• EigenLayer permissionless token support.

• MetaMask introduces a debit card.

• Offchain Labs launches a venture studio.

• Coinbase unveils plans for cbBTC.

Firefly is a one-stop Web3 social aggregator developed by Mask Network. Use one feed to connect with all users across Twitter, Lens, Farcaster, and all Web3 socials. Try it today at firefly.social.

EigenLayer announced plans to introduce permissionless support for adding any ERC-20 token as a restakable asset on the protocol. The new feature will enable Actively Validated Services (AVSs) to secure their protocols using a broader range of assets. EigenDA will be the first AVS to utilize the permissionless ERC-20 token feature. A protocol-level upgrade for EigenLayer on the mainnet is scheduled for deployment next week. In Q3, EigenLayer will also release a web app update allowing restakers to deposit and delegate ERC-20 tokens to operators. The update comes as Symbiotic, a competing restaking protocol, introduced support for staking tBTC, a Bitcoin-pegged asset.

MetaMask, in collaboration with MasterCard and Baanx, introduced the MetaMask Card, a debit card that enables users to spend funds directly from their self-custody MetaMask wallet at any location that accepts MasterCard. The payment card will initially be available to a limited group of users in the EU and UK as part of a pilot rollout. MetaMask Card will leverage Linea, an EVM-equivalent ZK-rollup by Consensys, to facilitate cost-effective and secure crypto-to-fiat transactions. The card will support spending USDC, USDT, and WETH and integrations with Apple Pay and Google Pay. Users can check their MetaMask Portfolio dapp to determine eligiblility for the pilot.

Offchain Labs launched Tandem, a new venture studio focused on supporting innovative applications and infrastructure within the Arbitrum ecosystem. Tandem will support pre-product projects with financial investment, product strategy, research, technical integrations, marketing, and ecosystem development. Previously, Offchain Labs has partnered with Espresso Systems to develop Timeboost, a transaction-ordering design being integrated into the Espresso Sequencer to bring shared sequencing to Arbitrum. In addition, Offchain Labs oversees the Prysm Ethereum consensus client. Through Tandem, the studio aims to advance not just Arbitrum but also the broader Ethereum ecosystem.

• Coinbase unveils cbBTC

• EtherFi supports eBTC LRT

• Data Collection Grants Round results

• PartyDAO introduces NFT Sets

• Alt-DA options on OP Stack

• Tap to pay using USDC soon

• DuneCon 2024 map

• Aztec Network goes live on Devnet.

• Obol introduces a staker contributions program.

• DeFi Saver releases a Tx Saver.

• Safe reaches 10 million Smart Accounts.

Firefly is a one-stop Web3 social aggregator developed by Mask Network. Use one feed to connect with all users across Twitter, Lens, Farcaster, and all Web3 socials. Try it today at firefly.social.

Aztec Network, a privacy-focused Layer 2 solution, is now live on Devnet, enabling private, client-side smart contract execution with public verifiability. The launch features integrations with the Honk zk-SNARK protocol, the Noir Rust-based smart contract language, a private execution environment, and a sequencer. In conjunction with the launch, Aztec introduced the Alpha Build program—a developer sprint series with a $100,000 prize pool for creating and deploying on the Aztec Network. The first Alpha Build begins on Monday, August 19th, and will focus on the development of user interfaces, programmable accounts, and fee abstraction.

Obol Network introduced the Obol Contributions Program, a program that offers stakers recognition for their role in decentralizing Ethereum by staking on Obol distributed validators (DVs). Obol is also offering its stakers access to future governance rights within the Obol Collective. Users can stake by depositing into third-party vaults from partners like Stakely, Mellow Protocol, or Chorus One, or by deploying a DV directly via Obol’s DV Launchpad. In May, Obol introduced the 1% for Decentralization (1forDS) retroactive fund, which allocates 1% of staking rewards from Obol’s DV clusters into a funding pool aimed at supporting decentralization. Obol’s distributed validators improve Ethereum’s fault tolerance by distributing a validator's key across multiple nodes.

DeFi Saver introduced TxSaver, a new tool for executing MEV-protected transactions on the platform. The feature streamlines the user experience by allowing gas payments in the same assets involved in the transaction and requires only a user signature to execute. TxSaver also covers any fees associated with failed transactions. Using an MEV-Protecting RPC, TxSaver protects users against MEV attacks during swaps. The tool is available on Ethereum mainnet and Arbitrum for transactions within DeFi Saver, including position boosts, loan repayments, leveraged positions, and swaps. DeFi Saver serves as a dashboard for managing assets across protocols like Aave, MakerDAO, and Morpho.

Safe, the leading smart contract wallet provider, has surpassed 10 million smart accounts on its protocol, with over half deployed on OP Mainnet. Safe secures more than $66 billion in assets across 15 supported chains. Originally known as GnosisSafe, the provider spun out from GnosisDAO after raising $100 million in 2022.

• Aave launches Arbitrum LTIPP

• ARB staking proposal vote is live

• MakerDAO vote to reduce WBTC debt ceiling

• Lighthouse tree-states explainer

• Jesse’s Dream Wallet framework

• Dora EL/CL data explorer

• A trustless on-chain anti-MEV solution

• Essential raises $11 million

• The MetaDEX and DeFi

• SuperchainERC20 universal token standard.

• EigenLayer activates AVS rewards on mainnet.

• Symbiotic goes live on devnet.

• CoinCenter wins 6050i appeal.

Firefly is a one-stop Web3 social aggregator developed by Mask Network. Use one feed to connect with all users across Twitter, Lens, Farcaster, and all Web3 socials. Try it today at firefly.social.

OP Labs unveiled its plans for bringing native interoperability to the OP Stack, aiming to create a unified Superchain user experience across OP Stack chains. Native interoperability will enable assets, data, and users to be portable between chains. The implementation consists of a cross-chain message-passing protocol, the Superchain ERC20 token standard, a shared fault-proof system, and a network of interconnected chains. SuperchainERC20 is a universal token standard that enables tokens to be portable and fungible across different chains within the Superchain, improving security and eliminating the need for multiple bridged asset versions. OP Labs will launch an initial devnet for the message-passing protocol, followed by a testnet phase, and a mainnet launch for native interoperability next year.

EigenLayer activated rewards for Actively Validated Services (AVSs) on mainnet, allowing restakers and node operators to earn rewards for their contributions. The launch includes a UI update for tracking and claiming rewards. EigenDA will be the first AVS to launch rewards through its Base Rewards Program on August 13th. EigenDA Rewards will start with a 10 ETH pool per month and will gradually increase to cover total estimated operator expenses of $160,000. EigenDA also aims to qualify for future programmatic incentives, which will distribute 4% of the total EIGEN supply. EigenDA is the largest AVS with 3.7 million ETH in delegated stake. The $EIGEN token is expected to become transferable by September 30, 2024.

Symbiotic, a restaking shared security protocol, is now live on devnet, allowing developers to test and integrate its slashing, rewards, and staking architecture. The protocol's flexible modular framework enables networks to customize security parameters, collateral assets, asset ratios, node operator selection, rewards, and slashing mechanisms. Since launching its core contracts and opening for deposits in June, Symbiotic has attracted over $1 billion in TVL. The mainnet launch is anticipated for Q3 2024.

Coin Center won an appeal against the IRS's Form 6050I reporting requirement, which mandated that all business digital asset transactions of $10,000 or more be reported to the IRS within 15 days. The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Coin Center, enabling the case to move forward. Coin Center also highlighted that the revised IRS Form 1099-DA no longer requires unhosted wallet providers to report transactions.

• Cross-L2 calls specification

• Geth v1.14.18 release

• Two years since Pertsev was arrested

• Farcaster releases app discovery

• DeFi Saver supports Morpho Vaults

• Protocol Guild donations overview

• Coinbase One offers $10 in gas fees

• deBridge DBR airdrop checker