Deep Dive
1. Protocol Sunset (2022)
Overview: RenVM, Ren’s core cross-chain bridge, was sunset in late 2022 after Alameda Research (its parent company post-2021 acquisition) collapsed during the FTX bankruptcy. The protocol’s reliance on Alameda-operated multisig custody rendered it non-functional when trust evaporated.
What this means: Neutral for REN, as the protocol is no longer operational. The token survives as a legacy asset but lacks utility tied to active infrastructure.
2. Garden Finance Launch (2023)
Overview: Former Ren developers launched Garden Finance in 2023, positioning it as a decentralized successor with 30-second BTC atomic swaps. However, on-chain investigators revealed ties to North Korean laundering and $540M+ in illicit flows from Ren’s 2020–2025 operations.
What this means: Bearish for REN’s reputation. Garden’s October 2025 $10.8M exploit and ongoing regulatory scrutiny further diminish prospects of a meaningful revival.
3. Exchange Delistings (2024–2026)
Overview: Major exchanges like Binance (December 2024), Bitvavo (December 2024), and KuCoin (December 2025) delisted REN, citing compliance risks and low liquidity. KuCoin’s January 2026 withdrawal closure signals fading institutional confidence.
What this means: Bearish for liquidity. With 25%+ price drops during delisting events (e.g., -29.78% on INDODAX in October 2025), traders face heightened volatility risks.
Conclusion
Ren’s roadmap effectively concluded with its 2022 shutdown, while its successor grapples with security failures and regulatory baggage. Monitoring on-chain activity for Garden Finance’s recovery attempts could signal sporadic volatility, but the original vision of decentralized cross-chain BTC appears abandoned.
How might lingering community efforts reshape Ren’s legacy in a multi-chain future?