, bridging the gap between imagination and digital reality.

The Vulcan Forged platform is powered by a dual token economy that consists of PYR and ELY tokens, each one playing a distinct role on the platform.

PYR is the primary token of Vulcan Forged. Initially, PYR was powered by the Ethereum and Polygon blockchains, but it’s now primarily powered by the Elysium blockchain. PYR plays three major roles on the platform: gaming, settlement and 

. It has a total supply of 50,000,000 tokens, with a circulating supply of 23,897,700 (as of May 15, 2025).

The primary use cases of the PYR token are as follows:

The second token on Vulcan Forged is ELY, which was formerly known as LAVA. ELY is Elysium's native and gas token. It also features many other uses, such as powering transactions and rewarding gameplay on Vulcan Forged games. You can earn ELY by participating in various games and accumulating XP points on the platform. Additionally, you can generate ELY tokens as rewards for holding PYR.

ELY’s total supply is 1 million tokens. Some uses of ELY include:

You can buy PYR on Bybit as the PYRUSDT Perpetual contract, with leverage of up to 12.5x. It's listed in Bybit's Innovation Zone, which gives you access to handpicked projects with a potential for high returns (also with higher fees and risk).

Vulcan Forged (PYR) crypto price prediction

As of May 15, 2025, PYR is priced at $1.34, 97.3% higher than its all-time high of $49.24 on Dec 1, 2021 and 51.8% higher than its all-time low of $0.88 on Apr 7, 2025.

Price prediction experts are cautiously bullish on PYR's future price. CoinCodex predicts that PYR 

 a maximum price of $1.49 in 2027 and increase to $4.43 in 2030. Meanwhile, DigitalCoinPrice is relatively more bullish on PYR, and expects that the token 

 a maximum price of $4.85 in 2027 and surge to $7.34 in 2030.

While these forecasts are bullish, they aren’t financial advice and they don’t guarantee the future price of PYR. We highly recommend that you 

 before you invest in Vulcan Forged or any other cryptocurrencies.

Vulcan Forged (PYR) is shaping the expanding universe of web3 gaming by merging cutting-edge technology with immersive player experiences. From its native Elysium blockchain to dynamic NFT ecosystems and the upcoming VulcanX decentralized exchange, the platform is setting new standards in decentralization, creativity and scalability.

Featuring a unified road map, tools like MetaScapes, NFT marketplaces, and Elysium Swap, Bridge and Scan, Vulcan Forged is building more than games — it’s forging a sustainable digital economy. As its ecosystem grows, PYR, its cross-platform utility token, remains at the heart of this transformation, empowering game developers, creators and players in the next era of decentralized entertainment. 

Intermediate

Vulcan Forged (PYR).png

Vulcan Forged (PYR): The expanding universe of web3 gaming and beyond

Discover MapleStory Universe, Nexon's blockchain-powered version of the iconic MMORPG game loved by over 250 million players. Learn more about the launch of MapleStory N on May 15, the NXPC token and how to trade NXPC on Bybit.

, a simple, 2D MMORPG that quickly became a cultural phenomenon. Its blocky characters and iconic town of Henesys were etched in the memories of over 250 million players who played the game worldwide. Now, Nexspace, an Abu Dhabi–based subsidiary of Nexon, is recreating this world on-chain with MapleStory Universe. 

At its core, MSU is a faithful recreation of 

s legacy. It revives the beloved characters, art styles and lore while simultaneously improving the game by integrating blockchain technology. Nexpace believes this integration will transform the franchise from a centralized ecosystem into a player-owned universe, creating a win-win scenario for both the original players and web3 natives. 

 IP is already an established success, with 250 million players and over $5 billion in revenue. MapleStory Universe aims to bring its enormous player base into MSU through various incentives, such as cross-platform progression and exclusive rewards for legacy users. 

Behind all of this development is Nexpace, the blockchain-focused subsidiary of Nexon established in 2023. Sun Young Hwang is the CEO of Nexpace and a leader at MapleStory Universe. With 15 years of experience at Nexon, Hwang brings a wealth of expertise and a clear vision for the ecosystem’s growth in the web3 space. 

As part of its mission to launch a gaming universe, Nexpace teams announced 

, the first standalone game of the MapleStory Universe. It’s a PC-based MMORPG with onchain item ownership. The game is set for a global launch on May 15, 2025, and is currently available for 

. According to BlockchainGamer.biz, the game was so popular that it 

 players can issue, trade and manage in-game 

. Post-launch, the community can collaborate on content development, influencing the game’s evolution through creator tools. 

, a blockchain tailored for gamers. Built on 

, it combines Nexon’s 20-plus years of anti-cheat expertise with 

’s tamperproof randomness (critical for fair loot boxes). Transactions are free, fast and invisible during gameplay. No crypto wallets are required upfront. For 

 veterans, this offers a smooth gateway into web3, and for crypto natives, it brings a beloved gaming franchise on-chain.

Blockchain's role in the MapleStory Universe

The Henesys blockchain plays a crucial role in MSU’s development and execution. It provides sub-second finality and support for thousands of 

 (TPS), ensuring gameplay remains fluid and uninterrupted.

On top of that, the use of blockchain also enables players to own and trade in-game assets as NFTs. These NFTs are designed to be interoperable across every game that’s built in the MapleStory Universe, providing increased utility and value for these digital assets.

The game’s economy also relies on the decentralized nature of blockchains to create an ever-changing world. It incentivizes creators to design unique planets, each with its own tailored gameplay and social experiences, and rewards them with NXPC tokens for their contributions. 

NXPC is the native utility token of MapleStory Universe, with a fixed supply of 1 billion. It functions as the reserve currency of the universe, and is used to link gameplay assets to the border ecosystem. 

The token’s initial distribution also reinforces its decentralized nature, as 80% of NXPC is reserved for contributor reward, with just 0.696% allocated for the team and 0.4% for advisors,

Additionally, the team and advisors allocations also have vesting requirements. The team token has a structured vesting schedule with a 9-month cliff, followed by quarterly unlocks over the next three years. For advisors, there’s a 12-month cliff, followed by milestone-based vesting. 

MSU’s franchise has generated $5 billion in revenue since 2003. The organization behind the game is focused on longevity, as opposed to a quick money grab. Crucially, blockchain technology has matured to an extent where it can deliver seamless gameplay, matching the smooth experience players expect from traditional platforms. 

 starting on May 15, 2025. From now through May 28, 10AM UTC, new and existing Bybit users can stand a chance to win from a prize pool of 9,000,000 NXPC by 

. Register for this event at Bybit Token Splash 

nexpace nxpc .png

Nexpace (NXPC): MapleStory IP goes web3

The Ethereum Foundation has launched the Trillion Dollar Security Initiative, aiming to elevate Ethereum’s security beyond the crypto ecosystem to rival global legacy systems. 

The S&P 500 edged up 0.1%, lifted by tech gains from Nvidia and AMD, despite broader sector losses. Gold dropped below $3,200 as easing US-China trade tensions and rising Treasury yields reduced safe-haven demand, despite softer inflation data. Traders await US PPI and retail sales for further cues. The Coindesk Indices, which tracks the broader crypto market, down 1.64%, with Bitcoin and Ether down 1.47% and 3.35%, 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 ATH, which rose 15.2% after Aethir boosted conversions with its instant play decentralized cloud gaming solution.

Aethir (ATH), founded in 2021, is a decentralized GPU cloud platform that provides scalable computing power for Web3 applications like gaming, AI, and design, enabling businesses to run high-performance tasks without centralized infrastructure. 

 boosts gaming user acquisition by enabling instant play without downloads, reducing costs and improving conversion. In a case study with SuperScale, games using Aethir’s tech saw a 45% higher conversion rate, 93% higher ARPU, and 43% more users preferring instant play over downloads. By bypassing app store fees and offering seamless gameplay access, Aethir provides studios with a cost-effective, high-conversion alternative to traditional mobile gaming funnels.

The Ethereum Foundation has launched the 

, aiming to elevate Ethereum’s security beyond the crypto ecosystem to rival global legacy systems. The initiative will (1) map Ethereum’s security landscape, (2) execute key improvements across its stack—from wallet UX to consensus, and (3) improve communication around Ethereum's security standards. Led by EF’s Fredrik Svantes and Josh Stark, with support from security experts samczsun, Mehdi Zerouali, and Zach Obront, the initiative seeks broad ecosystem input to achieve a world where trillions in value can be securely held onchain.

Yesterday, BTC spot ETFs saw $86.6 million in net inflows, all from non-GBTC funds, while GBTC recorded no flow.

, rewarding whitelisted participants with 100 xpSPON for completing simple tasks like following on X and joining Discord. xpSPON will directly impact your future SPON airdrop allocation — the more you earn, the greater your rewards.

Ethereum Foundation launches initiative to bring trillion-dollar security onchain

Trading

The spot market is distinctively different from futures market. Here are the top highlights you must know about the spot vs. futures market.

Spot-vs-Futures-Market-1068x712.jpeg

 is where the commodities are traded on the spot with immediate delivery. While a futures market, as the name suggests, settles the delivery of commodities and futures contracts on a specific future date.

 are terms used in the financial market, like stocks or forex. But did you know they’re also the fundamentals to shape the crypto market?

Crypto market has had its fair share of ups and downs, in particular, the significant plunge of Bitcoin (BTC) prices from the neighborhood of $20,000 to $3,000 after the rally in 2017. Then goes the ever-changing regulations towards the adoption of Bitcoin. Until the recent BTC’s bull that sky-rocketed to its 

. That is still shocking to the majority of Bitcoin spot and futures market traders.

So why is understanding the difference between spot trading and futures trading so important?

Spot market is referred to as the cash market because of the way payments are immediately processed. In other words, the contract between the buyer and seller will be performed on the spot at the prevailing price with a determined quantity.

Let’s say Harry (buyer) wants to buy BTC from fiat (USD) in the spot market — he would need to look for a seller who’s in search of USD to perform the exchange. So, Harry could go to a crypto exchange spot market to look for the BTC/USD trading pair by setting a limit order at a predetermined price and quantity for the execution. 

In any case a buyer and seller make an equivalent offer in the spot market, the trades will be executed immediately. 

The crypto market operates 24/7, which means you can buy and sell crypto any time and any day. All transactions are settled with a ruling price known as spot rate, aka spot price in the spot market. Anyone who’s holding spot market contracts can hold and find a better deal if they are not immediately satisfied with the current prices. But there should be an active demand and supply for traders to execute to trade. 

There are two main spot markets; over-the-counter (OTC) and market exchanges. 

OTC in crypto trading is when you can trade in a decentralized market without an intermediary. There will be no need for a broker or any other central exchange involved in the process. 

The OTC market mainly deals with immense volumes with seeming opacity outside the public eye’s periphery. That’s because the trades in the OTC markets are usually private. On the other hand, the execution process is relatively straightforward. Whenever two parties agree on a price, trading volume, and transfer method, a trade can be executed directly without the involvement of an intermediary. 

Market exchanges is a regulated market where you can place orders through a trading platform or broker. Crypto prices will be shown immediately through real-time quotes. This type of spot market follows exchange hours. 

On the other hand, exchanges act as intermediaries for buyers and sellers to bid and ask for an asset. When there’s a match for the bid and an asking price, the exchange will facilitate the trade. 

When comparing it with the futures market, the spot market would be ideal for you if you’re looking for a long-term investment. On the contrary, if you intend to leverage or hedge your trade, the futures market should best suit you. 

A futures market is where you make a contract with another party to agree on an asset’s price for a date in the future. This speculation is placed on a specific day, but the transaction is not on the spot. So your crypto will only be bought or sold at a specific set price and date that have been agreed upon in a futures contract.

Unlike the spot market, you’re trading contracts in the futures market without actually owning an underlying asset. In fact, futures contracts are made in an attempt to avoid market volatility. For example, when you’re trading a 

, you’re not actually buying or selling BTC, but rather trading on the presumed value of BTC.

In other words, you are betting on the price movement of BTC that is parallel to the value of the contract without owning the asset. 

Volatility in crypto trading is inevitable, and it has been a concern for many traders. Still, the price swings offer trading opportunities for traders to predict the price movements. 

 are a form of a futures contract. Prior to signing the agreement, buyers and sellers must predetermine the price and date. And hedging is common to a futures contract. 

For example, Bybit offers x100 leverage to allow traders hedge capital to fund the contract without the need to fund a position upfront. What Bybit offers is to provide traders with a more substantial amount of capital to open a long position with the anticipation for the price to go up or short for the asset’s price to drop. 

Understanding key differences in the spot vs. futures market is vital to a successful trade. Once you understand their characteristics, you can easily identify each of these financial opportunities’ advantages and limitations. 

Let’s say you place a trade in the spot market, the transaction will be made right away. However, in the futures market, your asset has a locked price to be traded in the future based on the agreed terms. 

Spot price fluctuations are based on the volatility of an asset. For example, Bitcoin’s spot price can swing up or down significantly within minutes and hours. So when 

A common assumption is the futures prices are often higher than spot prices. But that is not always the case. 

Truth is, futures contracts involve many factors before you can start speculating an asset’s price and eventually agreeing on a trading price. Still, you should decide whether to bet that the futures price will benefit them or otherwise based on the real-world perception of volatility and price arbitrage.

The delivery date is the expiration date of a futures contract. To simplify it, it is the futures contract’s final date where the specified price and the crypto asset must be delivered. When the delivery date arrives, a contract holder must receive his or her underlying asset. 

However, this date differs from one contract to another. Some traders or investors can set a specific day, while others might decide on a month. Suppose you have agreed on the date of delivery in a month, the trade must be transacted a few days before the end of that particular month. 

Also, each delivery date has a unique code which is made up of numbers and letters. The exchange will act as an intermediary, but the last two symbols will be the month and the year, in that order. However, depending on the exchange, the last two symbols can be the month and date. For example, 

 is BTCUSD0625, settling on June 25, 2021.

But, if you decide to trade a forward contract instead of a futures contract, you are trading or investing through an over-the-counter spot market. Forward contracts allow the date to be adjusted when both the buyer and the seller agree to do so. 

If you want to use leverage in a spot market, you must first buy crypto coins and pay a transaction fee according to the exchange. It is, however, essential to note that their lending is not greatly funded. That means the leverage offered is usually not too high because their loaning balance isn’t either. 

On the other hand, futures markets have sufficient funds in their lending pools, which means they can offer higher leverage.

When you use leverage on a futures contract, you don’t need to pay the full amount of the contract. You can enter a specific percentage of the contract’s total value, which is known as the initial margin amount. 

 Initial margin is the amount of collateral required to open a position for leverage trading.

 usually ranges between 3% to 12% of the total value of the contract. But it is highly different from one exchange to another. For example, Bybit allows traders to add or reduce their margin to a position under isolated margin mode. However, the flexibility is subject to change based on the conditions. 

Whether you end up trading crypto with the spot market or futures contracts through market exchange, it is necessary to understand the risks. Every trader or investor’s goal is to minimize risk and maximize gains. 

One of the situations you could see yourself in is counterparty risk. That means the other party does not meet the obligations. This could happen because the opposite party is either unable to meet the terms or is unwilling to reciprocate.

However, since futures contracts mean you are trading through an intermediary, it is less probable to encounter a counterparty risk because the value is based on the market rate.

On the other hand, forward contracts are not regulated by the market like futures. They are agreed upon according to the buyer and the seller. These contracts finalize when the crypto is exchanged, which means you will only know your profit and loss when the date comes around. 

Other than you as an individual trader, is anyone else involved?

The answer is yes, and the relevance is significant. 

Both spot markets and futures markets have two main parties involved in the transaction; a 

. The spot market boasts with immediate transactions. So when the buyer’s and seller’s prices match, the trade will be executed. 

As for the futures market, there is often an intermediary that is involved within the process.

Fees are always a concern when it comes to trading. That is because they can pile up and decrease your overall gains. 

Spot market crypto trading usually charges a transaction fee that is set around 0.1% to 0.2%. There could also be transaction fees that depend on the trading volume of the total of buyers and sellers in the market. 

Despite the trading fees, futures contracts usually have a settlement date too. When a settlement date is met, 100% of all the positions must be closed entirely. Therefore, when traders decide not to close their position manually, the system will automatically settle the position at the point of reaching the settlement date. And an outstanding position will be subject to a settlement fee.

, who seek liquidity and take liquidity off the book immediately will be charged a trading fee.

, who provide liquidity and increase the market depth of order books will receive a rebate.

structure (0.075% taker fees) and (-0.025% maker fees) for all perpetual contracts when the futures order is manually placed to open or close the positions. 

So, is the futures market better than spot? That will depend on your needs and trading strategies.

 may be better paired with the spot market, where you can instantly buy or sell regularly. But if you would rather speculate the crypto price, then future contracts could be a better option. 

A clear understanding of the trading market and paired with controlled emotions yields the best results.

Crypto Spot Market vs. Futures Market: The Key Differences

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