USDT Liquidity Shuffle: Lido Founder’s $85M Borrowing and Strategic ETH Movement
In a significant move within the decentralized finance (DeFi) space, Konstantin Lomashuk, founder of the liquid staking protocol Lido, has executed a high-value liquidity shuffle involving major DeFi platforms. On July 29, 2025, Lomashuk borrowed $85 million in USDT from Aave, a leading DeFi lending protocol. This substantial borrowing was followed by a transfer of $80 million to Amber Group, a prominent cryptocurrency trading firm, which subsequently deposited the funds on an undisclosed exchange. The transaction also triggered the withdrawal of 15,814 ETH, valued at approximately $59.75 million, indicating a strategic repositioning of assets. This maneuver highlights the growing interplay between liquid staking protocols and decentralized lending platforms, as well as the increasing sophistication of liquidity management strategies in the crypto ecosystem. The movement of such large sums underscores the confidence of major players in the stability and utility of USDT as a liquidity tool, even as it raises questions about the potential market implications of such sizable transactions. As the DeFi sector continues to mature, such strategic moves by industry founders may become more common, potentially influencing both market dynamics and protocol development in the space.
Lido Founder Moves $59.75M in ETH After $85M USDT Borrowing from Aave
Konstantin Lomashuk, founder of liquid staking protocol Lido, orchestrated a significant liquidity shuffle involving decentralized finance heavyweights. The founder borrowed $85 million in USDT from AAVE before channeling $80 million to Amber Group, which subsequently deposited the funds on an undisclosed exchange.
The movement precipitated a withdrawal of 15,814 ETH worth $59.75 million, signaling strategic repositioning during Ethereum's market fluctuations. Such large-scale maneuvers between DeFi protocols and institutional players underscore the evolving liquidity dynamics in crypto markets.
Plasma Secures $373M in Oversubscribed Token Sale for Stablecoin-Focused Blockchain
Plasma's public token sale concluded with $373 million raised, surpassing its target by sevenfold in one of 2025's most significant crypto fundraising events. Over 3,000 investors participated, with an average commitment of $83,000 per wallet, purchasing 10% of the total 1 billion XPL token supply.
The blockchain, designed as a Bitcoin sidechain with EVM compatibility, aims to dominate the stablecoin payments market. Its mainnet beta launches with a record-breaking $1 billion in stablecoin total value locked (TVL), featuring zero-fee transfers for Tether's USDT.
ECB Advisor Warns of Dollar-Dominated Stablecoins Threatening Euro's Standing
European Central Bank advisor Jürgen Schaaf has issued a stark warning about the unchecked rise of dollar-backed stablecoins, calling it a strategic threat to the eurozone's financial sovereignty. Tether (USDT) and Circle's USD Coin (USDC) now command 99% of the $150 billion stablecoin market, while euro-denominated alternatives languish below €350 million in combined value.
The ECB's monetary policy leverage faces erosion as these dollar-pegged instruments gain traction for payments, settlements, and even savings. Schaaf's analysis highlights the compounding risk of interest-bearing stablecoins diverting deposits from traditional banks, potentially constraining credit availability across European markets.
Countermeasures proposed include accelerated development of euro-denominated stablecoins, progress on the digital euro project, and leveraging distributed ledger technology for cross-border payment innovation. "Without decisive action," Schaaf cautions, "we risk witnessing the gradual marginalization of the euro in global digital finance."
