London, England, April 18th, 2025, Chainwire

• Apple Farm incentive program exceeds targets, fueling TVL growth from $1.4M to more than $18M and driving record volumes across Etherlink’s DeFi ecosystem.
• Calypso upgrade delivers 30x faster smart contract storage and enhanced network stability, paving the way for faster tez withdrawals between Etherlink and Tezos.
• Etherlink ecosystem expands with seven new Fortify Labs startups.

Etherlink, the EVM-compatible Layer 2 powered by Tezos Smart Rollups, is undergoing strong ecosystem growth following its February exit from beta and the deployment of the Calypso network upgrade in March. The $3M USD Apple Farm rewards program has already exceeded initial targets, with Etherlink’s TVL undergoing rapid growth from $1.4M to $18M+ in the first weeks of the initiative. In addition, Apple Farm has effectively catalyzed on-chain activity across Etherlink’s growing suite of decentralized applications. Decentralized exchange IguanaDEX recorded $150M in trading volume as users create positions for Apple Farm rewards and capitalize on arbitrage opportunities.

“The success of Apple Farm demonstrates the effectiveness of our approach to incentive programs and the development of this ecosystem,” said David Relkin, Head of DeFi for the Tezos ecosystem, Nomadic Labs. “We’re building a sustainable environment where users find genuine value in meaningful on-chain interactions.”

DeFi platform Superlend has emerged as a cornerstone of Etherlink’s DeFi infrastructure, with deposits reaching $16.93M and active borrowing at $10.49M. Uranium.io, the first decentralized platform for buying and selling physical uranium also saw increased activity with $6.46 TVL. The Hanji platform reached its vault cap of $200,000 in a single day on March 26th, and has since increased limits to $1M to ensure system integrity. User data indicates that participation is primarily coming from retail audiences, with the largest wallet holding approximately $1M in value. A recent report published by Messari further underscores the rapid growth of the Etherlink ecosystem, highlighting sustained network growth across both accounts and transactions and identifying upwards of 50 projects actively developing on the network.

In addition to the rapid growth of its DeFi ecosystem, the Etherlink tech stack is also being continuously and swiftly upgraded. The Calypso network upgrade deployed in March has delivered on its promise of enhanced performance, with up to 30x faster smart contract storage, a smaller disk footprint for operator nodes, and improved protection against network surges. These enhancements directly support the platform’s growing transaction volume while maintaining stability and preparing the network for faster tez withdrawals between Etherlink and Tezos.

The Etherlink ecosystem looks set to expand further in coming weeks, following the launch of the second edition of the Fortify Labs program, hosted by TZ APAC. The 2025 cohort features seven promising projects building primarily on Etherlink, including BluWhale AI for decentralized data analytics; IDRX, a stablecoin pegged to the Indonesian Rupiah; and Miomi Game’s eSports platform. These startups join Etherlink’s growing ecosystem of innovative Web3 applications and look set to further enhance the experience of users exploring Etherlink this year.

About Etherlink

Etherlink is an EVM-compatible Layer 2 blockchain powered by Tezos Smart Rollups technology. It empowers developers to smoothly deploy any EVM codebase and migrate users and assets from Ethereum and other interoperable chains, enabling seamless interaction and asset transfers across different networks

Learn more: https://www.etherlink.com/

About Tezos

Tezos is an open-source and energy-efficient blockchain designed to empower institutions, developers, and businesses and facilitate value transfer in a digital environment. It is designed for the scalable deployment of decentralized applications. As one of the first Proof of Stake blockchains, Tezos is globally supported and valued for its strong governance, long-term upgradability, and smart contract capabilities. For more information about Tezos, visit http://www.tezos.com. 

Contact

Head of PR
Eoin McGinley
Trilitech
eoin.mcginley@trili.tech

SINGAPORE, April 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — AB Charity Foundation has officially launched its global operations and unveiled its newly upgraded website at www.ab.org, marking the beginning of a public-interest initiative built on institutional credibility and advanced blockchain technology. Headquartered in Ireland with recognized legal status under EU law, the Foundation is positioned as a global nonprofit entity committed to reshaping the future of public trust and sustainable development by bridging governments, civil society, and the tech community.

The Foundation’s governance is led by a distinguished board of directors composed of former heads of state from Europe. The board is chaired by Bertie Ahern, former three-term Prime Minister of Ireland and a key architect of the Good Friday Agreement. Board members include Lawrence Gonzi (former Prime Minister of Malta), Péter Medgyessy (former Prime Minister of Hungary), Danilo Türk (former President of Slovenia), and Petar Stoyanov (former President of Bulgaria).

The Foundation is actively expanding its global advisory board, bringing together respected figures from all five continents—including former presidents, scientists, diplomats, and cultural leaders—to guide strategic planning and foster international collaboration in delivering impactful social initiatives.

At the heart of the Foundation’s mission lies a commitment to public good: advancing global efforts in education, healthcare, environmental protection, and humanitarian aid. The Foundation aims to build a “verifiable model of cooperative goodwill,” powered by transparent governance and next-generation technology. As its founders emphasize, “It is not a specific technology that changes the world—but the shared consensus around trustworthy institutions and global cooperation.”

AB Charity Foundation is technically supported by AB DAO, which provides the blockchain infrastructure underpinning the Foundation’s operations. Through smart contract automation, 15% to 30% of the gas fees from every transaction on the AB public chain are directed into a dedicated charity pool. This mechanism enables a new operational model for charitable funding—combining on-chain fundraising, automated distribution, full-chain auditability, and third-party compliance assurance.

In addition, 15% to 30% of the returns generated from investments by the AB Ecosystem Fund will also be directed into the Foundation’s pool. The fund has already supported dozens of projects, with more initiatives in the pipeline—strengthening the financial sustainability of the Foundation’s mission.

By leveraging blockchain’s inherent transparency, the Foundation aspires to become a scalable model for next-generation philanthropic infrastructure—ensuring every donation is traceable, every distribution verifiable, and every intention honored.

To follow AB Charity Foundation and support its mission

• Official Website: www.ab.org
• Global Community Portal: www.ab.org/community

San Francisco, United States/California, April 10th, 2025, Chainwire

Huma Finance, the first PayFi Network, announced the launch of Huma 2.0, a permissionless, compliant, and composable real-yield platform built on Solana today. This launch opens global access to Huma’s stable real yield from global payment financing related to everyday commerce and trade activities. This development broadens individual access to stable, real-world yield—historically more common in institutional finance—by leveraging payment-financing mechanisms. Simultaneously, the existing permissioned service has been rebranded as Huma Institutional to continue serving institutions and accredited investors. Users can begin depositing on the new Huma 2.0 platform immediately.

Huma 2.0 offers users alternative ways to participate as liquidity providers. It introduces two primary modes to cater to different user preferences: Classic Mode, designed for those seeking stable, double-digit USDC yield (updated monthly) combined with rewards called Huma Feathers; and Maxi Mode, tailored for users aiming to maximize their accumulation of Huma Feathers, earning rewards at 5x the base rate, without receiving USDC yield. Users can switch the mode of their existing positions at any time.

DeFi composability is also a core feature of Huma 2.0, enabled by the $PST, short for PayFi Strategy Token. This liquid, yield-bearing LP token allows holders to integrate their Huma positions with leading protocols on Solana. At launch, users can swap $PST for USDC via Jupiter, the first of several planned integrations with top Solana DeFi platforms. Support for using $PST as collateral on Kamino and trading future rewards via RateX are expected shortly after launch. While participation does not require capital lock-up, users can opt for 3-month or 6-month terms to significantly boost their Huma Feather rewards via multipliers. Notably, during the initial launch period, these multipliers are significantly elevated as part of a limited-time promotion, offering particularly high boosts in Maxi Mode. These features offer users enhanced flexibility and choice in managing their positions.

In just two years, Huma Finance’s PayFi Network has rapidly achieved significant scale, processing over $3.8 billion in transactions and generating $8 million in annualized revenue. Huma supports its partners to generate yield from their PayFi operations. Unlike DeFi yields often reliant on token incentives, market speculation, or typically low rates in traditional finance, PayFi yield originates directly from fees paid by businesses using the network for payment financing and settlement liquidity. Capital is recycled rapidly—often within days—compounding fees generated from tangible economic activity. This mechanism has enabled Huma to consistently deliver stable, double-digit USDC yields, showcasing a sustainable model further validated by backing from leading investors and recognition from industry analysts like Messari regarding PayFi’s potential to address a $30 trillion market.

“Huma 2.0 isn’t just another yield product — it’s a structural shift.” Said Erbil Karaman, Co-founder of Huma Finance. “By giving payments institutions a new source of liquidity that operates 24/7 with incredible capital efficiency, we are creating a new type of yield that is composable, transparent, and grounded in real economic activity. It finally gives DeFi access to a source of returns that institutions have kept to themselves for decades — and it does so without compromising on what makes DeFi powerful.”

The launch of Huma 2.0 comes during significant shifts in global finance and within the DeFi landscape itself. While legacy payment infrastructures like SWIFT face challenges with speed and transparency and trillions in capital remain inefficiently allocated, the demand for modern, blockchain-based solutions is clear, evidenced by stablecoin transaction volumes recently reaching a reported $35 trillion. Huma 2.0 leverages this shift, providing efficient settlement liquidity and broadening access for individuals worldwide to earn from foundational financial activities – an opportunity previously confined mainly to institutions.

Crucially, the yield generated through PayFi is designed to be less dependent on crypto market cycles. Whether markets are booming or in a downturn, economic activities like payments and trade may continue, potentially offering a more stable foundation for Huma’s yield generation. This structure may make double-digit returns more relevant during bear markets, where speculative yields often decline. As DeFi matures, there is a readiness for this type of yield – one grounded in tangible commerce rather than token speculation. PayFi serves as a foundational layer, enabling new DeFi strategies like the recent Solmate product from Splyce, which combines Huma’s $PST yield with SOL liquid staking, bridging decentralized finance with productive economic use.

Huma 2.0 marks a key step in building a new financial future, fundamentally expanding participation by inviting everyone into a financial revolution where access is open and fair. Early participants can benefit from various reward multipliers, including boosts for prior Huma depositors and partner communities. As the platform expands with more DeFi integrations and plans to be the first major project on Jupiter’s LFG 2.0 launchpad – Huma continues to build finance that is truly accessible. 

To learn more about Huma 2.0 or participate, users can visit https://huma.finance or follow @humafinance on X.

For media inquiries, users can contact: Ejiro Oviri, ejiro@huma.finance.

About Huma Finance

Huma is the first PayFi (Payment Finance) network. It features an open-stack liquidity protocol with applications for key areas like cross-border payments, stablecoin-backed cards and trade finance. The network addresses a total market estimated at over $30 trillion. Its mission is to accelerate the movement of money for a world that’s always on.

Huma is the source of this content. This Press Release is for informational purposes only. The information does not constitute investment advice or an offer to invest.

Contact

Director of Brand Marketing
Ejiro
Huma Finance
ejiro@huma.finance

Paris, France, April 7th, 2025, Chainwire

Paris Blockchain Week, Europe’s leading blockchain event, has officially announced the winners of its Onsite Hackathon, held over the weekend at VO2 in central Paris. The competition brought together some of the most promising blockchain developers and innovators from across the globe for a high-energy, two-day sprint to build the next generation of Web3 solutions.

This year’s hackathon introduced a new hybrid format, combining several weeks of online challenges and workshops with a dedicated in-person build event. While online winners were announced last week, 1st place Agrify Technologies, 2nd Stripped Chain, and 3rd Myrkle, the Paris-based finale focused squarely on in-person collaboration, rapid prototyping, and live pitching under pressure.

The Onsite Hackathon kicked off on April 5 with a full schedule of workshops and sponsor briefings. Leading blockchain platforms including XRPL Commons, Solana Foundation, and Bahamut presented technical challenges to participants, who then spent the weekend forming teams, designing applications, and coding side-by-side with support from on-site mentors.

By Sunday afternoon, projects were finalised and submitted, with each team given the opportunity to pitch their solution live to a panel of judges made up of protocol experts, VCs, and industry leaders. Judging took place on site and winners were announced shortly after.

This year’s winning teams

Bahamut Track

1st – LooserBracket (Paris, France)

2nd – ROD (Tbilisi, Georgia)

3rd – Monolith (Paris, France)

Solana Track

1st – Synto (Zürich, Switzerland)

2nd – Soloyalty (Frankfurt am Main, Germany)

3rd – Apollon (Paris, France)

XRPL Commons Track

1st – Hackatistes Of Dimanche (Paris, France)

2nd – New_era (Abbotsford, Australia)

3rd – Greenlock (Paris, France)

These teams were selected for the strength of their technical execution, originality, and relevance to real-world problems. Winners walked away with cash prizes totalling €25,000, passes to Paris Blockchain Week 2025, and the opportunity to showcase their project live on stage during PBW, in front of a global audience of investors, entrepreneurs, and Web3 leaders.

“This weekend’s hackathon showcased the incredible depth of talent and creativity within the global blockchain community,” said Michael Amar, Co-founder of Paris Blockchain Week. “We were thrilled to see a record number of participants this year, building everything from DeFi solutions to infrastructure tools with real-world impact. The energy, collaboration, and quality of ideas were truly inspiring, and we’re proud to celebrate the winning teams who represent the future of innovation in Web3

The PBW Hackathon, in partnership with BizThon, has become a key moment in the PBW calendar, creating direct pathways for emerging developers to gain recognition and push blockchain technology forward through hands-on experimentation. With support from XRPL Commons, Solana Foundation, Bahamut, and other leading partners, this year’s event reaffirmed Paris Blockchain Week’s commitment to spotlighting the builders shaping the future of blockchain technology.

About Paris Blockchain Week 

Paris Blockchain Week 2025, April 8-10, at the Carrousel du Louvre, stands as Europe’s premier blockchain and web3 event, uniting the world’s leading thought leaders, innovators, and industry drivers. Dedicated to fostering unparalleled innovation, collaboration, and knowledge sharing, PBW serves as the definitive platform for professionals shaping the future of blockchain and Web3 technologies.

The 6th edition of this prestigious event is set to feature over 400 speakers, including prominent figures such as: Charles Hoskinson, CEO and Founder of Input | Output, Adam Back, Co-Founder & CEO of Blockstream, David Ripley, Co-CEO of Kraken, Eric Anziani, President & COO of Crypto.com, Clara Chappaz, Minister Delegate for Artificial Intelligence & Digital Affairs of Government of France, Caroline Butler, Global Head of Digital Assets of BNY, Silvio Micali, Blockchain Founder and Turing Award Winner, Anthony Scaramucci, Founder and Managing Partner of SkyBridge, Monica Long, President of Ripple, Kristen Nachtman, Vice President of Digital Assets of Goldman Sachs, Eric Demuth, CEO & Co-Founder of Bitpanda, Zack Chestnut, Global Head of Business Development at Kinexys Digital Payment & Liink from JP Morgan.

In its 5th edition, PBW hosted over 9,500 attendees and featured 420+ speakers, including notable personalities such as; Jeremy Allaire, Co-Founder and CEO of Circle; Tim Draper, Founder of Draper Associates; and Marina Ferrari, French Secretary of State for Digital Affairs.

Join us to experience the transformative impact of blockchain technology across various sectors and connect with the visionaries driving the next wave of innovation.

For more information, please visit https://www.parisblockchainweek.com

Contact

Leora Schreiber
parisblockchainweek@marketacross.com