Deep Dive
1. Solana & TRON Integration (August 2025)
Overview: THORChain will integrate Solana (via EdDSA cryptographic support) and TRON, enabling native swaps for SOL, TRX, and TRC-20 tokens like USDT. This follows the Q2 2025 roadmap, which prioritized expanding cross-chain liquidity.
Impact: Bullish – Opens access to $32B+ in TRON-based stablecoins and Solana’s high-speed ecosystem, likely increasing swap volume and RUNE utility.
2. 2-Second Block Times (Q4 2025)
Overview: A network upgrade aims to reduce block times from ~6 seconds to 2 seconds, improving arbitrage efficiency and user experience.
Impact: Neutral/Bullish – Faster settlements could attract high-frequency traders, but success depends on maintaining security during throughput spikes.
3. RUJI Apps Expansion (2026)
Overview: Rujira, THORChain’s App Layer, plans to launch an AI trading agent, NFT marketplace, and BTC-backed stablecoin, per its Q3 2025 roadmap.
Impact: Bullish – Enhances THORChain’s DeFi moat by adding programmable use cases (e.g., leveraged trading) while isolating risk from the base layer.
4. EdDSA Signing Support (Q1 2026)
Overview: EdDSA (Edwards-curve Digital Signature Algorithm) support will simplify integrations with TON, SUI, and Cardano, as noted in dev updates.
Impact: Bullish – Reduces technical barriers for new chain integrations, accelerating multi-chain dominance.
5. Deflationary RUNE Burns
Overview: Since February 2025, THORChain has burned RUNE using swap fees (0.01% of system income), making it deflationary. Over 60M RUNE were burned in 2024 alone.
Impact: Bullish long-term – Scarcity could offset selling pressure from node operators, but depends on sustained swap activity.
Conclusion
THORChain is doubling down on cross-chain liquidity (Solana/TRON), speed (2-second blocks), and DeFi innovation (Rujira) while tightening RUNE’s supply. The network’s pivot to fee-driven sustainability and modular app development positions it as infrastructure for a multi-chain future.
Will protocol-owned liquidity and RUJI’s growth offset competition from centralized bridges?