Projects to Watch (November 17th - November 23rd)

1- Aztec

Introduction: The Aztec Network is the first fully decentralized Layer 2 (L2) on Ethereum, distinguished by its commitment to native privacy via a permissionless network of sequencers and provers. Its architecture handles public, private, or hybrid transactions, with a rotating validator committee proposing and validating blocks. Decentralized provers generate ZK-proofs for these blocks, which are then settled on L1 Ethereum. This model ensures not only enhanced privacy and security but also decentralized governance, as staking sequencers are central to voting on the network's future development.

Catalyst: The launch of the Aztec Ignition Chain is the primary catalyst supporting the $AZTEC token, firmly establishing it as the fundamental asset securing and governing the first fully decentralized, programmable privacy Layer 2 on Ethereum. The demand for $AZTEC is driven by its essential utility for network security, requiring Sequencers to stake 200,000 $AZTEC to earn high block rewards (currently advertised near 151% APY), thereby locking up significant supply and attracting yield-seeking validators. Furthermore, as the token is mandatory for governance and capturing value from the rising demand for private transaction execution, $AZTEC is positioned to become the core monetary asset of the "private world computer," directly benefiting from the network's adoption and growth within the DeFi space.

1- Arkade

Introduction: Arkade OS is a Bitcoin-native execution layer and programmable platform that enables fast, scalable financial applications directly on Bitcoin's protocol. It uses the Ark protocol for instant off-chain transactions (via VTXOs), batched on-chain settlements, and smart contracts in Arkade Script, without bridges, wrappers, or protocol changes while maintaining self-custody and security.

Catalyst: With the majority of Bitcoin’s infrastructure protocols gone live and has not been quite successful in capturing the attention of the broader market, Arkade and a few others represent the last frontier of the BTCFi narrative.

Ark, an L2 solution, uses a shared UTXO model with Virtual Transaction Outputs (VTXOs), unlike payment channels or rollups. It prioritizes privacy via off-chain CoinJoin-like mixing, offering instant preconfirmations and unilateral control. Ark is suited for high-frequency micropayments, DeFi, and daily Bitcoin use, with Lightning Network interoperability. As of late 2025, it is in public beta via Arkade OS with developer tools.

Due to their novel, innovative design and strong backing, Arkade could become a shining star of the ecosystem.

2- Beyond

Introduction: Beyond is a Bitcoin-native interoperability protocol that acts as a bridge for BTC liquidity across L1s, L2s, and over 70 chains, standards, and layers much like LayerZero but built specifically for Bitcoin. It enables seamless asset movement, turning BTC into a programmable, multi-chain payment layer to unlock billions in trapped value and foster a unified on-chain economy.

Catalyst: Beyond is essentially LayerZero for Bitcoin.

The project is on track for its TGE this December and has successfully leveraged its marketing campaign, drawing significant community attention and achieving multichain adoption from major platforms like BNB Chain and Katana.

If Beyond maintains its current momentum and launches into favorable market conditions, it has the potential to become one of the most underrated projects in the ecosystem, despite the current market downturn.

3- Yuzo

Introduction: Yuzo is a blockchain infrastructure project focused on enabling BTCFi applications directly on Bitcoin L1. Yuzo provides enterprise-grade tools like real-world price and events oracles for Bitcoin L1, an EVM-compatible smart contract module to migrate Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) contracts to Bitcoin, and a Real-World Asset (RWA) Gateway for institutional investments, tokenization, and custody of assets on-chain.

Catalyst: Yuzo is a new and emerging player in the Bitcoin ecosystem, notable for its deep integration with and focus on expanding the Best in Slot's BRC2.0 standard.

Recently, Yuzo introduced the first staking vault on Bitcoin L1 utilizing this BRC2.0 technology.

While BRC2.0 represents an innovative and clear upgrade to BRC20 with significant potential, projects leveraging this standard are still in their infancy. Therefore, we must wait to see how this sector develops but I personally has high hopes.

1- Solv Protocol

Introduction: Solv Protocol runs the largest on-chain Bitcoin vault and brings full BTCFi (Bitcoin staking, lending, and yield) to non-BTC chains, now including Solana. It enables real BTC yield without complex bridging.

Catalyst: Last week marked Solv’s full expansion of BTCFi onto Solana – the first time the largest Bitcoin vault has gone live on the network. This comes alongside Solana ETFs recording 19 straight days of positive inflows ($127.9M total), creating perfect tailwinds for BTC-Solana crossover adoption and rapid TVL growth.

2- Fundl

Introduction: Fundl is a Kickstarter-style community launchpad on Solana that makes it extremely easy for builders to raise funds and launch projects. Backed by Alliance and Superteam, it focuses on frictionless fundraising and community-driven growth.

Catalyst:

Fundl officially launched its platform last week and was highlighted in Solana’s weekly newsletter as a key new tool for community projects. Combined with the ongoing Solana Devs Student Hackathon registration drive, Fundl is perfectly timed to capture a massive wave of new projects and capital inflow.

1- Sign

Introduction: Sign is an omni-chain blockchain attestation protocol that enables users to create, store, and verify digital attestations to secure proofs of facts, claims, or data across multiple networks. Developed by EthSign, it uses zero-knowledge proofs and digital signatures for tamper-resistant verification, supporting both on-chain and off-chain storage to build trust in Web3 applications like identity, credentials, and contracts.

Catalyst: Sign has launched the Sign Sovereign Layer 2 Stack, an optimized solution built on the BNB Chain. Its primary goal is to provide a framework enabling nations to deploy secure and compliant stablecoins and digital services.

The initiative positions the BNB Chain as a potential settlement layer for global stablecoins and national blockchain infrastructure. Sign aims for its Sovereign Layer 2 Stack to become a standard for government-led blockchain implementations, facilitating interoperable sovereign blockchains for seamless international cooperation while preserving national sovereignty.

The project is backed by YZi Labs and has raised a total of $54.15 million to support its vision of advancing global, mainstream blockchain adoption.

2- Cast Oracles

Introduction: CAST Oracles is a decentralized prediction market protocol on the BNB Chain that leverages crowd wisdom for forecasting future events. Users trade on event outcomes, turning predictions into a financial tool for markets like elections, sports, or weather.

Catalyst: The need for more robust Oracle protocols has been highlighted by CZ (Changpeng Zhao), one of the most influential figures in the crypto market and a key advocate for the BNB Chain.

Currently, the BNB Chain has a limited number of established Oracle solutions (such as APRO and Sora). This scarcity signals a significant market opportunity for a dedicated project to focus on developing and deploying a comprehensive Oracle protocol.

Building a full-fledged, reliable Oracle protocol is a complex undertaking that requires substantial development and cannot be approached as a short-term cash grab. Given the project's current operational momentum, Cast appears to be potentially undervalued right now, considering the immense, unmet demand for Oracle solutions within the BNB Chain ecosystem.

3- Coreon

Introduction: Coreon is a Multi-Chain Cognitive Protocol, a foundational AI intent layer protocol for the Web3 ecosystem. It enables on-chain operations through natural language commands, powering AI agents for autonomous blockchain tasks with enhanced intelligence, reproducibility, and traceability.

Catalyst: Coreon is building an AI-Native Agent Layer on the BNB Chain, designed to facilitate secure communication and verifiable payments between autonomous agents. This infrastructure aims to support the emerging "Agentic Web."

The project recently formed a partnership with APRO Oracle, a known AI-enhanced Oracle, to advance the x402-native AI agent infrastructure on BNB Chain. This x402 standard, along with Real World Assets (RWA), is a current strategic focus area for the BNB Chain ecosystem.

Coreon has successfully raised $20 million in a presale, demonstrating significant early investor confidence and a large community presence. Considering the project’s strategic alignment with the BNB Chain’s priorities (RWA and x402) and its substantial initial funding, its current market valuation warrants attention.

1- Upshot

Introduction: Upshot is the world’s first premium prediction card trading platform, allowing users to trade internet culture, front-run trends, and earn big through on-chain prediction cards. It combines meme culture with real financial speculation, all built natively on Base.

Catalyst: Last week, Upshot won 1st place overall in the Startup Track at Base Batches 002 after pitching live at Devcon. The win grants direct mentorship through Incubase and massive exposure within the Base builder community, setting the stage for rapid user growth and deeper ecosystem integration.

2- Semantic Layer

Introduction: Semantic Layer is an AI-native dApp suite on Base that includes Semantic 42 and the newly launched Prophet Arena – a live arena where top AI models compete head-to-head in fully on-chain prediction markets.

Catalyst: Prophet Arena officially went live last week and was prominently featured in Base’s weekly recap. With leading AI models now battling in real-time prediction markets, the project is seeing explosive early engagement and positioning itself as one of the most innovative AI x DeFi plays on Base.

1- Kinetiq

Introduction: Kinetiq is a leading liquid staking protocol on Hyperliquid, enabling users to stake HYPE for kHYPE - a liquid derivative that maintains staking rewards while remaining composable across DeFi applications like lending and trading.

Catalyst: With over $1B in TVL, it powers ecosystem liquidity through a DAO-governed validator registry where performance drives rewards, and it has distributed 10.4M kPoints over 13 weeks to incentivize staking and activity. Governed by the KNTQ token, Kinetiq emphasizes compounded yields without rebasing, making it a cornerstone for Hyperliquid's LST infrastructure. 

2- Harmonix

Introduction: Harmonix is Hyperliquid's premier yield optimization protocol, functioning as an on-chain hedge fund that deploys delta-neutral and derivatives-based strategies to generate sustainable, low-risk yields on assets.

Catalyst: The public token sale on Sonar by Echo.xyz, launching December 1, 2025 (registration open until December 3), marks the first such event for a Hyperliquid-native project, offering protocol ownership at a $25M FDV with 100% unlock at TGE and 50% community airdrop - expected to attract early inflows ahead of mid-December launch.