The decentralized finance (DeFi) landscape continues to evolve at a rapid pace, with major protocol launches, cross-chain expansions, and innovative financial primitives reshaping how users interact with digital assets. From new trading layers and borrowing markets to airdrop distributions and security upgrades, this week’s developments highlight the growing maturity and diversification of the ecosystem.
In this comprehensive update, we explore the latest advancements across top DeFi protocols including Berachain, Penpie, GMX, Aave, and Lido, while also diving into emerging trends in Bitcoin DeFi, zero-knowledge proofs, and gasless transactions. Whether you're a yield farmer, trader, or long-term DeFi enthusiast, these updates offer valuable insights into where the space is heading.
Major Protocol Launches & Expansions
Bullet Launches Testnet on Solana
Bullet, positioned as the first trading-dedicated scaling network on Solana, has launched its testnet. Leveraging zero-knowledge proofs for enhanced transparency, Bullet promises sub-2ms transaction execution—faster than most centralized exchanges—while maintaining decentralization. The network introduces native execution primitives optimized for high-frequency trading and derivatives.
ZEX token holders will be migrated 1:1 to Bullet upon mainnet launch. Upcoming initiatives include the $100K Bullet Trading Cup and the rollout of a scalable perpetual contracts platform.
👉 Discover how next-gen trading layers are redefining speed and security in DeFi.
Biconomy Unveils Supertransactions for Seamless Multi-Chain UX
Biconomy has introduced a new application layer powered by "Supertransactions," enabling users to execute complex cross-chain operations with a single signature—no gas tokens or repeated confirmations required. This upgrade simplifies interactions across EVM and non-EVM chains, significantly improving user experience.
Developers benefit from unified APIs, gas sponsorship capabilities, and rapid deployment tools. The Genesis mainnet is scheduled for launch in April 2025, marking a major step toward frictionless multi-chain interoperability.
GMX Expands to Solana with Permissionless Perpetuals
GMX has officially gone live on Solana, extending its presence beyond Arbitrum and Avalanche. The platform now supports trading over 20 cryptocurrencies via permissionless perpetual contracts, leveraging Chainlink for accurate price feeds and offering full self-custody.
Liquidity providers can mint GLV tokens using SOL or USDC and earn a share of trading fees. This expansion underscores GMX’s commitment to delivering high-performance decentralized trading across multiple ecosystems.
Penpie Integrates with Sonic Labs Using vePENDLE Strategy
Penpie has launched on Sonic Labs, integrating Pendle’s vePENDLE yield strategy and securing over 32% of vePENDLE voting power. Sonic users can now access boosted yields without locking $PENDLE directly, thanks to the platform’s efficient EVM-compatible environment.
This integration enhances capital efficiency and opens new avenues for yield optimization within the Pendle ecosystem.
Pendle Introduces New aUSDC Pool on Sonic
Pendle has launched an aUSDC pool on Sonic Labs, offering additional Sonic Points and yield opportunities. aUSDC represents interest-bearing USDC deposits from Aave, allowing users to earn lending yields plus extra incentives in $wS and up to 8x Sonic Points.
Users can choose from various strategies: providing liquidity (LP), buying Principal Tokens (PT) at a discount, or using Yield Tokens (YT) for leveraged yield exposure.
Cross-Chain & Infrastructure Advancements
Wormhole Upgrades CCTP for Faster USDC Transfers
Wormhole has integrated Circle’s CCTP V2, enabling fast USDC transfers between Ethereum, Avalanche, and Base with reduced confirmation times. Developers can now use Wormhole Connect to easily embed direct USDC bridging into their apps.
Future expansions will bring CCTP V2 support to more blockchains, further solidifying Wormhole’s role as a critical interoperability layer.
Movement Network Launches Public Mainnet Beta
Movement Network has gone live with its Public Mainnet Beta, a Move-based blockchain that settles on Ethereum for enhanced security. The ecosystem includes protocols for liquid staking, NFTs, swaps, lending, and yield generation.
With LayerZero-powered bridges enabling asset transfers and comprehensive developer resources available, Movement is positioning itself as a high-performance Layer 1 for next-gen DeFi applications.
Starknet Outlines Bitcoin Integration Roadmap
Starknet has published its Bitcoin integration roadmap, aiming for full decentralization by early 2026. The plan involves federated bridges and BitVM-based solutions to bring BTC assets on-chain, unlocking native DeFi use cases like lending, trading, and staking.
To accelerate adoption, Starknet is launching incentive programs and collaborating with leading Bitcoin projects. Additionally, StarkWare is building strategic BTC and ETH reserves to align ecosystem incentives.
Yield & Lending Innovations
Compound Deploys Morpho-Driven Vault on Polygon
Compound has launched a new vault on Polygon powered by Morpho, backed by $3 million in COMP and POL incentives. Owned by Compound DAO and curated by Gauntlet, the vault allows direct deposit and borrowing with a 10% performance fee funding the DAO.
The adoption of the Morpho Stack improves asset listing speed and reduces governance overhead—key steps toward scalable DeFi infrastructure.
Steakhouse Financial Offers wstETH Lending Opportunities
Steakhouse Financial now enables wstETH holders to borrow while continuing to earn staking rewards. The vault accepts $ynETHx as collateral and plans to expand support to additional assets, prioritizing wstETH as a liquidity buffer.
This move enhances capital efficiency for liquid stakers seeking flexible borrowing options.
3Jane Releases Whitepaper for 0% Collateral Lending
3Jane has unveiled its whitepaper detailing a novel credit system that offers uncollateralized USDC loans based on verifiable financial history rather than on-chain collateral. By analyzing DeFi, CEX, and even traditional banking activity, the protocol assesses creditworthiness and issues lines of credit to traders, enterprises, and AI agents.
Repayment is enforced through slashing mechanisms and debt auctions—a bold step toward expanding lending capacity beyond locked-up assets.
Airdrops & Token Distributions
Berachain Airdrop Claims Now Live
Berachain has opened its first round of $BERA airdrop claims for users who deposited into Dolomite or D2 Finance markets. Social and RFB recipients must register wallets by March 20, 2025 (12 PM ET), with the claim portal reopening on March 24 (10 AM ET).
Unclaimed allocations will be recoverable later, but early registration is encouraged. Check eligibility at checker.berachain.com.
Additionally, users who deposited in 90-day markets will see funds unlock on May 6, 2025. Post-withdrawal, they can hold receipt tokens to continue earning yield or redeem them for original deposits.
Pell Network Airdrop Opens for OKX Wallet Users
Pell Network’s Epoch 1 $PELL airdrop begins March 13, 2025 (09:00 UTC), with the first eight hours exclusive to OKX Wallet users. Participants are advised to pre-import their addresses to ensure smooth claiming.
👉 Stay ahead of upcoming token drops with real-time alerts and tracking tools.
Security & Governance Updates
1inch Patched Calldata Corruption Vulnerability
A critical vulnerability in 1inch’s legacy Settlement contract allowed attackers to overwrite parser addresses and steal funds from market makers on March 5, 2025. The root cause was improper handling of order suffixes, enabling arbitrary code execution.
After negotiations, most funds were returned. The team has since patched the issue and implemented safeguards to prevent recurrence.
Gauntlet’s Compound-Morpho Proposal Sparks Debate
Gauntlet proposed deploying a Compound-Morpho lending vault on Polygon with $1.5 million in combined rewards from both ecosystems. While intended to boost market share and technical adoption, the proposal faced backlash over concerns about Gauntlet’s dual role as curator and potential fee collector.
Critics worry this could influence Compound’s long-term governance direction—a reminder of the delicate balance between innovation and decentralization.
Emerging Trends: Bitcoin DeFi & Web3 UX
Mezo Launches Bitcoin-Backed mUSD Stablecoin
Mezo has introduced mUSD, a 150% collateralized stablecoin pegged 1:1 to USD. Built on tBTC infrastructure, it allows borrowing without minimum repayment requirements and offers fixed interest rates between 1–5%. The testnet is live, with a low-rate borrowing whitelist open now.
This marks another step in expanding Bitcoin’s utility beyond store-of-value use cases.
Sui Introduces Passkey Support for Keyless Accounts
Sui has integrated Passkeys via Face ID, Touch ID, or YubiKey—eliminating private keys and seed phrases. This upgrade prevents phishing attacks and streamlines Web3 onboarding. Currently available on testnet, it promises a safer and smoother user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I claim my Berachain airdrop?
A: Visit checker.berachain.com to verify eligibility. Register your wallet before March 20 if you're part of the social or RFB drop. The claim portal opens on March 24 at airdrop.berachain.com.
Q: What is Bullet’s main advantage over other trading platforms?
A: Bullet offers sub-2ms transaction execution using zero-knowledge proofs—faster than most CEXs—while remaining fully decentralized. It's optimized specifically for high-speed trading on Solana.
Q: Can I use USDC across chains with Wormhole?
A: Yes. With CCTP V2 integration, Wormhole enables seamless USDC transfers between Ethereum, Avalanche, and Base. More chains will be added soon.
Q: Is GMX available on Solana yet?
A: Yes. GMX launched on Solana recently, supporting over 20 perpetual markets with self-custody and Chainlink price feeds.
Q: What makes 3Jane’s lending model different?
A: Unlike traditional DeFi lenders requiring locked collateral, 3Jane issues unsecured USDC loans based on verified financial history across DeFi, CEXs, and banks—offering true credit-based financing.
Q: How does Biconomy eliminate gas fees?
A: Biconomy uses "Supertransactions" that allow gas sponsorship—developers or protocols pay gas on behalf of users—so end-users don’t need native tokens for transactions.
Final Thoughts
This week underscores a clear trend: DeFi is maturing beyond simple yield farming into sophisticated financial systems combining speed, security, cross-chain access, and novel credit models. With protocols like Berachain launching their mainnet phase and others pushing boundaries in zero-knowledge tech and Bitcoin integration, the foundation for mass adoption is being laid.
As always, staying informed is key—especially when airdrops are time-sensitive or new vulnerabilities emerge.
👉 Get early access to upcoming DeFi launches and token events before they go public.