• LI.FI introduces LI.FI 2.0.

• Abstract post-mortem on Cardex incident.

• Applications open for OP Onchain Builders.

• Coinbase releases cbBTC proof of reserves

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LI.FI, a bridge aggregation protocol, introduced LI.FI 2.0, an upgrade that enhances its liquidity aggregation by integrating an intents protocol and supporting any interop token standard. LI.FI 2.0 incorporates Catalyst, an intents protocol that streamlines order execution across various virtual machines through an open marketplace of solvers. LI.FI also developed Pioneer, an in-house solver capable of supporting any chain, regardless of the virtual machine used. The upgrade will facilitate permissionless participation and incorporate Glacis to assist interop token standards, enabling smooth asset transfers across different chains without compromising liquidity. 

Abstract, a consumer-oriented rollup built on ZKsync's ZK Stack, released a post-mortem regarding a breach involving a private key leak at Cardex, a gaming app featured on the Abstract Portal, resulting in over $400k in user funds being compromised. The issue stemmed from Cardex exposing the private key on their website front end. Using a single session signer shared across all users, an attacker managed to siphon ETH from approximately 9,000 wallets. Notably, ERC-20s and NFTs remained unaffected due to their exclusion from the session keys' permissions. Abstract is advising all users to revoke any open session keys via a dedicated portal and is currently working with security teams on fund recovery efforts.

Applications are now open for the Optimism Onchain Builders retroactive funding round. The round features 8 million OP tokens in retroactive grants to builders who have launched contracts on specified OP Stack chains. The initiative seeks to reward projects that enhance cross-chain asset transfers through interop and grow the Superchain. To qualify, smart contracts must have engaged with at least 420 qualified addresses, maintained active contract operations for a minimum of 10 days, and at least 1,000 transactions over the past 180 days. Rewards will be awarded on a monthly basis from now until July 2025.

• Beam Call #1 progress

• Family supports World Chain

• Aave hits $30b TVL across Ethereum & L2s.

• Devcon SEA Scholars recap

• Coinbase releases cbBTC proof of reserves

• Holesky validators must update clients

• EigenLayer Rewards v2 are live

• Grayscale introduces Pyth Trust

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• Geth v1.15.2 urgent update.

• Blockscout unveils OP Interop Explorer.

• Aztec announces cross-chain bridge grants.

• Stablecoin TVL hits $123b.

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Node operators using Geth v1.15.1 are urgently advised to upgrade to v1.15.2 to prevent potential financial losses due to a regression that disrupts block creation. The latest release ensures that block building on mainnet is operational and resolves previously affected peer discovery and configuration settings. The release also tackles a previously overlooked issue in the consensus engine. The update follows closely on the heels of an emergency patch released two weeks ago, which addressed a critical vulnerability in v1.14.0. Geth is the oldest and most popular Ethereum execution layer client used by approximately 42% of Ethereum validators.

Blockscout introduced the OP Interop Explorer, a new block explorer designed for indexing and monitoring cross-chain transactions and message transfers across Optimism’s Superchain. The interop explorer provides a consolidated view of the source and destination transactions, sender, and target address. It features details about relays, message status, facilitates automatic verification and supports cross-chain message searches. The explorer allows applications to access state data with minimal latency and removes the need for users to switch between different block explorers to track a cross-chain transfer. The OP Interop Explorer is currently in an alpha release.

Aztec Network is seeking request for proposals for the development of cross-chain bridge applications that extend Aztec’s privacy and decentralization features across Layer 2 networks. Applicants must present a cross-chain bridge application, elaborating on its design, technical challenges, and how it upholds privacy and interoperability standards. Proposals are due by March 16, 2025, with grant recipients announced by April 1, 2025. Aztec Network is a privacy-centric Layer 2 platform, currently live on devnet. The network facilitates private, client-side smart contract execution while ensuring public verifiability.

• 2025 Academic Grants Round

• Stablecoin TVL hits $123b

• AltLayer releases Autonome whitepaper

• ETHDublin speaker application

• EIP-7732 finalizing on devnet

• 500 ETH sent to burn address

• Abstract achieves 1m Global Wallets

• Bulloak contract testing tool

• Linea sybil appeals update

• Origin introduces Pool Booster

• Javier Milei charged with fraud

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• Pectra-ready client releases for testnet.

• Vitalik's blog on a higher L1 gas limit.

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The Pectra network upgrade is scheduled to go live on the Holesky testnet on February 24 at 21:55 UTC, followed by the Sepolia testnet on March 5 at 7:29 UTC. Client teams have released updated versions of their software with support for Pectra. Node operators on testnet must update their client software before the activation. The upgrade introduces 11 EIPs, including Account Abstraction EIP-7702, which transitions EOAs into smart accounts with capabilities like transaction batching, gas sponsorship, and recovery options. EIP-7251 increases the maximum balance validators can earn rewards on, EIP-7002 introduces execution layer-triggerable withdrawals, and EIP-6110 removes the delay between validator deposits and processing. Pectra will increase Ethereum's blob capacity by 50%, boosting data throughput for Layer 2 scaling solutions. Other EIPs enhance the protocol's efficiency, including precompiles, state modifications, and execution layer requests. Updates to the Engine API will improve node communication. The activation of Pectra on mainnet is anticipated for April 2025.

Vitalik Buterin published a blog post discussing the benefits of a higher L1 gas limit following the Ethereum network’s recent increase to a 36 million gas block limit. Vitalik argues that expanding L1 capacity supports economical cross-chain transfers, ensures affordable mass exits to L1, and reduces the cost of L1 operations. He also highlighted the importance of enabling frequent and economically viable proof submissions to L1. While increasing the gas limit offers several advantages, Vitalik cautions that it is easy to increase but difficult to decrease without potential centralization risks. He advocates for a balanced approach for the long-term scaling of the L1.

• Pectra information page

• Balancer V3 deploys on Base

• Yuga sells Meebits IP

• Grayscale seeks staking approval

• EIP-7732 ePBS #17 notes

• L2 interop is coming

• SEC path to end Coinbase lawsuit

• Abstract releases creator features

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