Latest Orca (ORCA) News Update

By CMC AI
03 February 2026 12:23AM (UTC+0)

What is next on ORCA’s roadmap?

TLDR

Orca's development continues with these milestones:

  1. Wavebreak Platform Enhancements (August 2025) – Ongoing improvements and new features for the human-first token launchpad based on user feedback.

  2. Treasury Buyback & Staking Initiative (August 2025) – A passed governance proposal to use DAO funds for ORCA buybacks and validator staking over 24 months.

  3. ORCA Token Staking Launch (September 2025) – Introduction of a staking mechanism to provide a second value stream for ORCA holders.

Deep Dive

1. Wavebreak Platform Enhancements (August 2025)

Overview: Orca's Wavebreak is a "human-first" token launchpad on Solana designed to combat sniper bots using CAPTCHA and on-chain permissions. Following its launch, the team has been actively working on daily improvements and new features based on community feedback from Discord and top Wavebreak communities (Orca). The commitment is to optimize for human users and share updates as they are deployed.

What this means: This is bullish for ORCA because enhancing Wavebreak could attract more fair launches to Solana, increasing platform usage and trading fees that accrue to the treasury and token holders. The risk is that competing DEX launchpads may implement similar anti-bot features, diluting Wavebreak's first-mover advantage.

2. Treasury Buyback & Staking Initiative (August 2025)

Overview: A governance proposal passed in August 2025 authorized the Orca Council to use up to ~55K SOL from the DAO treasury to fund ORCA buybacks and stake in an Orca validator node over a 24-month period (Orca). According to Blockworks, 30% of protocol fees are allocated to fund these buybacks.

What this means: This is bullish for ORCA because it creates a direct, ongoing buy pressure and reduces circulating supply, potentially supporting the token price. It also aligns the protocol's success with its validator security. The bearish risk is that buyback execution depends on sustained protocol revenue, which could fall if trading volumes decline or competition intensifies.

3. ORCA Token Staking Launch (September 2025)

Overview: Staking for the ORCA token was slated to launch in September 2025, as reported by Blockworks. This was designed to create a second near-term value accrual stream for token holders, complementing the buyback initiative.

What this means: This is bullish for ORCA because staking provides a reason for holders to lock up their tokens, reducing sell-side pressure and encouraging long-term alignment. However, its success depends on attractive rewards, which are tied to protocol fee generation. If rewards are insufficient, staking participation might be low.

Conclusion

Orca's immediate roadmap has focused on executing its buyback program, launching token staking, and refining its Wavebreak launchpad—initiatives all aimed at strengthening value accrual and user fairness. The key question now is whether these mechanisms can sustainably drive adoption and revenue in a highly competitive Solana DEX landscape.

What are people saying about ORCA?

TLDR

Orca’s community is split between bullish protocol moves and bearish technical corrections. Here’s what’s trending:

  1. Governance proposal for DAO-funded buybacks and staking sparks bullish bets

  2. +70% price surge linked to yield/buyback mechanism fuels speculation

  3. Analysts flag 25% drop but see reversal potential if key support holds


Deep Dive

1. @orca_so: Treasury Buybacks Proposal Bullish

"Authorizing 55K SOL (~$9.9M) for ORCA buybacks and validator staking."
– @orca_so (189K followers · 6.3K likes · 2025-08-06 20:23 UTC)
View original post
What this means: This is bullish for ORCA because buybacks reduce circulating supply while staking rewards could attract long-term holders. Passing the proposal would directly tie protocol revenue to token demand.


2. @genius_sirenBSC: 70% Rally on Buyback Hype Bullish

"ORCA up 70% as new yield/buyback mechanism goes live. Resistance at $2.1 critical."
– @genius_sirenBSC (77.8K followers · 476 likes · 2025-11-27 09:54 UTC)
View original post
What this means: Bullish sentiment is driven by expectations of deflationary pressure from buybacks, though the token must hold $1.5 support to sustain momentum.


3. AMBCrypto: 25% Drop Tests Key Support Mixed

"ORCA drops 25% but finds buyers at $1.22–1.04. Reclaiming $1.57 could signal rebound."
– AMBCrypto (Published 2025-11-28 00:00 UTC)
View article
What this means: Neutral-to-bearish short-term as sellers dominate, but rising CVD and 50.49% long/short ratio suggest accumulation at lower levels.


Conclusion

The consensus on ORCA is mixed, balancing bullish protocol developments (buybacks, LsSOL integration) against bearish technical retracements. Watch the outcome of the governance vote (ends ~2025-08-11) and whether ORCA holds the $1.22–1.04 support zone. A break above $2.60 could validate bullish narratives, while SOL’s price action may indirectly sway sentiment due to treasury exposure.

What is the latest news on ORCA?

TLDR

Orca's recent developments focus on ecosystem expansion and liquidity enhancements. Here are the latest updates:

  1. STKESOL Integration (20 January 2026) – SOL Strategies’ liquid staking token launches on Orca, boosting Solana DeFi utility.

  2. OOB Payments Partnership (12 November 2025) – Orca enables crypto Tap & Pay via Visa/Mastercard with OOBit.

  3. Wavebreak Launchpad (29 July 2025) – Orca's anti-bot token platform prioritizes human users.

Deep Dive

1. STKESOL Integration (20 January 2026)

Overview: SOL Strategies launched STKESOL, a Solana-based liquid staking token allowing users to earn staking rewards while maintaining liquidity. Orca is among the first platforms to integrate it, alongside Kamino and Squads.
What this means: This is bullish for Orca because it expands DeFi utility, attracts staking-focused users, and deepens SOL-based liquidity pools, potentially increasing protocol revenue. (SOL Strategies)

2. OOB Payments Partnership (12 November 2025)

Overview: Orca integrated OOBit’s Tap & Pay solution, enabling crypto payments at 100M+ Visa/Mastercard terminals directly through its platform.
What this means: This is neutral to positive for Orca as it bridges crypto and traditional payments, enhancing real-world utility but dependent on OOBit’s adoption trajectory. (Orca)

3. Wavebreak Launchpad (29 July 2025)

Overview: Orca launched Wavebreak, a "human-first" token launchpad using CAPTCHA and on-chain permissions to prevent bot sniping during new token listings.
What this means: This is bullish for Orca because it addresses a key DeFi pain point (bot dominance), potentially attracting fairer launches and increasing platform activity. (Blockworks)

Conclusion

Orca’s strategic integrations—liquid staking, payment solutions, and bot-resistant launches—strengthen its role in Solana’s DeFi ecosystem. Will these innovations translate to sustained user growth amid rising competition?

What is the latest update in ORCA’s codebase?

TLDR

Orca's codebase focuses on developer tools and anti-bot mechanisms.

  1. SDK Deprecation Warning (17 July 2023) – Legacy pools replaced by Whirlpools SDK.

  2. Wavebreak Launchpad (29 July 2025) – Anti-bot CAPTCHA integration for fairer token launches.

  3. Liquidity Pool Updates (18 January 2026) – Enhanced Solana token liquidity via Orca integration.

Deep Dive

1. SDK Deprecation Warning (17 July 2023)

Overview: Orca deprecated its legacy TypeScript SDK for older liquidity pools, urging developers to migrate to the new Whirlpools SDK for upgraded features.

The deprecated SDK supported Orca’s original automated market maker (AMM) pools, while Whirlpools introduced concentrated liquidity ranges for capital efficiency. Developers must update integrations to avoid disruptions, as legacy pools are no longer maintained.

What this means: This is neutral for ORCA because it prioritizes long-term technical robustness over backward compatibility. Developers gain access to better tools, but migration efforts may temporarily slow ecosystem expansion.
(Source)

2. Wavebreak Launchpad (29 July 2025)

Overview: Orca launched Wavebreak, a Solana token launchpad with CAPTCHA and onchain permissions to block sniper bots.

The codebase update bundled anti-bot logic into transaction validation, preventing automated front-running during token launches. Early data showed ~25,000 bots blocked in the first two days, including during DeFiTuna’s token generation event.

What this means: This is bullish for ORCA because it strengthens Orca’s role as a fair-launch hub, potentially attracting more projects and traders to its ecosystem.
(Source)

3. Liquidity Pool Updates (18 January 2026)

Overview: Projects like $FUJI deepened liquidity on Orca’s pools, with boosted incentives for LPs.

Code adjustments improved compatibility with third-party token launches, allowing projects to lock liquidity directly via Orca’s interface. This contrasts with platforms like PumpSwap, which lack locking features.

What this means: This is bullish for ORCA because higher liquidity reduces slippage for traders, making the DEX more competitive against rivals like Raydium.
(Source)

Conclusion

Orca’s code updates emphasize developer adaptability, fairness, and liquidity depth – aligning with Solana’s high-speed DeFi ethos. While SDK changes demand effort, anti-bot innovations and LP upgrades position ORCA as a core infrastructure player. How will Whirlpools’ adoption rates shape Orca’s market share against concentrated liquidity rivals?

CMC AI can make mistakes. Not financial advice.