Projects to Watch (November 3rd - November 9th)

1- Linea

Introduction: Linea is a zkEVM Layer 2 by Consensys that scales Ethereum with faster, cheaper transactions while maintaining its security and compatibility. It supports seamless deployment of Ethereum smart contracts and bridges enterprise and DeFi ecosystems through institutional-grade, scalable infrastructure.

Catalyst: Linea’s dual burn mechanism makes every transaction deflationary, reducing supply of both ETH and LINEA while rewarding network usage. SharpLink’s $200M ETH deployment brings institutional capital and staking yield to the network, validating Linea as a secure, high-demand Layer 2. This combination of scarcity, real utility, and institutional adoption sets the stage for strong long-term value capture and growth.

1- Alpen

Introduction: Alpen Labs is a project focused on scaling Bitcoin using zero-knowledge proofs to enhance privacy, programmability, and scalability. It develops infrastructure like an EVM-compatible ZK rollup and a novel 1-of-N Bitcoin bridge for secure, non-custodial financial apps on BTC, including stablecoins and yield products.

Catalyst: Alpen, long known for its innovative yet low-key development, is building the execution layer for the Bitcoin financial system.

The team recently announced a major collaboration with Starknet. The Starknet Foundation has granted Alpen funding to develop Glock, a shared Bitcoin-based verifier. This initiative will serve as a public good for multi-system verification, enabling interoperability across various Bitcoin layers while significantly reducing fragmentation and preserving user sovereignty.

Alpen has raised a total of $19.10M.

2- Rift

Introduction: Rift is a peer-to-peer Bitcoin trading protocol that enables direct, intermediary-free transactions using Uniswap for liquidity and Trusted Execution Environments (TEEs) for security, while maintaining self-custody of assets throughout the process.

Catalyst: Rift, a new project backed by $8 million in funding from Paradigm, is launching a peer-to-peer Bitcoin-to-EVM trading protocol. The core innovation is running full Bitcoin and Ethereum nodes inside a Trusted Execution Environment (TEE).

This setup enables self-custody swaps between the two chains without any middleman. The TEE acts as an atomic swap mechanism: it only releases the funds if it confirms that both legs of the trade have successfully landed. If not, the funds are not moved.

Rift is secured by TEEs and powered by Uniswap liquidity, making cross-chain trading simple, secure, and trustless.

3- ZapApp

Introduction: Zap is an upcoming Bitcoin-native app for seamless memecoin and Runes trading. It covers network fees for zero-gas swaps, supports instant buys of multiple assets (like $DOG), and enables one-tap payments via Apple Pay

Catalyst: For anyone navigating the current landscape of Bitcoin memecoins (Runes, Ordinals), the UI/UX for trading has been notoriously poor, creating a significant barrier to mass adoption.

Zap is launching soon this week and is poised to solve this problem. Leaks and teasers suggest Zap will deliver a platform for seamless trading with low gas fees—essential features to elevate the Bitcoin memecoin experience.

Built by Leonidas, a recognized OG in the Bitcoin ecosystem, Zap aims to make Bitcoin trading fun and frictionless.

1- Hush Wallet

Introduction: Hush wallet is a privacy-focused wallet on Solana, enabling fully anonymous transactions with no traceable history, addresses, or balances - a major step forward for users seeking privacy in the DeFi and NFT ecosystem..

Catalyst: The public beta is rapidly expanding after its launch this week, with upcoming features like private token swaps and stealth addresses. The community is buzzing about a potential airdrop for early users, which could trigger a sharp rise in adoption over the next 1 - 2 weeks.

2- Drip

Introduction: Dripshop is a social commerce platform for collectors, where users open digital packs to receive physical cards. With over 2 million collectors onboard, the project recently launched instant packs on Solana to deliver faster and smoother onchain experiences.

Catalyst: A new leaderboard just kicked off on Nov 11, running weekly until Sunday with $1,000 Drip Credit in rewards for top collectors through pack ripping, engagement, and collecting. This campaign is expected to drive strong trading volume and community activity throughout the week.

1- OlaXBT Terminal

Introduction: OlaXBT is an AI-powered trading platform built on the BNB Chain. It uses reinforcement learning and Model Context Protocol (MCP) technology to provide real-time market insights, automated trading strategies, and rewards through AI agents.

Catalyst: OlaXBT has introduced AIO NEXUS, a new product built on the BNB Chain that enables Gasless data access. Powered by the x402 and EIP-2612, AIO NEXUS allows AI agents to sign once for instant access to critical on-chain metrics, verified data, insights, and market sentiment, facilitating endless value cycles.

In a strategic move to define the future of on-chain liquidity, OlaXBT has integrated $x402$ through collaborations with Falcon and Velvet Capital. This integration is aimed at paving the way for the next generation of financial products: agentic portfolios.

Despite recent market fluctuations, the team's expertise in the BNB ecosystem remains a core asset. With a proven track record of delivering high-impact products, OlaXBT is actively expanding the $x402$ narrative and utility across the BNB Chain.

2- Brain

Introduction: Brain is an AI companion for BNB Chain  that monitors the market in real-time, reads X posts, and explains smart contracts.

Catalyst: Brain focused on improving the accessibility and efficiency of the BSC ecosystem. It achieves this by strategically merging real-time blockchain analytics with social insights to deliver a smarter, hyper-efficient user experience.

The $BRAIN token is structured to thrive within the new AI agent economy, demonstrating strengths across key areas: a strong market narrative, deep product utility, and high-quality integration, including $x402$. Its robust tokenomics model features revenue buybacks, a mechanism designed to drive and sustain long-term value for the project.

3- MOMO.FUN

Introduction: MOMO.FUN is a multi-chain, AI-driven decentralized platform that integrates meme assets with DeFi, enabling efficient creation, trading, fundraising, and liquidity aggregation for memes across blockchains.

Catalyst: MOMO has recently expanded its footprint to the BNB Chain and is experiencing rapid growth, now serving over 500,000 weekly users.

While initially bearing a resemblance to platforms like fourmeme, MOMO distinguishes itself with powerful, additional features, including fundraising and aggregation.

Following the recent suspension of the fourmeme X account, MOMO has effectively stepped in, rapidly capturing significant market share on the BNB Chain. It is quickly becoming the dominant player in this expanding ecosystem.

1- 1st app

Introduction: 1st app is the first DEX on Base specializing in instant trading for locked assets - such as vesting or IDO tokens - allowing regular users to access better prices without waiting for unlocks, truly “redistributing power to the many” within the DeFi ecosystem.

Catalyst: Points Season 1 is heating up with a 3x multiplier (every $1 trade = 3 points), along with a 22% discount promo on Aethir Cloud purchases compared to spot price. New listings are expected to boost trading volume and leaderboard competition, potentially driving a strong TVL surge throughout November.

2- Truemarkets

Introduction: Truemarkets is an advanced prediction market platform on Base that integrates Uniswap v4 hooks for onchain limit orders and instant LP settlements - enabling traders to forecast events with deep liquidity and earn from held positions.

Catalyst: The project is launching a mini app on Base soon, making trading and participation easier via a mobile-friendly interface. Combined with ongoing liquidity improvements, it’s poised to attract new users and further increase TVL.

1- Nunchi

Introduction: Nunchi is a yield-focused protocol on Hyperliquid's hyperEVM, positioning itself as the "Yield Layer of the Internet" by enabling perpetuals for yield generation. Its flagship product, the nLP Vault (powered by Hyperbeat), allows users to deposit into yield-bearing perpetual positions, capturing fees and rewards while hedging risks.

Catalyst: Launched recently, it has already attracted over $5M in deposits within days, marking the start of weekly cHIPs distributions for early participants.

2- UltraSolid

Introduction: UltraSolid is a core-aligned vote-escrow DEX (veDEX) built natively on Hyperliquid, emphasizing efficient liquidity provision and governance. Users can provide LP to pools, stake positions for veUS tokens to vote on emissions, and earn rewards with minimal slippage via HyperCore routing

Catalyst: It supports seamless zaps for direct staking and is gearing up for full governance activation post-TGE.