Merlin Chain (MERL) has skyrocketed in the past 7 days as this layer-2 chain for the Bitcoin blockchain has captured the market’s attention.
During this period, the token’s price has jumped by 123%, while trading volumes in the past 24 hours have exploded by 605%, currently accounting for 100% of the asset’s circulating market cap.
The Merlin Chain allows BTC holders to safely stake their tokens and earn an annual percentage yield (APY) that exceeds, by a long shot, what other similar protocols are currently offering.
At the time of writing, the Babylon Protocol, the largest Bitcoin (BTC) liquid staking solution by total value locked (TVL), offers an APY of 0.4%. Meanwhile, Merlin’s BTC staking rewards stand at 21%.
Data from its official website indicates that 76 BTC tokens (worth around $9 million) have been staked already through this solution. The first batch of staking rewards is scheduled to be released in October.
As the protocol continues to prove its safety, the demand for $MERL will likely increase. A successful and safe bid that unlocks Bitcoin’s untapped potential to generate passive income via staking, lending, and yield-farming could result in big gains for projects like Merlin Chain and Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER).
MERL Faces Stress Test as It Nears Former Supply Zone
$MERL is approaching a key resistance at around $0.45, from which the token retreated strongly in December last year.
If selling pressure ramps up as it gets there, that could anticipate a big pullback for the token in the near term.
However, positive momentum is strong for cryptos at the time as market conditions are favorable. The Federal Reserve’s decision to lower rates for the first time this year paired with the beginning of altcoin season could have set the stage for a strong boost in the price of niche tokens like $MERL.
Today’s strong volumes emphasize investors’ interest in this BTC L2. Safety concerns are probably the biggest hurdle to reaching mass adoption. If the protocol maintains a pristine track record and staking rewards are distributed as expected, the price of $MERL could skyrocket.
The first target for the token if that happens would be $1, meaning an upside potential of more than 200% in the near term.
The Relative Strength Index (RSI) in the daily chart has already reached overbought levels. Although this is a warning sign that signals an imminent pullback, it also means that positive momentum has surged rapidly in the past few weeks.
Hence, late buyers may get the chance to scoop up some $MERL at a lower price if they are patient enough to wait for a market correction.
Meanwhile, a top crypto presale called Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) will directly compete with Merlin Chain. This Bitcoin L2 offers higher staking rewards at the time and has already raised more than $17 million from investors in just a couple of months.
Bitcoin Hyper (HYPER) Brings BTC Into the World of DeFi
Bitcoin Hyper (HYPER) is designed to expand what holders can do with their BTC tokens by building a Solana-based protocol that lets them stake, lend, and earn yield without leaving the Bitcoin network.
The Hyper Bridge makes all of this possible. BTC tokens are sent to a designated Bitcoin wallet and users receive an equal amount on the Hyper L2 with near-instant finality.
This gives them immediate access to a full range of DeFi tools that can be used to generate passive income out of what was an otherwise unproductive investment.
$HYPER is the utility token that powers this L2. As more exchanges and wallets adopt the bridge, demand for the token will grow alongside the ecosystem. This could result in huge gains for early buyers, especially after the token is picked up by top exchanges.
To buy $HYPER at its presale price, visit the official Bitcoin Hyper website, connect your wallet, and swap SOL, USDT, or ETH – or simply purchase with a bank card.
