Projects to Watch(September 15th - September 19th)

1- Uniswap- $UNI 

2- Ethena - $ENA 

3- Aerodrome- $AERO

1- Hemi

Introduction: Hemi Network is a Layer-2 blockchain protocol that combines Bitcoin's security with Ethereum's smart contracts, enabling scalable, interoperable DeFi apps and cross-chain asset transfers. It uses the Hemi Virtual Machine (hVM) and Proof-of-Proof (PoP) consensus for Bitcoin-level security.

Catalyst: Hemi has emerged as the #2 Bitcoin sidechain by Total Value Locked (TVL), securing over $270 million and supporting a vibrant ecosystem of 90+ protocols on Hemi Rails. The native $HEMI token has skyrocketed by nearly 600% since its launch and has now secured a listing on Binance, further solidifying its presence in the Bitcoin ecosystem.

Hemi has secured $30M in funding with YZi Labs leading both rounds.

2- Ducat

Introduction: Ducat Protocol is a Bitcoin-native DeFi platform that issues UNIT, an overcollateralized stablecoin backed by BTC vaults on Bitcoin L1. It uses Runes for tokenization, Ordinals for smart contracts, and permissionless liquidations to maintain stability and enable BTC DeFi.

Catalyst: Ducat has just launched the first permissionless liquidation system on Bitcoin Layer 1, enabling anyone to participate in liquidations without smart contract chains. It offers transparent BTC-backed borrowing, risk management, and earning opportunities through bad debt cleanup, all non-custodially with no counterparties or Layer-2 solutions.

Ducat has raised a total of $4M including an ICO round on Echo and 2 seed rounds.

3- Mezo

Introduction: Mezo Network is a Bitcoin Layer-2 appchain and economic protocol that enables BTC holders to earn yield, borrow against collateral (via MUSD stablecoin), lend, and build DeFi apps without selling their BTC. Mezo uses Proof of HODL consensus while being EVM-compatible and Cosmos SDK-based.

Catalyst: Mezo launched its mainnet in May 2025, backed by $28.5 million in funding from prominent investors like Pantera, Multicoin, and GSR. Despite this strong financial support, Mezo has maintained a low-profile presence, receiving limited attention from the community.

4- CORE DAO

Introduction: Core Blockchain is a layer-1 blockchain designed to enhance Bitcoin's ecosystem by enabling scalable, secure, and decentralized applications. It integrates with Bitcoin through a native bridge, supporting smart contracts and protocols like staking and lending while maintaining Bitcoin's security.

Catalyst: CORE boasts a dynamic ecosystem with close to $300 million in Total Value Locked (TVL), peaking at $1 billion, and over 5,000 $BTC staked across 116 projects. 

Through strategic partnerships with leading protocols and institutions, CORE pioneers innovative Bitcoin yield initiatives, unlocking new opportunities for Bitcoin holders and expanding its ecosystem.

5- Luminex

Introduction: Luminex is a launchpad and tool platform for Bitcoin's ecosystem, specializing in fair, non-custodial minting and issuance of Runes, Ordinals, and BRC-20 tokens. It enables users to create, launch, and participate in projects while enhancing Bitcoin's DeFi capabilities through standards like BRC-69 for recursive collections.

Catalyst: Luminex stands out as a prominent launchpad in the Bitcoin ecosystem, enabling fair and non-custodial minting of Runes, Ordinals, and BRC-20 tokens. Its recent collaboration with Spark introduces support for the BTKN token standard, further expanding its capabilities. As a key player in Bitcoin's DeFi landscape, Luminex is a project worth monitoring for its ongoing contributions to the ecosystem.

1- Zeus Network 

Introduction: Cross-chain protocol bridging Bitcoin ↔ Solana, enabling BTC liquidity in DeFi without custodians. Currently at 525+ BTC TVL, $1.32B volume, and 24M+ $ZEUS delegated.

Catalysts:

2- Kamino Finance

Introduction: Leading Solana DeFi platform with $2.5B+ TVL, combining lending, liquidity vaults, and leverage. Supports automated yield on SOL, USDC, JitoSOL, secured by 18 audits.

Catalysts:

3- Raiku 

Introduction: Coordination layer for Solana offering guaranteed transaction inclusion and MEV mitigation. Backed by Pantera, Jump, Lightspeed to boost reliability for DeFi & institutions.

Catalysts:

1- Gata

Introduction: GATA Protocol (formerly Aggregata) builds a decentralized AI supercomputer by leveraging global compute and storage resources. It provides cost-effective, data-center-grade AI training and inference, supporting large models and freeing AI teams from hyperscaler dependency.

Catalyst: Since its launch, GATA Protocol has achieved over 1.2 million unique addresses and 2.85 million transactions, establishing itself as a leading decentralized AI inference and training network on the BNB Chain. With a preview launch planned by the end of 2025, GATA is one of the fastest-growing projects on the network, attracting nearly 400,000 users in the past 30 days.

Gata is backed by YZi Labs and has raised a total of $4M in funding.

2- ListaDAO

Introduction: Lista DAO is an open-source, DeFi protocol on the BNB Chain and Ethereum, focused on liquid staking and stablecoin lending. It allows users to stake assets like BNB and ETH, earn staking rewards, and borrow the stablecoin lisUSD using crypto collateral.

Catalyst: Lista DAO, a leading DeFi protocol on the BNB Chain, boasts over $3.5 billion in Total Value Locked across its Liquid Staking, Lista Lending, and CDP (Collateralized Debt Position) solutions. As a flagship project on BNB Chain, it drives decentralized finance through staking, lending, and stablecoin (lisUSD) issuance.

Lista has raised a total $10M from YZi Labs. 

3- KernelDAO

Introduction: KernelDAO is a decentralized restaking protocol that enhances blockchain security and staking efficiency. Its ecosystem includes three core products: Kernel (restaking hub), Kelp (validator-service matching), and Gain (yield optimization).

Catalyst: KernelDAO, has over $2B in TVL through its restaking ecosystem (Kernel, Kelp, Gain). Backed by $10M from investors like Binance Labs, it enables restaking of ETH, BTC, and BNB for rewards and liquidity via LRTs. Despite this, its $KERNEL token has a $50M market cap, an undervaluation relative to TVL.

4- World of Dypians

Introduction: World of Dypians is a blockchain-based MMORPG and metaverse blending gaming, DeFi, and NFTs. The platform features NFT ownership (land, AI companions, items), play-to-earn rewards, and DeFi integrations like staking and yield farming. Available on Epic Games Store in Early Access, WoD aims to create a player-driven economy with true digital ownership.

Catalyst: World of Dypians (WoD), the top dApp on BNB Chain with 3.6M+ monthly players, is set to grow with Binance Pay integration (Sep 15, 2025), Q1-Q2 2025 gameplay upgrades (quests, customization, AI features) and partnerships with Trust Wallet and UpholdOTC.

5- Giggle Academy

Introduction: Giggle Academy is a free, AI-powered educational platform that offers interactive games, storybooks, and adaptive lessons in literacy, numeracy, creativity, and social-emotional skills, with no ads or subscriptions, aiming to make global education fun and accessible.

Catalyst: Giggle is founded by former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ) in March 2024. A recent social media mention by CZ has sparked significant interest, mirroring the positive impact seen with projects like Aster and Trust Wallet.

1- WOWMAX.Exchange 

Introduction: WOWMAX is a multi-chain DEX aggregator operating on Base, BNB Chain, and Ethereum, designed to optimize trading rates by reducing slippage. It also offers non-custodial on-chain copy-trading, easy login, and risk management tools.

Catalysts:

2- Limitless

Introduction: Limitless is a leading decentralized prediction platform on Base, allowing users to bet on crypto prices, stocks, and real-world events with a simple up/down interface. With over $370M in total bets and 28,600 users, the project is backed by Coinbase Ventures, 1confirmation, and Arthur Hayes.

Catalysts:

1- UltraSolid (@ultrasolid_hl): UltraSolid is a core-aligned vote-escrow decentralized exchange (veDEX) built on the Hyperliquid blockchain, designed to incentivize liquidity providers and traders through aligned tokenomics and governance mechanisms. The project is in its phased rollout, currently distributing retroactive points daily to early participants.

2- Project X (@prjx_hl): Project X is a zero-fee trading platform on the HyperEVM, enabling users to swap any cryptocurrency, bridge assets, and provide liquidity seamlessly, with every action earning points toward potential rewards.