This article, the first in a three-part series, explores the landscape of traditional payment systems, from their historical origins to modern digital transformations.

This article will explore blockchain’s unique advantages in payments: how it opens up financial services to a broader audience and creates a transparent environment where different parties can collaborate efficiently. It will also examine the current state of crypto payments, analyzing both the challenges and opportunities in this emerging space.

The Fat Wallet Thesis suggests that as protocols and applications become "thinner," whoever controls the two most valuable resources—distribution and order flow—will gain more space. This article analyzes the arguments of this theory and examines the two revenue models for wallets: payment for order flow (PFOF) and distribution as a service (DaaS).

With giants like Paradigm, Uniswap, Kraken, and Sony successively launching Layer 2 solutions, competition in the Layer 2 sector has become increasingly intense. This article explores the narrative around new Layer 2s and analyzes the reasons behind the current battle among numerous chains.

Security-style applications are an area of opportunity for crypto because it is one of the few areas where the clients (governments, communities) are willing to pay up in an insurance-style manner (defense happily pays for redundancy much like aviation).

In light of the liquidity fragmentation issue in the current Rollup ecosystem, Based Rollups are widely regarded as an effective potential solution. Preconfirmation plays a crucial role in enhancing the user experience of Based Rollups.

This research report provides a detailed analysis of Solana's growth journey, from being hailed as an "Ethereum killer" to recovering from crisis challenges. It explores its technological foundations, current performance in L0/L1 competition, and ecosystem layout in tracks such as DeFi, NFT, and blockchain gaming. The report also focuses on Solana's advantages, opportunities, and potential risks, offering investment references for future investors across different tracks.

Ithaca is the first company in the industry to offer over 250 different option strike prices, including standard options, digital options, option strategies, long-term options, and structured products. The platform's unique feature is its auction-based matching engine, which allows for a higher number of trades to be executed from the same volume of orders compared to traditional auction systems. This flexibility helps users manage their risk exposure according to various market conditions.

Over Protocol has established a comprehensive blockchain ecosystem that introduces Ethanos data layering technology, integrates and adapts Ethereum’s Gasper consensus algorithm, and independently develops supporting infrastructure such as wallets, node clients, and an NFT marketplace. This ecosystem aims to make blockchain protocols accessible to everyone, allowing users to benefit directly from the network.

As an L1 DePIN public blockchain, Peaq Network is designed specifically for decentralized physical infrastructure (DePIN) and machine RWA (real-world assets). Its modular DePIN features facilitate the construction of various decentralized physical infrastructure projects. This article will delve into the Peaq project and its potential to meet the diverse needs of DePIN projects and applications.

Unlike traditional monetary policies such as adjusting interest rates, open market operations, or changing reserve requirements, Quantitative Easing (QE) and Quantitative Tightening (QT) are non-standard tools used primarily when conventional measures fail to stimulate or control the economy effectively.

This article explores the phenomenon of stablecoins in the cryptocurrency market, highlighting their role in reducing volatility risks. It offers a comprehensive overview of major stablecoins—including USDT, USDC, BUSD, DAI, TUSD, USDG, UST, USDe, PYUSD, and FDUSD—examining their pegging mechanisms, regulatory audits, and market performance. The article delves into stablecoins' applications in DeFi and their function as a safeguard against crypto market fluctuations. Emphasizing the pivotal role of stablecoins in the crypto economy, it advises investors to thoroughly understand their operational mechanisms before investing to ensure financial security.

Perpetual contracts are an essential derivative in the DeFi sector. Due to the lack of a fixed expiration date, these contracts have become a favorite among traders. This article provides an in-depth look at how perpetual contracts work, the operational framework of decentralized perpetual contract platforms, and the role of liquidity providers.

As blockchain technology rapidly evolves, privacy protection has emerged as a pressing issue. Aleo addresses the challenges of privacy and scalability, enhancing network security and sustainable development. This article delves into Aleo's technical advantages, application areas, tokenomics, and future prospects.

Near the end of 2024, blockchain payments suddenly accelerated. Many mainstream financial institutions have begun to increase their support for blockchain payments. What happened that caused blockchain payments to suddenly heat up? Will blockchain payment make a comeback and enter a rapid development track?