Obol Collective (OBOL) enhances Ethereum staking with distributed validators, reducing risk, slashing penalties, and entry barriers for smaller stakers.

The Ethereum blockchain has crashed!" — This is a news piece that has never been reported and will, hopefully, never see the light of day. Although several other blockchain networks have experienced significant outages or total breakdowns, a network failure of any appreciable proportions has never occurred in the history of 

 (ETH). A large part of the blockchain's stellar security record is due to its global and well-decentralized network of validator 

However, despite boasting excellent decentralization properties, Ethereum does have areas to improve upon in its validation and 

 mechanisms. First, running a full validator node on the network is financially prohibitive for smaller individuals and entities, as the blockchain requires a stake of 32 ETH (around $84,500 as of May 14, 2025) per each full validator. Secondly, there’s always a risk of individual validators, even the largest ones, being hacked. Finally, technical failures may lead to slashing penalties for validators, and too many instances of such slashing can undermine trust in the blockchain’s security model.

Obol Collective (OBOL) is a decentralized platform based on 

 (DVT), which aims to solve the vulnerabilities of Ethereum validation and staking. Leveraging DVT, Obol lets multiple nodes run as a single validator, splitting both the processing load and slashing risks. By distributing responsibility across numerous participants, Obol effectively eliminates single points of failure and enhances the overall resilience of Ethereum’s staking infrastructure. Importantly, Obol’s use of DVT reduces entry barriers to Ethereum staking for smaller entities — individuals or small organizations — as they can team up and pool their resources to act as a single validator.

 (OBOL), a provider of decentralized infrastructure, enables multiple parties to jointly run Ethereum validators in a secure and fault-tolerant fashion. 

At the core of Obol’s product offering is DVT — a technology that splits all the functionalities of a single validator on a 

 (PoS) network between multiple (potentially many) individual nodes. These nodes share not only processing responsibilities, but also risks and rewards.

Obol’s infrastructure project is most typically used by 

 (RPL), to support their operations. While these protocols handle user funds and front-end functionality, Obol provides its DVT-based validator set to help support their Ethereum-based liquid staking.

Obol offers numerous benefits to liquid staking protocols and validator entities. It creates access to Ethereum staking for smaller, aspiring validators. Such entities often struggle with the financial requirement of staking no fewer than 32 ETH to run a validator. By joining an Obol cluster, which lets multiple nodes act as a single validator, these smaller players can participate in Ethereum staking by splitting the 32 ETH requirement between them.

Additionally, Obol’s DVT-based node splitting for validators provides better protection against the risk of slashing, which results in financial penalties or even suspension for the offending node. Slashing occurs on Ethereum and other PoS chains when a validator fails to fulfill their responsibilities on the network. It may happen due to willful misbehavior, or it could often be the result of honest mistakes or misconfigurations. For instance, a failed internet connection may keep a validator node offline for too long, resulting in slashing. Thanks to Obol's DVT, the other nodes can still keep the cluster functioning if one node fails.

The Obol project was conceptualized and developed by Obol Labs, an Illinois (US)–based company founded in 2021 by Oisín Kyne and Collin Myers, and the platform is supported by the nonprofit Obol Association. The first distributed validator on Ethereum was launched by the project in late 2022. As of this writing in May 2025, Obol Collective has established itself as the largest provider of DVT services in the blockchain industry.

Using Obol, developers and operators can create distributed validator (DV) clusters, each one acting as a single full validator on Ethereum. There are two options for creating clusters within Obol Collective: 

When one operator creates a cluster, they can assign multiple nodes to it, creating a distributed setup that avoids a single point of failure. It's recommended that the cluster nodes be hosted on different machines, although it's also permissible to use a single machine for all of the nodes. Using one machine for all cluster nodes creates a significant vulnerability, due to centralization of resources.

To automate and manage proper splitting of validator rewards and staking allocations, Obol uses a set of 

. These are noncustodial and normally immutable, meaning that the share allocations rewarded to nodes within a DV cannot be changed after the cluster’s deployment. However, one specific type of Splits contract, a 

 splitter contract, does have the functionality to update split percentages at a post-deployment stage. 

Obol Splits technology has been integrated into some of the leading liquid staking and restaking protocols — Lido and 

 (EIGEN) — to help DV operators service these platforms.

Charon is middleware developed by Obol to allow any Ethereum validator to operate as part of a DV. It acts as the main layer, allowing the platform to offer DVT-based services. Using Charon, operators can create a Byzantine fault tolerant (BFT) cluster and coordinate their work on the network as a single entity. Byzantine fault tolerance allows Obol clusters to operate and process Ethereum blocks even if some of the nodes within the cluster behave maliciously, or fail due to technical issues.

Obol also offers a staking-as-a-service (StaaS) product that lets users access staking opportunities without having to run the actual node hardware, further reducing barriers to end users for entry to Ethereum staking.

Obol’s DV Launchpad lets users configure and launch their clusters. Step by step, the launchpad walks users through all of the procedures required to create their own DV together with their peers. For less technically minded users, the launchpad is an ideal way to set up clusters using its graphical interface.

The platform's native token, OBOL, is an 

 asset issued on the Ethereum blockchain. OBOL was launched in January 2025, more than two years after Obol began offering its DV services. Upon launch, OBOL tokens remained locked, i.e., non-transferable. On May 7, 2025, this restriction was removed, making OBOL publicly available and freely tradable. Due to the lockup period, many online sources report May 7 as the token's actual launch date.

The OBOL token has several key functions on Obol Collective. One of these is 

, as OBOL token holders can delegate their voting power to designated delegates who participate in votes in the Token House, a governance platform where proposals regarding Obol Collective's direction and rules are introduced, considered and voted on.

Delegates also vote on funding allocations to support ecosystem growth under Obol’s Retroactive Funding (RAF) program. As such, OBOL holders may participate in funding decisions through their chosen delegates.

Another utility function of the token is that of staking. You can earn OBOL rewards through OBOL Incentives, a community incentives program that lets you stake your ETH on DVs. In 2025, 12.5 million OBOL are being distributed as staking rewards under this program.

The OBOL token may also be used for various DeFi use cases, e.g., within lending protocols and restaking platforms, as well as for increasing liquidity on DeFi protocols by contributing to their liquidity pools.

OBOL's total and maximum supply is 500 million, with just over 98.7 million tokens in circulation. Of the total supply amount, 7.5% was distributed via a retroactive 

 that rewarded certain ecosystem community members, such as developers and users who contributed to testnet and Alpha and Beta Mainnet operations.

The chart below shows the allocation shares of the token’s total supply.

The OBOL token is available on Bybit both as a 

. You can also take advantage of the Bybit event dedicated to the OBOL token to grab a share of the 

To join the event, deposit or trade OBOL on Bybit's Spot market, and stake between 200 and 1,000 OBOL using Bybit’s 15-day Fixed Savings plan to earn a 25% APR. Also, VIP users can enjoy staking limits of 2,000 OBOL and an exclusive 50% APR, while new users can access up to 200% APR via a booster voucher. The event is valid till Jun 7, 2025, 12PM UTC.

As of May 14, 2025, the OBOL token has been on the market only for a week. It’s currently trading at $0.2347, 38.3% lower than its ATH of $0.3801 on May 7, 2025, and 2.1% higher than its ATL of $0.2298, registered on May 13, 2025.

Long-term price forecasts for OBOL are mostly bullish. DigitalCoinPrice 

 of $0.79 in 2027 and $1.17 in 2030, while CoinCodex 

 at around $ 0.25 in 2027 and rise to $0.86 in 2030.

Given the token's minimal market history, future price determination for OBOL is a tentative exercise at the moment. Various market forces and industry developments can influence the token's price in the future, so always conduct your 

 before deciding to invest in OBOL or any other crypto token.

As the leading provider of a decentralized operator ecosystem, Obol stands out as one of the most essential decentralized infrastructure networks in the Ethereum ecosystem, offering a truly next-gen staking and validation system and contributing to better blockchain security. Obol's DVT-based model offers slashing-resistant nodes, and helps further decentralize Ethereum’s validator system.

Distributed validators are crucial not just for decentralization, but also for better performance and security. Unlike traditional validators, they democratize access to Ethereum staking by supporting restaking-based finance applications and smaller players in the niche. Among Layer 1 blockchains, Ethereum features some of the most onerous financial requirements in order to run a full validator node. Obol Collective solves this problem using its DV model, a true innovation within the world of Ethereum.

Advanced

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Obol Collective (OBOL): Coordinating trust through collective staking

This article explores Lorenzo Protocol, how its core technology works, the utility of its native BANK token and how you can trade it on Bybit.

Bitcoin, the world’s most successful original cryptocurrency, holds the largest crypto market capitalization. However, much of its vast liquidity remains separate from the diverse yield opportunities in 

. Lorenzo Protocol is designed to bridge this gap, aiming to transform BTC from a passive store of value into a productive, yield-generating asset for both institutional and retail users.

This article explores Lorenzo Protocol, its recent evolution into an institutional-grade asset management platform, how its core technology works, the utility of its native BANK token and how you can trade it on Bybit.

 is a decentralized asset management platform that’s building an institutional-grade financial layer for Bitcoin, aiming to unlock its vast liquidity for the DeFi ecosystem. Initially focused on helping BTC holders access yield through 

 its infrastructure with the introduction of its Financial Abstraction Layer. This strategic shift positions Lorenzo Protocol as an on-chain asset management platform that’s dedicated to tokenizing financial products and delivering sustainable, real yield.

The protocol's core mission is to advance a borderless global economy by enabling Bitcoin holders and other capital providers to earn yield without sacrificing their assets’ liquidity. It seeks to connect idle capital with diverse yield strategies, including staking and sophisticated trading opportunities, making these opportunities accessible through standardized, tokenized financial products.

Who are Lorenzo Protocol's founders and investors?

Lorenzo Protocol was co-founded by a team with strong backgrounds in finance and technology. Co-founders Matt Ye, Fan Sang and Toby Yu serve (respectively) as CEO, CTO and CFO. Their collective expertise guides the protocol's development and strategic vision.

The project has garnered support from a range of prominent investors. Key backers include YZi Labs, BNB Chain, Geekcartel, NGC Ventures, HTX Ventures, ArkStream Capital, Animoca Brands and Sats Ventures. As of May 12, 2025, Lorenzo Protocol has a DeFi 

Two core components power Lorenzo Protocol’s mission to bring institutional-grade financial products on-chain: the 

The Financial Abstraction Layer is Lorenzo's core infrastructure. It tokenizes centralized finance (CeFi) strategies and makes them usable within DeFi. The FAL packages complex operations, such as custody, lending and trading, into simple, tokenized products accessible via standardized vaults and modular APIs. This allows financial access platforms (like neobanks or PayFi apps) to integrate verifiable yield modules without building complex financial logic themselves. 

An example of a product powered by FAL is the On-Chain Traded Fund (OTF), which tokenizes yield strategies (fixed yield, principal protection, etc.) into a single tradable ticker, similar to traditional 

The Bitcoin Liquidity Layer specifically focuses on integrating BTC into DeFi. Recognizing that a vast amount of Bitcoin sits idle, this layer provides infrastructure for issuing various BTC-native derivative tokens. These include stBTC, a liquid staking token representing Bitcoin staked via 

 (WBTC) standard designed for seamless use across Lorenzo's ecosystem and DeFi. This layer aims to turn passive BTC into active capital for 

BANK is the native governance and utility token of the Lorenzo Protocol. It plays a crucial role in the ecosystem's operation and long-term alignment. The key use cases of BANK include:

As of May 12, 2025, according to CoinGecko data, 

The initial circulating supply was 20.25% of the total, with 8% of the total supply reserved for an initial community 

. BANK’s token unlock schedule is designed for long-term alignment, with no token unlocks for the team, investors, advisors or treasury in the first year post-

Bybit has recently expanded its offerings on its user-friendly and intuitive cryptocurrency exchange by 

. This allows traders to gain exposure to BANK's price movements with leverage.

The BANKUSDT Perpetual contract is featured in Bybit's Innovation Zone, which provides access to new and innovative token pairs. Users can trade this contract with up to 50x leverage.

You can trade the BANKUSDT Perpetual contract on Bybit once you have a verified account with deposited funds. Here's how to get started, in four simple steps:

Intermediate

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Lorenzo Protocol (BANK): Unlocking institutional Bitcoin liquidity and yield

In this article, we’ll dive into the Pundi X ecosystem and learn how each product works, examine the PUNDIX token and share how to trade PUNDIX on Bybit.

Pundi X, founded in 2017 by Zac Cheah and Pitt Huang, is a blockchain-based payment solution designed to simplify cryptocurrency transactions, making them as seamless as traditional retail payments.

With an ecosystem of tools like the XPOS point-of-sale device, XWallet mobile app and XPASS virtual card, Pundi X aims to bridge the gap between the digital and physical.

Pundi X is a blockchain-based payment solution aimed at making cryptocurrency transactions as straightforward as traditional retail payments. Founded in 2017, it bridges the gap between digital assets and retail, enabling consumers to buy, sell and spend crypto in physical stores.

The project initially launched with the NPXS token in 2018, later rebranding to PUNDIX in 2021 via a 1000:1 token swap intended to reduce supply and strengthen its brand identity.

Pundi X was co-founded in 2017 by Zac Cheah and Pitt Huang.

The project is backed by a mix of institutional investors and blockchain pioneers, supporting its mission to make crypto payments mainstream.

The Pundi X ecosystem is designed to make crypto transactions as seamless as traditional payments, bridging the gap between blockchain and retail. 

Pundi X Chain is a multichain blockchain network designed for high-speed, low-cost retail transactions. It’s optimized to support the Pundi X ecosystem, including XPOS, XWallet and XPASS, providing a scalable infrastructure for global merchants looking to integrate blockchain technology.

PUNDIX is the native utility token of the Pundi X ecosystem. It supports transactions, rewards and network security. Initially launched as NPXS in 2018, it rebranded to PUNDIX in 2021 with a 1000:1 token swap.

PUNDIX is available for trading on multiple leading exchanges, including Bybit, which recently listed the PUNDIX/USDT Perpetual contract with up to 25x leverage. This listing provides traders with enhanced flexibility for leveraged trading.

Trading PUNDIX on Bybit is straightforward. Simply use the following step-by-step guide:

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Pundi X (PUNDIX): AI-powered web3 payment ecosystem

In this article, we’ll take a look at the New xAI gork (GORK) token, which combines AI technology with the speculative nature of meme coins.

Two major narratives have dominated the crypto markets over the past year and a half: meme coins and artificial intelligence (AI). Meme coins appeal to the speculative nature of the market, and AI tokens appeal to anyone interested in the frontier of novel technology. 

 X account. Gork, a parody AI chatbot that was created to be a sarcastic version of Grok, Elon Musk’s ambitious xAI project, began as a tongue-in-cheek response to Grok’s mission to deliver “truth-seeking” AI. Instead of aiming for truth, Gork offers irreverent, Gen Z–style humor and calls itself a “minimally truth-seeking” chatbot.

The account quickly went viral and gained over 174,000 followers on X within two months. 

Following the success of GORK, multiple Gork-themed meme coins were launched in the web3 marketplace. One such token is NEW XAI GORK, launched on Apr 30, 2025 on the Solana blockchain. Though it has no affiliation with Musk, xAI or Gork, its branding helped the token become the biggest Gork-themed meme coin on web3. By the next day, its market cap had reached a peak of over $60 million, which slowly declined to $18 million by May 3, 2025. 

Elon Musk’s “Gorklon Rust” catalyst

Around the same time, Elon Musk changed the name of his X account to “Gorklon Rust,” blending the words “Gork,” “Elon” and “rust,” possibly nodding to the Rust programming language. Soon after that, all the Gork-themed meme coins soared in value, including New XAI GORK. 

GORK had a market cap of around $18 million when Musk renamed his account, and over the next 48-hours reached a market cap of $80 million — an increase of 340% over just two days. The project also witnessed strong growth in user volume and social media mentions during the same time.

All meme coins thrive on community enthusiasm and hype, and GORK is no exception. The biggest reason for the hype around GORK is Elon Musk and his posts concerning the Gork chatbot. This isn’t the first time Musk’s influence has pushed up the price of a meme coin. In 2019, Musk’s tweets about Dogecoin let to its price doubling within a month, and in 2023, Musk’s tweets about Shiba Inu resulted in the strong performance of 

However, traders must always be aware that meme coins are entirely speculative assets that are extremely volatile and lack intrinsic value. Therefore, GORK’s price is dictated by hype, making it vulnerable to abrupt crashes. In addition, hundreds of Musk-inspired tokens compete for attention in the crypto market, diluting GORK’s uniqueness over time. If Musk were to change his profile name back, it would likely lead to a decline in the price of the token. 

GORK is a Solana-based meme coin. The spot pair is available on major Solana 

. Traders interested in perpetuals can now access GORKUSDT on Bybit via its Innovation Zone. Bybit offers up to 12.5x for the GORKUSDT pair. Check out 

Follow these simple steps to start trading GORKUSDT on Bybit:

To learn how to trade USDT Perpetual contracts on Bybit, check out our simple guide 

Beginner

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New XAI gork (GORK): Elon Musk's Gork-inspired meme coin

Bybit Learn

Bybit Guide

In this article, we’ll look into Bybit Pay, how it works and provide you with a step-by-step guide to sending and receiving payments on Bybit Pay.

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 is a next-generation payment solution that enables users to send and receive crypto or fiat with just a few taps via QR code or internal transfer. Whether you're settling bills, splitting payments with friends or running a global business, Bybit Pay simplifies cross-border transactions within a secure and intuitive environment.

In this article, we’ll walk you through Bybit Pay, show you how it works and provide you with a step-by-step guide to sending and receiving payments on Bybit Pay.

 is a powerful payment service designed to connect your crypto wallet to real-world financial needs. Whether you're sending money to friends or making payments to merchants, Bybit Pay allows seamless transactions conducted in both crypto and fiat — all from within the Bybit platform.

Its mission is to bridge the gap between digital assets and traditional finance by enabling users to spend their crypto effortlessly, just like they do with cash. With support for currencies like BTC, ETH and USDT (and even fiat such as BRL), Bybit Pay turns your crypto into a practical tool for everyday payments.

Bybit Pay makes it easier than ever to use your crypto. Whether you're paying online, transferring funds to a friend or scanning a QR code in-store, Bybit Pay supports seamless payments in both crypto and fiat funds.

Bybit Pay simplifies spending both locally and globally.

Bybit Pay operates through two main methods: QR code payments and internal transfers. Users can scan a QR code to pay merchants or friends, or send funds directly using a phone number, email or Bybit UID. It supports both crypto and fiat, with seamless access via the Bybit app or website.

: While the Bybit Card functions like a debit card for in-store purchases, Bybit Pay enables direct wallet-to-wallet transfers and merchant payments, without any need for physical hardware. It’s faster, flexible and perfect for global digital transactions.

How to send crypto and fiat with Bybit Pay

Bybit Pay makes it easy to send crypto or fiat to other users or merchants. You can pay by scanning a QR code, or via internal transfer using a phone number, email or UID.

2. Choose your payment method, and enter the recipient’s email, phone number or Bybit UID.

Enter the amount you wish to send. Tap on the 

 to convert from fiat to crypto, if needed. Add a note (optional), avoiding special characters.

5. Review the details, and confirm your payment after completing two-factor authentication (2FA).

Once your funds are sent, your payment history is viewable at the bottom of the Bybit Pay screen or by tapping on the 

Bybit Pay makes sending crypto as easy as sending a message.

How to receive crypto and fiat on Bybit Pay

Receiving payments on Bybit Pay is simple and flexible. Users can receive crypto or fiat via either internal transfer or QR code, depending upon the sender’s preference.

The sender can use any of these details to transfer funds directly from their Bybit Pay interface.

Bybit Pay makes receiving crypto fast, flexible and borderless. The following is a step-by-step guide for requesting a payment using a personalized QR code — right from the Bybit app.

. This opens your personalized payment interface.

 to enter a fiat amount, and the amount will automatically convert to crypto.

: Your QR code updates in real time in order to reflect the specified details. Simply show it on-screen or use the 

: After the sender has completed the transfer, go to 

 to confirm receipt and track incoming funds.

Bybit Pay bridges crypto and traditional finance, offering seamless, secure and instant payments — all from one place. Whether you're sending or receiving crypto, or spending it globally, it’s never been easier to do. 

 today to experience secure, borderless crypto and fiat payments — right from your app or browser.

How to send and receive payment using Bybit Pay

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How to send and receive payment using Bybit Pay

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