Decentralized exchanges (DEXs) have gained significant traction in the cryptocurrency world, offering users greater control and privacy over their assets. Among the notable players in this space is THORChain, a native asset settlement protocol that has recently caught the attention of traders and investors. With its impressive trading volume and the soaring popularity of its native token, RUNE, THORChain is making waves in the industry.
In the past week, THORChain has emerged as a key player, ranking third in trading volume among DEXs. According to data from DefiLlama, THORChain recorded an impressive trading volume of $1.32 billion surpassed only by Uniswap and PancakeSwap, with $10.85 billion and $2.77 billion respectively. Moreover, over the last 24 hours, THORChain’s trading volume stood at $334.3 million, positioning it as the second highest, outperforming PancakeSwap by nearly $50 million.
One of the driving factors behind THORChain’s rising popularity is its native token, RUNE. Over the past week, the value of RUNE skyrocketed by a staggering 51%. CoinGecko reports that its value has surged by over 200% in the last 30 days. This exponential growth has caught the attention of traders and investors alike, as they seek to leverage the potential high yields associated with the token.
THORChain’s surge in value has happened far sooner than even its core developer, Chad Barraford, had anticipated. Barraford initially predicted that the platform would surpass Curve Finance by the end of 2023. However, much to his surprise, THORChain’s rise to prominence only took two days, as Barraford acknowledged in a November 13th post on X (formerly Twitter).
THORChain prides itself on being a multichain version of Uniswap, enabling users to seamlessly swap native Bitcoin (BTC) for Ether (ETH) and other supported cryptocurrencies. This interoperability offers users increased flexibility and convenience when managing their assets. THORSwap, powered by the THORChain protocol, serves as the decentralized exchange where these swaps occur.
THORChain’s appeal extends beyond its seamless cross-chain functionality. The platform also boasts attractive interest rates, with an average annual percentage rate (APR) of nearly 44%. However, it is the liquidity pools that offer particularly appealing APRs, such as the Bitcoin and RUNE pairs that yield over 353%. These remarkably high yields have drawn the attention of cryptocurrency enthusiasts and yield farmers seeking maximum returns on their investments.
Bitcoin advocate Erik Voorhees highlighted THORChain’s significance for Bitcoin trading. In a recent statement, Voorhees emphasized that THORChain processed almost 2% (equivalent to $224 million) of the overall spot Bitcoin trading volume between November 11th and 12th. Voorhees pointed out that THORChain allows traders to exchange Bitcoin at scale without the need for intermediaries, which aligns with the principles behind Bitcoin itself.
THORChain’s origins can be traced back to the Binance Dexathon in 2018, where a team of developers launched the project. Despite its remarkable success and rising fame, many of the founding developers behind THORChain have chosen to remain anonymous, adding an air of mystery to the project.
THORChain’s rapid ascent in the decentralized exchange space is undeniable. With its impressive trading volume, soaring token value, and innovative multichain functionality, THORChain has positioned itself as a force to be reckoned with. As the platform continues to attract traders and investors with its high yields and seamless cross-chain swaps, the future looks bright for THORChain and its growing community of users.
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