DEV Community: Christopher Wells

WhiteBIT Crypto Lending: How I Let My Portfolio Earn $2,000 in Just 90 Days?

Christopher Wells — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 11:02:35 +0000

I used to sit glued to market charts and candlestick patterns, eyes burning red, chasing “that perfect entry point” to arbitrage or scalping a profit. Pathetic, right? But then I realized: there’s a far smarter, more algorithmically efficient way. In my case, that’s WhiteBIT Crypto Lending.

I’ve watched so-called “experienced” traders blindly following every social signal and market rumor on X, thinking they’re skilled enough to optimize portfolio alpha. Spoiler: most of them experienced liquidation or capital erosion. That’s why I, being more systematic, prefer to deploy capital strategically, letting the lending protocol handle yield generation instead of me manually trading.

A smart setup lets interest accrual mechanisms work quietly in the background. The protocol handles APY computations, capital allocation, and smart risk mitigation while I optimize higher-level strategy. It’s basically like a decentralized banking system, just without queues, KYC paperwork, or human intermediaries. The assets compound automatically. You don’t trade, you don’t manage drawdowns actively - you just observe the yield grow. But even though this tool makes earning largely algorithm-driven, real results go to those who stay sharp and analyze market liquidity, volatility, and asset fundamentals. Your profit depends on selecting assets with robust market depth. Coins showing stable growth and predictable volatility now: Bitcoin, Ripple, WBT Coin, Solana.

User Case: Diversifying USDT and BTC

Here’s the deal: While I was on vacation at the beach, I decided to take an emotional break and pause active trading operations. I had $58,000 and decided to put them into passive yield strategies. I diversified my portfolio so the capital could generate automated interest, while I relaxed, sipping whiskey.

• 70% BTC → fixed 13.88% on WhiteBIT Crypto Lending for 90 days - Bitcoin offers high market capitalization, low volatility, and predictable yield.
• 30% ETH → fixed 13.88% for 90 days - Ethereum adds growth potential and smart diversification.

Why this split? Ethereum provides predictable APY without active risk management, while Bitcoin maintains long-term bullish momentum and protocol stability. Result: after 90 days, my portfolio generated $2,000 in pure yield, with zero manual intervention. Just configure the term, deposit assets, and monitor accrual.

The whole process took mere minutes. No need to visit a branch, open additional accounts, or sign physical contracts. In today’s DeFi and crypto infrastructure, that efficiency is a key advantage. Our generation optimizes capital deployment instead of wasting hours in legacy banking workflows.

My Take: Top 3 Real Winners in Passive Income

Not all passive income products are protocol-efficient. I’ve seen plenty of “top-rated” products fail due to low liquidity, hidden fees, or underperforming APY. Here’s my take on the top three I’d allocate risk capital to:

WhiteBIT Crypto Lending
(fixed | flexible)

Rates: | USDT up to 18.64% | ETH up to 17.39% | BTC up to 17.39% |

Advantages:

It has the widest choice of fixed terms: 10, 20, 30, 90, 180, and 360 days;
Very convenient interface where everything is clearly structured by periods;
Individual crypto deposit plans are available. You can open them in several cryptocurrencies;
WhiteBIT stores 96% of assets in cold wallets, so crypto lending here is less risky than other trading methods.

Bybit Earn
(fixed | flexible)

Rates: | USDT up to 12% | ETH up to 6% | BTC up to 5.5% |

Advantages:

Supports a variety of cryptocurrencies for placement in Earn products;
Handy mobile app with real-time tracking of your earnings;
Offers advanced products like On-Chain Earn and Advanced Earn. Advanced Earn has some clever tricks - but honestly, it doesn’t hit the same sweet spot as WhiteBIT for me;
Transparent interest system, no hidden conditions.

Binance Earn
(locked | flexible)

Rates: | up to 10% APR |

Advantages:

Offers flexible and locked deposits, with options like Dual Investment and Soft Staking;
It’s more convenient for stablecoins and top-tier coins;
High liquidity: funds can be moved or withdrawn instantly;
Integrates nicely with the whole ecosystem, and offers flexibility - but when I want max returns with zero fuss, it’s still WhiteBIT all the way.

Takeaway

Being in crypto in 2025 and ignoring passive income is like owning a Ferrari but taking the bus. I don’t favor exchanges arbitrarily - I deploy capital where risk-adjusted returns are maximized: currently WhiteBIT Crypto Lending.

Sure, other platforms work if you’re okay with suboptimal APY. But consider the numbers: parking Bitcoin at 17.39% vs. 5.5% - why settle for less? For flexible vs. fixed: flexible for small sums, fixed for serious allocations. That’s how I roll.

How Gen Z Integrates Blockchain Into Daily Life?

Christopher Wells — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 08:15:26 +0000

Today, crypto for Gen Z - it’s like a toothbrush. Just a must-have. More than half (51%) of Gen Z respondents say they currently own crypto or have owned it before. That’s the highest percentage across all generations.

And since I’m part of Gen Z, I fully understand why our generation moves in this direction. But in everyday life, you still run into the other generation - millennials - who are far from blockchain. I recently saw a TikTok showing millennials heading to their laptops just to buy plane tickets. Well, apparently it’s “far too serious” to do it on a phone. Watching that, I realized that our generation is always looking for ways to make life easier, while others stubbornly stick to old habits, refusing to optimize even simple things in modern life.

Gen Z is already swapping assets on crypto exchanges, sending instant transfers across continents, and flexing with NFT drops like it’s their morning routine. They believe the real power isn’t in paperwork, but in the code. Watching this, you start wondering if your bank’s IT system is still powered by carrier pigeons.

How Gen Z Turns Crypto Into a Daily Habit?

While Gen Z pays the bill with a QR-code, millennials are still waiting for someone to bring them a paper menu.

MetaMask? Trust Wallet? Phantom? The young generation doesn’t have WhatsApp on their phones anymore - they’ve got a digital wallet. They’re buying merch from TikTok brands with stablecoins, selling travel photos on NFT marketplaces and paying with Bitcoin via virtual cards. Crypto exchanges for them are like “my bank” and “my other bank.” And if their transfers or payments aren’t instant - bye-bye. They’d rather use global crypto payment gateways like Binance Card, WhiteBIT Nova Card, or Crypto.com Card, because those are faster and better.

And to all those still underestimating crypto - meet Vitalik Buterin. The guy who created Ethereum and took crypto to another level. Just days ago, he became a billionaire again and now ranks among the top crypto billionaires, like Volodymyr Nosov, whose wealth is around $6–7 billion, Fred Ehrsam ($2.93 billion), and the Winklevoss Twins (each with $2.7 billion). So after that, you still think this generation is just TikTok and degradation? Think twice.

Bank Fees vs. Crypto Fees: How Gen Z Saves Money?

Transfers between crypto wallets usually have fees, but they’re way lower than bank payments:

For comparison, I took five different banks, such as Raiffeisen Bank, UniCredit, Barclays, UBS, and Misyon Bank. Depending on the type of transaction, their transfer fees range from 1% to 10%.
Regarding crypto transfers, I looked at Binance, WhiteBIT, Bidget, and Bybit, and on average the fees vary between 0.1% and 5% (for simple transactions often less than $1).

So, it's obvious that crypto is far from advantageous. And it’s not just about lower fees - crypto generally comes with extra perks, like fee discounts, referral programs, and VIP benefits. Basically, crypto is all about making life easier for people, and that’s its biggest win.

Top 5 Crypto Products Gen Z Likes the Most - My Personal Take

MetaMask
A crypto wallet - the very first tool in any young crypto user’s arsenal. Without MetaMask, you’re just a tourist in blockchain. Gen Z uses it because it gives access to all of DeFi, NFTs, and - most importantly - full control over their own financial decisions. With over 21 million active monthly users, this tool has become an inseparable part of the Web3 experience for the younger generation.

PancakeSwap (CAKE)
This is a decentralized exchange on BNB Smart Chain where you simply connect your wallet and start trading tokens instantly. In 2024, the platform even surpassed $310 billion in trading volume - a true DeFi revolution. That’s exactly why Gen Z loves it: it gives you complete control over your money without the boring formalities and the bank’s “And where did you get these funds?” interrogation.

WhiteBIT Nova Card
WhiteBIT Nova is a Visa card that converts crypto to fiat instantly, with up to 10% cashback and full Apple/Google Pay support. This is exactly what creates such a buzz among Gen Z. Perks like cashback and zero fees attract users and simplify their payment process. I can say this for sure, having tried the card myself. With over a million user transactions completed already, it’s clear this card is rapidly gaining popularity, creating competition across the entire global banking system.

OpenSea
OpenSea is like a giant Amazon marketplace - but for digital art, music, and all sorts of unique NFTs. Thanks to it, young people are literally turning digital pics into cash. In 2025, the platform launched OS2 - a refreshed interface, support for 19 blockchains, improved search, and a gamified reward system called Voyages, which led to a 44% increase in user activity and two million NFT sales. Gen Z hangs out here because it’s the perfect mix of simplicity and the chance to dive into the world of art, gaming, or music.

Bybit Earn
What does a smart Gen Z do with their crypto? They don’t just leave it in a wallet like your grandpa’s piggy bank. Bybit Earn is a platform for passive income - you invest, and the money grows on its own. 30% of young people aged 18–25 are already subscribed to similar services (I’m not part of this generation, but I’m in the game too). Waiting for the market to pump is just too boring - here, you’re making money while scrolling memes.

Takeaway

Turns out Gen Z is way smarter than everyone gives them credit for, right? They choose freedom, speed, and total control over their money, while the rest are still figuring out how to open a banking app. Instant payments, global transactions, QR codes - this isn’t sci-fi, it’s their everyday reality. And from my observations, I don’t envy millennials at all. Either they adapt, or they’ll be forced to. Gen Z moves too fast, so blockchain will soon be a part of everyone’s life.

Next Step Ahead: How Crypto-as-a-Service helps Business to Stay in Trend

Christopher Wells — Thu, 29 May 2025 07:40:08 +0000

In today’s fast-paced financial landscape, staying competitive means offering more than just traditional services. Today, the market shows us that more and more companies in the financial tech space are actively adopting solutions that once seemed futuristic.
Imagine launching not just a bank but a digital ecosystem where customers enjoy instant solutions, seamless platform integrations, and an exceptional user experience. From my experience working with neobanks and P2P platforms, 50% of all consultancy requests are now related to creating innovative products.
Neobanks, P2P platforms, and fintech companies must continuously innovate to attract and retain users.
One of the most powerful tools to achieve this is Crypto-as-a-Service (CaaS) — a seamless way to integrate cryptocurrency functionality into fiat-based platforms. Think of how Revolut revolutionized personal finance by embedding crypto features. Integration of CaaS is not rocket science and can be integrated into the business seamlessly and fast!

What Is Crypto-as-a-Service?

Crypto-as-a-Service enables financial institutions and fintech platforms to embed crypto functionalities directly into their products using a robust backend infrastructure.
As a person who monitored and advised a lot of partnerships with crypto exchanges and was a person of contact, I have tried and seen many variations of service and CaaS integration through crypto exchanges, the most outstanding in customer support and integration processes were Kraken, Coinbase and WhiteBIT. Through partnerships with established crypto exchanges, platforms can offer their customers a wide range of crypto services under their own brand — without having to build a crypto infrastructure from scratch.

How It Works: A Practical Example of WhiteBIT

I decided to move forward and select WhiteBIT for this case study because it stands out for its emphasis on customization, cost-effectiveness, and multi-industry adaptability, making it a great choice and example.
Apply at https://whitebit.com/crypto-as-a-service

Let’s say you're a digital-first bank or a P2P exchange. By integrating with WhiteBIT via API, you unlock a full suite of crypto capabilities:

**Crypto deposits and withdrawals to and from user accounts
Assessment: **Critically important.
Deposits and withdrawals form the foundation of any crypto operation. The ease and speed of these processes directly impact user satisfaction. Supporting popular networks with low fees and fast transaction times is in my opinion essential for staying competitive

Buy/sell crypto directly inside the platform
Assessment: Very important.
Integrating buy/sell functionality within the platform significantly improves convenience for users and reduces reliance on external services. This is crucial for customer retention and increasing trading volumes.

Secure storage of digital assets backed by a major exchange
Assessment: Critically important.
Secure digital asset storage backed by a reputable exchange is key to building user trust. Solutions supported by established providers like WhiteBIT or Coinbase minimize risks of hacks or fund losses.

Seamless wallet management for over 300 cryptocurrencies across 80+ networks
Assessment: Very important.
Supporting a wide range of cryptocurrencies and networks makes the platform versatile for users with diverse needs. This is particularly important for attracting advanced traders and investors who handle multiple assets.

Cross-chain support for receiving crypto in one network and withdrawing in another
Assessment: Highly important.
Cross-chain support simplifies operations for users, especially given the growing popularity of technologies like blockchain bridges. It addresses network compatibility issues and reduces transaction costs, enhancing user experience.

All of this can be white labeled, meaning your users enjoy under your own brand, while the exchange infrastructure works behind the scenes.

Key Benefits for P2P Platforms

P2P platforms thrive on liquidity, speed, and trust. CaaS gives you a competitive advantage by:
Enabling instant crypto-fiat exchanges, improving trade flow. Critical for user convenience and boosting trading activity by minimizing delays.

Offering multi-currency support (USD, EUR, PLN, CZK, TRY, UAH, and more). Expands market reach and enhances usability for a global audience.
Allowing users to send, receive, store, and convert crypto within your ecosystem. Simplifies user operations, making the platform a comprehensive crypto hub.
Increasing platform stickiness by becoming a one-stop-shop for crypto and fiat. Maximizes user retention by meeting all their needs in one place.

For example, P2P users can directly withdraw crypto to bank cards or deposit fiat to purchase crypto in real-time, boosting both transaction volumes and user satisfaction.

How can Neobanks benefit?

Neobanks already challenge traditional banks by offering online-only services. CaaS elevates this by:

Letting users open crypto wallets as easily as they open checking accounts
Enabling crypto investment with a few taps
Supporting crypto-fiat conversions within the banking app interface
Offering cross-network capabilities, removing barriers of blockchain complexity

This positions your neobank not just as a modern alternative, but as a future-ready financial ecosystem, delivering services your competitors can’t match yet.

Who Should Consider This?

I defined a rating of who is highly recommended to consider integration of CaaS, based on my personal success metrics and case study analysis of most successful integrations. Crypto-as-a-Service is a solution ideal for:

Neobanks
P2P exchange platforms
Electronic Money Institutions (EMIs)
Fintech startups
EMI-licensed wallets and mobile banks

Whether you’re a fast-growing fintech or an established EMI, integrating crypto functionality can diversify your services, attract a broader user base, and drive new revenue streams, all while staying compliant and secure.

80% of my clients ask me this – Definition of White Label Ready feature on WhiteBIT

One of the biggest advantages of CaaS WhiteBIT compared to the other crypto exchanges? WhiteBIT offers Crypto-as-a-Service as a White Label business solution, enabling your company to deliver it under your own brand and provide a seamless experience for your end customers. Which allows your customers to see your logo, your interface, and your service with enterprise-grade crypto infrastructure doing the heavy lifting behind the curtain. It integrates within web platforms and mobile apps, banking systems and e-commerce or financial dashboards and custom APIs.
Crypto-as-a-Service isn’t just a trend — it’s the next frontier for digital finance.

This product has huge potential in the B2B market because more companies want to add crypto services without spending a lot on building their own systems. It’s perfect for businesses that want to grow faster, keep customers engaged, and stand out in their industry. Whether you're running a P2P exchange or building a neobank, integrating crypto capabilities now puts you ahead of the curve, delivering the tools your customers expect and your competitors haven’t yet deployed.

Banks are waking up: Crypto integrations are saving traditional banks

Christopher Wells — Fri, 23 May 2025 12:02:13 +0000

Just five years ago, the idea of cooperation between crypto exchanges and traditional banks seemed far. One represented decentralization the other, stability and institutional structure. But times have changed and quickly. Today, banks that ignore the integration of crypto functionality aren’t just missing out on innovation - they’re risking becoming irrelevant and outdated.

As someone who’s reported on B2B fintech for over a decade, I’ve watched the arc of crypto’s evolution up close. From scrappy concepts to multi-billion-dollar financial rails. I’ve spoken to banking executives across Europe and the US. The consensus is becoming clear: integration isn’t a question of if - it’s a matter of when and how well you do it.

As digital finance accelerates, crypto is no longer just a curiosity. It’s becoming infrastructure. And for traditional banks, working with crypto exchanges is turning from an idea into a strategic necessity.

Most of the crypto exchanges are already in close collaboration with neobanks:

Kraken partnered with Bunq - https://thefintechtimes.com/bunq-partners-with-kraken-to-launch-in-app-crypto-investment-capabilities/

Bybit with MasterCard - https://cryptorank.io/news/feed/92c35-mastercard-teams-up-with-bybit-to-introduce-new-crypto-powered-debit-card

WhiteBIT collaborated with Misyon - https://crypto.news/whitebit-tr-partners-with-misyon-bank-amid-turkeys-rapidly-changing-crypto-landscape/

And many others have joined the trend recently or a long time ago already.

Banks and Crypto Aren’t Enemies. They’re Becoming Partners

With trillions in market capitalization and growing adoption among both retail and institutional investors, it’s clear that crypto is here to stay. Customers want to manage their finance and crypto assets in the same place. They expect flexibility, transparency, and 24/7 accessibility: features that traditional banking has long promised, but not always delivered.
That’s where crypto exchange integration comes in. Rather than building blockchain infrastructure from scratch, banks are increasingly partnering with exchanges to embed crypto services into their offerings.

What does crypto integration actually look like in banks? Integration in action

Secure storage. Banks are leveraging solutions from exchanges (or their institutional arms) to offer secure storage for cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, and even tokenized securities.
Direct integration.Through partnerships with exchanges, banks can allow customers to buy, sell, and swap crypto directly within their banking app.
Payment Processing. Exchanges need banking partners for fiat operations, and banks gain relevance by enabling seamless crypto-fiat conversions. It’s a perfect relationship.
Tokenization of Traditional Assets. Some banks are exploring tokenized versions of stocks, offering new levels of liquidity.

Why does it matter strategically for banks?

Retaining the Next Generation of Customers. Millennials and Gen Z are growing up with crypto as part of their financial reality. If banks don’t offer these services, they’ll lose customers to others that do.
Competition with the giants. Tech giants like Apple, PayPal, and Revolut are already integrating crypto features. To stay relevant, banks need to do more than just keep up.

New revenue opportunities. Integrating digital assets can unlock new revenue opportunities for banks.
Positioning as Innovation Leaders. Offering crypto functionality isn’t just about technology. It tells customers and the market: we’re evolving, we’re relevant and we’re here for the long term.

*Forward-thinking banks are no longer building walls. They’re building bridges. *

Crypto exchanges are proving to be some of the most valuable partners in that construction process. By integrating with crypto exchanges, traditional banks can transform themselves. More agile. More responsive. More aligned with what modern finance actually looks like.

The question is no longer whether banks will engage with crypto. The real question is: will they lead, or will they follow?

Rise of corporate exchange accounts: insights for businesses

Christopher Wells — Fri, 16 May 2025 12:36:29 +0000

As a business owner or a regular user, have you ever heard of crypto corporate accounts? If not - now is the perfect time!

Companies all around are starting to pay attention to how to integrate crypto solutions as cryptocurrencies keep pushing into financial systems. However as a professional, I rarely noticed companies integrating it into their services.

CFOs and institutional investors are now assessing once niche digital assets more and more. But opening a corporate account on a crypto exchange is one crucial first step for any company that is ready to go forward. Understanding corporate crypto accounts is no longer optional but more a must, especially when your business intends to interact with crypto for example for accepting crypto payments, or enabling trading. In a fast-paced financial ecosystem, this is a strategic action providing more security and efficiency.

What are corporate accounts on crypto exchanges?

A corporate account on crypto exchanges is the business equivalent of a personal treading one, but with enhanced features, mechanisms and flexibility that is tailored to business needs. Just like the regular instagram account compared to a business one, where it provides more tools for professional usage. Corporate accounts are offered by most major centralized exchanges (like Binance, WhiteBIT, Coinbase).

Apply at Coinbase: https://www.coinbase.com/institutional

_Apply at WhiteBIT: https://institutional.whitebit.com/ _

Apply at Binance: https://www.binance.us/institutions/account/create

(All screenshots are taken from official landing pages for a corporate account application)

Why do businesses need them?

For companies that are willing to take a step towards crypto solutions they may take such advantages into consideration:

Separation of personal and business funds. This makes managing taxes and reporting far more manageable and efficient.
Institutional access and liquidity. Corporate accounts unlock higher transaction limits and access to institutional liquidity pools.
Operational use. Possibility to make paying contractors more secure and safe whether its employee or customer payments.

What are the key features of a corporate account?

Multi user access with role management. Yes, you can add your team members with custom access control.
Higher Transaction Limits. Perfect for active funds and business operations.
Dedicated support from the crypto exchanges. Most of them provide personal support and a point of contact for guidance.
Advanced reporting tools. For history, reports, tax-ready documentation

What documents are essential to open a corporate crypto account?

- Company Registration Documents (recent):

Certificate of incorporation or business registry extract
Company charter or articles of association
List of directors and shareholders/beneficial owners

- Proof of Company Address (dated within the last 3 months):

Lease agreement, utility bill, or bank statement

- Director(s), Shareholder(s), Beneficial Owner(s) & Authorized Representative(s):

Passport or national ID
Proof of personal address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement within 3 months)

- Proof of Company’s Source of Funds:

Financial statements or audit reports
Business contracts or service agreements

- Proof of Beneficial Owner’s Source of Wealth (if required):

Tax return, salary slips, bank statements, dividend records, or asset sale contracts

- Board Resolution or Signed Authorization:

A document authorizing the representative to open and manage the account on behalf of the company

The digital asset landscape is no longer the Wild West.
It’s becoming a regulated, recognized part of the global financial system and more and more corporate crypto accounts are the gateway for businesses to participate responsibly and effectively.

Whether your company is exploring crypto for financial management, operational use or strategic investment, opening a corporate account is a foundational step. It not only protects your organization legally and financially but also positions you to take full advantage of what blockchain technology has to offer.

Everything you need to know about Token Listings in 2025

Christopher Wells — Wed, 14 May 2025 13:17:07 +0000

Wanted to create a listing but still have not? Lets break down the concept of listings, top platforms and their advantages and disadvantages to consider.

As a person who has performed analytics for a few leading companies of today, I have never touched the topic of listings and its importance until today. However, I find it crucial, especially for someone opening a world of business possibilities and crypto projects.

Listings refer to the inclusion of a crypto asset, such as a token or a coin on crypto exchanges. Just right after the company goes public, a crypto project seeks listing on a reliable platform with a positive reputation.
This step is crucial in legitimizing the asset and enabling broader access for traders and investors. They are often seen as milestones that signify growth, credibility and market readiness.

Why is it an important step for projects to list their crypto assets?
-Visibility and Credibility. Being listed on a reputable platform enhances credibility in the eyes of investors.
-Liquidity. Listings provide access to deeper markets and increased trading volumes.
-User Exposure. It allows millions of users to see the token.

*Lets take a look at the most common platforms to list a token: Gate.io, OKX, Bybit, Mexc, WhiteBIT and evaluate their user journeys. *

-Gate.io. Extremely fast application process. Advantage or disadvantage?
Token listing application link: https://www.gate.io/listing

The overall application is super fast due to the short number of fields to fill. Which can be considered as an advantage but at the same time disadvantage. The design is poor, I would say overall non-existent. All of the fields are lacking examples and clarification: what if I do not know how a token symbol should look like? Next steps are briefly left with “We will notify you by email” without any clarification of when and why. Overall, It is an easy application process that is intuitive and easy-to-follow, especially if you are a new user, however, it lacks clarity and explanation of what is going to happen next and when.

Lets discuss the criteria a bit further:

1.Application Form: 2/5 The shortness may seem like an advantage, the design and the overall user journey needs some serious work to be done.

2.Support during the process: 2/5 No transparency, no information or guidance why should your token be listed and how.

3.Marketing support: 2/5 There is very little information from Gate.io and online about the listings and the process.

Overall rating: 2/5

(Screenshot taken from official Gate.io new listing application form)

-OKX: Overly complicated UX, application within the application?
Token listing application link: https://www.okx.com/token-listing-apply

Nicely designed, clear interface. The process is divided into three parts and you can already see the next steps which provides us clarity about how it will go next. Again, lacking clarification and maybe examples of possible fields filling. On the other hand, the second step is a complete disappointment, a link to a poorly structured google form (see in the picture attached). It is not clear why they haven't integrated it into one application process within the website but decided to just paste a link inside the application form for another application form (google form), inconvenient for a user and also so confusing to later gather input. Much more questions than the last platform, however, many of them may seem irrelevant to the initial process.

Lets discuss the criteria a bit further:

1.Application Form: 3/5 The design is user centric and very initiative, if not the second step being published in a separate google form - a very smooth layout.

2.Support during the process: 2/5 No transparency, no information or guidance why should your token be listed and how.

3.Marketing support: 4/5 You can find a couple of posts and sections about the advantages of listing your token on OKX and even find a recently listed projects list.

Overall rating: 3/5

(Screenshot taken from official OKX new listing application form)

-ByBIT: The OKX clone?
_Token listing application link:_https://www.bybit.com/en/trade/spot/listing-apply

Almost identical structure to OKX, this time without the need of any google forms, which simplifies the process a lot and saves time!.The design is also very similar to OKX, simple, sharp and user friendly. A lot of irrelevant questions for a first application that are not backed by any clear guidance of information, for example: Token Ticker, FDV in USD ($) that usually require a bit more specification and clarity for users. Overall, very long and confusing to fill, especially if you are not an expert.

Lets discuss the criteria a bit further:

1.Application Form: 3/5 The design is user centric and very initiative, however none of the fields are specified, very confusing to fill.

2.Support during the process: 2/5 No transparency, no information or guidance why should your token be listed and how.

3.Marketing support: 3/5 You can find a couple of guides on how to list your token and a bit more information about new listings on the announcement page.

Overall rating: 3/5

(Screenshot taken from official Bybit new listing application form)

-Mexc: Perfect user-friendly solution.
Token listing application link: https://listing-mxc.com/application

Mexc has a middle sized application form that is overall readable and finally provides more clarity and examples that are especially useful for someone new to listings. For example: Token symbols like BTC. On the other hand, it is impossible to complete the form without registration or logging into the platform, which may take longer than expected and completely irrelevant to the token listing, especially for new users with a need to register and fill multiple forms for registration and then listing.

Lets discuss the criteria a bit further:

1.Application Form: 4/5 The design is user friendly and supportive.

2.Support during the process: 3/5 The process and each field are provided with practical examples and tips.

3.Marketing support: 3/5 You can find a couple of guides but less official information from MEXC

Overall rating: 3.5/5

(Screenshot taken from official MEXC new listing application form)

-WhiteBIT: The new transparency leader?
Token listing application link: https://institutional.whitebit.com/token-listing

The landing page is surprisingly different from the other platforms, provided with clear numbers and nicely designed visuals, explaining what types of listings are possible and explains their differences. Also describes the potential of the future listing and how beneficial it may be, which is quite appealing, then blends into the application form itself, which asks for the contact details and highlights the person who is in charge of the listings and will review your application, which adds to transparency and clarity. Then it is supported by the FAQ section right below, which answers not to a wide range of questions whether to the most crucial ones.

Lets discuss the criteria a bit further:

1.Application Form: 4/5 The design is user friendly and supportive, thoughtful design with a lot of sections and bright visuals.

2.Support during the process: 5/5 The process and each field are provided with practical examples and tips, a lot of transparency and reasons to list your token specifically here.

3.Marketing support: 4/5 You can find a lot of information about listings on the landing page and in the blog, supported by statistics and real examples

Overall rating: 4.5/5

(Screenshot taken from official WhiteBIT new listing application form)

What to choose then?: Is there a difference between an expert and a beginner?
In conclusion, the user journey for a token listing, especially for the new users may be complicated and frustrating on a couple of listed platforms above. Many of the platforms have shown critical disadvantages that are very hard not to notice, as well as some advantages that can vary depending on your project goals and personality, every platform has their own target audience. Choose wisely and let the best listing win!

Disclaimer: all of the ratings and analyses are subjective, arguments or notes would be more than appreciated!

Crypto Cools Off: Behind the numbers of Q1 2025 Market Dip

Christopher Wells — Fri, 02 May 2025 09:27:13 +0000

*Are you sick of looking at endless numbers in crypto reports and often consume too much time to make sense? *

Then this digest of Q1 2025 might be just for you, let's take a closer look at what's really behind the numbers and what has been happening in the crypto world for the first quarter of the year based on analytics and insights from CryptoRank, Coingecko, CoinMarketCap and WhiteBIT

For the cryptocurrency community, the first quarter of 2025 was quite turbulent. Many believed that the good times would continue after 2024's massive incline by the end of the year. The market, however, did quite the opposite, which was quite surprising for everyone in the community. The Market declines from its highest point. The total value of all cryptocurrencies reached its highest point ever at the beginning of January 2025, reaching $3.8 trillion.

But by the end of March, it had fallen to $2.8 trillion, a 19% decrease. Which could not be said likewise for last year. In March 2024 the global crypto market cap was significantly higher than in March 2025 and ended with a strong upward trend. This indicates that current investors either lost some of their enthusiasm, grew more cautious to lose their money or security, or began to take profits from last year.

If you bought the trend and skipped Bitcoin last year to buy a Hermes bag, congratulations - now you own an overpriced leather shape while Bitcoin briefly hit 106k dollars in early 2025. That Birkin may hold that lipgloss but Bitcoin held the headlines.

Bitcoin Sets a record as well before declining, Bitcoin (BTC) experienced a significant point when it hit a new all-time high of $106,182. After that, though, the price of Bitcoin dropped by about 11.8%, ending the quarter at $82,514. Despite its decline, Bitcoin gained even more clout and attention, stabilising its position and reminding everyone of its importance on the cryptomarket. Currently, Bitcoin takes up almost 60% of the whole cryptocurrency market. This demonstrates that people trust Bitcoin more than smaller cryptocurrencies during difficult times and tend to rely more on it, while quite the opposite is happening to the trend coins that started to lose their hype this year.

What about Ethereum, the coin that was nominated by many experts to be the next stable coin?

Ethereum performance was poor. Its value was nearly halved when its price fell from $3,336 to $1,805. The majority of Ethereum's 2024 gains were lost and the prognosed targets were not met. This created a massive discussion and perspective shift for many who had really high hopes for Ethereum to reconsider its future.

*Are meme coins still in trend? Dramatic fall: Trump and Melania coins
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Meme coins like Dogecoin or more recent ones, known as meme coins, also suffered greatly due to a significant scandal with Libra that shook trust of the users and made people to shift and rethink their perspective on memecoins. After that, the number of new meme coin creations fell by over 50%, meaning that memecoins are slowly falling off the trend and losing their hype, even Trump's and Melania's coins are not saving the situation and people are turning their backs to choose more stable options.

From FOMO to Caution: Trading activity drops and investors retreat from active trading

Additionally, trading activity decreased in comparison to late 2024. The spot trading volume on standard (centralised) cryptocurrency exchanges, such as Binance, dropped 16.3%, to roughly $5.4 trillion. Because prices were declining, people were trading less and growing more cautious. Meanwhile, an interesting development occurred on decentralised exchanges (DEXs), which are platforms where you trade without a middle company. Solana surpassed Ethereum, and it now accounts for about 40% of all decentralised trading. Many users prefer Solana because it provides quicker transactions and cheaper fees, which is quite surprising considering the leading position of Ethereum as a blockchain before. Meanwhile, despite the decrease, crypto activities such as: trading tournaments, airdrops and community driven events helped to balance the market by keeping high engagement allowing users to stay active without directly betting.

DeFi, which are decentralised finance apps that allow users to lend, borrow, or trade cryptocurrency, shrank drastically. The total value in decentralised finances, fell by roughly $49 billion, or 27.5%. This indicates that users may have switched to safer investments after removing a significant portion of their cryptocurrency from these apps. This again means that because of the previous year's ups and downs, investors became more cautious.

In conclusion, after the wild peaks of 2024, Q1 2025 was a period of cooling off and a time for many to rethink and stick to the stable and safe options or withdraw their investments. Bitcoin again proved its stability and leadership over altcoins, but it was still unable to prevent some losses. DeFi shrunk, trading slowed, and Ethereum and other coins lost their value. However, compared to a few years ago, the market is still much larger and healthier.