Core DAO has found itself at the center of multiple emerging sectors, most notably gaming, DeFi, and Bitcoin-backed finance (BTCFi). As of July 2025, Core ranks in the top 10 gaming blockchains globally.
According to DappRadar, it also holds a position in the top 5 EVM chains by daily active users, showing strong user interest and active protocol usage.
Moreover, Core DAO reports a significant rise in projects across NFT, SocialFi, and AI DeFi, marking this as one of the most dynamic phases in its development.
Core’s DEX trading volume surged to $71.17 million, setting a new high for 2025. Much of this growth is attributed to the rising interest in BTCFi and yield-bearing applications on the network.
NFT and AI Innovations Drive On-Chain Activity
Several dApp launches have added fuel to Core’s growth:
- ASX Capitalsold out its first RWA-backed NFT mint in under an hour. These NFTs offer a 7.2% projected APR, paid through real-world real estate income. This marks a major milestone in merging real yield with on-chain assets.
- Aida launched an AI-powered trading terminal and launchpad for AI tokens. With wallet and swap features baked in, it bridges AI and DeFi for a new class of retail and institutional traders.
- Corepound Vaults offer automated, structured yield strategies for SolvBTC holders, further optimizing Bitcoin DeFi performance.
- Vault Layer’s “Vaulter” introduces AI agents that autonomously manage BTC yield strategies using transparent, on-chain logic.
- Akka Finance introduced limit orders and real-time AI-powered analytics, giving users precision trading tools.
- In the Gulf Cooperation Council region, Nawa Finance has surpassed $40 million in total value locked. It’s the first Sharia-compliant BTC yield platform on Core.
Institutional BTCFi
BitGo and Koda, two major custodians, have joined Core’s validator set, boosting the network’s decentralization and security.
Meanwhile, BITS Financial, a decentralized Bitcoin lending protocol, has received investment from Core Ventures. BITS allows institutional borrowers to tap into BTC liquidity without issuing new tokens, and yields are paid directly in Bitcoin.
Developer Events and Hackathons Expand Global Reach
Core is investing heavily in developer education and onboarding. In June 2025, Core hosted IRL workshops in top Indian universities, in partnership with Hack4Bengal and Geeks of Gurukul. Students learned to build smart contracts and dApps directly on the Core chain.
Now, the Core Connect Global Buildathon is offering $1.2 million in prizes and up to $100,000 in AWS credits.
Additionally, Core is running IRL meetups in 12 cities globally, including Germany, Pakistan, Turkey, and France. These events offer project feedback, mentorship, and networking for early-stage teams.
Theseus Hardfork Brings Network-Level Upgrades
On June 25, Core activated the Theseus Hardfork, pushing version 1.0.17 live on mainnet. The upgrade brings critical enhancements:
- Better revenue-sharing mechanisms
- Improved transparency
- Upgraded developer tooling for custom gas workflows
All validators are now required to upgrade, reinforcing Core’s commitment to stability and performance.
Dual Staking Adjustments Tighten Ecosystem Alignment
Mid-June saw a change in staking tier ratios:
- Satoshi Tier: 29,000 CORE per BTC
- Super Tier: 10,875 CORE per BTC
- Boost Tier: 3,625 CORE per BTC
These changes are part of Core’s governance-approved efforts to improve long-term sustainability and preserve staking exclusivity. By increasing the CORE required, the network strengthens economic alignment between BTC and CORE holders.
Looking Ahead: lstBTC, CoreFi, and Ecosystem Expansion
The H2 2025 roadmap is packed with innovations that could reshape Core’s place in crypto:
- lstBTC: Liquid Staked Bitcoin will allow BTC holders to earn yield without sacrificing liquidity or security. This will replace the original coreBTC and give institutions more flexibility.
- CoreFi Strategy: A dual-staking approach inspired by MicroStrategy’s BTC accumulation model. Designed to increase capital efficiency.
- Stablecoin Integration: Platforms like Symbiosis Finance will support USDT and USDC swaps on Core, boosting DeFi accessibility.
- Hardware Wallet Support: CoolWallet Pro and Klever Wallet are enabling cold storage for Core assets, attracting security-focused users.
- Revenue Sharing & Local Fee Markets: These features will distribute protocol fees and dynamically optimize transaction costs based on network usage.
