Binance Academy

Key Takeaways

Espresso is a decentralized network designed to organize and order transactions across multiple Layer 2 (L2) blockchains at the same time.

Typically, Layer 2 blockchains act like separate islands, with fragmented liquidity and centralized sequencing. Espresso works as a unified layer for ordering transactions, essentially building bridges between these islands.

The ESP token is used to secure the network (via staking) and allows holders to vote on future updates.

Introduction

Ethereum is one of the most popular places for crypto apps, but it used to be slow and expensive at times. To fix this, developers created "Layer 2" blockchains (also known as rollups). These are like fast lanes built on top of Ethereum to handle heavy traffic.

However, there is a new problem: these fast lanes don't talk to each other. If you have money on one Layer 2 (like Arbitrum), it is hard to use it on another (like Optimism). Also, most of these chains rely on a single computer (a centralized sequencer) to order transactions, which can be a security risk.

Espresso was built to fix these issues with a Shared Sequencing Network. You can think of it as a universal traffic controller that manages transactions for all these different blockchains, bringing the whole ecosystem together.

What Is Espresso?

Espresso is designed to help blockchains run more smoothly. Its main job is to act as a “shared marketplace” where different blockchains can get their transactions ordered.

Currently, liquidity (money) is trapped in silos. But by allowing different blockchains to share the same transaction order, Espresso enables "synchronous interoperability." In simple terms, this means an action on one blockchain can trigger an instant reaction on another blockchain, without long waiting times or complicated bridges.

How Does It Work?

In short, Espresso separates the job of ordering transactions from the job of executing them. It uses three main parts to do this:

1. HotShot (Shared Sequencing)

HotShot is the engine that powers Espresso. Unlike current systems, where one company decides the order of transactions, HotShot uses a large group of computers (nodes) to agree on the order.

Decentralized: Because it uses many nodes instead of one server, it’s much harder to censor or shut down.

Fast: HotShot is built for speed. It can confirm transactions in seconds, even when there is a lot of traffic.

2. Tiramisu (Data Availability)

For a blockchain to be secure, everyone needs to be able to see the transaction data. Espresso uses a system called Tiramisu to handle this. It ensures that all the data organized by HotShot is available for verification. This guarantees that the Layer 2 blockchains can prove to Ethereum that their transactions are valid.

3. Atomic Cross-Chain Transactions

Because Espresso manages the order for multiple chains, it can do "atomic" transactions. Imagine you want to swap a token on Chain A for a token on Chain B. With Espresso, this happens as one single step. If the swap fails on Chain B, the tokens on Chain A are never sent. This removes the risk of your money getting stuck in the middle of a transfer.

Where Can We Use This?

Espresso opens up new possibilities for apps:

Trading (DeFi): Instead of having small pools of money on different chains, exchanges can combine them. This can give traders better prices and more options.

Fairer Prices: Traders can keep prices the same across different chains instantly, making the market more efficient.

Gaming: A game could run its fast gameplay on a cheap chain, while keeping your valuable items (e.g., NFTs) on a more secure chain. Espresso keeps them in sync.

Bridging: Moving money between chains usually takes time. With Espresso, bridges know instantly that a transaction is valid, so they can release funds right away.

The ESP Token

The ESP token is the fuel for the Espresso network.

Security (staking): People who run the computers that order transactions (nodes) must lock up ESP tokens. If they act dishonestly, they lose their tokens.

Voting (Governance): Holders of ESP can vote on changes to the software or decide which new blockchains can join the network.

Fees: The token can be used to pay for transaction priority in the network.

Espresso (ESP) on Binance

Binance listed the Espresso (ESP) token for trade on February 12, 2026, with the Seed Tag applied. Trading pairs available at launch included ESP/USDT, ESP/USDC, and ESP/TRY.

Closing Thoughts

As more Layer 2 blockchains launch, the crypto world is getting more fragmented, but Espresso offers an interesting solution. By replacing isolated, centralized servers with a shared, decentralized network, it connects the different pieces of the blockchain ecosystem and allows money and data to flow freely between chains.

Further Reading

Blockchain Layer 1 vs. Layer 2 Scaling Solutions 

What Are Zk-Rollups? The Layer-2 Scalability Technique

What Is Arbitrum (ARB)?  

Disclaimer: This content is presented to you on an “as is” basis for general information and educational purposes only, without representation or warranty of any kind. It should not be construed as financial, legal or other professional advice, nor is it intended to recommend the purchase of any specific product or service. You should seek your own advice from appropriate professional advisors. Products mentioned in this article may not be available in your region. Where the article is contributed by a third party contributor, please note that those views expressed belong to the third party contributor, and do not necessarily reflect those of Binance Academy. Please read our full disclaimer for further details. Digital asset prices can be volatile. The value of your investment may go down or up and you may not get back the amount invested. You are solely responsible for your investment decisions and Binance Academy is not liable for any losses you may incur. This material should not be construed as financial, legal or other professional advice. For more information, see our Terms of Use and Risk Warning.

Disclaimer: This content is for general information and educational purposes only, without representation or warranty of any kind. It should not be construed as financial, legal or other professional advice, nor is it intended to recommend the purchase of any specific product or service. Products mentioned in this article may not be available in your region.

Key Takeaways

You don’t need a traditional stock broker to trade big companies or precious metals anymore. Binance Futures now offers assets that track the price of many TradFi assets, like Gold, Silver, Tesla, Amazon, and more.

Trading these assets on Binance Futures comes with many advantages: the market never closes (24/7), you can start with small amounts of money, and you settle everything in USDT.

The available assets range from commodities like Gold (XAU) and Platinum (XPT) to tech giants like Amazon (AMZN) and crypto-related stocks like Coinbase (COIN) and Strategy (MSTR).

Remember that these are futures contracts. You are trading the price movement, not buying the actual share or metal bar.

Introduction

The wall between "regular" finance (TradFi) and the crypto world is crumbling. Binance Futures has added a whole list of traditional assets to its platform. This means you can now trade the price of gold or big tech stocks using the same platform and app you use for Bitcoin and other crypto.

Why is this a big deal? Old-school stock markets have strict opening and closing times. If big news happens while you are sleeping or on the weekend, you are stuck. On Binance, these markets are open 24/7, so you can react to news instantly.

These contracts use stablecoins (like USDT) for profit and loss, so you don't need to convert your money back and forth. Here is a look at 12 of the most popular traditional assets you can trade on Binance right now.

Precious Metals

Commodities are often used as a hedge against inflation and market volatility. Binance offers contracts for major precious metals, including Gold, Silver, Platinum, and Palladium.

1. Gold (XAU)

Gold is the oldest form of money and a premier store of value. The XAUUSDT contract allows traders to speculate on the price of gold without needing to buy a heavy bar or pay for a safe. As you probably know, gold is a popular asset during times of higher inflation and economic uncertainty.

2. Silver (XAG)

Silver (XAGUSDT) is unique because it serves as both a store of value and an important industrial metal. This dual nature often leads to higher price volatility compared to gold, which may bring different opportunities for traders.

3. Platinum (XPT)

Platinum is a rare metal used heavily in car manufacturing. Trading XPT allows investors to express their views on the health of the auto industry and industrial production.

4. Palladium (XPD)

Like platinum, Palladium (XPD) is a key industrial metal. Its price depends a lot on supply chains and what is happening in the countries that mine it.

Stocks

5. Strategy (MSTR)

Strategy is technically a software company, but most people know it because it holds a massive amount of Bitcoin. Trading MSTR is almost like trading Bitcoin with leverage. It’s a common way for institutions to get exposure to BTC.

6. Coinbase (COIN)

Coinbase is a crypto exchange, so its stock price usually moves along with the crypto market. COIN contracts let you speculate on the health of the crypto economy itself.

7. Robinhood (HOOD)

Robinhood is known for popularizing commission-free stock and crypto trading. Some say the HOOD ticker represents the retail investor sentiment and the convergence of stock and crypto trading platforms.

8. Circle (CRCL)

Circle is the company behind USDC, a major stablecoin. While typically private or part of financial baskets, contracts tracking CRCL let traders speculate on the growth of digital payments and stablecoin infrastructure.

Big Tech and Innovation

You can also trade the giants of the tech world on Binance. This lets you express market views based on earnings reports or product launches without leaving your crypto wallet.

9. Tesla (TSLA)

Tesla is the world's leading electric vehicle manufacturer and a company known for holding Bitcoin on its balance sheet. TSLA is a volatile stock often driven by the public persona of CEO Elon Musk and tech news related to EV technology.

10. Amazon (AMZN)

Amazon runs a huge chunk of online shopping and the cloud servers that power the internet. Trading AMZN is a way to speculate on the general health of the consumer economy tech infrastructure.

11. Palantir (PLTR)

Palantir specializes in big data analytics and artificial intelligence. PLTR is a favorite among tech-focused traders who are bullish on the data economy and government defense contracts.

12. Intel (INTC)

Intel makes the computer chips that power our laptops and data centers. Trading INTC gives you exposure to the semiconductor industry, which is essential for everything from gaming to crypto mining.

Closing Thoughts

Adding TradFi assets like AMZN, MSTR, TSLA, and XAU to Binance Futures is a game-changer for traders and investors. It makes financial markets more accessible to everyone, everywhere. You don't need thousands of dollars to open an account, and you don't need to wait for Monday morning to make a trade.

But remember: These are derivative products. You don't own the actual stock or the gold bar. And because you can use leverage (borrowed money), your risks are higher. Always make sure you have a plan before you start trading, and don’t invest more than you can afford to lose.

Further Reading

How to Trade Gold and Silver on Binance Futures

How to Trade Tesla (TSLA) on Binance Futures 

How to Trade Platinum and Palladium on Binance Futures 

Disclaimer: This content is presented to you on an “as is” basis for general information and or educational purposes only, without representation or warranty of any kind. It should not be construed as financial, legal or other professional advice, nor is it intended to recommend the purchase of any specific product or service. You should seek your own advice from appropriate professional advisors. Where the content is contributed by a third party contributor, please note that those views expressed belong to the third party contributor, and do not necessarily reflect those of Binance Academy. Digital asset prices can be volatile. The value of your investment may go down or up and you may not get back the amount invested. You are solely responsible for your investment decisions and Binance Academy is not liable for any losses you may incur. For more information, see our Terms of Use, Risk Warning and Binance Academy Terms.

Disclaimer: This content is for general information and educational purposes only, without representation or warranty of any kind. It should not be construed as financial, legal or other professional advice, nor is it intended to recommend the purchase of any specific product or service. Products mentioned in this article may not be available in your region.

Key Takeaways

Binance Futures has expanded its commodities offerings to include Platinum and Palladium. You can trade these metals under the tickers XPTUSDT and XPDUSDT.

These contracts offer some advantages over traditional industrial metal markets, such as round-the-clock trading and the ability to trade with smaller capital amounts.

Traders can use leverage to amplify their exposure to these precious metals, though this increases the risk of liquidation and requires disciplined risk management.

The "Funding Rate" mechanism ensures the futures price stays aligned with the spot price, with fees settled every four hours.

Platinum and Palladium Futures on Binance

On Binance, Platinum and Palladium are traded as USDT-margined perpetual contracts. This means that while the price tracks the real-world value of ounces of Platinum or Palladium, the settlement is conducted in the stablecoin USDT.

Platinum Futures: Ticker XPTUSDT

Palladium Futures: Ticker XPDUSDT

Unlike physical settlement, where a trader might theoretically take delivery of the metal, these contracts are cash-settled. Traders speculate on the price movements of the metals without needing to worry about storage fees, insurance, or logistics.

The concept is simple: If you believe industrial demand or scarcity will drive the price up, you buy (Long). If you anticipate a price drop, you sell (Short). All profits and losses are denominated and settled in USDT.

Benefits of Trading White Metals on a Crypto Exchange

The digitization of commodity trading offers many improvements over the "old way" of trading futures.

1. 24/7 market access

Traditional commodity markets operate on fixed schedules and close on weekends. However, supply chain news or geopolitical events affecting major producers (like South Africa or Russia) can happen at any time. Binance Futures operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If breaking news hits the wires on a Sunday, you can manage your Platinum or Palladium positions instantly, rather than waiting for Monday morning.

2. Lower barriers to entry

In traditional markets, a single futures contract for Palladium or Platinum can be prohibitively expensive due to the high value per ounce and large contract sizes. Binance Futures allows for fractional trading, meaning you can enter a position with a much smaller amount of capital than traditional exchanges require.

3. Leverage

Futures contracts allow traders to gain exposure to larger positions with a smaller amount of upfront capital (margin). While leverage varies by asset and market conditions, it allows for capital efficiency. For example, using leverage allows a trader to control a significant position in Platinum with a fraction of the value held as margin.

Understanding Funding Rates

If you are new to crypto futures, the concept of Funding Rates might sound confusing, but it’s actually quite simple. Since these perpetual contracts never expire, the system needs a mechanism to tether the contract price to the spot price of the metal.

The funding payment: This is a payment exchanged between traders (buyers and sellers) at regular intervals (typically every 4 or 8 hours). Note that this is not a fee paid to the exchange.

The opportunity: If the funding rate is positive, longs pay shorts. If negative, shorts pay longs. In strong trends, holding a position against the crowd can result in earning passive income from these funding fees.

Risk Management

Trading these assets is easier than ever, but that means you can lose money faster than ever, too.

Leverage risk: Remember that leverage is a multiplier. Even moderate leverage can present significant risk in volatile metal markets. Example: If you use high leverage and the price of Palladium drops by a small percentage, you could face forced liquidation, losing 100% of your margin.

Market volatility: Platinum and Palladium are often more volatile than gold due to their reliance on industrial cycles and supply constraints.

How to stay safe

To stay safe, traders often employ risk management strategies, including:

Setting strategic stop-loss orders to cap potential losses.

Managing position size to ensure account longevity.

Avoiding excessive leverage, especially during periods of low liquidity or high volatility.

How to Trade Platinum and Palladium on Binance Futures

1. Log in to your Binance account, navigate to the [Futures] tab, then go to [USD(S)-M Futures].

Note: this product may not be available in certain regions.

2. Next, open the drop-down menu and search for XPTUSDT (for Platinum) or XPDUSDT (for Palladium).

You can also find these and other contracts under the [TradFi] category.

3. At the bottom right, you can check your Futures account balance. If your balance is zero, you can use the [Transfer], [Buy Crypto], or [Swap] features to add funds.

If this is your first time using Binance Futures, you will be required to open a Future Account.

You may also be required to complete a Futures Quiz before getting started.

4. When you are ready, you can use the order panel to buy or sell futures contracts.

5. If you click or tap [Cross] at the top right, you can switch between Cross Mode and Isolated Mode.

The Cross Margin Mode will consider all the assets in your futures account and all futures positions when calculating your margin and liquidation levels. This means that your open positions can affect each other, even if they are in different assets. For example, your gold position could be liquidated to cover losses on your silver position, even though they are different trading pairs.

The Isolated Margin Mode allows you to manage your risk on individual positions by restricting them to a specific asset. This means that your isolated position won’t be affected by fluctuations in other open positions you might have.

For more information, check out the following article: What Are Isolated Margin and Cross Margin in Crypto Trading?.

6. At the bottom of your screen, you can check your Positions, Open Orders, Order History, and much more.

For more detailed information, please check the FAQ: Perpetual Futures on Traditional Assets.

Closing Thoughts

The launch of XPTUSDT and XPDUSDT pairs on Binance Futures provides traders with a modern bridge to the precious metals market. By removing the common barriers related to capital and rigid trading hours, Binance Futures offers a convenient way to get exposure to Platinum and Palladium. Still, remember to respect the risks and make sure you understand how the product works before getting started with futures trading.

Further Reading

How to Trade Gold and Silver on Binance Futures 

What Are Funding Rates in Crypto Markets?

What Are Isolated Margin and Cross Margin in Crypto Trading? 

Disclaimer: This content is presented to you on an “as is” basis for general information and or educational purposes only, without representation or warranty of any kind. It should not be construed as financial, legal or other professional advice, nor is it intended to recommend the purchase of any specific product or service. You should seek your own advice from appropriate professional advisors. Where the content is contributed by a third party contributor, please note that those views expressed belong to the third party contributor, and do not necessarily reflect those of Binance Academy. Digital asset prices can be volatile. The value of your investment may go down or up and you may not get back the amount invested. You are solely responsible for your investment decisions and Binance Academy is not liable for any losses you may incur. For more information, see our Terms of Use, Risk Warning and Binance Academy Terms.

Key Takeaways
Tokenized gold is physical gold that has been turned into a digital token. Usually, one token equals one ounce or a specific amount of real gold.It allows for fractional ownership, meaning you can invest in gold with very little money instead of buying expensive bars.This method combines the stability of gold with the speed and 24/7 trading availability of cryptocurrency markets.Popular examples of tokenized gold include Tether Gold (XAUt) and Paxos Gold (PAXG), which you can trade on crypto exchanges.It’s important to consider the risks, such as trusting the company holding the gold and potential changes in local regulations.
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Key Takeaways
Binance Futures has expanded beyond cryptocurrencies to include traditional assets like gold, silver, and stocks. You can now trade Tesla under the ticker TSLAUSDT.These contracts offer unique advantages over traditional equity markets, including 24/7 trading hours and fractional trading options.You can utilize leverage (up to 5x) to trade with more exposure than your capital allows, though this requires strict risk management.A mechanism called "Funding Rates" ensures price stability, with fees settled every four hours.
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Key Takeaways

Zama is an open-source cryptography project building a Confidential Blockchain Protocol powered by Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE).

The protocol allows smart contracts to compute on encrypted data without decrypting it, enabling privacy-preserving applications on public blockchains.

Zama's technology works as a cross-chain solution, allowing developers to build confidential applications on top of any Layer 1 or Layer 2 blockchain (like Ethereum or Solana).

The ZAMA token is the native utility asset used for gas fees, governance, and incentivizing the network of validators and provers.

Introduction

Public blockchains like Ethereum and Bitcoin are transparent by design. While this transparency ensures trust and verifiability, it also means that all data is visible to everyone. This lack of privacy limits the types of applications that can be built, especially for industries like finance, healthcare, and enterprise.

Zama addresses this challenge by introducing Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) to the blockchain. This cryptographic technique allows data to remain encrypted even while it is being processed. By building a protocol that enables confidential smart contracts, Zama aims to bring true privacy to the decentralized web without sacrificing the benefits of public verifiability.

What Is Zama?

Zama is an open-source cryptography company and protocol focused on making FHE accessible to developers. Its flagship product is the Zama Confidential Blockchain Protocol, which enables privacy-preserving smart contracts.

The core idea is simple but powerful: instead of revealing sensitive data to a blockchain (or a centralized server) to process it, users encrypt their data locally. The blockchain then processes this encrypted data and produces an encrypted result, which only the user can decrypt. This ensures end-to-end confidentiality for on-chain applications.

How Does Zama Work?

Zama's architecture leverages FHE to solve the "privacy vs. transparency" dilemma.

1. Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE)

FHE allows computations to be performed directly on encrypted data. In a typical blockchain transaction, data must be public to be processed (e.g., checking if a user has enough funds). With Zama's FHE, the smart contract can check the funds and other things while the data remains encrypted. The network validates the transaction without ever seeing the actual balance or amount.

2. Confidential smart contracts (fhEVM)

Zama has developed the fhEVM (Fully Homomorphic Ethereum Virtual Machine). This allows developers to write confidential smart contracts using standard Solidity, the same programming language used on Ethereum. Developers can specify which parts of the contract should be public and which should be private (encrypted), making it easy to integrate privacy into existing DApps.

3. Cross-chain compatibility

Zama is designed to be a "layer" that sits on top of other blockchains. It works with Ethereum, Layer 2 networks, and others. This means a developer doesn't have to leave their favorite blockchain to get privacy; they can just use Zama's technology on top of it.

Potential Use Cases

Zama's technology opens up new possibilities for blockchain applications that require data protection.

Confidential DeFi: Users can trade, lend, and borrow without revealing their positions or strategies to the public, preventing front-running and copy-trading.

On-chain identity: You can prove you are over 18 or a citizen of a certain country without uploading a photo of your ID card.

Encrypted voting (DAOs): Governance proposals can use secret ballots where votes are counted correctly, but individual choices remain private, preventing coercion and bribery.

Gaming: On-chain games can use Zama’s technology to hide certain information (e.g., "fog of war" mechanics or hidden card hands).

The ZAMA Token

The ZAMA token is the native utility asset of the Zama ecosystem. It plays a central role in securing and operating the network.

Gas fees: Users pay ZAMA tokens to execute confidential transactions and smart contracts.

Governance: Token holders can vote on protocol upgrades and parameter changes.

Incentives: Network operators who perform the computationally intensive FHE tasks (proving and verifying) can get rewarded in ZAMA tokens.

Zama (ZAMA) on Binance

Binance listed the Zama (ZAMA) token for trade on February 3, 2026 with the Seed Tag applied. Trading pairs available at launch included ZAMA/USDT and ZAMA/USDC. The announcement also included a spot trading campaign from February 3 to February 17. Eligible users will have a chance to share a total prize pool of 45,000,000 ZAMA in token vouchers.

Closing Thoughts

Privacy is one of the final frontiers for blockchain adoption. For institutions and regular users to fully embrace Web3, they need the ability to keep certain data private. Zama’s use of Fully Homomorphic Encryption offers a promising solution to data privacy. By allowing blockchains to compute on data without seeing it, Zama is laying the groundwork for a more secure, private, and usable decentralized internet.

Further Reading

What Is Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE)?

What Is ZKsync and How Does It Work?

What Is zkPass (ZKP)?

Disclaimer: This content is presented to you on an “as is” basis for general information and educational purposes only, without representation or warranty of any kind. It should not be construed as financial, legal or other professional advice, nor is it intended to recommend the purchase of any specific product or service. You should seek your own advice from appropriate professional advisors. Products mentioned in this article may not be available in your region. Where the article is contributed by a third party contributor, please note that those views expressed belong to the third party contributor, and do not necessarily reflect those of Binance Academy. Please read our full disclaimer for further details. Digital asset prices can be volatile. The value of your investment may go down or up and you may not get back the amount invested. You are solely responsible for your investment decisions and Binance Academy is not liable for any losses you may incur. This material should not be construed as financial, legal or other professional advice. For more information, see our Terms of Use and Risk Warning.

Key Takeaways
Binance Futures has expanded beyond cryptocurrencies to include traditional assets. You can trade gold and silver under the tickers XAUUSDT and XAGUSDT.These contracts offer unique advantages over traditional commodity markets, including 24/7 trading hours and lower capital barriers to entry.You can also use leverage to trade with more money than you actually have. This can lead to bigger profits, but also bigger losses. It’s important to do proper risk management.A feature called "Funding Rates" helps keep prices fair, and in certain conditions, traders can get paid just for keeping a position open.
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Key Takeaways

Sentient is an open-source Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) platform designed to compete with closed systems like those of OpenAI and Google.

The network operates through the "Sentient GRID," a framework that coordinates data, models, and computing power to function as a unified decentralized entity.

The goal of the project is to reduce the risks of centralized AI by ensuring development is transparent, accountable, and not controlled by a single corporation.

Introduction

Right now, the most powerful artificial intelligence (AI) models are controlled by just a few massive companies. While they have built amazing tools, the core of their technology remains hidden behind closed doors. This means a relatively small group of people can decide what AI learns and who gets to use it.

Sentient (SENT) was created to offer a different path. It’s building a decentralized network where AI is developed in the open. By using blockchain technology, Sentient allows developers around the world to collaborate. The goal is to create a "community-owned" AI that rivals the big corporate labs without needing a centralized model.

What Is Sentient (SENT)?

Sentient is building an open platform for the next generation of AI, often called AGI (Artificial General Intelligence). It aims to compete with (and also complement) closed systems like those from OpenAI, Anthropic, or Google.

The project is rooted in the belief that closed-source AGI presents a core societal risk, where a small number of entities dictate the trajectory of AI development. Sentient is designed to counter this by making the development process transparent and accountable. It ensures that no single entity controls the network, so the benefits of this powerful technology can be shared by the people who build and use it.

How Does Sentient Work?

Sentient acts like a bridge that connects different parts of the AI world. One of its core technologies is called the Sentient GRID.

1. The Sentient GRID

Think of the GRID as a giant digital spiderweb. It connects different partners, data sources, AI models, and computer servers. Usually, independent developers are too small to compete with tech giants. But by plugging into the GRID, they can pool their resources. This allows thousands of smaller pieces to act as one unified, powerful intelligence network.

2. Decentralized cooperation

Instead of a top-down approach used by traditional AI labs, Sentient uses the GRID to form a decentralized alternative. This model allows for a more practical step toward open-source AGI that is able to deliver high-quality results.

3. Community-driven development

Sentient relies on its users. It rewards open-source researchers and developers who contribute to the network. If you provide helpful data, answer questions, or improve the code, the system rewards you. The more active and helpful you are, the more you can participate in the ecosystem.

Investors and Backing

The idea of open AI has attracted a lot of attention. The Sentient project has secured funding from prominent players in the blockchain and venture capital space. It raised capital across multiple rounds, including a seed round backed by Framework Ventures, Pantera Capital, Founders Fund, and HashKey Capital, among others.

Sentient (SENT) on Binance

Binance listed the SENT token on January 22, 2026. The token was with the Seed Tag applied against the USDT, USDC, and TRY trading pairs.

Closing Thoughts

Sentient is trying to change the story of artificial intelligence. By moving away from siloed, corporate-controlled models toward an open, decentralized network, it aims to democratize access to AGI. By using the Sentient GRID to connect data and computers openly, the project is fighting for a more collaborative and transparent future in the AI space.

Further Reading

What Are AI Agents?

Top 6 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Cryptocurrencies 

What Is Sapien (SAPIEN)? 

Disclaimer: This content is presented to you on an “as is” basis for general information and educational purposes only, without representation or warranty of any kind. It should not be construed as financial, legal or other professional advice, nor is it intended to recommend the purchase of any specific product or service. You should seek your own advice from appropriate professional advisors. Products mentioned in this article may not be available in your region. Where the article is contributed by a third party contributor, please note that those views expressed belong to the third party contributor, and do not necessarily reflect those of Binance Academy. Please read our full disclaimer for further details. Digital asset prices can be volatile. The value of your investment may go down or up and you may not get back the amount invested. You are solely responsible for your investment decisions and Binance Academy is not liable for any losses you may incur. This material should not be construed as financial, legal or other professional advice. For more information, see our Terms of Use and Risk Warning.

Key Takeaways

Ripple USD (RLUSD) is a 1:1 USD-backed stablecoin issued by Ripple, designed specifically for enterprise utility and cross-border payments.

The stablecoin is fully backed by segregated reserves of US dollar deposits, short-term US government treasuries, and other cash equivalents.

RLUSD is natively issued on both the XRP Ledger (XRPL) and Ethereum blockchains to maximize liquidity and interoperability across the DeFi ecosystem.

Ripple emphasizes regulatory compliance, issuing RLUSD under a New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) Trust Company Charter.

Introduction

For over a decade, Ripple has been a major player in using blockchain technology to improve global finance, primarily through its native asset, XRP. However, as the digital asset market has matured, the demand for stable, regulatory-compliant assets has grown significantly. Financial institutions and enterprises require the speed of blockchain but with the price stability of fiat currency.

To meet this demand, Ripple introduced Ripple USD (RLUSD). This stablecoin bridges the gap between old-school banking and the new crypto economy. It offers a trusted way to send digital dollars globally. Let’s look at how it works and why it matters.

What Is Ripple USD (RLUSD)?

Ripple USD (RLUSD) is a US dollar-denominated stablecoin issued by Ripple Labs' subsidiary, Standard Custody & Trust Company, LLC. RLUSD is designed to maintain a stable value of $1.00.

RLUSD was built with big businesses and institutions in mind. Ripple uses its long history of working with banks to create a digital dollar that meets the strict standards of global finance. It’s designed for high-volume tasks, like settling cross-border trades or moving corporate funds.

How Does RLUSD Work?

RLUSD operates on a transparent and secure model designed to instill confidence in institutional users.

1. Reserves

Trust in a stablecoin relies entirely on its backing. RLUSD is fully backed by a segregated reserve of assets. For every RLUSD token in circulation, Ripple holds an equivalent amount of value in:

US dollar cash deposits.

Short-term US government treasuries.

Other cash equivalents.

These reserves are held in segregated accounts at US depository institutions, ensuring that customer funds are kept separate from Ripple’s corporate funds.

2. Regulatory compliance and transparency

RLUSD is issued under a "Trust Company Charter" from the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS). New York has some of the toughest regulatory frameworks in the crypto space. This ensures that RLUSD follows strict laws regarding consumer protection and anti-money laundering. Ripple publishes an attestation report every month showing that the money in the bank matches the tokens in circulation.

3. Multi-chain issuance

To ensure broad accessibility, RLUSD is natively issued on two major blockchains:

XRP Ledger (XRPL): Known for its low fees and high speed, making it ideal for payments.

Ethereum (ETH): The hub of decentralized finance (DeFi), allowing RLUSD to be used in a wide range of smart contracts and dApps.

Potential Use Cases

RLUSD is designed to serve as a foundational layer for various financial applications.

Cross-border payments: RLUSD allows businesses to send funds worldwide in real-time with minimal fees, avoiding the delays of the traditional banking system (SWIFT).

On/off ramps: It serves as a reliable bridge between fiat currencies and digital assets, making it easier for users to move money onto the blockchain.

DeFi and tokenization: Developers can use RLUSD as a stable asset for trading pairs, lending protocols, and the settlement of tokenized real-world assets (RWAs).

Global settlement: Financial institutions can use RLUSD as a settlement asset for foreign exchange (FX) markets and derivatives.

Ripple USD (RLUSD) on Binance

Binance listed the RLUSD token for trade on January 22, 2026. RLUSD was listed for trading against the USDT, U, and XRP pairs. Following the listing, Binance introduced a zero-fee promotion for the RLUSD/USDT and RLUSD/U trading pairs.

Closing Thoughts

The launch of RLUSD is a big step for Ripple. By adding a regulated stablecoin alongside XRP, they now have a complete toolkit for moving value. RLUSD offers the stability needed for payments, while the blockchain ensures quick and secure transactions. As governments around the world create tighter rules for crypto, compliant stablecoins like RLUSD will likely become more relevant.

Further Reading

What Is Ripple (XRP)?

What Is a Stablecoin?

What Are Real World Assets (RWA) in DeFi and Crypto? 

Disclaimer: This content is presented to you on an “as is” basis for general information and educational purposes only, without representation or warranty of any kind. It should not be construed as financial, legal or other professional advice, nor is it intended to recommend the purchase of any specific product or service. You should seek your own advice from appropriate professional advisors. Products mentioned in this article may not be available in your region. Where the article is contributed by a third party contributor, please note that those views expressed belong to the third party contributor, and do not necessarily reflect those of Binance Academy. Please read our full disclaimer for further details. Digital asset prices can be volatile. The value of your investment may go down or up and you may not get back the amount invested. You are solely responsible for your investment decisions and Binance Academy is not liable for any losses you may incur. This material should not be construed as financial, legal or other professional advice. For more information, see our Terms of Use and Risk Warning.

Key Takeaways

Fogo is a Layer 1 blockchain built on the Solana Virtual Machine (SVM), specifically optimized for decentralized trading and financial applications.

The network integrates the Firedancer validator client to achieve high throughput, low latency, and reliability. The project’s goal is to bridge the gap between centralized and decentralized exchanges in terms of performance and user experience.

Fogo features an "enshrined" limit order book and native oracle infrastructure directly at the protocol level, reducing fragmentation and dependency on third-party services.

The FOGO token is the native utility asset used for gas fees, staking security, and governance within the ecosystem.

Introduction

People love the idea of decentralized finance (DeFi) because they are free to control their own money. But truthfully, using DeFi can sometimes be slow, expensive, and frustrating compared to centralized exchanges (CEXs).

Fogo was created to fix this gap. It’s a blockchain built for one main purpose: trading at scale. By using the Solana Virtual Machine (SVM) and a new validator system, Fogo strives to offer the best of both worlds: the speed of a centralized exchange with the autonomy of a decentralized one.

What Is Fogo?

Fogo is an SVM-based Layer 1 blockchain with one main mission: to serve as a complete infrastructure for on-chain trading. Unlike some general-purpose blockchains that host everything from NFTs to gaming, Fogo's architecture is vertically integrated to optimize specifically for financial transactions.

The primary goal of Fogo is to eliminate the trade-offs between speed and decentralization. It incorporates a tech stack that includes a curated validator set, native price feeds, and an “enshrined” decentralized exchange (DEX). This allows traders to enjoy the instant execution associated with platforms like Binance, while maintaining full self-custody of their assets.

How Does Fogo Work?

As mentioned, Fogo runs on the Solana Virtual Machine (SVM), which is known for being able to do many tasks at once. However, Fogo adds three special features to make it even better for trading performance.

1. Firedancer integration

The engine inside Fogo is called Firedancer. This is a piece of software developed by Jump Crypto to run the network. It’s designed to significantly increase throughput (transactions per second) and reliability while reducing validator operating costs:

Sub-second finality: Transactions are confirmed almost instantly.

Hyperscaling: The ability to handle hundreds of thousands of transactions per second, preventing congestion.

2. Enshrined order book

Most blockchains require developers to build DEXs as separate smart contracts, which can lead to liquidity fragmentation. Fogo takes a different approach with the so-called Enshrined Limit Order Book (CLOB), built directly into the protocol layer.

This means the core trading engine is implemented into the chain itself. Liquidity providers and traders interact with a single, unified layer of liquidity, meaning deeper markets and better price execution for everyone. This mirrors the efficiency of a centralized exchange engine but runs entirely on decentralized code.

3. Native price tools

Usually, blockchains need outside services (called "Oracles") to tell them the price of Bitcoin or Gold. Sometimes these services are slow. Fogo has these price feeds built in. The people running the network (validators) provide price updates constantly. This helps make the data faster and more accurate.

Potential Use Cases

Fogo’s high-performance infrastructure is designed to support demanding financial applications that tend to struggle on slower chains.

High-frequency trading (HFT): Institutional market makers can run algorithmic strategies on-chain with the certainty that their orders will be executed instantly, similar to traditional stock markets.

Perpetual futures and derivatives: The low latency and native oracle support make Fogo ideal for hosting decentralized derivatives exchanges, where millisecond delays can lead to significant losses.

Real-world asset (RWA) settlement: Traditional finance institutions looking to settle assets on-chain require high throughput and instant finality, both of which Fogo provides.

Cross-chain hub: Fogo can serve as a liquidity hub for the broader SVM ecosystem, allowing assets from other Solana-based chains to be traded efficiently.

Why Is This Good for Users?

Feels like a CEX: It’s snappy and responsive. You don't have to wait minutes to see if your trade went through.

Better prices: Because the trading engine is unified, there is deeper liquidity, meaning you don't lose as much value when making large swaps.

Reliable: The Firedancer technology is designed to stop the network from crashing or pausing, which has been a problem for high-speed chains in the past.

Cheap: Transaction fees are extremely low, even when many people are using the network.

The FOGO Token

The FOGO token is the native utility asset that powers the Fogo network. It has four main use cases:

Gas fees: Users pay FOGO to execute transactions, place orders, and interact with smart contracts.

Staking and security: Validators and delegators stake FOGO to secure the network. Honest participation is rewarded with staking yields, while malicious behavior is penalized.

Governance: FOGO holders can participate in the governance of the protocol, voting on upgrades, parameter changes to the enshrined order book, and other ecosystem initiatives.

Exchange currency: Within the Fogo ecosystem, the token may be used as a primary quote currency or for fee discounts on the native exchange layer.

Fogo (FOGO) on Binance

Binance listed the FOGO token for trade on January 15, 2026. The token was listed with the Seed Tag applied, allowing for trading against the USDT, USDC, and TRY pairs. Following the listing, Binance Spot announced a promotion where eligible users have a chance to share a total prize pool of 38,000,000 FOGO in token vouchers.

Promotion Period: 2026-01-15 13:00 (UTC) to 2026-01-29 13:00 (UTC).

Closing Thoughts

For crypto to reach a billion users, it needs to be fast and cheap. Nobody wants to pay high fees or wait a long time for a transaction to finish. Fogo is attacking this problem by pushing blockchain technology to its limits. By combining the speed of the SVM with the power of Firedancer and focusing on financial services, Fogo is trying to build the ultimate home for decentralized trading.

Further Reading

What Is Solana (SOL)?

What Is the Solana Virtual Machine (SVM)? 

Understanding Matching Engines in Trading 

Disclaimer: This content is presented to you on an “as is” basis for general information and educational purposes only, without representation or warranty of any kind. It should not be construed as financial, legal or other professional advice, nor is it intended to recommend the purchase of any specific product or service. You should seek your own advice from appropriate professional advisors. Products mentioned in this article may not be available in your region. Where the article is contributed by a third party contributor, please note that those views expressed belong to the third party contributor, and do not necessarily reflect those of Binance Academy. Please read our full disclaimer for further details. Digital asset prices can be volatile. The value of your investment may go down or up and you may not get back the amount invested. You are solely responsible for your investment decisions and Binance Academy is not liable for any losses you may incur. This material should not be construed as financial, legal or other professional advice. For more information, see our Terms of Use and Risk Warning.

Key Takeaways

zkPass is a privacy-focused protocol for data verification, acting as a bridge between Web2 data and the Web3 ecosystem.

The zkPass protocol uses Multi-Party Computation (MPC) and Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKP) to allow users to prove facts about their data without revealing detailed information.

One of the core innovations of zkPass is "TransGate." It enables users to generate proofs from any HTTPS website using a modified Three-Party TLS (3P-TLS) handshake.

zkPass solves critical issues regarding data sovereignty, eliminating the need for centralized APIs or invasive KYC processes for decentralized applications.

Introduction

The gap between the traditional internet (Web2) and the blockchain ecosystem (Web3) continues to be an obstacle for mass adoption. Web2 holds massive amounts of valuable user data (like financial history, social identity, and legal credentials). However, Web3 applications usually can't access this data without relying on centralized intermediaries or asking you to give up your privacy.

zkPass was built to fix this "data gap." It uses cryptography to let you bring your real-world reputation and data onto the blockchain. You can do this without trusting a middleman with your secrets. Let’s look at how this works and why it matters.

What Is zkPass?

zkPass is a decentralized, privacy-focused protocol designed for private data verification. It functions as an infrastructure layer that empowers users to selectively prove their data from traditional Web2 sources (like banks, e-commerce platforms, or government databases) to Web3 smart contracts.

The primary goal of zkPass is to enable data verification without data disclosure. For example, a user can prove to a decentralized finance (DeFi) protocol that they have a credit score over 700 without revealing the exact score, their name, or their credit report history.

How Does zkPass Work?

The architecture of zkPass is built upon two pillars of modern cryptography: Multi-Party Computation (MPC) and Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKP). However, one of its most distinct innovations is how it handles the standard internet connection protocol known as TLS (Transport Layer Security).

1. Three-Party TLS (3P-TLS)

When you log into a bank website, you use HTTPS, which relies on a standard 2-party TLS handshake between you (the Client) and the bank (the Server). This ensures encryption, but the data is only visible to you.

zkPass introduces a "3-party TLS" mechanism. This involves:

The Prover (User): The person accessing the data.

The Verifier (zkPass Node): The entity witnessing the data transfer.

The Web Server: The source of the data (e.g., Google, Amazon, Chase Bank).

In this setup, the Verifier participates in the handshake to guarantee the data is authentic and coming from the correct server. However, thanks to the cryptographic protocols used, the Verifier never sees the unencrypted data. They only see a mathematical proof that the data exchange occurred.

2. TransGate

The user interface for this technology is called TransGate. It serves as a gateway that allows users to generate zero-knowledge proofs from any HTTPS website. When a user activates TransGate, they can selectively parse specific data fields from a webpage and package them into a zk-proof. This proof can then be uploaded to the blockchain for DApps to verify.

3. Zero-knowledge proof generation

Once the data is retrieved and witnessed via 3P-TLS, it is converted into a Zero-Knowledge Proof. This is a cryptographic method where one party proves to another that a statement is true without revealing the input of the statement. This ensures that sensitive personal identifiable information (PII) never leaves the user's local environment in a readable format.

Potential Use Cases

zkPass can be used in a wide variety of applications by bridging off-chain data with on-chain utility.

DeFi and under-collateralized lending: Currently, DeFi loans often require over-collateralization because protocols don't know a user's creditworthiness. Users can use zkPass to prove their off-chain financial status (e.g., bank balances or credit scores), enabling better lending rates without doxing themselves.

Identity verification (DID): Users can prove they are unique humans, over 18, or citizens of a specific country (KYC compliance) without uploading photos of their passports to multiple databases, reducing the risk of identity theft.

Gaming and social: Gamers could verify their ownership of assets or achievements in Web2 games (like Steam or Epic Games) to unlock rewards in Web3 ecosystems.

Creator economy: Influencers could anonymously prove they own an account with over 100k followers to access exclusive DAO memberships or marketing contracts.

The Benefits of zkPass

Privacy preservation: The protocol ensures data sovereignty. Users retain full control over their data, sharing only "results" (proofs) rather than "raw data."

No API required: Unlike traditional oracles that require Web2 companies to provide API access, zkPass works with any standard HTTPS website. This removes the reliance on Web2 giants to "allow" data portability.

Compatibility: The generated proofs are compatible with a wide variety of blockchains, making it a versatile tool for the multi-chain future.

Anti-cheating: By verifying data directly from the source server via TLS, it prevents users from fabricating screenshots or manipulating local HTML code to fake their credentials.

The ZKP Token

The ZKP token is the fuel that runs the zkPass network. It's the main currency used to pay for the services that turn your private data into secure proofs.

ZKP is built as a standard ERC-20 token with a max supply of 1 billion tokens. It also uses technology from LayerZero to make sure the token works smoothly and safely across different blockchains.

The ZKP token has four main use cases:

Payment: Users and apps pay with ZKP to create proofs and verify data.

Security deposit: The people who run the network nodes (validators) must lock up ZKP tokens as a promise to do their job correctly. If they act badly, they lose their tokens.

Access: Developers and companies need ZKP to use the zkPass tools and privacy features.

Voting: Holding the token allows the community to vote on changes to the system.

zkPass (ZKP) on Binance

Binance listed the ZKP token for trade on January 7, 2026. The token was listed with the Seed Tag applied, allowing for trading against the USDT, USDC, and TRY pairs. Following the listing, Binance Spot announced a promotion where eligible users had a chance to share a total prize pool of 7,400,000 ZKP in token vouchers.

Closing Thoughts

The demand for connecting real-world identity and reputation to the blockchain is growing. However, this connection shouldn’t come at the cost of user privacy. zkPass offers a smart solution to this problem. By using the existing secure internet (HTTPS) and adding a layer of "blind" verification with MPC and ZK technology, it makes sharing data safer and more scalable.

Further Reading

What Is LayerZero (ZRO)? 

What Is ZKsync and How Does It Work?

What Is Zero-knowledge Proof and How Does It Impact Blockchain? 

Disclaimer: This content is presented to you on an “as is” basis for general information and educational purposes only, without representation or warranty of any kind. It should not be construed as financial, legal or other professional advice, nor is it intended to recommend the purchase of any specific product or service. You should seek your own advice from appropriate professional advisors. Products mentioned in this article may not be available in your region. Where the article is contributed by a third party contributor, please note that those views expressed belong to the third party contributor, and do not necessarily reflect those of Binance Academy. Please read our full disclaimer for further details. Digital asset prices can be volatile. The value of your investment may go down or up and you may not get back the amount invested. You are solely responsible for your investment decisions and Binance Academy is not liable for any losses you may incur. This material should not be construed as financial, legal or other professional advice. For more information, see our Terms of Use and Risk Warning.