Bybit showcased its innovative crypto solutions at Web Summit Rio 2025, emphasizing its role in integrating crypto into traditional payments. 

Daily top performer — Zebec Network (ZBCN)

The S&P 500 extended its rally with a nine-day winning streak, its longest since 2004, as optimism over potential trade deals and upcoming Fed and earnings updates lifted sentiment. Gold rose to $3,245 on trade uncertainty and Fed rate cut hopes. CoinDesk Indices, which tracks the broader crypto market, fell 1.50% in the past 24 hours, while Bitcoin and Ether dropped 0.10% and 0.51%, respectively. Trade these markets and more with up to 500x leverage on Bybit MT5 using this 

Today's top performer is ZBCN, which surged 19.5% after Zebec Network joined the Circle Alliance, aiming to make USDC the default stablecoin for real-world payments.

Zebec Network (ZBCN), founded in 2021, is a Solana-based DeFi protocol enabling real-time payroll and payments, with products like Zebec Card, Safes, and Web3 Banking, all governed by ZBC token holders. 

, with Circle Ventures being an early backer. USDC powers Zebec's products, including Zebec Cards and payroll services. With Circle holding a significant amount of ZBCN, Zebec aims to establish USDC as the default stablecoin for real-world payments.

Check out the latest prices, charts, and data of 

 its innovative crypto solutions at Web Summit Rio 2025, emphasizing its role in integrating crypto into traditional payments. The exchange launched Bybit Pay in Brazil, offering a seamless crypto-to-fiat experience with features like QR code payments, multi-currency support, and secure blockchain transactions. Bybit also highlighted its strategic partnerships, including with Tomorrowland Brasil, and introduced its rewarding Bybit Card. The event showcased Bybit’s commitment to empowering the LATAM crypto community and making crypto accessible in everyday life.

BTC spot ETFs saw $1.8B net inflows last week, driven by $1.86B into non-GBTC ETFs despite a $58.7M GBTC outflow. Since inception, total net inflows stand at $40.2B.

GiveRep is experiencing heavy traffic, causing site loading issues, but the team is actively working on 

 V1 soon. In the meantime, users can continue earning rewards as all tweets about GiveRep are still being indexed. A confirmed ATTN token airdrop will reward those who rank higher on the leaderboard, so continued engagement is encouraged.

Beginner

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Bybit showcases crypto payment solutions at Web Summit Rio 2025 with Bybit Pay launch in Brazil

Crypto portfolio diversification is the practice of spreading investments across different asset classes, industries or geographies in order to reduce risk.

In the whirlwind cryptocurrency space, the secret to keeping your profits lies not in predicting the next moonshot, but in mastering portfolio diversification: the art of turning market chaos into a calculated advantage. From blending rock-solid 

, this article reveals how strategically spreading your investments can shield your portfolio from meltdowns and position you to profit — no matter which way the crypto winds blow.

Portfolio diversification is the practice of spreading investments across different asset classes, industries or geographies in order to reduce risk.

This strategy aims to mitigate the impact of poor performance in one area by balancing it with gains or stability in others.

Portfolio diversification entails spreading investments across different asset classes in order to minimize risk. By holding a mix of stocks, bonds, real estate and commodities, you avoid putting all your eggs in one basket. When one asset class takes a hit, others may remain stable or even perform better, helping to reduce the overall risk to your portfolio.

In the crypto market, diversification works in a similar way, but with an extra layer of complexity. Cryptocurrencies 

, so diversifying within this market is essential. A well-diversified crypto portfolio often starts with well-established coins like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH). These major assets are the foundation of many portfolios, due to their market dominance and liquidity. Then, in order to add growth potential (though with higher risk), investors might include mid-to-small cap coins like 

You can also diversify by sector, investing in different use cases, such as 

, AI or non-fungible tokens (NFTs). This can involve a mix of altcoins and newer tokens that are part of various blockchain ecosystems — such as 

 (DOT) — to reduce dependency on a single blockchain's performance.

For those looking to minimize volatility, diversifying into stablecoins like 

 can be a good option. These assets are pegged to traditional currencies such as the US dollar, making them more stable while still allowing you to gain exposure to the crypto market.

 (ETFs) or index funds can help simplify crypto diversification. These options give investors access to a basket of cryptocurrencies, reducing the need to manage each asset individually and providing a more hands-off approach to diversification.

Diversifying your cryptocurrency portfolio is a strategic approach to managing risk and enhancing potential returns in the volatile crypto market. By spreading investments across various digital assets, sectors and regions, investors can mitigate the impact of adverse movements in any single asset as follows.

Different types of portfolio diversification

Diversifying your crypto portfolio is essential for managing risk and capturing growth across varying market conditions. Below are some key methods to consider.

Infrastructure tokens like Ethereum (ETH) and Cardano (ADA) are vital for running blockchain networks, while 

) give holders a voice in project decisions. Meanwhile, 

), though speculative, can offer short-term gains, due to community hype and viral momentum.

Diversification is a powerful strategy to manage risk and optimize returns, but it requires careful planning and ongoing monitoring. Following are some key considerations before diversifying your crypto portfolio.

Assess your risk tolerance and investment goals

 and investment objectives. If stability is your priority, consider focusing on well-established assets like BTC, ETH and stablecoins like USDC and USDT. These assets tend to offer lower volatility and more predictable returns. However, if you're comfortable with higher risk for potentially higher rewards, you might allocate a portion of your portfolio to emerging sectors, such as DeFi tokens or gaming coins. Additionally, your time horizon matters — since short-term investors may prefer liquid, low-volatility assets (such as stablecoins), while long-term holders may opt for high-potential assets, such as NFTs or blockchain infrastructure (e.g., mining operations or tokenized real estate).

When diversifying, balance large-cap cryptocurrencies (e.g., BTC or ETH) with smaller, high-growth altcoins. Large-cap assets are generally more stable, and provide a solid foundation for your portfolio. Meanwhile, smaller-cap coins can offer higher growth potential, but they come with more risk. 

Spread your investments across different sectors, such as DeFi, 

 platforms, in order to reduce overexposure to any one area. Consider geopolitical factors and the regulatory environment, as these factors can affect markets differently in various regions, making geographical diversification important.

A balanced portfolio is key to effective diversification. For example, you could allocate 40% to Bitcoin and Ethereum, 30% to stablecoins for liquidity and risk mitigation and the remaining 30% to altcoins or alternative investments, such as blockchain startups. Another strategy is that of 

 (DCA), whereby you invest a fixed amount periodically, regardless of market fluctuations. This helps to reduce the impact of market timing and smooth out crypto market volatility.

While diversification has its advantages, over-diversifying can dilute your returns because your gains may be spread thin across many assets. Frequent trading and rebalancing can also lead to higher transaction fees that can into your profits. Additionally, managing a diverse portfolio requires time, expertise and constant attention, which might not be feasible for every investor.

To further reduce exposure to crypto volatility, think about including traditional assets, such as stocks, ETFs or blockchain infrastructure investments. These can act as a stabilizing force during crypto market downturns, offering balance to your portfolio.

Ultimately, a well-diversified portfolio can help investors navigate market volatility with more confidence. Diversifying your portfolio is a vital strategy for managing risk and optimizing returns, particularly in the volatile crypto market. By spreading investments across various asset types, market caps, sectors and investment vehicles, investors can cushion the impact of market fluctuations and potentially capture better returns. While diversification offers many benefits, it requires careful planning, constant monitoring and a balanced approach in order to avoid over-diversification and excessive trading costs.

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Portfolio diversification: The key to efficiently navigating market volatility

Ethereum R1 is a new donation-funded, tokenless Layer 2 rollup designed to offer a decentralized, censorship-resistant, and governance-minimized scaling solution for Ethereum

The S&P 500 rose 0.63% Thursday, boosted by strong Meta and Microsoft earnings, but futures slipped Friday as investors awaited the April jobs report and weighed Apple and Amazon tariff concerns. Gold fell to $3,235 as easing trade tensions cut safe-haven demand; markets await US jobs data for rate cut signals. The Coindesk Indices, which tracks the broader crypto market, rose 2.19%, with Bitcoin and Ether up 2.57% and 2.60%, respectively in the past 24 hours. Trade these markets and more with up to 500x leverage on Bybit MT5 using this 

Today's top performer is AR, which gained 16.8% following CloneX's successful migration to Arweave, sponsored by ArDrive.

Arweave (AR), founded in 2017, is a decentralized network for permanent data storage, using blockweave and Proof of Access to ensure long-term accessibility. It offers 200-year storage for a one-time fee, incentivized by AR tokens for miners. The system connects blocks efficiently to preserve and retrieve data, aiming to create a lasting digital knowledge repository. CloneX has successfully 

 to Arweave for permanent storage, with the support of ArDrive, which sponsored the migration of 100 GB of data. The process is nearly complete, with only Animus remaining to undergo decentralization.

 is a new donation-funded, tokenless Layer 2 rollup designed to offer a decentralized, censorship-resistant, and governance-minimized scaling solution for Ethereum. Built on open-source code and the Nethermind Surge stack, it emphasizes credible neutrality, public good funding (with all fees burned after 2030), and infrastructure that remains free from VC control or centralized dependencies.

Yesterday, BTC spot ETFs saw $71.1M in total inflows, with $16M from GBTC and $55.1M from other ETFs.

 $BOOP tokens to active Solana memecoin traders and creators who promote memecoins or Solana dapps on X. To claim, users must connect their Solana wallet or X account and launch a free token. The airdrop arrives in 30 days, but growing the token’s market cap can accelerate the reward.

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Ethereum R1 offers a decentralized rollup solution for Ethereum

This article dives into Bitcoin liquid staking protocol Lombard Finance, how LBTC works and how you can stake LBTC through Bybit Web3.

Bitcoin stands as the undisputed giant of the cryptocurrency space, commanding the largest market capitalization. Yet, much of its potential remains untapped, often sitting idle as a store of value rather than actively participating in the thriving 

 ecosystem. Lombard Finance aims to change this narrative by unlocking Bitcoin's utility and integrating it seamlessly into DeFi.

Lombard is built upon Babylon, the innovative Bitcoin staking protocol, and is incubated by Polychain Capital. Lombard’s flagship product, 

 (LST) for BTC. This article explores what Lombard Finance is and how LBTC works, and describes the Lombard ecosystem and how you can stake LBTC through Bybit Web3.

 is a liquid staking protocol that focuses on transforming 

's role in the digital economy. Its core mission is to evolve BTC from simply being a store of value — also viewed as 

 — into a productive asset that actively generates yield and participates within DeFi. Currently, a significant portion of Bitcoin's

 sits idle, lacking the native staking capabilities or cross-chain composability seen with assets such as 

Lombard Finance addresses this shortcoming by building on top of 

, a protocol that supports BTC staking without needing 

 or custodians. Babylon allows Bitcoin's economic weight to secure other 

 (PoS) chains and applications, creating a new yield source for holders. Lombard leverages this foundation to offer LBTC, making staked BTC liquid and usable across the DeFi market.

Lombard’s goal is ambitious: to channel Bitcoin's vast liquidity into DeFi. This could potentially double the ecosystem's 

 (TVL) if even a fraction of available BTC is introduced. Lombard believes this integration will catalyze significant growth and create more sustainable market dynamics by making BTC a core, yield-bearing primitive within DeFi.

Founders and investors of Lombard Finance

Lombard Finance was founded in April 2024 by a team with deep expertise within DeFi, drawing talent from established crypto projects like Polychain, Babylon, Argent, Coinbase and Maple. This collective experience underpins the protocol's design and strategic direction.

The project was notably incubated by Polychain Capital, a prominent crypto investment firm that also led Lombard's $16 million seed funding round (which was 

 in July 2024). This round saw participation from a wide array of significant players in the crypto space — including Babylon, dao5, Franklin Templeton, Foresight Ventures, HTX Ventures, Mirana Ventures, Mantle EcoFund, Nomad Capital, OKX Ventures and Robot Ventures — thus highlighting broad industry confidence in Lombard's vision. Strategic partnerships and contributions from exchanges like

 and Bitget are further bolstering its distribution and liquidity aggregation efforts.

LBTC is Lombard Finance's flagship product — a liquid staking token (LST) that represents Bitcoin staked through the Babylon protocol. Designed as a universal liquid BTC standard, LBTC is fully backed 1:1 by native Bitcoin, ensuring its value is directly tied to the underlying asset.

The token is yield-bearing, capturing rewards generated from securing PoS networks via Babylon staking. Crucially, LBTC remains liquid, meaning holders can freely use it across various DeFi applications — such as 

 and automated vaults — without sacrificing their underlying staked positions or associated yield.

LBTC is also designed for cross-chain compatibility, natively minted on supported blockchains like Ethereum, Base and Sui and using secure infrastructure [such as 

]. This avoids the risks associated with traditional bridging or wrapping methods, thus aiming to provide a more secure and seamless way to utilize Bitcoin across the multichain DeFi ecosystem.

Lombard Finance simplifies the process of putting Bitcoin to work within DeFi through its LBTC token. The mechanism is designed with security and user experience in mind, leveraging the Babylon protocol and a robust Security Consortium.

The core benefit of LBTC lies in its ability to unlock multiple layers of value simultaneously. Holders earn native yield from Babylon staking, potentially accrue additional rewards (such as Lombard Lux points) and gain access to diverse DeFi yield opportunities, all while maintaining the liquidity of their Bitcoin position. This transforms BTC from a static asset into a dynamic, yield-generating component of the DeFi ecosystem.

Lombard Finance is actively building a wide LBTC ecosystem that already boasts over 75 DeFi integrations. Security is foundational, anchored by the 14-member Security Consortium (including prominent names like Galaxy and OKX Ventures) and validating all critical operations alongside audits and bug bounties.

Core infrastructure relies both on Babylon for staking, and on the Chainlink CCIP for secure cross-chain movement, with EigenLayer integration 

. LBTC integrates with leading DeFi applications across lending platforms (e.g., 

) and automated vaults. The platform supports multiple blockchains (including Ethereum, Base, Sui, BNB Chain) and 

 (L2s), positioning LBTC as a versatile cross-chain asset.

Here's how you can stake BTC on Lombard and use LBTC in DeFi and automated vaults.

Lombard Finance (via its LBTC token) offers a compelling way for Bitcoin holders to put their assets into use, earn yield via Babylon staking and gain exposure to the expansive DeFi ecosystem — all while maintaining liquidity. Incubated by Polychain Capital and supported by a robust consortium and growing partner network, Lombard is positioning LBTC as a secure and versatile liquid Bitcoin standard.

It’s easy to participate in the Lombard ecosystem through 

, you can utilize your Bybit Web3 Seed Phrase Wallet to stake BTC and mint 

, Lombard's vault token that represents deposits in automated yield strategies. This provides you with a seamless gateway to access Bitcoin liquid staking and DeFi yields.

Ready to unlock your Bitcoin's potential? 

Intermediate

lombard tutorial.png

Lombard Finance: Polychain-backed Bitcoin liquid staking protocol

Bybit Learn

Blockchain

Altcoins

Explainers

Toncoin (symbol: TON) is the token native to The Open Network (TON), a decentralized Layer 1 blockchain network. Find out more about it in this article.

, or The Open Network, is a unique community-driven 

, TON was created to onboard billions of users and allow for quick, inexpensive and energy-efficient blockchain transactions. All of its features were developed with everyday users in mind.

In addition to offering ultra-fast transactions, tiny fees and easy-to-use apps, The Open Network is known for its flexible architecture and scalability. It is also environmentally friendly. Before you invest in Toncoin, the network’s native token, use this guide to learn more about the history of TON and its uses.

Toncoin (symbol: TON) is the token native to The Open Network (TON), a decentralized 

 blockchain network. Previously known as Gram, Toncoin can be used to pay transaction fees, settle payments or validate transactions using the TON blockchain’s 

Telegram Open Network is an abandoned blockchain developed by Telegram, a cloud-based instant messaging service. After the project was abandoned, it was 

In 2018, Telegram released both a “lite paper” and a white paper for the Telegram Open Network. Originally called Gram, the project was in active development until 2020. During its time in development, TON raised money through private sales of Gram tokens. In April 2018, Gram broke records for the second-largest token sale of all time, raising $1.7 billion. Additional large billion-dollar sales were made to companies around the world after the token gained more publicity.

Gram started getting a lot of attention, which began to create several challenges for the network. There were 

 quickly made an announcement that the company would create an official method of participating in the ICO.

Gram initially attempted to conduct public sales under U.S. jurisdiction, so Telegram had to follow all 

 (Securities and Exchange Commission) regulations. The initial purchase agreement was to provide investors with tokens upon TON’s launch. The goal was to prevent the SEC from viewing Gram tokens as securities. Unfortunately, the SEC saw the initial investors as underwriters, and Telegram’s offering of Gram in exchange was considered an unregistered distribution of securities.

While Telegram fought the SEC, it ultimately lost in court. In May 2020, founder Pavel Durov 

At this point, TON had a dedicated following and the worldwide decentralized community of crypto enthusiasts and developers saw the potential of the blockchain. Because TON was developed as an open-source project and the code was easily 

, community developers could pick up where Telegram left off and build new TON functionality.

Toncoin was initially developed as a Gram alternative, ostensibly not an actual investment in Telegram itself (though, according to 

, this assertion was challenged by at least some Gram investors). Speed was a major problem for blockchain technology. Slow speeds and high transaction fees made it difficult for everyday users to effectively pay with cryptocurrency as they would with Visa or Mastercard. TON was developed with the end user in mind to support millions of 

 have become household names, they aren’t without their problems. High transaction fees, slow transaction speeds and a considerable learning curve make it difficult for people to use cryptocurrency for everyday purchases. For example, 

 to use the Ethereum blockchain fluctuate frequently, and gas fees of over $100 aren’t unheard of, depending on the size of the transaction.

The TON ecosystem was developed to handle the needs of millions of users making everyday transactions. Unlike Bitcoin and Ethereum, which are primarily used by investors, TON focuses on catering to the typical consumer. It’s designed to be integrated into an easy-to-use app, allowing users to quickly buy, send and store coins.

One of TON’s biggest advantages is its flexible architecture. The Open Network was designed to be incredibly efficient and scalable, and boasts ultra-fast transactions due to its cross-shard interactions. By supporting dynamic sharding and workchains, TON can successfully validate and process millions of transactions per second. In other words, TON's flexible architecture lets it grow continuously without any loss of performance.

Blockchain technology has quickly evolved, making it easier to exchange sensitive information in a decentralized environment. TON strives for mainstream adaptation of Toncoin, made possible by its engaged Telegram user base, simple interfaces, incredibly fast speeds and overall scalability.

As the native token of its blockchain, Toncoin has a range of uses on theTON network, including as a form of payment in 

Unlike most other blockchain ecosystems, TON was designed to support billions of users simultaneously by using blockchain sharding, which involves using multiple subnetworks, or 

, on the same blockchain to quickly accomplish tasks. Each shard has its own purpose and works to prevent large backlogs of unverified blocks.

 (PoS) network. Every transaction is validated using Toncoin, which is also used to reward validators. The network also allows nominators to lend their tokens to validators to earn rewards. To lend tokens, a nominator needs to join a pool and stake their assets. Both nominators and validators are managed using 

, adding an additional layer of security.

 bot on the Telegram app. After setting up their wallets and adding 

 to their attachments, users can quickly access their Toncoin in any chat window. They can purchase Toncoin using the same bot, too, and don’t need to pay a transaction fee to send Toncoin using the Telegram app. This allows users to quickly and easily transfer decentralized funds to other users on their contact list.

While users intending to sell cryptocurrencies are subject to a 0.9% commission fee, buyers don’t need to pay any transaction fees. This makes the wallet practical for everyday use.

Several services and applications running on the TON blockchain also accept payment in Toncoin. The TON ecosystem supports the creation of new DApps, which makes it highly adaptable.

Toncoin can also be used to influence how the network develops in the future. The Open Network is a 

 (DAO), so users who hold the blockchain’s native token can cast votes on any proposed changes to the blockchain or ecosystem. This helps promote a sense of community and encourages consistent growth and innovation. TON’s current 

 program utilizes a simple voting system that ensures every user has a chance to make their voice heard.

Toncoin is known for its practicality and heavily focuses on efficiency. The goal is to make using the token as easy as possible for the end user. TON’s development community has also worked hard to add many of the advanced features that set the token apart from other cryptocurrencies.

Proof of stake consensus mechanisms are common on blockchain networks that require validators to complete transactions. This energy-efficient mechanism allows validators to be rewarded based on how large of a stake they hold. Instead of receiving a new block on the blockchain, they’re granted part of the transaction fees.

It’s important to note that TON can no longer be mined using a 

 (PoW) consensus algorithm. In June 2022, the 

, and the total supply can only increase by a small percentage each year. TON’s PoS consensus algorithm keeps the blockchain moving efficiently.

, the on-chain governance platform of the TON blockchain, was launched in February 2023. This platform, developed with Layer 3 blockchain infrastructure by Orbs, represents a significant step forward for the TON ecosystem, as it enables tamperproof voting and allows Toncoin token holders to participate in decision-making for network projects. Following its launch, there was a notable surge in Toncoin's trading activity, reflecting the increased engagement and interest in the network. 

Toncoin is integral to the governance process, with holders using it to vote on various proposals affecting the network. The first major governance action, involving a proposal to freeze tokens in inactive genesis mining wallets, saw considerable support from the community. This initiative underscores TON's commitment to decentralized governance and community-driven development, marking a new chapter in its evolution.

The TON Foundation is actively expanding its ecosystem by 

 to build new DApps. ​​In August 2023, the TON Foundation announced its latest grant recipients, showcasing a range of innovative projects aimed at enriching the TON Community. These include Tali AI, which simplifies the onboarding process for developers through an AI-driven model, and a Ledger app that enhances TON asset management and security. 

Meanwhile, TonUP emerges as a permissionless launchpad to support the growth of ecosystem projects, while Optus DEX aggregator optimizes decentralized trading by pooling liquidity from multiple DEXs. Additionally, 

 gaming experience on the VK Mini Apps platform. These initiatives collectively contribute to a more vibrant and functional TON ecosystem, encouraging participation and development within the community.

Storing information on a blockchain isn’t a new concept, but 

 takes it a step further. It works a lot like Dropbox but offers the benefits of private encryption, using the owner’s wallet’s private key. This adds an extra layer of security to both online private and public storage.

Privacy is always a priority for blockchain users. 

 enables users to access the TON blockchain using decentralized 

-like networks. This allows users to avoid censorship and easily access DApps.

Like many other blockchain ecosystems, TON relies on smart contracts to process on-chain transactions quickly. All smart contracts on the blockchain are executed using their own 

, or TON Virtual Machine. TVM allows for very complex smart contract deployments.

, or TON domain name service, attempts to make cryptocurrency wallets, accounts, smart contracts and other features more user-friendly by providing users with easy-to-remember names that aren’t just strings of numbers and letters.

TON DNS works a lot like a social media handle, and is incorporated into various domain names for easy access. Users can register their domain names and usernames on the blockchain. There are several easy-to-use apps that support TON DNS, including cryptocurrency wallets.

The TON blockchain is home to more than 500 DApps and services that utilize smart contracts. 

 enables developers to create new applications on the blockchain. Users can access these third-party apps with a user-friendly interface. TON also offers a searchable registry of all DApps and services located on the blockchain.

There are several ways to store Toncoin and other digital assets from the TON blockchain, with over 743,000 unique 

 currently completing thousands of transactions per day.

TON offers custodial wallet services, and works with several third-party noncustodial wallets. Custodial wallets are a good choice for users who want simple solutions, while 

 are preferable for users who want more control over their assets.

There are two different TON custodial wallets. Previously, if you wanted to complete transactions through Telegram, you needed to use the @wallet bot. Telegram users 

 @cryptobot to easily store, transfer or exchange Toncoin. However, In September 2023, Telegram officially integrated a TON-based self-custody crypto wallet, known as 

, into its app, a significant move following its earlier plans to develop a web3 ecosystem. 

This integration, showcased at the TOKEN2049 event in Singapore, made the wallet accessible to Telegram's vast global user base of 800 million. The wallet's introduction to Telegram coincided with a 7% increase in the price of Toncoin. TON Space was introduced in Telegram's settings for users outside the U.S. From November 2023, this feature became a default offering for all Telegram users internationally, except in the U.S. This integration into Telegram allows both existing and new users to access their wallets effortlessly within the app, streamlining the process of buying, selling, and trading cryptocurrency to be as straightforward as sending a message. 

The TON Foundation also announced that projects built on TON would receive priority for Telegram Ads. While initially planned in 2019, the integration was delayed due to a lawsuit by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission against Telegram's $1.7 billion ICO. This renewed collaboration between Telegram and TON aims to simplify crypto access for users and bolster the web3 infrastructure on the messaging platform.

There are several ways to earn money using the TON blockchain. The simplest way to earn income on the TON network is to become a validator; however, this requires a large amount of Toncoin, a strong connection and advanced hardware. Most users who want to earn passive income using TON become nominators, lending their tokens to validators via a nominator pool.

Nominator pools allow individual users to come together and combine the assets they’re lending to a validator, enabling them to easily collect a reward. Once a reward is granted by the blockchain, it’s distributed evenly among the members of the pool.

TON uses an open-source decentralized staking pool system. Not only does this make cryptocurrency staking easier for the average user, but it also provides smart contract guarantees. The smart contracts ensure that any tokens borrowed by validators are used solely for validation and are accurately distributed.

There is currently over 27 million TON staked by nominators in pools. Finding a nominator pool is a simple process. To get started, visit 

TON validators help to maintain the network by validating transactions. As they validate blocks, they receive Toncoin rewards using the blockchain’s PoS consensus algorithm.

In order to become a TON validator, you need to first obtain a large amount of Toncoin to stake, typically around 300,000 TON. In addition to this investment, you’ll also need a fast internet connection and a system that can easily run MyTonCtrl, the open-source tool used by validators. A

 is available to help you learn more about the requirements, rewards and expectations of validators.

 is a vibrant community within TON, uniting a diverse group of individuals who are passionate about TON’s future. It includes contributors, hub developers and ambassadors, all working together toward a shared vision. Members of the TON Society engage in various events such as contests, hackathons and others, with opportunities to earn rewards like 

. These awards are then showcased in their profiles, highlighting their professional expertise and contributions to the community. 

Among the top contributors are enthusiastic web3 developers and TON advocates, recognized for their numerous awards and active participation in community activities. The TON Society represents a collective of dreamers and innovators from around the globe, dedicated to using advanced technologies for open, decentralized exchanges of value, information and ideas, with a focus on protecting freedom, privacy and rights.

The TON ecosystem is constantly expanding, making Toncoin more versatile. The most common use of the token is as a form of commission payment for processing transactions on the blockchain. Because of the TON network’s sharding feature, the token may also be used for cross-chain transaction fees or as payment for creating new work chains.

The TON network offers a comprehensive ecosystem for users, including a self-custody wallet for managing Toncoin, a feature to buy Toncoin with a card or exchange, and options to stake and accept payments globally. Its ecosystem includes applications, domain services and a bridge for 

 tokens. TON's concept focuses on a decentralized, self-governed blockchain 

 outlining its past developments and future goals. 

For developers, TON provides resources such as documentation, a developer community 

. Its platform supports various use cases, including mini-apps, 

The TON Society encourages active participation with rewards, while the TON Foundation oversees the network’s growth. TON’s road map highlights the progression from its initial development by the Telegram team, its legal challenges with the SEC and its transformation into a stable and secure blockchain managed by the TON Foundation. Upcoming projects include further enhancements and new functionalities such as TON Teleport, TON Browser, and Wallet 5.0.

As mentioned previously, TON blockchain launched its on-chain governance platform, TON VOTE, in February 2023, and officially integrated a TON-based self-custody crypto wallet into Telegram in September 2023 for existing users. It then extended accessibility to all existing and new users in November 2023.

On Oct 31, 2023, the TON blockchain achieved a 

 by setting a world record for speed and scalability during a public test, reaching an unprecedented 104,715 transactions per second. This remarkable performance, which was audited by CertiK, demonstrated TON's unique architecture, which allows for infinite scaling to handle millions of transactions from billions of users. 

The test utilized a "bomb" smart contract on a separate TON network, created using 256 servers rented from Alibaba Cloud, which exponentially increased the load on the network. This test confirmed TON's dynamic sharding capability, whereby the network can split into shardchains under heavy loads and merge back when the load decreases. The achievement not only sets TON apart in the blockchain space, but also shows its potential to handle significantly higher transaction volumes in the future.

On Nov 28, 2023, Animoca Brands became the 

 of TON blockchain, marking a significant development in its commitment to the GameFi sector. This collaboration involves financial investment, analytics and research into the TON ecosystem, focusing particularly on the integration of blockchain-based gaming into Telegram's vast user base. Animoca's support extends to TON Play, a gaming infrastructure project on the TON blockchain, and explores porting games from its extensive web3 project portfolio to Telegram. This partnership is part of Animoca's broader strategy to foster the transition from Web 2.0 to web3 and to capitalize on the potential of gaming within the TON ecosystem.

On Dec 14, 2023, the TON blockchain announced on its 

 and X (formerly Twitter) that Ledger hardware wallets have added support for Toncoin, integrating Toncoin into Ledger and enhancing security for Toncoin users. This development is significant in terms of market credibility and has resulted in a positive response from the market, as evidenced by an increase in Toncoin's price following the announcement​​.

Because the network is open-source, the developer community can make constant advancements. Active developers can connect via the 

 on Telegram, or learn about the team’s latest projects on GitHub.

While TON no longer uses a PoW algorithm for mining, new tokens can still be created. The supply of tokens in January 2024 was 5,100,064,799. According to

, there’s a 0.6% annual inflation rate.

The use of TON is growing as more accounts open on the network. As of January 2024, there are 4,247,450 accounts — and new users are joining the network every day. The 

 states this is a 147% increase in new accounts over the past six months.

In November 2021, there was a large spike in Toncoin’s price as it jumped from below $1 to an all-time high of $5.29. Throughout 2021 to 2023, the token’s price fluctuated between $1 and $2.70, with numerous peaks due to partnership announcements and ecosystem developments. Its current price as of this writing (Jan 5, 2024) is $2.14.

Most TON price predictions tend to be fairly optimistic, expecting its price to grow over time as the network becomes more involved with NFTs and DApps. Experts at PricePrediction 

, believing prices could reach $5.14 by 2025 and $34.71 by 2030. Analysts at DigitalCoinPrice 

Toncoin (TON): A Scalable & Shardable Layer 1 Blockchain

Compete for 2,500 USDT USDT Every Week

Toncoin (TON): A Scalable & Shardable Layer 1 Blockchain

Grab Up to 5,000 USDT in Rewards

Compete for 2,500 USDT USDT Every Week

Grab Up to 5,000 USDT in Rewards