BSC News recently dropped some exciting updates on Core DAO, highlighting why things are looking up for the $CORE token and its role as a Bitcoin sidechain. If you're into crypto, especially Bitcoin-related projects, this is worth paying attention to. Let's break down the key stats and what they mean in simple terms, without getting too jargon-heavy.

Impressive Growth in Total Value Locked and Assets

Core DAO's Total Value Locked (TVL) sits at a solid $327.18 million right now. That's the total amount of assets locked into the network for things like staking and lending. Breaking it down, bridged assets (those moved over from other chains) make up $229 million, while native assets add another $75 million. This shows real confidence from users parking their crypto here.

On the staking front, nearly 240 million CORE tokens are staked, up from over 210 million earlier this year. Plus, Bitcoin staking is booming with 4,940 BTC locked in—that's worth more than $250 million. And get this: it's secured by about 75% of Bitcoin's hash rate, which is the computing power keeping the network safe. For anyone new to this, hash rate is like the muscle behind Bitcoin's security, so having that much backing Core DAO is a big deal.

Surging User Activity and Transactions

Weekly active users have crossed the 1 million mark, meaning a ton of people are interacting with the network regularly. Daily transactions? Over 300,000, which helps generate fees that reward the network. Low median gas fees under $0.01 make it super affordable—unlike some chains where fees can eat into your profits.

Decentralized Exchange (DEX) volume is another highlight, jumping 75.4% in the last week to $19.09 million. That's a 132% increase quarter-over-quarter in Q2 2025. If you're trading or providing liquidity, this growth points to more opportunities.

Staking Yields and Developer Boom

Staking on Core DAO isn't just about locking up assets; it's rewarding too. Yields range from 4% to 6% annually for dual staking Bitcoin and CORE, averaging around 5% for hardware-secured stuff. Dual staking grew massively from 45 million CORE and 5,000 BTC in April to 210 million CORE and 7,200 BTC by May. Part of the minted liquid-staked Bitcoin even goes back to buy and stake more CORE, creating a nice loop.

Developers are flocking here—over 250 active builders, with a 600% year-over-year spike. They added 2,000 new devs in 2024, and activity surged 827%. This means more apps and innovations coming down the pipeline.

DeFi, Gaming, and Stablecoins on the Rise

The stablecoin market cap is $5.81 million, mostly in USDT, up 2.4% weekly. Top DeFi protocols like Colend ($147.71 million TVL) and Pell Network ($34.58 million) are leading in lending and restaking. With over 116 protocols total, Core DAO is building a robust DeFi scene.

Gaming apps hit all-time highs, with seven major ones launching in just two weeks. Apps are pulling in about $4,600 in revenue daily, showing real-world use.

Partnerships and Innovations Fueling the Bullish Outlook

Core DAO's teaming up with big names like BitGo, KODA, Maple Finance, Copper, and Hex Trust for compliant dual staking, especially in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. Hardware integrations, like Ledger support for Bitcoin timelocking, open doors to 25% of Bitcoin in hardware wallets. Garden Finance lets you bridge Bitcoin in under 30 seconds—super fast.

Updates like the Rev+ protocol share fees with builders and stablecoin issuers, while the Theseus Hard Fork boosts developer incentives. There's a $100,000 accelerator for Bitcoin finance projects, Core Missions for onboarding, and a $200 million ecosystem fund with exchanges like Bitget and MEXC.

Why Core DAO Stands Out as a BTC Sidechain

What makes Core DAO promising? It taps into Bitcoin's rock-solid security via the Satoshi Plus consensus—mixing Delegated Proof of Work from Bitcoin miners with Delegated Proof of Stake using CORE tokens. You can stake Bitcoin non-custodially (no handing over control) and earn yields, all while fees stay low.

With Bitcoin's $1.2 trillion in dormant capital, Core DAO could unlock a lot more inflows. It's supporting over 100 dApps in DeFi, gaming, and NFTs, making it a go-to for BTCFi (Bitcoin Finance). If you're eyeing ways to put your Bitcoin to work without selling, this sidechain looks set for big things in 2025.

For more details, check out the full article on BSC News. Keep an eye on $CORE— the numbers don't lie!