Since first gracing our screens in 2013, Channel 4’s Gogglebox has become a national favourite, with the cast sharing their reactions to the week’s most talked-about TV moments.
With familiar faces like Ellie and Izzi Warner, Jenny and Lee, Pete and Sophie Sandiford, the Malones and Giles and Mary, viewers have formed a unique bond with the personalities who invite us into their living rooms each week.
But just how much do the Gogglebox stars earn for their time in front of the camera? And what perks do they enjoy behind the scenes?
Jenny and Lee are huge fan favourites (Credit: Channel 4)
How much are the Gogglebox cast paid?
According to reports, Gogglebox cast members receive £1,500 per month per household. This works out to £18,000 a year.
The fee covers their participation in two filming sessions a week, which can last up to six hours per sitting.
“The Gogglebox cast are filmed for two to three nights per week,” Channel 4 previously told the Daily Star. “We film them watching live television and some that has been recorded. The cast have received fees for their time on every series. The production team do not influence the comments. The reactions are genuine.”
In addition to their monthly salary, Gogglebox households are treated to weekly expenses for takeaways. From pizza to curry, the cast can order whatever they fancy to snack on while filming.
Sandra Martin claimed that she made over £100k a year (Credit: Channel 4)
Big bucks to be made from appearing on the show
Despite its popularity, Gogglebox isn’t a full-time job for most cast members. Many of them maintain other employment due to the modest salary.
However, former cast members have revealed that earnings can vary, especially if you remain on the show for several years or take on other media opportunities after leaving.
Former castmate Sandra Martin previously told The Mail on Sunday, per OK!: “I paid tax on an income of £100,000. In fact, ever since I started doing Gogglebox in 2012, I have earned around £100,000 every year.”
Sandra left the show in 2017. She later went on to appear in shows such as First Dates and 100 Years Younger in 21 Days.
How do you apply to be on Gogglebox?
If this all sounds very tempting, you’re probably wondering how to get yourself a spot on the Gogglebox sofa.
Unfortunately, if you’re thinking of applying, you can’t. Gogglebox cast members are handpicked by producers, rather than selected via application.
“Everybody on Gogglebox has been found and persuaded to be on the show,” show creator Stephen Lambert explained. “I think that’s the key to why they are likeable and why the show works. Because we get to know these people. We’ve never advertised for people on Gogglebox.”
Until then, it seems that watching telly with your loved ones might just be one of the best part-time gigs on British television.
We’ve contacted Channel 4 for comment.
Watch Gogglebox on Channel 4, Fridays at 9pm.
Read more: Gogglebox couple Mary and Giles leave fans divided: ‘I can’t enjoy them’
Do you watch Gogglebox? Head over to our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know! We want to hear from you!
System76 continue building up their desktop environment COSMIC, with a 7th Alpha release now available for testing built on top of Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS alpha.
Even though I’m firmly happy with the latest KDE Plasma, because it does everything I need, I’m still quite keen to see the finished product when it comes to COSMIC as they’re doing some pretty interesting stuff with it.
Pictured – COSMIC Alpha 7
In the latest release they’ve tweaked Workspaces so you can click and drag them around and you can pin them to ensure they stick around even when empty too. There’s also various new accessibility features they’ve highlighted:
High Contrast Mode uses a high-contrast theme affecting various elements for easier visibility — calculated automatically by COSMIC’s theming system using a specialized method.
Color Filters add a filter to address common forms of colorblindness: Deuteranopia, Protanopia, and Tritanopia. For those with sensitive eyesight, a grayscale filter is also available.
Color Inversion changes theme colors using a different calculation for the purpose of helping those affected by colorblindness differentiate between like colors.
Mono Sound aids those with hearing loss by combining left-right sound channels into a single channel for both ears. We plan to add more accessibility features to COSMIC in future releases!
There’s also improvements to the magnifier, global shortcuts for applications even when they’re not in focus, improved fractional scaling for XWayland, there’s a new seek ahead search option for their file manager, new sound settings and lots of bug fixes.
Published: April 25, 2025 at 11:07 am Updated: April 25, 2025 at 11:07 am
by Ana
Edited and fact-checked:
April 25, 2025 at 11:07 am
To improve your local-language experience, sometimes we employ an auto-translation plugin. Please note auto-translation may not be accurate, so read original article for precise information.
In Brief
Blum celebrated its first anniversary by receiving top honors at Blockchain Forum 2025, while its co-founder Vladimir Smerkis was awarded “Web3 Entrepreneur of the Year.”
Telegram-based trading platform Blum marked its first year of operations by participating prominently at Blockchain Forum 2025, one of the most important cryptocurrency gatherings in the CIS region. The event, held from April 23th to 24th, brought together more than 15,000 attendees from over 130 countries and featured discussions from key industry leaders. An awards ceremony during the forum recognized accomplishments across the Web3, blockchain, and cryptocurrency sectors.
Blum was recognized for its performance within the Telegram ecosystem, receiving awards for “Best GameFi App” and “Best Trading App” on the messaging platform.
As of now, Blum reports 93 million users, positioning it as a major player in the cryptocurrency trading application landscape. It ranks as the second-largest memepad globally by the number of tokens launched and holds the top position on The Open Network (TON), with over 350,000 tokens created, 32 million TON in trading volume, and more than 8,000 live streams. The platform is also linked to nearly 40 million unique on-chain wallets.
Blum operates the largest trading bot on TON and has recently expanded to the Solana blockchain, where it has facilitated over 5 million SOL in trading volume. Further integrations, including BNB and additional networks, are expected. The application also claims the second-largest Telegram community globally, with over 28 million members.
Initially founded by former Binance executives Gleb Kostarev and Vladimir Smerkis, Blum was designed to offer a multi-functional application that simplifies trading, token creation, and digital asset management across different blockchain networks. Just one year after its launch, the platform has positioned itself as a notable participant in the evolving Web3 landscape.
“We could never have imagined that over 93 million users would join the Blum community to build the future of crypto superapps together,” said Vladimir Smerkis, Blum’s CMO, in a written statement. “These awards belong to every user who created tokens, streamed live, traded on Memepad, or used our bots on Solana and TON. Your engagement is our greatest achievement,” he added.
Vladimir Smerkis Awarded ‘Web3 Entrepreneur Of The Year,’ Highlights Role Of User Engagement In Attention Economy
Furthermore, at the event, Blum’s Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer, Vladimir Smerkis, was individually recognized for his contributions to the evolving digital landscape, receiving the “Web3 Entrepreneur of the Year” award.
During his keynote address titled “Dominate the Attention Economy,” Vladimir Smerkis emphasized the importance of capturing and sustaining user engagement, suggesting that the next phase of Web3 growth will be driven by platforms that can successfully compete for user attention in an increasingly crowded digital environment.
“Hype is now an asset. Attention is a currency. In Web3, you don’t win by being the biggest — you win by being the most interesting,” said Vladimir Smerkis in a written statement.
In his presentation, Vladimir Smerkis explored how the dynamics of Web3 are evolving, particularly within the Telegram ecosystem. He emphasized that memes are no longer just cultural phenomena but are increasingly functioning as financial instruments in the decentralized economy. He also noted that simple user actions, such as tapping a screen, can now be monetized, turning user engagement into tangible cryptocurrency rewards.
According to Vladimir Smerkis, Telegram has emerged as a powerful platform for capturing and directing user attention, thanks in part to the rise of Mini Apps and its integration with The Open Network (TON). He argued that in this new paradigm, communities should be viewed as sources of capital in their own right, rather than being treated merely as passive user bases.
Blum has embraced these shifts by gamifying the trading experience. By merging viral meme culture, experience points (XP), and blockchain-based rewards, Blum has transformed cryptocurrency trading into an interactive and entertaining experience directly within Telegram.
Blum’s fast growth has been driven by features such as tap-to-earn mechanics, social engagement loops based on the fear of missing out (FOMO), and engaging gamification techniques designed to maintain user interest and activity.
Blum: What Is It?
Blum operates as a hybrid cryptocurrency exchange embedded directly within Telegram through its mini-app framework, blending features commonly found in centralized and decentralized exchanges. The platform is designed to make cryptocurrency trading more intuitive and appealing, particularly for a younger, mobile-savvy audience that is already active on messaging platforms.
Functioning seamlessly within Telegram, Blum supports token trading across more than 30 blockchain networks, including major chains like Ethereum, BNB Smart Chain, TON, and Solana. Users have the flexibility to choose between custodial wallets, which simplify key management, and non-custodial wallets, which offer greater control over assets—serving varying preferences for convenience and self-custody.
In order to keep users engaged, Blum has integrated gamified mechanics into its ecosystem. Participants can earn Blum Points through activities such as playing the Drop Game, completing interactive missions, and inviting new users. These points are anticipated to have utility within the platform, with conversion into BLUM tokens expected to occur during the upcoming Token Generation Event (TGE).
According to its roadmap, the platform is also planning to introduce a suite of advanced features. These include AI-powered tools for launching new tokens, meme token creation supported by AI agents, a Trading Arena that will host competitive, gamified trading experiences, as well as systems for adaptive trading strategies. Future developments also include the rollout of perpetual futures and a professional-grade trading interface that will operate across multiple blockchains.
As part of its broader engagement strategy, Blum is preparing to host an exclusive side event during Token2049. The gathering will take place at the Armani Hotel in the Burj Khalifa on April 30th, and users interested in participating are encouraged to register in advance.
Disclaimer
In line with the Trust Project guidelines, please note that the information provided on this page is not intended to be and should not be interpreted as legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of advice. It is important to only invest what you can afford to lose and to seek independent financial advice if you have any doubts. For further information, we suggest referring to the terms and conditions as well as the help and support pages provided by the issuer or advertiser. MetaversePost is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice.
About The Author
Alisa, a dedicated journalist at the MPost, specializes in cryptocurrency, zero-knowledge proofs, investments, and the expansive realm of Web3. With a keen eye for emerging trends and technologies, she delivers comprehensive coverage to inform and engage readers in the ever-evolving landscape of digital finance.
More articles
Alisa Davidson
Alisa, a dedicated journalist at the MPost, specializes in cryptocurrency, zero-knowledge proofs, investments, and the expansive realm of Web3. With a keen eye for emerging trends and technologies, she delivers comprehensive coverage to inform and engage readers in the ever-evolving landscape of digital finance.
In a move that signals growing momentum for high-performance, decentralized applications, MagicBlock has announced a $3 million pre-seed funding round to expand its cutting-edge infrastructure for real-time, onchain games and consumer apps built on Solana.
The round was secured alongside MagicBlock’s participation in the prestigious a16z Crypto Startup Accelerator (CSX) Spring 2024 cohort — a program run by Andreessen Horowitz’s crypto division aimed at backing next-gen web3 startups.
Reinventing Onchain Performance with Ephemeral Rollups:
At the heart of MagicBlock’s innovation is its Ephemeral Rollups technology, a novel scaling solution purpose-built to deliver Web2-like performance for decentralized applications while maintaining the core principles of decentralization and trustlessness.
Unlike traditional Ethereum Layer 2 scaling solutions — which often face issues like liquidity fragmentation, poor composability, and a clunky, transaction-lag-heavy user experience — MagicBlock’s approach is natively integrated with Solana’s architecture. Leveraging the Solana Virtual Machine’s (SVM) ability to separate state and logic, developers can shift portions of a dApp’s state to isolated Ephemeral Rollup sessions while keeping core programs anchored on Solana.
This architecture effectively transforms Solana into a multi-threaded environment for dApps, offering seamless composability and blazing-fast real-time performance. It’s a game-changer for industries like onchain gaming, but also for any consumer application where speed, scale, and decentralization matter.
Why It Matters: Next-Gen, Unstoppable, Composable dApps
MagicBlock’s breakthrough enables developers to build unstoppable, serverless applications without compromising performance or user experience. The result is decentralized games and apps that feel as responsive as their Web2 counterparts, without the latency and complexity that often plague onchain experiences.
The $3 million funding will allow MagicBlock to scale its engineering team, ramp up developer outreach, and continue refining its technology stack. The raise also reflects a broader industry trend: a growing appetite for decentralized, high-performance consumer applications capable of rivaling centralized platforms in both usability and speed.
As Web3 gaming edges closer to mainstream adoption, with ecosystems like Solana increasingly favored for their performance-first design, MagicBlock’s infrastructure could be pivotal in enabling a new generation of real-time, fully decentralized experiences.
For more insights and updates on Metaverse, DeFi, Blockchain, NFT & Web3, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter. Stay informed on the latest trends and developments in the decentralized world.
San Francisco-based open-source database pioneer Supabase has just raised an impressive $200 million in Series D funding, catapulting its valuation to a staggering $2 billion. The round, first reported by Fortune, featured heavyweight backers like Accel, Coatue, Y Combinator, Craft Ventures, and Felicis, alongside notable angels like Kevin Weil, Chief Product Officer at OpenAI.
Founded in 2020 by Paul Copplestone and Ant Wilson, Supabase has rapidly evolved into one of the most commercially successful open-source backend platforms globally — and it’s showing no signs of slowing down.
What is Supabase, and Why Is Everyone Betting Big on It?
It has positioned itself as the open-source, developer-friendly answer to Google’s Firebase — but built on the rock-solid foundation of PostgreSQL. It blends enterprise-grade performance with a no-nonsense developer experience, offering intuitive tools like:
Table Editor (think Excel for your database),
Supabase Cron for task automation.
With powerful capabilities like real-time updates, edge functions, and global scalability via read-only replicas, Supabase delivers lightning-fast performance for developers building everything from SaaS products to AI-native apps.
Riding the AI & Vibe Coding Wave:
Supabase isn’t just another backend tool — it’s becoming the backbone of AI-powered applications and vibe coding projects. This emerging trend involves AI-enhanced development processes, reducing build timelines and accelerating iteration cycles.
The company claims that Web3 and AI startups are increasingly relying on its platform, thanks to vector storage support and edge-first functions that simplify AI integrations. Its tagline — “Build in a weekend. Scale to millions.” — perfectly captures the product’s appeal in an era where speed and scalability are non-negotiable.
Notable AI and automation projects, including early adopters in Web3 gaming and AI-powered marketplaces, have integrated Supabase as their backend infrastructure, cementing its relevance for the AI-first future.
Explosive Growth and Enterprise Traction:
In the last three months alone, Supabase doubled its developer sign-ups, now powering over 3.5 million database environments for 2 million+ developers worldwide. Heavyweights like Mozilla and GitHub have already adopted the platform, alongside a rapidly expanding startup base.
Its popularity within the Y Combinator ecosystem and the open-source community (with over 81,000 GitHub stars) underscores the platform’s growing influence. Whether you’re a solo founder building a prototype or a large enterprise architecting a production-grade AI platform, Supabase offers a scalable, cost-effective alternative to legacy database giants like Oracle and Microsoft SQL Server.
Why This Matters?
As AI, automation, and Web3 increasingly reshape the software landscape, platforms like Supabase — with their open-source DNA and AI-readiness — are defining how next-gen applications get built and scaled. With a fresh $200 million war chest, Supabase is poised to double down on AI tooling, edge computing, and advanced developer experiences.
It’s more than a funding story — it’s a signal that open-source, AI-integrated infrastructure is no longer niche. It’s the new standard.
For more insights and updates on Metaverse, DeFi, Blockchain, NFT & Web3, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter. Stay informed on the latest trends and developments in the decentralized world.
Published: April 25, 2025 at 10:28 am Updated: April 25, 2025 at 10:28 am
by Ana
Edited and fact-checked:
April 25, 2025 at 10:28 am
To improve your local-language experience, sometimes we employ an auto-translation plugin. Please note auto-translation may not be accurate, so read original article for precise information.
In Brief
STON.fi has unveiled the Omniston decentralized liquidity aggregation protocol for TON, designed to address the challenges of market fragmentation within the expanding TON ecosystem.
Developer of the automated market maker (AMM) protocol, STON.fi unveiled Omniston, the first decentralized liquidity aggregation protocol specifically optimized for the architecture of The Open Network (TON) blockchain. Omniston, now live within the STON.fi decentralised application (dApp), seeks to address the challenges of market fragmentation within the growing TON ecosystem.
Omniston aims to tackle several issues faced by the decentralized finance (DeFi) space, where liquidity providers and market makers encounter inefficiencies in capital allocation and limited access to broader user bases. DeFi developers also face challenges with redundant technical integrations across multiple decentralized exchanges (DEXs), leading to increased costs and complexity. Users, on the other hand, often face suboptimal swap rates and a limited trading experience due to fragmented liquidity.
Omniston introduces a series of innovations designed to streamline liquidity management, improve swapping efficiency, and broaden market access throughout the TON ecosystem. Liquidity providers and market makers can now quickly access the market and effortlessly connect with users across all major TON applications via Omniston’s extensive distribution network. The protocol’s horizontally scalable backend is built to handle the potential scale of up to 1 billion users within the Telegram ecosystem, allowing market makers and liquidity providers to focus on their trading strategies without the concern of infrastructure limitations.
For DeFi developers, Omniston removes the need to manage multiple technical integrations across various DEXs or to independently source liquidity from numerous providers. This allows them to concentrate on refining the core features of their projects while Omniston takes care of liquidity management. Additionally, through its integration with STON.fi, users benefit from optimized token swaps, access to deep liquidity, and faster transaction execution, ensuring reliable and cost-effective trades with minimal slippage and improved price stability.
Omniston is reshaping liquidity infrastructure on TON by eliminating the barriers between liquidity providers and applications. With just a single integration, liquidity providers can access an expanding network of DeFi protocols, streamlining both integration processes and operational efforts. Early adopters of Omniston have reported reductions in maintenance costs by as much as 70% and have seen onboarding times drop from over a month to just a few days.
Currently, Omniston consolidates liquidity from the largest DeFi protocols on TON. As more liquidity protocols are integrated in the near future, developers of DeFi applications will automatically gain access to an expanded liquidity pool, offering users better trading opportunities without requiring additional technical work or further investment from developers.
In the second quarter of 2025, Omniston plans to introduce support for proprietary liquidity from OTC market makers. Additionally, cross-chain swaps are set to be implemented, connecting TON’s liquidity to other major blockchain ecosystems, which will broaden the available opportunities for participants across the DeFi landscape.
Understanding How Omniston Operates
All transactions within the system are carried out in a trustless environment, leveraging smart routing and decentralized swap mechanisms to ensure both security and efficiency in execution. If all parties adhere to the protocol, the transaction proceeds smoothly. However, if any participant deviates or acts inappropriately, the transaction is automatically canceled, and the funds are returned to their respective parties.
According to the process, a user initiates a swap through an application, which then forwards the request to Omniston. Omniston generates a request-for-quote (RFQ) and sends it to the connected resolvers. The resolvers return their quotes to Omniston, which then selects the most favorable option. Once the quote is chosen, the transaction is executed, and both parties receive their respective tokens.
Exploring Omniston’s Roadmap: What’s Ahead For The Protocol
At this stage, Omniston is prioritizing accessibility and user adoption over monetization. According to Andrey Fedorov, the company’s Chief Marketing Officer and acting Chief Business Development Officer, the goal is to encourage developers and liquidity providers to start engaging with the platform without any immediate financial barriers. Currently, the protocol does not impose any fees, as the focus is on fostering participation and building a network of integrated applications. This approach allows liquidity providers to begin earning from their involvement, while developers using Omniston can implement their own revenue-generating models on top of the protocol.
Regarding future monetization, Andrey Fedorov notes that while revenue strategies are expected to emerge over time, they may not follow the conventional pay-to-use format. Given that Omniston only recently launched, the team is primarily focused on expanding adoption by onboarding more applications and liquidity providers. Monetization strategies will be explored after broader integration is achieved, though this does not necessarily imply that users will face usage fees in the future.
As for development plans, the introduction of cross-chain swap functionality represents a milestone on the roadmap. Although Omniston is currently deployed on the TON blockchain, the underlying architecture is already designed for cross-chain operations, and active testing is underway. The rollout will be gradual, with Tron expected to be the first additional network, followed by expansion into Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)-compatible blockchains. This phased approach ensures that each integration is carefully validated before broader deployment.
Disclaimer
In line with the Trust Project guidelines, please note that the information provided on this page is not intended to be and should not be interpreted as legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of advice. It is important to only invest what you can afford to lose and to seek independent financial advice if you have any doubts. For further information, we suggest referring to the terms and conditions as well as the help and support pages provided by the issuer or advertiser. MetaversePost is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice.
About The Author
Alisa, a dedicated journalist at the MPost, specializes in cryptocurrency, zero-knowledge proofs, investments, and the expansive realm of Web3. With a keen eye for emerging trends and technologies, she delivers comprehensive coverage to inform and engage readers in the ever-evolving landscape of digital finance.
More articles
Alisa Davidson
Alisa, a dedicated journalist at the MPost, specializes in cryptocurrency, zero-knowledge proofs, investments, and the expansive realm of Web3. With a keen eye for emerging trends and technologies, she delivers comprehensive coverage to inform and engage readers in the ever-evolving landscape of digital finance.
Published: April 25, 2025 at 10:15 am Updated: April 25, 2025 at 11:38 am
by Ana
Edited and fact-checked:
April 25, 2025 at 10:15 am
To improve your local-language experience, sometimes we employ an auto-translation plugin. Please note auto-translation may not be accurate, so read original article for precise information.
In Brief
Vanilla Finance launches 10,000x leverage Super Perpetuals on BNB Chain, bringing no-liquidation, capital-efficient trading to DeFi’s fastest-growing network.
Vanilla Finance, the leading on-chain trading protocol on Telegram, is expanding its infrastructure to BNB Chain with the launch of Super Perpetuals. Super Perpetuals support up to 10,000x leverage and are uniquely designed with no liquidation risk, offering a safer and more capital-efficient trading experience. This launch marks a major step forward in Vanilla’s mission to become the foundational on-chain trading infrastructure across Web3.
Super Perps has already achieved a remarkable $37 billion in cumulative trading volume, 6 million registered users, and 1.4 million active traders, solidifying Vanilla Finance’s position as a dominant force in the DeFi trading space.
A Game-Changer in DeFi: Super Perps
At the heart of Vanilla Finance’s success is their Super Perps, a groundbreaking product that allows traders to gain exposure to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, ETH, Doge and many others with unprecedented flexibility. With Super Pers, users can leverage up to 10,000x, meaning they can own one Bitcoin—valued at $93,000 as of today—for as little as $10. Unlike traditional leveraged trading, Super Perps eliminates the risk of liquidation, offering a safer and more accessible way for traders to participate in volatile markets.
This unique feature has resonated with both seasoned traders and newcomers, driving Vanilla Finance’s rise. “Super Perps is designed to empower everyone, from Web3 natives to Web2 users, by making high-potential trading simple and secure,” said Michael Cameron, Co-Founder & CMO of Vanilla Finance, at the Hong Kong Consensus Conference in March 2025. “Our product brings the efficiency of traditional finance to DeFi, and the results speak for themselves.”
Why BNB Chain
The integration with BNB Chain, known for its speed and low transaction costs, enhances Super Perps scalability and accessibility, positioning Vanilla Finance to capture an even larger share of the DeFi market.
“Launching Super Perps on BNB Chain is a pivotal moment for us,” Cameron added. “BNB Chain’s robust infrastructure allows us to scale our vision of making DeFi inclusive and efficient, while our partnership with DeFi Llama ensures our users have access to transparent, reliable data.”
Vanilla Finance’s Achievements
The official launch of Super Perps on BNB Chain is just the beginning. Vanilla Finance is committed to pushing the boundaries of DeFi by introducing new features, expanding to additional blockchains, and forging strategic partnerships.
In just seven months, the platform achieved over $37 billion in trading volume, attracted 1.4 million cumulative traders and 6 million total users, secured the #1 trading volume rank among Telegram-based exchanges, and was selected for both Binance MVB Season 8 Cohort and CoinMarketCap’s CMC Labs Accelerator Program.
Not to mention with investments from prominent venture firms like UOB Ventures, ABCDE Labs, and Paper Ventures, Vanilla Finance is well-positioned to sustain its rapid growth. The platform’s focus on security, compliance, and innovation has earned it the trust of users and investors alike, setting the stage for even greater milestones.
Whats Next for Vanilla Finance
Fresh off its reign as Telegram’s top trading protocol by volume, Vanilla Finance is charging into the BNB Chain with its bold new venture: Super Perpetuals. Known for its vibrant DeFi scene and developer-friendly vibe, BNB Chain is the perfect stage for Vanilla’s next act.
Vanilla’s sights are set on dominating the perpetuals market on BNB Chain, aiming to outpace rivals in trading volume and user buzz. The team is pulling out all the stops—expanding asset options, sharpening the trading experience, and reeling in both casual traders and seasoned pros.
But Vanilla’s ambitions don’t stop there. The platform is gunning to become the backbone of on-chain trading across every major blockchain. With cutting-edge, capital-efficient derivatives and a growing arsenal of permissionless tools, Vanilla is poised to redefine decentralized trading on a global scale. Buckle up—this is just the beginning. (CMC Labs: Partnership)
Disclaimer
In line with the Trust Project guidelines, please note that the information provided on this page is not intended to be and should not be interpreted as legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of advice. It is important to only invest what you can afford to lose and to seek independent financial advice if you have any doubts. For further information, we suggest referring to the terms and conditions as well as the help and support pages provided by the issuer or advertiser. MetaversePost is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice.
About The Author
Victoria is a writer on a variety of technology topics including Web3.0, AI and cryptocurrencies. Her extensive experience allows her to write insightful articles for the wider audience.
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Victoria d’Este
Victoria is a writer on a variety of technology topics including Web3.0, AI and cryptocurrencies. Her extensive experience allows her to write insightful articles for the wider audience.
Are you tired of hearing or reading about Dune Awakening without actually being able to play it? Well, hopefully you’re not tired of reading about it… Either way, it turns out you’ll be able to play the game soon, courtesy of a free open beta weekend coming on May 9, and concluding on May 12.
To get access, you’ll need to either wishlist the game prior to May 9 for a chance to play, or grab one of the “thousands” of beta codes given out by the team during the weekend. So, it’s open, but only to those lucky enough to gain access. Semi-open. The door left somewhat ajar.
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This beta just so happens to be a few days prior to the original release date of May 15, which was pushed back due to a delay so the team at Funcom could “cook” a little and make sure everything is polished and ready for the full release.
Players will be able to access the first two regions, which if thoroughly explored should make up the first 20-ish hours of the game. That means you’ll be able to explore a few Research Facilities, try out the early abilities for various classes, and a little bit of PvP in ship crash sites. A good taster of the experience. If you’d like our experience, we’ve got a new preview for Dune Awakening out today that covers this same slice of the overall experience.
Are you excited for this open beta? Let us know below!
Published: April 25, 2025 at 10:00 am Updated: April 25, 2025 at 9:46 am
by Ana
Edited and fact-checked:
April 25, 2025 at 10:00 am
To improve your local-language experience, sometimes we employ an auto-translation plugin. Please note auto-translation may not be accurate, so read original article for precise information.
In Brief
Solv Protocol, in collaboration with Zeus Network and Fragmetric, has launched FragBTC to enable Bitcoin holders on Solana to participate in DeFi.
On-chain Bitcoin reserve and staking platform, Solv Protocol announced that it has launched FragBTC, the first Solana-native, yield-generating Bitcoin solution. This development, in collaboration with the multi-chain layer Zeus Network and the liquid restaking protocol Fragmetric, aims to enable Bitcoin holders on Solana to participate in decentralized finance (DeFi).
The yield for FragBTC is driven by SolvBTC.JUP, a Solv Bitcoin yield strategy that generates Bitcoin-denominated returns from JLP on Jupiter Exchange. This approach reduces market fluctuation risks associated with centralized exchanges (CEXs), offering risk-adjusted returns tailored to the varying risk profiles of Bitcoin holders. Additionally, Solv Protocol has become the first Institutional Guardian for Zeus Network, helping to bring native Bitcoin to Solana, with other guardians such as Mechanism Capital, Animoca Ventures, and Anagram also involved in the initiative.
Ryan Chow, CEO and co-founder of Solv Protocol, explained that Bitcoin yields have historically been limited and dispersed across centralized finance (CeFi) platforms, with very little availability in DeFi.
“That’s why bringing Solana-native, real Bitcoin yield to Solana is a significant milestone for us, powered by our SolvBTC.JUP as the underlying yield engine,” said Ryan Chow in a written statement. “With Solana being one of the most vibrant and composable DeFi ecosystems, we’re excited to contribute to its growth and unlock new yield opportunities for Bitcoin holders,” he added.
The fragmented nature of the BTCFi landscape has made it challenging for users to access consistent and reliable Bitcoin yield, as noted by Sang Kim, COO of Fragmetric Labs.
“Solv Protocol addressed BTC fragmentation by creating a unified solution for real, sustainable BTC yield,” said Sang Kim in a written statement. “We’re proud to partner with Solv Protocol to bring this unified yield directly to the Solana ecosystem and lead the charge in unlocking Bitcoin’s true value,” he added.
Bringing Bitcoin To Solana With Enhanced Security For Protocol And Users
Bringing Bitcoin to high-performance chains like Solana has traditionally depended on centralized custodians or cross-chain wrappers, which can present security risks and inconsistent standards for users. These methods often lack transparency and verifiability, creating trust issues and hindering institutional adoption of Bitcoin in decentralized finance (DeFi).
Therefore, introducing Bitcoin into the Solana ecosystem in a native and standardized manner will improve security for both the protocol and its users, according to Justin Wang, the founder of Zeus Network.
“On Solana, every incoming Bitcoin transaction can be verified, validated, and locked by the blockchain itself,” said Justin Wang in a written statement. “Therefore, the design of an institutional guardian will be a crucial component for enabling future institutional Bitcoin liquidity to flow into Solana via Zeus Network,” he added.
Solv Protocol, an on-chain Bitcoin reserve bridging traditional finance (TradFi), centralized finance (CeFi), and DeFi, aims to unlock the full potential of over $1 trillion in Bitcoin assets through its SolvBTC platform. By introducing SolvBTC.LSTs (Liquid Staking Tokens), Solv allows both retail and institutional investors to generate returns on their Bitcoin, transforming it from a dormant asset into one that produces yield.
Recently, Solv Protocol secured $10 million in funding for its Bitcoin reserve initiative, moving it closer to its goal of creating a $100M on-chain Bitcoin reserve.
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About The Author
Alisa, a dedicated journalist at the MPost, specializes in cryptocurrency, zero-knowledge proofs, investments, and the expansive realm of Web3. With a keen eye for emerging trends and technologies, she delivers comprehensive coverage to inform and engage readers in the ever-evolving landscape of digital finance.
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Alisa Davidson
Alisa, a dedicated journalist at the MPost, specializes in cryptocurrency, zero-knowledge proofs, investments, and the expansive realm of Web3. With a keen eye for emerging trends and technologies, she delivers comprehensive coverage to inform and engage readers in the ever-evolving landscape of digital finance.
In the whirlwind world of NFTs—where pixelated avatars and algorithmic art turned into million-dollar headlines—few stories embody the industry’s explosive rise and sobering fall quite like RTFKT (pronounced “artifact”).
Born from the electric blend of sneaker culture, gaming aesthetics, and blockchain innovation, RTFKT’s journey from garage startup to Nike-backed digital fashion icon—and ultimately to its quiet shutdown—paints a portrait of both the promise and peril of Web3.
The Rise: Disruption in a Box
RTFKT emerged in 2020, during the first real wave of NFT mania. Founded by Benoit Pagotto, Chris Le, and Steven Vasilev, the company didn’t just hop on the NFT bandwagon—it redefined it. Merging luxury fashion sensibilities with gaming culture and digital ownership, RTFKT wasn’t just selling JPEGs; it was selling identity, exclusivity, and a stake in the future.
Their early drops were meteoric. In February 2021, they made headlines by selling 600 digital sneakers in just seven minutes, raking in $3.2 million. This wasn’t art hanging on a wall—it was fashion you could flex in virtual worlds, wear in AR, and potentially redeem physically. It felt like magic, and the market responded accordingly.
Collaborations with big-name artists like Fewocious and Takashi Murakami further fueled the hype. The Clone X project—a collection of 20,000 anime-inspired avatars co-created with Murakami—was a breakout hit, selling out instantly and cementing RTFKT’s place as one of the crown jewels of NFT culture.
The Nike Era: Peak Power, Corporate Pressure
In December 2021, Nike acquired RTFKT, a move that felt like a turning point for digital fashion. For many, this was the moment NFTs “made it.” If the world’s biggest sportswear brand was jumping in, surely this was just the beginning.
And initially, the partnership bore fruit. Nike Cryptokicks—NFT sneakers with changeable digital skins—debuted at 2.9 ETH, equivalent to roughly $8,500 at the time. There were hardware wallet collaborations with Ledger, NFT quests, and teaser trailers for the upcoming “Animus” universe. For a time, RTFKT looked unstoppable.
But within the walls of corporate infrastructure, the friction began. As NFT markets cooled, Nike pivoted to safer, scalable initiatives like .Swoosh, sidelining RTFKT’s experimental spirit. Missteps like U.S.-only Cryptokicks shipping further strained community trust, contributing to RTFKT’s eventual decline.
Nike’s overall digital strategy also began to shift. Rather than continuing with high-risk, collectible NFT assets, the company turned its attention to more mainstream, gamified digital experiences—like in-game wearables and branded items for virtual platforms. RTFKT’s avant-garde approach no longer aligned with Nike’s broader priorities for consumer engagement in digital space.
The Fall: From Rocket Ship to Rough Landing
By mid-2022, cracks were starting to show. The broader NFT market was cooling rapidly, and RTFKT struggled to maintain its edge. Delays plagued the long-anticipated Animus project, and MNLTH 2—meant to be a follow-up to the original mystery NFT box—underwhelmed fans.
Clone X, once a marquee digital asset, tumbled in value. At its peak in January 2022, the floor price surged to approximately 15.5 ETH, with some rare NFTs fetching up to 19.2 ETH. Notably, CloneX #4594 sold for 450 ETH, and CloneX #13134 for 368 ETH in 2022. By late 2024, the floor price plummeted to around 0.3 ETH ($320).
The missteps weren’t just technical—they were cultural. One controversy erupted when Cryptokicks iRL, RTFKT’s foray into physical sneakers, limited shipping to the U.S. only. For an international, Web3-native community, it felt tone-deaf and exclusionary.
NFT holders, who had paid a premium for global, decentralized perks, weren’t pleased. Despite public apologies and damage control attempts, the trust erosion was irreversible.
The End of the Line
In December 2024, Nike announced that RTFKT would shut down operations by January 2025. The reason? A strategic pivot back to physical products and an acknowledgment that the NFT ecosystem was no longer aligned with the company’s near-term vision.
Community members took to Discord and X to express frustration and grief over the project’s abrupt end.
Shortly before the announcement, RTFKT released one final product: MNLTH X featuring the Blade. Marketed as the culmination of its tech-fashion fusion, it failed to reignite interest or capture the imagination of a now-weary community.
Finally, in April 2025, RTFKT’s NFT collections became temporarily inaccessible due to technical issues with their hosting provider, Cloudflare. The company responded by announcing a migration of all NFT metadata to ArWeave, a decentralized, permanent storage protocol designed to ensure NFTs remain accessible even if a centralized host fails.
The Legacy: What RTFKT Leaves Behind
RTFKT’s story is more than a boom-and-bust tale—it’s a mirror for the entire NFT industry.
At its peak, RTFKT made digital ownership feel aspirational. It showed how virtual fashion could blend seamlessly into real-world luxury, how community-driven storytelling could power a global brand, and how NFTs could be more than speculative assets—they could be cultural artifacts.
But it also revealed the dangers of rapid growth, the risks of overpromising and underdelivering, and the difficulty of staying nimble inside a corporate machine.
