Quick Take

• OFAC deletes Tornado Cash from the SDN list.

• Rainbow wallet releases a token launcher.

• MegaETH releases its public testnet.

• Aragon introduces modular governance tools.

OFAC Removes Tornado Cash Sanctions

The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has officially removed Tornado Cash smart contract addresses from its Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list, lifting sanctions on the privacy tool. OFAC has also taken Tornado Cash developer Roman Semenov and the protocol’s TORN token off the SDN list. The action follows a recent ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, which overturned the Treasury’s sanctions on Tornado Cash smart contracts. OFAC initially sanctioned Tornado Cash on August 8, 2022, citing its use by North Korea’s Lazarus Group to launder stolen funds from the Ronin Hack. Despite the victory, prosecutors have not dismissed their case against Tornado Cash developer Roman Storm.

Rainbow Releases Token Launcher

Rainbow, a browser and mobile-based Ethereum wallet, introduced a token launcher, allowing users to create and deploy their own tokens across 12 EVM-compatible chains supported by Rainbow. Users can upload a logo, choose a ticker, and name their token to launch instantly. The tool also includes an airdrop feature, enabling users to distribute tokens to their Farcaster followers. The Rainbow token launcher is built on Optimism’s SuperchainERC20 token standard, which ensures tokens remain portable across multiple chains within the Superchain, eliminating the need for multiple bridged asset versions. Rainbow also unveiled its Phase 2 launch, following the introduction of Phase 1 in December 2023.

MegaETH Public Testnet Launch

MegaETH, an EVM-compatible Layer 2, launched its public testnet for all users. The testnet features 20,000 TPS throughput, 1.7 gigagas/s performance, 1-second block times, and 10ms mini-blocks, which are lightweight, high-frequency blocks that enhance transaction processing while maintaining the same security. Unlike Base’s Flashblocks, MegaETH’s mini-blocks do not rely on TEEs. The network also introduces elastic block production, where blocks are only created when transactions exist, optimizing efficiency. As part of its testnet launch, MegaETH airdropped testnet ETH to over 190,000 wallets, allowing users to explore the network.

Aragon Modular Governance Tools

Aragon, a leading DAO infrastructure provider, launched its modular governance tooling platform, empowering organizations to create and distribute value. With the Aragon app, organizations can now deploy custom governance models tailored to their specific needs, balancing autonomy, accountability, and streamlined decision-making while minimizing bureaucracy. Built on the Aragon OSx framework, the platform features a no-code design, optimistic governance proposals, security councils, emergency upgrade mechanisms, and legal integrations. In a future release, Aragon plans to introduce universal token voting, crosschain governance, gasless transactions, and council elections.

Bitwise Seeks Staking ETH ETF

Bitwise is seeking approval to enable staking in its Bitwise Ethereum (ETHW) ETF. On Thursday, the New York Stock Exchange Arca (NYSE) submitted filings to the SEC, requesting staking permission for the Spot Ethereum ETF.  It marks the fourth ETF seeking ETH staking approval, following 21Shares, Grayscale, and Fidelity, which all filed similar requests in recent months. Bitwise Ethereum ETF currently holds nearly $200 million in AUM.

Other News

• ACDC #153 Recap

• Pectra potential mainnet dates

• 2025 Ethstaker survey

• Tally supports EFP profiles

• Lighthouse v7.0.0-beta.4 release

• Teku v25.3.0 release

• Lodestar v1.28.0 release

• Conduit chains process 2 billion txs

• Chainsafe’s Holesky retrospective

• Status v2.33 release

• L2 interop updates

• SEC on PoW mining

• Aztec $150k grant applications

• Uniswap approves unleashed

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