Weekly News from Polkadot & Kusama #189
1. Polkadot passes Referendum 1710 to cap DOT supply at 2.1 billion with a halving mechanism
Polkadot has approved Referendum 1710 with 81% in favor, setting a hard cap of 2.1 billion DOT tokens. This replaces the previous unlimited issuance model that minted 120 million DOT annually.
Moving forward, new DOT emissions will reduce every two years on Pi Day (March 14), aiming for a capped supply of around 1.91 billion by 2040 versus 3.4 billion under the old system.
The shift introduces greater scarcity, predictability, and aligns with long-term ecosystem sustainability, potentially strengthening DOT’s market position.
2. Hyperbridge launches $BRIDGE on MEXC, powering a decentralized relayer economy
The native $BRIDGE token for Hyperbridge is now listed on MEXC, introducing more than just an asset. At the core of Hyperbridge, relayers securely connect blockchains by moving messages and submitting proofs, rewarded in $BRIDGE for every valid update. The protocol’s open incentive structure lets relayers earn and progress into collators, while messaging relayers receive direct user payments based on speed and message size. This decentralized, competitive fee system ensures interoperability, liveness, and reliability for Hyperbridge’s multi-chain ecosystem.
3. DeFi Llama tracks peaq: Layer-1 for Machine Economy with scalable DePIN support
DeFi Llama has expanded its ecosystem tracking to include peaq, a Substrate-based, EVM-compatible Layer-1 blockchain optimized for the Machine Economy. Designed specifically for decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePINs), peaq features modular on-chain device functions, hybrid DPoS/NPoS consensus, and high throughput scalability.
This integration allows developers and analysts to monitor peaq’s on-chain metrics alongside other leading DeFi ecosystems, reflecting its growing importance as a foundation for machine-native applications and decentralized device coordination.
4. Bifrost ranks Top 10 in 24h fees among liquid staking protocols on DeFi Llama
Bifrost has entered the Top 10 for 24-hour fees earned among all liquid staking protocols as tracked by the DeFi Llama dashboard. Bifrost continues to strengthen its role in the multi-chain liquid staking ecosystem, offering users composable staking rewards with a 1:1 peg yield-bearing feature and extensive cross-chain compatibility.
This milestone highlights growing user adoption and increasing fee generation through its innovative staking derivatives platform.
5. Hydration ranks seventh largest non-EVM DeFi chain by TVL
Hydration, the leading decentralized exchange (DEX) on Polkadot, has become the seventh largest non-EVM DeFi chain by total value locked (TVL), according to the DeFi Llama dashboard.
Known for its efficient trading and liquidity protocols powered by its native HDX token, Hydration continues to grow rapidly, expanding cross-chain integrations and farming campaigns. This achievement underscores Hydration’s key role in driving DeFi activity and liquidity across the Polkadot ecosystem and beyond.
6. BlockDeep Labs unveils Efímero: Disposable parachains bring frictionless airdrops and event chains to Polkadot
BlockDeep Labs introduces Efímero, an innovative parachain concept for Polkadot: disposable, temporary blockchains designed to run short-lived, high-volume campaigns like airdrops, onboarding events, and pop-up game festivals.
Efímero chains require no deposits and leave no lasting storage bloat — they exist just long enough to serve their purpose before gracefully disappearing. With zero existential deposits and native XCM support, Efímero makes mass onboarding and gamified campaigns frictionless for users and projects.
7. Acurast partners with Cellhasher: Verified devices now available on Acurast Hub
Acurast has announced an official partnership with Cellhasher, making verified compute hardware directly available on the Acurast Hub. Community members can now purchase tested Cellhasher devices, ensuring seamless compatibility with Acurast’s decentralized mobile compute network. Options include the Classic, Rackmount, and Reverse models, all designed to power large-scale or home mobile compute farms efficiently.
8. SubWallet v1.3.55 launches: XCM, fresh tokens, new chains, and paraspell V4
SubWallet v1.3.55 is now live, bringing key upgrades for Polkadot ecosystem users. The release migrates to Paraspell V4 and features expanded XCM support for DOT and USDT across Hydration, Polkadot Asset Hub, and Bifrost. Fresh tokens like $TRAC and $MYTH are now accessible on NeuroWebAI, Hydration, and Base. SubWallet also integrates new networks, including RegionXLabs Kusama and AbstractChain Mainnet, advancing multi-chain wallet functionality for Web3 users.
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