Unichain Goes Live On Mainnet
Users can now bridge assets, launch tokens, swap, and provide liquidity on Unichain.
Unichain goes live on mainnet.
Lido V3 introduces stVaults.
Chainlink CCIP goes live on Soneium.
Aave V3 deploys on Linea.
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Unichain, Uniswap’s DeFi-focused Layer 2 built on the OP Stack, is now live on mainnet. Users can now bridge assets to Unichain via the Uniswap Wallet or web app, launch tokens, swap, and provide liquidity. Initial apps include Uniswap, Circle’s USDC, Across, Bungee, Privy, and Coinally. Developers can now deploy apps and create v4 hooks on Uniswap on Unichain. Unichain operates as a Stage 1 rollup with permissionless fault proofs and will soon support native Superchain interoperability, cross-chain intents, and sub-second confirmation times. The upcoming Unichain Validation Network (UVN) will enable anyone to run a UVN node and verify blocks, ensuring security and decentralization through a TEE-based builder and multi-node validation.
Lido Finance introduced Lido V3, an upgrade that transitions the protocol from pooled staking to decentralized Ethereum staking infrastructure. Lido V3 introduces stVaults, modular staking vaults that allow stakers, node operators, institutions, and protocols to customize their staking setups, including fee structure, validation infrastructure, and risk profile. Built on the Lido Core Protocol, stVaults provide access to deep stETH liquidity while supporting custodial and non-custodial setups, leveraged staking, and opt-in restaking exposure. To mitigate slashing risks, Lido V3 uses the Reserve Ratio (RR), ensuring that stVaults remain overcollateralized. Lido V3 will roll out in three phases. The early adopters phase will test re-staked vaults with pre-deposits, followed by a testnet deployment phase and the mainnet launch.
Chainlink's Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP), a leading standard for enabling cross-chain functionality through arbitrary messaging, is now live on Soneium. The launch also includes Chainlink Data Streams and Data Feeds. Soneium, an OP Stack Layer 2 blockchain developed by Sony Block Solutions Labs, is designed for applications spanning entertainment, gaming, and finance. The project aims to onboard mainstream users into Web3 by integrating with Sony’s existing products and services. As part of the Superchain, Soneium contributes to the Superchain Collective, follows shared upgrades, and allocates a portion of sequencer revenue to retro funding.
Aave V3 is now live on Linea, an EVM-equivalent ZK-rollup developed by Consensys, making it the 12th supported chain on Aave. Users can now deposit assets such as ETH, WETH, wstETH, weETH, ezETH, WBTC, USDC, and USDT as collateral. The deployment enables borrowing in ETH, USDC, USDT, wstETH, and WBTC. Aave is the largest DeFi lending protocol with over $19 billion in TVL.
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Aave Deploys GHO On Base
The GHO stablecoin is now available natively on Base as part of Aave’s cross-chain strategy.
Aave launches GHO on Base.
Viem v2.23 release.
Holonym acquires Gitcoin Passport
EIP: Increase Gas Utilization Target
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Aave launched its GHO stablecoin natively on Base, enabling users to lend and borrow the dollar-pegged asset. The initial Aave supply cap for GHO is set at 2.5 million, with a borrow cap of 2.25 million. The Aave Chan Initiative (ACI) serves as the Emissions Manager, overseeing rewards and incentives for the stablecoin. The deployment aligns with Aave’s cross-chain strategy, using Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) to facilitate a lock/burn and release/mint transfer mechanism for GHO. By integrating with existing DeFi protocols on Base, the initiative aims to improve GHO accessibility, liquidity, and adoption. Native GHO is already available on Ethereum Mainnet and Arbitrum One.
Wevm released Viem 2.23, an updated version of its TypeScript interface for Ethereum. The update introduces the simulateCalls action, enabling batch simulation of transactions and contract interactions. Developers can now preview asset changes, gas usage, execution status, and logs before executing transactions. The update significantly improves transaction simulation, debugging, and smart contract testing. As a modern alternative to frameworks like Ethers.js and web3.js, Viem emphasizes stability, developer experience, reduced bundle size, and high performance. It is widely used by developers to simplify complex transaction workflows.
Holonym acquired Gitcoin Passport, the proof-of-personhood and Sybil resistance tool originally developed within Gitcoin. Gitcoin Passport has now been rebranded as Human Passport and will be integrated into Holonym’s human.tech identity suite, enhancing its ZK credentials. The upgrade enables selective disclosure, privacy-preserving verification, and secure credential issuance through the Human Network. The Human Network is an Actively Validated Service (AVS) built on EigenLayer and Symbiotic, securing programmable keys for managing ZK credentials with unlinkability and Sybil resistance. It ensures privacy-preserving identity proofs, preventing traceability while maintaining verifiable authentication.
Ethereum developers introduced a new EIP to increase the network’s gas utilization target from 50% to 75% of the block gas limit. The goal is to boost network throughput without raising the gas limit while maintaining protection against Denial of Service (DoS) attacks. The proposal is backward-compatible and does not increase the network’s worst-case load. Vitalik Buterin commented on the proposal, emphasizing that state growth remains the primary constraint on block size. He also warned that the change could degrade user experience (UX) due to a reduced percent of instant transaction inclusions.
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Frax Launches frxUSD Stablecoin
A stablecoin backed by tokenized U.S. Treasuries from asset managers BlackRock and Superstate.
Frax launches frxUSD & sfrxUSD.
Blockscout smart contracts features.
WalletConnect's first governance proposal.
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Frax Finance launched frxUSD and savings yield sfrxUSD stablecoins on mainnet. The frxUSD stablecoin is backed by tokenized U.S. Treasuries from asset managers BlackRock and Superstate. The legacy FRAX stablecoin will remain functional and can be upgraded to frxUSD at a 1:1 ratio at any time via the Frax front end. Users can stake frxUSD to receive sfrxUSD, a stablecoin designed to offer risk-adjusted savings yield in DeFi. sfrxUSD’s yield strategy integrates treasury yield, CDP lending yield, and carry trade yield. In the coming days, Frax will expand frxUSD to multiple chains, including Ink, Movement, and Sonic.
Blockscout released a revamped user interface along with new features for enhanced smart contract interactions. The update improves codebase navigation, allowing users to seamlessly switch between contract code, compiler details, ABI, and bytecode. The release also consolidates read and write functions into a single list. Additionally, Blockscout now supports custom ABI uploads for more structured interactions. Developers can also submit security audit reports for public verification and open contract code directly in Remix for editing. Users can query data or execute transactions by connecting their wallets to the explorer.
The WalletConnect Network introduced its first governance proposal seeking to replace the previously proposed dual-council structure with a single UX Council. Originally, WalletConnect suggested separate Technical and Partnerships Councils, but the new UX Council will serve as the primary governance body. The UX Council will oversee technical advancements, user experience, and community alignment. Holders of staked WCT (stWCT) tokens can now vote on the Snapshot proposal until February 14, 2025. If approved, a nomination process will follow for electing council members. WalletConnect has powered over 150 million wallet connections across 40,000 apps and 600 wallets.
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