Aptos (APT): The L1 Powerhouse Transforming Web3
The Aptos Ecosystem Livestream brought together industry leaders, project founders, and developers to discuss the current state and future of Aptos, a Layer 1 blockchain platform. The livestream began with an enthusiastic welcome from the host, who highlighted the significance of the event and introduced special guests, including representatives from Aptos Labs, various decentralized applications (dApps), and ecosystem partners. Ben Zhou, CEO and co-founder of Bybit and Avery Ching, CTO and co-founder of Aptos Labs, set the tone by discussing Aptos' role in fostering innovation and collaboration in Web3. The lineup of speakers included key representatives from projects like Merkle Trade, Panora, Balance, Vionex, Omni Finance, Aries Market, and Super Villain Labs, who later shared updates on their project initiatives.
Aptos: A Foundation for Innovation
Avery Ching highlighted Aptos' unique strengths as a blockchain platform, emphasizing its scalability, low transaction fees, and technological superiority. Ching traced Aptos' origins back to Meta's Libra/Diem project and discussed how its underlying technologies, such as the Move programming language and novel consensus protocols, empower developers to build decentralized applications (dApps) with unprecedented performance.
Key milestones from 2024 were also shared, including record-breaking achievements like handling 326 million transactions in a single day and achieving transaction costs as low as $0.008. These capabilities make Aptos an ideal platform for scaling use cases like decentralized finance (DeFi), gaming, and asset transfers. Ching also previewed innovations slated for 2025, such as the launch of "Raptor," a new consensus protocol to enhance transaction speeds, Block STM v2 for dynamic parallelism, and Move 2.0 to simplify and accelerate dApp development.
Ching noted that Aptos' mission is to provide a decentralized infrastructure that scales to billions of users globally. This vision aligns with its commitment to creating a new internet that is accessible, equitable, and efficient.
Project Spotlights and Updates
Merkle Trade
YK introduced their offerings from Merkle Trade, a gamified decentralized trading platform. Merkle Trade allows users to engage in leveraged trading with gamified elements like trader levels and collectible items, which provide tangible benefits such as trading fee discounts. In Q4 2024, the platform launched features like direct deposits and wallet-less trading, allowing users to trade without requiring extensive knowledge of Web3 tools. For 2025, Merkle Trade plans to focus on casual traders who are new to decentralized finance (DeFi) by providing seamless onboarding experiences.
Panora
Shraddha Agarwal from Panora, a decentralized exchange (DEX) aggregator, shared their commitment to simplifying DeFi trading by offering the best swap rates and a seamless trading experience. Panora's innovations include AI-driven tools, such as natural language processing for trade execution, which enable users to make trades by typing commands in plain language. Their roadmap for 2025 includes expanding AI integration and empowering Telegram bots to facilitate trading directly within the messaging platform.
Balance.Fun
Tri from Balance.Fun explained how the platform integrates Web3 gaming and social infrastructure to drive mass adoption. Balance.Fun evolved from ePal.gg, a gaming companionship platform with over 4 million users, into a comprehensive Web3 gaming ecosystem. Key offerings include unified game access, digital asset marketplaces, and creator economy tools like fan tokens. In 2025, Balance.Fun plans to launch the "Fans Protocol," enabling creators to issue their own tokens and build dynamic economies. They also partner with gaming giants like League of Legends to host tournaments and introduce Web3 rewards.
VIbrantX
Adrian from VIbrantX positioned the platform as a one-stop shop for DeFi on Aptos. VIbrantX aggregates DeFi strategies, offering users a centralized dashboard for portfolio management and advanced investment strategies. Backed by the Aptos Foundation, VIbrantX is collaborating with major DeFi protocols to enhance the user experience. For 2025, they focus on launching new token incentives and expanding their protocol integrations.
Amnis Finance
Eric from Amnis Finance discussed their position as the largest liquid staking provider on Aptos, commanding a 60% market share. With $250 million in total value locked (TVL), Amnis Finance enables users to stake assets and unlock liquidity simultaneously. They plan to simplify onboarding by enhancing wallet solutions and launching an intuitive rewards system. Amnis Finance has ambitious plans for 2025, including expanding its TVL and further enhancing its liquid staking mechanisms.
Aries Market
Gabriel Wong from Aries Market shared updates on the largest lending protocol in the Move ecosystem, with over $600 million in deposits and $350 million in loans. Aries recently launched native USDT swapping capabilities, making it easier for users to participate in DeFi without incurring fees. They are also preparing for a token launch in 2025, with additional utilities and incentive programs designed to attract new users.
Supervillain Labs
Joseph from Supervillain Labs highlighted their vision for revolutionizing gaming through blockchain technology. Their first title, Super Wanted, has already launched on Google Play and the App Store, and new titles like Project R, an MMO adventure, are in development. Their mission is to bridge the gap between Web2 and Web3 gamers by offering a frictionless experience that combines traditional gaming elements with blockchain-powered features.
Community and Collaboration
A recurring theme throughout the livestream was the spirit of collaboration within the Aptos ecosystem. Builders and developers repeatedly praised the Aptos community for its inclusivity and mutual support. Many highlighted how Aptos' infrastructure and Aptos Labs’ backing helped accelerate their development timelines.
Avery emphasized Aptos' commitment to working closely with developers by providing technological tools and fostering a collaborative and innovative environment. The ecosystem’s openness to integrating emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, further positions Aptos as a leader in Web3 innovation.
Challenges and Opportunities
The livestream also addressed challenges in Web3 adoption. Many speakers discussed the friction that new users face when transitioning from Web2 to Web3. Barriers such as wallet setup, complex interfaces, and financial risks often deter potential users. Projects like Panora and Omni Finance focus on simplifying onboarding processes and developing wallet-less trading solutions to tackle these issues.
Another challenge is attracting traditional users to Web3. Gaming projects like Super Villain Labs and Balance are working to create seamless transitions for gamers by providing Web2 quality experiences that incorporate Web3 benefits, such as ownership of digital assets and decentralized governance.
Looking Ahead: 2025 and Beyond
The speakers shared ambitious plans for the future, unified by a commitment to making Web3 mainstream. Highlights included:
Technological Advancements: Aptos will roll out innovations like Raptor consensus, Block STM v2, and Move 2.0, setting new benchmarks for blockchain performance.
User-Centric Features: Projects prioritize ease of use with AI-driven tools, wallet-less trading, and frictionless gaming experiences.
Expanding Ecosystems: Collaborations between DeFi, gaming, and NFT projects are expected to create a more vibrant and interconnected Web3 environment.
Global Scale: Aptos aims to support billions of internet users by delivering Web3 technologies that are as fast and intuitive as today’s Web2 applications.
Closing Thoughts
The Aptos Ecosystem Livestream showcased a thriving community of innovators who are united by a shared vision of decentralized growth. From record-breaking transaction capabilities to groundbreaking dApps, Aptos is building the foundation for a more accessible and scalable Web3 future. With 2025 on the horizon, Aptos and its ecosystem partners are well-positioned to lead the next wave of blockchain innovation.
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