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Charles Hoskinson ’s announcement that Bitcoin will be integrated into Cardano’s DeFi ecosystem adds even more bullish momentum to the ADA forecast . The news broke ahead of the Bitcoin 2025 Conference in Las Vegas, where a live demo of this integration is set to be showcased. The integration aims to connect Cardano’s Hydra Layer 2 scaling solution with Bitcoin’s Lightning Network, enabling a trustless and recursive bridge between the two networks. This would allow Bitcoin holders to access DeFi tools directly on Cardano price , without needing to convert their BTC into another token. Additionally, the Aiken programming language will allow developers to create smart contracts compatible with both chains, simplifying the process of building cross-chain dApps and attracting developers from both ecosystems. This push to onboard Bitcoin into Cardano’s DeFi is not just a technical upgrade—it’s a strategic move that could trigger major liquidity flow into the Cardano ecosystem. Hoskinson stated that the integration has the potential to position Cardano as a DeFi leader , possibly surpassing Ethereum and Solana in terms of total ecosystem value if successful. Moreover, if institutional Bitcoin holders begin seeking DeFi yields through Cardano-based products , ADA’s price could see exponential demand growth. While there’s no fixed date for full implementation, the 2025 target demo builds a solid narrative for ADA’s long-term upside. Cardano is once again under the spotlight, as several market analysts have forecasted a significant price surge by 2025. With ADA currently trading around $0.65, bullish projections suggest the token could rally to $3 or even $5, fueled by growing network developments and a major interoperability update on the horizon. Crypto influencer Alex Becker recently shared his enthusiasm for Cardano, stating it's "fast as hell" and "the most decentralized, reasonable blockchain next to Ethereum." He emphasized that at its current price, ADA is still an easy entry for investors anticipating a breakout. Other analysts echo this sentiment, noting that a price above $3 is “long overdue", considering Cardano’s current undervaluation and upcoming roadmap milestones. With ADA’s bullish price predictions ranging between $3 and $5, and the integration of Bitcoin into its DeFi architecture, Cardano is making bold moves that could reshape its standing in the crypto space. As we approach the 2025 Bitcoin Conference , all eyes will be on whether Cardano can deliver on its promise and usher in a new era of BTC-powered DeFi. Charles Hoskinson ’s announcement that Bitcoin will be integrated into Cardano’s DeFi ecosystem adds even more bullish momentum to the ADA forecast . The news broke ahead of the Bitcoin 2025 Conference in Las Vegas, where a live demo of this integration is set to be showcased. The integration aims to connect Cardano’s Hydra Layer 2 scaling solution with Bitcoin’s Lightning Network, enabling a trustless and recursive bridge between the two networks. This would allow Bitcoin holders to access DeFi tools directly on Cardano price , without needing to convert their BTC into another token. Additionally, the Aiken programming language will allow developers to create smart contracts compatible with both chains, simplifying the process of building cross-chain dApps and attracting developers from both ecosystems. This push to onboard Bitcoin into Cardano’s DeFi is not just a technical upgrade—it’s a strategic move that could trigger major liquidity flow into the Cardano ecosystem. Hoskinson stated that the integration has the potential to position Cardano as a DeFi leader , possibly surpassing Ethereum and Solana in terms of total ecosystem value if successful. Moreover, if institutional Bitcoin holders begin seeking DeFi yields through Cardano-based products , ADA’s price could see exponential demand growth. While there’s no fixed date for full implementation, the 2025 target demo builds a solid narrative for ADA’s long-term upside. Cardano is once again under the spotlight, as several market analysts have forecasted a significant price surge by 2025. With ADA currently trading around $0.65, bullish projections suggest the token could rally to $3 or even $5, fueled by growing network developments and a major interoperability update on the horizon. Crypto influencer Alex Becker recently shared his enthusiasm for Cardano, stating it's "fast as hell" and "the most decentralized, reasonable blockchain next to Ethereum." He emphasized that at its current price, ADA is still an easy entry for investors anticipating a breakout. Other analysts echo this sentiment, noting that a price above $3 is “long overdue", considering Cardano’s current undervaluation and upcoming roadmap milestones. With ADA’s bullish price predictions ranging between $3 and $5, and the integration of Bitcoin into its DeFi architecture, Cardano is making bold moves that could reshape its standing in the crypto space. As we approach the 2025 Bitcoin Conference , all eyes will be on whether Cardano can deliver on its promise and usher in a new era of BTC-powered DeFi.

Who would have thought that behind his simple appearance and calm speaking style, Scott Lewis would actually be one of the figures who changed the way people view decentralized finance . Not through sensation or bombastic maneuvers, but through consistency and the ability to read the direction of the crypto industry, which continues to move quickly. His story was not built overnight, but developed through various projects that did not just exist but formed the foundation that is now widely relied on. Scott Lewis’ journey in the crypto world began with a project that is now widely known: DeFi Pulse. This platform does more than just record data—it introduced terms and metrics such as Total Value Locked (TVL), which is now a common reference in assessing the strength and reputation of DeFi projects. However, for Scott , DeFi Pulse is not just a tracking tool. He sees it as a door to making open finance more understandable. In fact, you could say he helped make DeFi no longer feel confusing for new users. On the other hand, Scott did not stop at one achievement. He continued his steps by founding Slingshot Finance, a DEX aggregator that allows users to find the best prices when trading tokens. Slingshot has successfully raised funding of up to $15 million. This is not a small number, especially for a project that still relies on a long-term vision of efficiency and transparency in crypto asset trading. Previously known for data and aggregation, Scott has also expanded his role to the world of NFT and smart contract security. He co-founded Hyype, a kind of social network designed specifically for NFT collectors. It’s not just about showing off digital assets, but creating a space for collectors to tell stories and build their digital identities. Furthermore, through the Code4rena project, Scott presents a unique approach to maintaining the security of crypto protocols. He designed a competitive audit system in which ethical hackers and developers compete for incentives to uncover weaknesses in smart contracts. This technique has been fruitful, resulting in $6 million in investment from well-known investors. His idea is comparable to building a more systematic and coordinated “bug bounty competition.” Although widely praised, Scott Lewis’ journey has not been without friction. In 2021, he made a controversial decision: he blocked the founder of 1inch Exchange from all DeFi Pulse discussion boards. The reason? Alleged threats and intimidation. The decision drew backlash, but it also showed one thing—Scott doesn’t just talk about transparency and digital ethics. He implements them, even when the situation doesn’t allow it. But it’s at points like this that his character shines through. He’s not someone who likes to appear as a crypto celebrity. His communication style on social media, especially Twitter, tends to be calm, even a “calming” factor in the often heated crypto debate. He prefers to share a calmer perspective, and that’s where many see his integrity. Scott Lewis is also noted for being involved in the Atrium project—a platform that received seed funding from top investors. He seems to always be one step ahead, but he never abandons his basic principle: building something that people can actually use. He was also CEO of Zoo Trading and has experience at major financial firms like Integral Derivatives and Susquehanna International Group. Scott’s path has not always been clear, but that’s where his strength lies. He’s not a stage man, but rather an architect who knows how to build a durable framework. Will he continue to be behind the scenes? Maybe. But given his track record so far, we can expect his next move to be impactful—even if it’s not always on the front lines.

Ripple has launched a pilot project that will see its stablecoin, Ripple USD, used for drought relief in Kenya. The announcement comes just days after Ripple integrated the Ripple USD ( RLUSD ) stablecoin in its payments solution. Ripple is partnering with Mercy Corps Ventures and DIVA Donate, a platform that leverages decentralized finance technology to facilitate donations to pastoralists affected by drought in Kenya, for the initiative. The partners will leverage blockchain technology to bring financial aid via RLUSD to the targeted communities,Team Ripple noted. As outlined in a blog post, the pilot is part of Ripple’s broader efforts to expand its impact in cross-border payments, an effort expected to accelerate with the rollout of RLUSD. As with other blockchain-based projects, the use of stablecoins is aimed at improving transparency, settlement speed, and access for the unbanked. According to Ripple, the pilot program will demonstrate how blockchain and stablecoins can improve the delivery of aid and insurance. The trial will use RLUSD on the Ethereum ( ETH ) network. The RLUSD pool for the program will be open to public contributions, with anyone able to donate by connecting a wallet. Smart contracts will hold the funds in escrow, and automatically send RLUSD to those impacted by drought. However, this will only go into action once satellite tracking detects drought triggers- with the pilot targeting automated payouts should the system detect drought conditions by May 31, 2025. If the system determines that pastoralists are likely to face a shortage of vegetation for their livestock, each participant will receive $75 (around 9,600 Kenyan shillings) in RLUSD. Organizers say this amount is sufficient to purchase food and water for one animal for six months. Roughly 533 pastoralists in Kenya’s Laikipia County are expected to benefit from the aid. Ripple plans to publish the results of the pilot later this summer. Fund contributors will also have the option to withdraw their RLUSD or allocate it to future campaigns.

Oak Security’s Jan Philipp Fritsche says Web3 needs to stop ignoring basic OPSEC hygiene, especially as state-sponsored threats rise. As North Korea’s “ClickFake” campaign draws renewed attention to cyberattacks on crypto firms, security experts say Web3’s biggest vulnerability isn’t smart contracts — it’s people. Jan Philipp Fritsche, Managing Director at Oak Security, argued in a note to crypto.news that most blockchain projects lack even the most basic operational security standards . Fritsche, a former European Central Bank analyst who now advises and audits protocols says the real risk lies in how teams manage devices, permissions, and production access. “The ClickFake campaign shows just how easily teams can be compromised,” Fritsche said in a note. “Web3 projects have to assume that most of your employees are exposed to cyber threats outside their work environment.” For background, North Korea’s Lazarus Group is using a cyber campaign called “ClickFake Interview” targeting cryptocurrency professionals. The group posed as recruiters on LinkedIn and X, luring victims into fake interviews to distribute malware. The malware, named “ClickFix,” gave attackers remote access to steal sensitive data like crypto wallet credentials. Researchers said Lazarus used realistic documents and full interview conversations to enhance credibility. Most DAOs and early-stage teams still rely on personal devices — often used for both development and Discord chatting — which leaves them exposed to nation-state level attackers. Unlike traditional enterprises, many DAOs have no way to enforce security standards. “There’s no way to enforce security hygiene,” Fritsche said. “Too many teams, especially smaller ones, ignore this and hope for the best.” Fritsche says even the assumption that a device is clean may be flawed. For high-value projects, that means developers should never have the ability to push changes to production unilaterally. “Company-issued devices with limited privileges are a good start,” Fritsche said. “But you also need fail-safes—no single user should have that kind of control.” The lesson from traditional finance? Every risk is assumed to be real until proven otherwise. “In TradFi, you need a keycard just to check your inbox,” Fritsche said. “That standard exists for a reason. Web3 needs to catch up.”

The Cardano Foundation has unveiled a new open-source digital identity system, Veridian. It is intended to provide individuals with more control over their personal and organizational information. The rollout of the decentralized system comes amid growing cybersecurity fears and a trend of large-scale data breaches in industries. According to the latest release , Veridian is designed to operate as a replacement to conventional, centralized identity systems that tend to leave sensitive credentials within the control of third-party operators. Through using a decentralized architecture, the platform aims to cut down on dependence on intermediaries and provide customers with complete ownership of their online identities. The first product in this effort is the Veridian Wallet, a secure management platform where users can manage digital credentials, private keys, and identifiers from a single interface. The infrastructure of the wallet is directed towards making it possible for individuals and businesses to protect their information easily without having to depend on centralized storage and verification services. As per the Cardano Foundation’s, today’s identity solutions are becoming more exposed. The United States alone had around 1.7 billion data records put out in breach in the last year. Most of this exposure is a result of the centralized architecture nature of conventional verification systems, whereby user data is pooled together and controlled by third parties. Veridian suggests a transition with the rollout of a trustless, decentralized design fueled by cutting-edge protocols like Authentic Chained Data Container (ACDC) credentials and Key Event Receipt Infrastructure (KERI) identifiers, as mentioned in our last story. These technologies enable safe, verifiable sharing of identity information without centralized databases. In addition, Veridian users have the option to anchor credentials on the Cardano blockchain. This integration provides a cryptographic trust layer that further enhances the digital identity’s authenticity and integrity while enabling transparency and auditability when required. The wallet component acts as the direct interface for users to issue, store, and share digital credentials securely. Remote access is enabled, allowing users to have control over their identity data from any location, virtually anywhere. This is necessary for organizations that have distributed teams or people moving across different digital platforms. This release is simultaneous with wider initiatives by the Cardano network to broaden its contribution to the decentralized finance (DeFi) environment. Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson recently outlined plans for future work to bring Bitcoin into the DeFi environment using the Cardano network, as reported earlier. Hoskinson’s scheme involves leveraging the Cardano Hydra protocol for scaling and collaboration with Maestro, a blockchain infrastructure company. The scheme is likely to facilitate the development of Bitcoin smart contracts using the Aiken programming language, which facilitates interoperability between Bitcoin and Cardano ecosystems. The integration approach is set to enhance Cardano’s infrastructure as well as provide new avenues for Bitcoin-based DeFi apps.