In a recent episode of 11AM with Seed Club, Saeed Badreg, CEO of Wormhole Labs, sat down to discuss the future of asset listings on Solana. The interview, shared via this tweet, dives into how Sunrise, a platform incubated by Wormhole, is making it seamless for assets from any ecosystem to hit Solana with immediate liquidity. This is big news for blockchain enthusiasts, especially those in the meme token space, where Solana's speed and low costs have already spawned a vibrant ecosystem.
The Sunrise Revolution: Listing $MON on Day Zero
Badreg kicks off by explaining how Sunrise enabled the listing of $MON, the token for the Monad blockchain, on Solana right at launch. Traditionally, new assets face fragmentation—small liquidity pools scattered across chains, making trading a hassle. But Sunrise changes that by leveraging Wormhole's Native Token Transfer (NTT) framework to bridge assets efficiently.
In simple terms, NTT allows tokens to move across chains while maintaining their properties, turning them into liquid assets on Solana almost instantly. Partners like lending protocols, DEXes, and even centralized exchanges such as Coinbase and Binance jump in to provide liquidity. The result? Over $80 million in trading volume in the first 24 hours for $MON on Solana, with nearly 7,000 holders joining the fray.
This isn't just tech wizardry; it's about solving real pain points. Asset issuers no longer need to jump through hoops or pay hefty fees to centralized exchanges. Instead, Sunrise handles the tech, go-to-market strategy, and liquidity orchestration, making listings as straightforward as connecting a wallet and trading.
Rethinking Cross-Chain Competition
One of the most eye-opening parts of the interview is Badreg's take on cross-chain dynamics. Forget the old mindset where blockchains compete by locking users in with their native tokens. Badreg argues for openness: "A nation can only grow economically if it's got ports and bridges." Monad listing on Solana exemplifies this—it's not about rivalry but creating interconnected economies.
Solana, often framed as the "NASDAQ of crypto," benefits from listing diverse assets, boosting its network effects. For meme token creators on Solana, this means easier access to tokens from other chains, potentially inspiring new hybrids or liquidity pools that fuel the next wave of viral memes.
Why Asset Issuers Are Eyeing Solana
Badreg emphasizes that all asset issuers—whether for tokens, equities, or commodities—will want to list on Solana. Why? It's got the users, the trading community, and the infrastructure to make assets "Lindy" (a term for enduring value). Sunrise lowers barriers, focusing on projects with real traction and community demand rather than extracting massive fees.
For meme tokens, this is a game-changer. Solana's meme scene thrives on hype and accessibility. With Sunrise, emerging memes from other ecosystems could launch on Solana, tapping into its massive retail base and turning niche ideas into global phenomena.
Valuing Blockchains and Tokens: An Economy Perspective
Shifting to valuation, Badreg views blockchains as economies: "How much economic activity can you generate, charging tax in your native currency?" It's about revenue generation, not just hype. As crypto matures, the bar rises—white papers aren't enough; you need real businesses.
This resonates in the meme token world, where value often stems from community and virality rather than traditional metrics. Badreg's insight suggests successful memes will be those that drive on-chain activity, perhaps through integrations enabled by platforms like Sunrise.
Wormhole's Broader Vision
Wormhole Labs isn't stopping at Sunrise. Badreg hints at more launches, including large, sought-after assets. Their goal? Increase economic activity across crypto by removing barriers. As an incubator, Wormhole supports builders with ideas, tech, and ecosystems—much like how Solana has become a hub for meme innovation.
If you're into meme tokens, keep an eye on this. Solana's ecosystem is set to explode with more cross-chain assets, potentially sparking the next big meme cycle. Follow Sunrise on X for updates on data and upcoming listings.
This interview marks a pivotal shift in crypto, where collaboration trumps isolation. As Badreg puts it, it's about building composable, permissionless tech that lets everyone win. For blockchain practitioners and meme hunters alike, the future looks brighter—and more interconnected—on Solana.