Latest Cetus Protocol (CETUS) News Update

Deep Dive

1. OKX Delists CETUS Futures (24 December 2025)

Overview:
OKX removed CETUS/USDT perpetual futures on December 26, requiring traders to close positions. The exchange cited routine reviews but didn’t specify reasons, though low liquidity and risk factors likely contributed.

What this means:
The delisting reduces derivatives exposure for CETUS, potentially impacting short-term speculative trading. However, spot trading remains available, and the protocol’s core liquidity on Sui is unaffected. (CoinMarketCap)

2. Cetus Box Launch (25 December 2025)

Overview:
Cetus introduced "Cetus Box," a suite of analytics and liquidity management tools for Sui DeFi users. The release coincided with a 1.8% 24-hour price bounce but faces adoption challenges post-May 2025’s $223M exploit.

What this means:
Improved UX could drive protocol fees and CETUS demand if usage grows. However, trust rebuilding remains critical after the hack, which erased ~50% of CETUS’ value in 2025. (TradingView)

3. CETUS Drops 11.6% (7 January 2026)

Overview:
CETUS fell 11.6% in 24 hours on Binance Futures, flagged as a “Top Loser” amid thin liquidity (24h volume: $3M). The drop aligns with a 15% derivatives volume decline across crypto markets.

What this means:
The sell-off reflects lingering skepticism about Sui DeFi’s stability and CETUS’ role as its primary DEX. Traders are watching for sustained recovery beyond the current $0.027 price. (Adanigj on X)

Conclusion

CETUS balances innovation (Cetus Box) with post-hack fragility, while exchange dynamics add volatility. The token’s 90-day drop of 49% underscores the uphill battle. Key question: Can Sui’s DeFi growth offset CETUS’ liquidity and trust challenges in 2026?

Deep Dive

1. @Adanigj: CETUS Binance Futures plunge bearish

"Cetus Protocol (CETUS) went down 11.6 percent [...] one of the Top Looser today"
– @Adanigj (1,170 followers · Jan 7, 2026 05:53 AM UTC+0)
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What this means: This is bearish for CETUS because the sharp drop signals ongoing selling pressure and weak short-term sentiment, especially among leveraged traders. The "Top Loser" tag may trigger further panic selling.

2. CoinMarketCap Community: $223M exploit shakes Sui DeFi bearish

"$CETUS dropped over -40% [...] following reports of an exploit [...] causing major liquidity loss and panic selling."
– Post (May 22, 2025 04:42 PM UTC+0)
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What this means: This is bearish for CETUS because the exploit eroded trust in Cetus' security and Sui's DeFi infrastructure, leading to capital flight and long-term reputation damage despite partial fund recovery.

3. @CetusProtocol: Relaunch & product surge bullish

"2025 Q2 [...] Cetus relaunched stronger – backed by a comprehensive upgrade. Major Product Launches: Cetus Tide, Binance Wallet integration"
– @CetusProtocol (473,786 followers · Jul 17, 2025 09:05 AM UTC+0)
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What this means: This is bullish for CETUS because swift recovery post-exploit and strategic product rollouts demonstrate operational resilience, potentially driving user growth and fee revenue.

Conclusion

The consensus on CETUS is mixed, balancing bearish technical pressure against bullish fundamentals from its post-exploit rebuild. Watch Sui ecosystem TVL and CETUS trading volume for signs of sustained recovery versus lingering distrust.

Deep Dive

1. Compensation Token Unlocks (Monthly until June 2026)

Overview: Following the May 2025 exploit, Cetus allocated 10% of its token supply (10M CETUS monthly) to compensate affected users. These tokens unlock linearly each month starting June 10, 2025, with the final distribution scheduled for June 10, 2026. As of January 2026, 7 unlocks have occurred, leaving 5 remaining (Feb-Jun 2026), each releasing ~0.83% of total supply. Source

What this means: This is bearish for CETUS because monthly unlocks increase sell pressure (~$222k per unlock at current prices). However, it demonstrates commitment to users, which could rebuild trust long-term. Monitor claim rates and token retention.

2. New Product Development (TBA)

Overview: Post-relaunch, Cetus pledged to "accelerate new product development" including enhanced security infrastructure, real-time monitoring tools, and expanded DeFi utilities. While no specific timelines exist after January 2026, the team’s August 2025 tweet hinted at "massive" upcoming features for Sui DeFi. Source

What this means: This is neutral-to-bullish; successful launches could boost trading volume and TVL, but delays or vague timelines risk eroding confidence. Key catalysts would be protocol-owned liquidity solutions or novel LP mechanisms.

Conclusion

Cetus Protocol's immediate roadmap prioritizes fulfilling compensation obligations through mid-2026 while laying groundwork for new DeFi utilities – a balancing act between trust-recovery and innovation. How might Cetus leverage Sui’s scalability to differentiate its next product suite?

Deep Dive

1. Security Overhaul (May 2025)

Overview: A vulnerability in the math_u256::checked_shlw function allowed infinite LP minting, leading to a $223M exploit. Post-attack, Sui validators deployed emergency transaction controls and code patches.

Technical details: The overflow flaw enabled attackers to manipulate liquidity pool pricing. Post-fix, Cetus introduced real-time threat monitoring and stricter input validation. A $6M white-hat bounty program was launched to incentivize vulnerability reporting.

What this means: This is bullish for CETUS because enhanced security reduces future exploit risks, though the incident initially eroded trust. Users benefit from safer LP positions and faster emergency response protocols. (Source)

2. Open-Source Transition (June 2025)

Overview: Cetus fully open-sourced its codebase post-relaunch, enabling community-driven audits and collaborative improvements.

Technical details: The move included publishing smart contracts for its Concentrated Liquidity Market Maker (CLMM) and compensation system. Third-party audits by OtterSec and Halborn were conducted, with plans for continuous review cycles.

What this means: This is neutral-to-bullish – transparency builds trust but exposes code to scrutiny. Developers gain tools to build atop Cetus, potentially expanding its ecosystem utility. (Source)

3. Aggregator Route Expansion (August 2025)

Overview: The Cetus Aggregator added FullSailFi’s dynamic fee pools, optimizing slippage and liquidity depth.

Technical details: The update introduced new routing algorithms that compare prices across DEXs and liquid staking protocols. It reduced average swap slippage by ~15% for large trades.

What this means: This is bullish for CETUS because better execution attracts more traders, increasing protocol fees and token demand. Users get tighter spreads, especially for LST assets like stSUI. (Source)

Conclusion

Cetus has prioritized security and transparency since its 2025 exploit, while iterating on its core swap infrastructure. The protocol’s shift to open-source and Aggregator enhancements position it for sustainable growth on Sui.

How will CETUS balance decentralization with security as it scales?