Deep Dive
1. Lock & Boost Staking Upgrade (7 July 2025)
Overview: This update, following the approval of UIP-9, redesigned the staking reward system. It directly ties the yield users receive to the length of time they commit their tokens.
The new "Lock & Boost" mechanism introduces four lock-up periods: 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Each tier offers a multiplier on the weekly USD0 revenue rewards, with a 12-month lock granting an 8x boost. This shifts the protocol from simple distribution to incentivizing long-term alignment.
What this means: This is bullish for USUAL because it encourages holders to commit for longer periods, which can reduce selling pressure and create a more stable, committed community. Users who lock their tokens for a year can earn significantly more real yield.
(Usual)
2. USD0 Integration with Fluid Protocol (19 May 2025)
Overview: This integration deployed a USD0/USDC liquidity pool on the Fluid DeFi protocol. It leverages Fluid's "relending" architecture to optimize capital efficiency.
The key innovation allows liquidity deposited into the pool to simultaneously earn returns from trading fees (via the AMM) and from lending activities in other protocols. This creates a dual-yield source from one deposit.
What this means: This is bullish for USUAL because it makes providing liquidity for its stablecoin, USD0, more attractive and profitable. Higher yields can draw more capital into the ecosystem, supporting growth and utility for the entire protocol.
(CoinMarketCap)
3. Record $16M Bug Bounty Launch (2 April 2025)
Overview: Usual launched a $16 million bug bounty program in partnership with security firm Sherlock, surpassing Uniswap's previous record. The bounty specifically targets critical vulnerabilities that could lead to permanent loss or freezing of user funds.
The program follows over 20 security audits and a prior audit contest. It has strict criteria, only rewarding bugs that demonstrate confirmed, long-term risks in realistic exploit scenarios, not theoretical issues.
What this means: This is bullish for USUAL because it demonstrates a serious, proactive commitment to protecting nearly $1 billion in user funds. A record-breaking bounty attracts top security researchers, making the protocol more resilient and building greater trust with users and institutions.
(CoinJournal)
Conclusion
Usual's development trajectory is strategically focused on strengthening core protocol pillars: locking in long-term community commitment through enhanced staking, expanding stablecoin utility via strategic DeFi integrations, and fortifying security with industry-leading safeguards. How will these foundational improvements influence its adoption curve in the competitive stablecoin landscape?