Wormhole Token ($W)

The team at @union_build is launching its zero-knowledge interoperability L1, with TGE right around the corner

Sharing project introduction and overall thesis below

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Overview:
• Zero-knowledge (ZK) interoperability L1 that settles cross-chain liquidity and connects protocols across ecosystems → Without the need for bridges or centralised entities
• Design ensures sustainable growth, deep ecosystem alignment, and reduced liquidity fragmentation

ZK ELI5: ZK proofs allows for a system or architecture to prove a transaction is valid without revealing all the data → validators knows the transaction is legit, without needing to see the inputs

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Use Case
Most interop protocols rely on multisigs or oracles which may create attack surfaces

By using ZK proofs instead, this enables:
• Trust-minimized swaps & routing
• Lower risk of vector attacks
• Auditable bridging for institutions

So far, the union team has already partnered with top BTCFi partners (including @SolvProtocol, @Lombard_Finance), with over $50m in TVL + $100m committed

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$U Token
Main usage would be to verify proofs, run light clients, and configure cross-chain routes.

Tokenomics
• 10B genesis supply, with ~1.9B circulating (19%) at launch.
• ~60% to community incentives, eco growth

Envisioned Flywheel: Protocols, relayers, provers buy $U to operate → Validators stake $U to secure the network and earn rewards → Token demand grows with activity and onchain activity

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Personal Thoughts
Union’s ZK-first model is a differentiated approach in a vertical dominated (e.g., $ZRO, $W, and $AXL)

However, traction and success heavily depends on builders adopting it and liquidity flowing at scale.

Will users or developers care enough that it’s zero-proof vs. oracle/multi sig-based?

The team has found early success in BTCFi but keen to see if this can be replicable in a larger scale across more verticals to sustained onchain activity

Disclosure: Content developed in partnership with team, all thoughts are my own

The intersection of BTCFi and ZK-powered interoperability is a narrative that cannot be ignored.

@union_build is positioning itself at the center of this shift by:

• Leveraging ZKPs for secure, scalable cross-chain infra
• Building specialized infra for BTCFi via BSN + Babylon integration
• Unlocking governance and liquidity opportunities across ecosystems

If BTCFi is the next growth engine, @union_build might just be the standard that powers its rails.

Zkgm 💪

Biggest volume since listings, buy-side momentum, stable price while market dips

$W-like ranges will look like easy buys in hindsight once BTC lets coins run again

Well, @union_build is finally here, and the listing date is just around the corner!

But let's explore why @union_build truly matters in the Interop race.

Interoperability has consistently been one of blockchain's toughest challenges. Projects such as LayerZero, Axelar, and Wormhole have advanced the narrative; however, most still rely on off-chain actors, oracles, or MPC setups.

But Union follows a different path. As a ZK interoperability Layer-1, it uses zero-knowledge cryptography to facilitate liquidity and settlement across various execution environments, without relying on trusted intermediaries.

In simpler terms, Union is a new type of blockchain that allows many blockchains to exchange money and information directly. It employs smart math (zero-knowledge technology) to ensure transactions are private, secure, and do not require middlemen such as banks or exchanges."

This distinction goes beyond the technical; it significantly enhances security and decentralization on a large scale.

We've been engaging with its testnet for a while, resulting in over 325 million testnet transactions and 97% of foreign TVL on Babylon Genesis being routed via Union.

As they progress, they've partnered with various projects, including Berachain, Arbitrum, Sui, Sei, and many others, with a $50 million TVL already active within BTCFi protocols.

After a long wait, they've introduced $U, the native utility token of the network. Unlike speculative governance coins, $U is essential to the core mechanics of interoperability:

- Gas: Used by relayers, provers, or chains for crucial actions like aggregating proofs or managing connections.

- Fee Market: Prioritizes cross-chain operations for efficient and fair processing.

- Staking: Validators and users stake $U to secure the network, earning fees and rewards.

- Revenue Alignment: Products like Auro BTC add value back to the ecosystem.

Regarding tokenomics, contributor and investor tokens are locked for 12 months following the TGE. Staking rewards for insiders are also locked and lent to the Foundation for ecosystem incentives, preventing early sales.

Additionally, 8% of $U is reserved for upcoming airdrop seasons, with unclaimed tokens being rolled forward.

Now, $U will exist alongside ZRO, AXL, and W. Instead of relying on middlemen (such as banks or custodians), Union utilizes zero-knowledge proofs. That could be its biggest advantage, especially as large financial institutions start investing in Bitcoin finance and the broader DeFi space.

Now, we will wait for its launch and see how much of a difference it will make in the market.

Kong knows exactly how undervalued $W is here

Price has been consolidating for way to long, a matter of time before we see it explode upwards

Especially considering how much the team has been delivering 🤝

I won't shut up about $W until we get back to $0.18 which is more than a 2x pump from here.

Perfect HnS set up.
Loads of liquidity to grab there.
Tons of bullish news everywhere.
Most of CT still unaware.

$W just jumped +3.62% ($14.5M mcap boost) after the u.s. department of commerce chose @wormhole to power cross-chain data delivery for official economic stats via pyth network. government-grade adoption hitting different. @coinbureau called it perfectly - tradfi and crypto rails converging faster than expected

BTCFi is emerging, TVL on Bitcoin network has significantly surged since Oct 24 and remained at above $7b for almost a year.

This TVL helps Bitcoin to rank the 3rd among the DeFi network.

Some believe that zK has no connection to BTCFi, but @union_build may change your perspective on that.

▸ Briefly on Union - The Next-gen ZK Interop Layer

@union_build is an interop Layer 1 powered by zero-knowledge proofs (ZKP).

Union uses zk proofs to enable trustless and efficient movement of assets and data across ecosystems.

Why an interop layer?

As you know, countless L1s, L2s, and app-chains have led to significant fragmentation.

➜ A reliable interop infra is vital. Some may argue that current interop protocols can address these issues, but they often share a common concern - security.
▸ The advantages of ZK tech
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ICYMI, current interop technology relies on third parties to verify the messages and validate transactions.
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This can pose a significant problem if messages are exposed.
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➜ ZKPs enable one party to prove the validity of data without revealing the data, ensuring privacy.
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Additionally, ZK-based systems are faster, more secure, and more scalable, making them ideal for handling cross-chain activity on a large scale.
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Check out the comparison table of the current interoperability market.
▸ Major products of Union
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Besides the common use cases of an interop infra, Union stands out with these functions:
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- Cross-chain governance: allows users to stake in a chain’s governance module from connected chains without transferring their tokens.
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➜ This increases the opportunity to keep your assets on your favorite network, enhanced by LSTs within the ecosystem.
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- Specialized BTCFi Infra (Bitcoin Supercharge Network - BSN): integrating with @babylonlabs_io to route nearly 98% of all BTC LST volume into Union.
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➜ This sets up a foundational position of Union in BTCFi.
▸ The current stats
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@union_build is still in the testnet phase with notable metrics:
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+ over 325m testnet transactions
+ over $50m in TVL bootstrapped
+ upcoming $100m committed from top BTC staking protocols, including @Bedrock_DeFi, @Lombard_Finance, and @SolvProtocol
+ a wide range of partners integrated: Berachain, Polygon AggLayer, Celestia, Babylon, Arbitrum, Sei, Avalanche, and Sui
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And as per my last post, $U tokenomics is out with @UnionFDN. Here're what you shouldn't miss about the use cases:
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+ Gas fee on Union: for ZK proof generation and verification
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+ Consumed for light nodes managing and updating
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+ Staked when a new route established
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More at:
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Thus, the flywheel of $U is explained below:
▸ Final take
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@union_build, with their announcement of $U tokenomics, is accelerating the path to the Union mainnet.
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The solid foundational factors behind Union are ZKPs and BTCFi.
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Thus, we strongly believe Union will establish a new standard in securing interop.
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Let's see.