Ethereum-Compatible Monad Blockchain Secures $11.6M Funding for DeFi Liquidity Innovation

In a significant boost for decentralized finance (DeFi) infrastructure, Kuru Labs has successfully raised $11.6 million in a Series A funding round led by crypto venture capital giant Paradigm. The investment will accelerate development of a groundbreaking hybrid liquidity engine on Monad, a high-performance Ethereum-compatible blockchain. This development marks a major step forward in bridging centralized orderbook efficiency with decentralized AMM flexibility, potentially creating new opportunities for Ethereum's DeFi ecosystem. The participation of notable angel investors like Viktor Bunin and Zagabond underscores the industry's confidence in this innovative approach to solving liquidity fragmentation in DeFi markets.

Crypto VC Paradigm Leads $11.6M Round for Kuru Labs’ DeFi Liquidity Engine

Kuru Labs, a decentralized finance startup built on the Monad blockchain, secured $11.6 million in Series A funding led by Paradigm. The investment will fuel development of a hybrid central-limit orderbook and automated market-making system for Monad, a high-performance Ethereum-compatible chain.

The funding round attracted participation from prominent angel investors including Viktor Bunin and Zagabond. Kuru Labs aims to create Monad's premier liquidity hub, combining orderbook trading with decentralized exchange functionality while maintaining composability across DeFi applications.

Paradigm's continued support highlights institutional confidence in next-generation ethereum scaling solutions. The venture firm previously backed Monad's $225 million funding round, signaling long-term commitment to infrastructure development in the EVM ecosystem.

Vitalik Buterin Endorses Privacy-Focused GrapheneOS, Sparking Crypto Community Interest

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has publicly advocated for GrapheneOS, an open-source mobile operating system designed for enhanced privacy and security. His endorsement comes amid debates about the technology's capabilities and media representation, drawing significant attention from the crypto community.

GrapheneOS, formerly known as CopperheadOS, offers a suite of privacy-centric applications, including Vanadium—a Chromium-based browser—and hardware-backed security tools. The project explicitly excludes Google services, positioning itself as a decentralized alternative for tech-savvy users.

Buterin's influence highlights growing demand for infrastructure that aligns with Web3 values. While no direct cryptocurrency link exists, the narrative reinforces broader themes of decentralization—a cornerstone of ETH and similar protocols.

US Government Moves Seized Ethereum to Coinbase, Sparking Sell-Off Concerns

The U.S. government transferred 86.56 ETH, worth approximately $200,000, to a Coinbase Prime deposit address. The funds were seized in 2022 from Chase Senecal, an individual linked to NFT scams and digital asset fraud. A $10 test transaction preceded the full transfer, a common practice to verify wallet integrity.

Coinbase Prime is typically used by institutional entities to execute large trades with minimal market disruption. While the amount is relatively small, the MOVE has fueled speculation about broader government liquidation plans. Authorities have a history of selling seized crypto assets, often triggering short-term volatility.

Market participants are monitoring for potential follow-up transactions. The transparency of blockchain technology ensures such movements are publicly visible, creating immediate price sensitivity around government-controlled wallets.

U.S. Drops Tornado Cash Sanctions as Developer Roman Storm Prepares for Trial

The U.S. Treasury Department has formally ended its legal battle over sanctions against Tornado Cash, with the Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit approving a joint motion to vacate the case. This follows the Treasury's March decision to lift economic sanctions against the Ethereum-based crypto mixer. The government and advocacy group Coin Center agreed the case was moot after sanctions were removed.

Despite this resolution, Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Storm faces a separate criminal prosecution. His trial remains scheduled for next week in New York, underscoring the Department of Justice's continued focus on individual accountability in crypto-related cases. The outcome signals a nuanced shift in regulatory posture—while sanctions on tools may ease, enforcement against developers persists.

The Ethereum ecosystem watches closely as this case tests the boundaries of liability for open-source code contributors. Market observers note the decision could influence how regulators approach privacy-focused protocols moving forward.

US Government Shakes Up Crypto Scene with Ethereum Transfer to Coinbase

The U.S. government has sparked market speculation after transferring 86.56 ETH (worth approximately $200,000) from a federal wallet to Coinbase. Blockchain analytics firm Arkham Intelligence flagged the movement, noting a preceding $10 test transaction—a pattern often signaling an impending large-scale sale. While the exact motive remains unconfirmed, the transparency of blockchain ensures such actions never go unnoticed.

Historically, even modest government-led crypto transfers have exerted outsized psychological pressure on prices. The Ethereum market, already navigating volatility, now faces fresh uncertainty. "When official entities move digital assets, the market listens," observed one analyst. The transfer’s timing—amid fluctuating regulatory scrutiny—adds layers to its interpretation.