THORChain Prepares Monero Integration and Launches Native API for Builders
THORChain Prepares Monero Integration and Launches Native API for Builders
馃敁 Monero meets permissionless swaps
THORChain is weeks away from integrating Monero, enabling permissionless swaps into the privacy-focused asset without KYC requirements. Unlike centralized exchanges, THORChain will allow anyone to swap Bitcoin for Monero natively, with no intermediaries or wrapped tokens.
Key developments:
- Monero integration represents THORChain's most technically complex chain addition to date
- New Native API launched, giving wallets and aggregators direct access to swap functionality, asset quotes, and transaction tracking
- No third-party fees on the protocol-maintained interface
- All swaps remain transparent and traceable on-chain while maintaining permissionless access
The combination of native cross-chain swaps and censorship-resistant access positions THORChain as infrastructure for platforms seeking to offer broader asset coverage without identity layers.
Full integration guide: THORChain Native API
Monero is the most technically complex chain THORChain has ever attempted to integrate. Here is how the protocol is adapting to make it work. 馃憞
When Monero lands on THORChain, the yield potential could be significant. Here is why. 馃憞
Every wallet and aggregator routing through THORChain gets something most platforms cannot offer: native cross-chain swaps with no intermediary, no wrapped tokens, and no identity layer built in. That value proposition is about to expand. Monero is potentially weeks away from
THORChain Expands bRUNE Staking Cap 40x to 2 Million
THORChain is making yield more accessible by expanding bRUNE staking capacity from 50,000 to 2 million tokens. **Key changes:** - Powered by Rujira Network - Users can earn yield while maintaining liquidity - Access to node bonding rewards without technical complexity - No need for the traditional 300K RUNE requirement The expansion removes barriers to entry for earning passive income on the protocol. Users can now participate in node bonding yields through a simplified staking mechanism. [Learn how to stake bRUNE](https://blog.thorchain.org/brune-staking-cap-increased-to-2-million-how-to-stake-and-earn-thorchain-yield/)
THORChain ships v3.17.0 with 100+ improvements to security, swaps, and cross-chain reliability
THORChain has released **v3.17.0**, one of its largest protocol upgrades to date. The update includes: - Over 100 improvements across multiple areas - Enhanced security measures - Improved swap functionality - Better cross-chain reliability - Governance updates - Developer tooling enhancements The upgrade represents continued development momentum for the decentralized liquidity protocol. Full technical details are available in the [official blog post](https://blog.thorchain.org/protocol-upgrade-v3-17-0/).
THORSwap Launches Metro.exchange After 5 Years, Vultisig Crosses $100M in Swap Volume
**Major Milestones** - Vultisig surpassed $100M in total swap volume - Symbiosis reached $8B in cumulative cross-chain volume, routing through THORChain **Key Launches** - **THORSwap** celebrates 5 years by launching [Metro.exchange](http://Metro.exchange) - a next-gen DeFi app featuring native unified wallet, simplified UI, and user-first design. Open beta now live - **RujiraNetwork** hit $200k in total borrowed on RUJI Money Market, enabling KYC-free borrowing against BTC, ETH, DOGE, XRP and more. Also launched Custom Concentrated Liquidity on RUJI Trade - **SwapKitPowered** integrated Ballet Crypto, bringing fully decentralised cross-chain swaps to US users - **leodexio** released Rapid Swaps volume tracker at [thorvolume.com/rapid](http://thorvolume.com/rapid) - **THORStackAPI** shipped THORStack Elding as standalone binary for real-time THORChain event streaming in terminal
Zcash Goes Live on THORChain, Native Trading Launches Soon
**Zcash integration is now active on THORChain**, marking the start of native ZEC swaps across the decentralized liquidity protocol. **Trading timeline:** - Full trading functionality will roll out progressively over the coming weeks - Depends on node operators adding support - Bifrost scanning must go live before swaps begin **What this means:** Users will soon be able to swap Zcash natively without wrapped tokens or centralized intermediaries. This follows THORChain's recent momentum with Monero targeting mainnet in 1-2 months and Bittensor development ongoing. The integration represents another step in THORChain's expansion of privacy-focused asset support alongside its growing rapid swap volume and Protocol-Owned Liquidity improvements.