Hey Edge readers,

Crypto markets hit a speed bump this week, with Bitcoin and Ethereum pulling back after the Federal Reserve signaled a cautious approach to rate cuts in 2025. Broader equities markets also declined as investors reassessed risks. While the pullback highlights the short-term volatility of crypto, long-term momentum remains strong. Institutional adoption is growing, and DeFi continues to mature.

Here’s what we got for you this week:

• Solana staking just got easier💡

  Start earning with two new Solana pools—live on Exponential.fi.

• Hyperliquid’s record-breaking airdrop 🪂

  Babylon reaches top 10 DeFi protocol, tokenized real-world assets are booming, and Kraken’s Ink chain launches.

Stay sharp. 🫡

-The Exponential team

Solana staking just got better

We’re thrilled to announce that Solana DeFi is now live on Exponential.fi! You can grow your SOL seamlessly in a fully multi-chain experience—offering higher yields, more flexibility, and a simpler way to get started.

Why stake your SOL with us? Take a look at how our yields stack up against centralized exchanges. 👀

What are the yield opportunities?

We’re kicking off with two high-yield Solana pools: Jupiter SOL and Kuma SOL. Both are powered by the Sanctum protocol, the leading provider of liquid staking infrastructure, with each pool offering unique benefits for SOL holders:

Deposit SOL or USDC and start earning up to 12% yield from Solana DeFi.

Pro Tip: You can also invest in SOL pools using your existing USDC balance or even transfer from your bank account to get started easily. 🌉

In the news 🗞️

• Crypto markets stumble after Fed caution. Crypto prices dropped this week after the Federal Reserve signaled a cautious approach to interest rate cuts in 2024. The announcement sparked a sell-off across major cryptocurrencies, as investors brace for the possibility of tighter monetary policy affecting growth in digital assets.

• Hyperliquid airdrop makes waves. Hyperliquid’s HYPE token airdrop has set a new record as the largest in crypto history, with a market cap now nearing $9 billion. The token has tripled in value since launch, as Hyperliquid’s total value locked (TVL) surged to $3.2 billion, making it a major player in the DeFi space.

• Bitcoin staking protocol Babylon hits $3.5B. Babylon, a protocol for staking Bitcoin, has reached $3.5 billion in TVL, propelling it into the top 10 DeFi protocols. With over 57,000 BTC staked, Babylon is helping expand Bitcoin’s role in DeFi and showcasing the potential of BTC-backed innovation.

• Real-world assets (RWAs) surpass $14B. Tokenized real-world assets are booming, with the sector now valued at $14 billion. Private credit and tokenized Treasuries lead the way, while major players like BlackRock and Franklin Templeton are bringing traditional finance onto the blockchain.

Trending 📈