Balancer

**Balancer has approved BIP-887**, officially disabling v2 pool factories and making v3 the only platform for new pool creation. **Key Changes:** - No new v2 pools can be created - Existing v2 pools remain operational but migration to v3 is recommended - v3 offers better gas efficiency and enhanced security **What's Affected:** - WeightedPoolFactory disabled - ManagedPoolFactory disabled - NoProtocolFeeLiquidityBootstrappingPoolFactory disabled **What Continues:** - veBAL system unaffected - Partner integrations maintained - Gyro eCLP pools still deployable (separate factories) - Migration support available This transition concentrates activity on v3 for improved security and resource efficiency. [Read full proposal](https://forum.balancer.fi/t/bip-887-transitioning-to-balancer-v3-disabling-v2-pool-factories/6874)

**Balancer has opened community discussion on redistributing recovered funds** from the November 3rd V2 exploit that initially stole $94.8M. **Key Recovery Details:** - $45.7M total protected/recovered through coordinated response - $4.6M recovered by whitehat hackers under SEAL framework - $19.3M protected through emergency pool pauses - $21.8M recovered by StakeWise DAO emergency operation **Proposed Distribution Framework:** - Pool-by-pool reimbursement rather than socializing losses - LPs must actively claim recovered funds (no airdrops) - Proportional distribution based on positions at exploit time - Only applies to pools where funds were actually recovered **Technical Background:** The exploit targeted V2 Composable Stable Pools through rounding errors in exact-out swaps, affecting pools across Ethereum, Arbitrum, Base, Optimism, and Polygon. **Balancer V3 remains completely unaffected** due to its different architecture. **Next Steps:** - Community feedback period on [forum proposal](https://forum.balancer.fi/t/rfc-distribution-of-rescued-funds-from-balancer-v2-november-3rd-2025-attacks/6883) - veBAL governance vote required for final approval - Claiming process details to be announced - Continued law enforcement coordination for remaining funds Balancer emphasizes transparency and user-centric approach throughout the recovery process.

**StreamDefi** has launched four new StableSurge pools on Balancer v3, bringing their $265M+ TVL and delta-neutral strategies to **Plasma, Arbitrum, and Avalanche**. **Key Features:** - **StableSurge hooks** maintain tight pegs through dynamic fee adjustments - Penalties for destabilizing trades, rewards for rebalancing trades - **100% boosted pools** earn lending yield while providing liquidity - Delta-neutral strategies offering **8-18% APY** with zero directional risk **Live Pools:** - [xUSD/USDT on Plasma](https://balancer.fi/pools/plasma/v3/0x694c009aa31b3f80ee18c218b02390ca2d7151e7) - [USDC/xUSD on Arbitrum](https://balancer.fi/pools/arbitrum/v3/0x7c60989d5e663836cf688f2bacf12a1208ae11b7) - [mevUSDC/xUSD on Avalanche](https://balancer.fi/pools/avalanche/v3/0x9dfdf58e1624cba507d0a38059e85eeab74f3b6b) - [BTC.b/xBTC on Avalanche](https://balancer.fi/pools/avalanche/v3/0x345e9afe5dd68237541993e5e2b9a87367ed91b7) The partnership focuses on **sustainable returns** rather than unsustainable incentives, combining Stream's proven strategies with Balancer's peg-protecting technology. Explore pools at [balancer.fi](http://balancer.fi)

**Plasma Protocol achieved over $100M in Total Value Locked (TVL) within just 24 hours of deployment.** Key highlights: - Protocol launched and immediately attracted significant capital - Liquidity flows directly into Aave vaults to boost yields for liquidity providers - Aave simultaneously reached $4B+ TVL during the same period The rapid adoption demonstrates strong market demand for the protocol's yield-boosting mechanism. By channeling funds into established Aave infrastructure, Plasma creates additional earning opportunities for participants while leveraging proven DeFi protocols.

Balancer is hosting their weekly office hours to discuss two key developments: - Insights and impressions from DappCon Berlin - Updates on the upcoming Readjusting Concentrated Liquidity AMM (reCLAMM) The community session will provide firsthand ecosystem updates and allow participants to ask questions directly. Join the discussion on [Discord](https://discord.com/channels/638460494168064021/930442359932600380). *Previous office hours have covered Balancer V3 developments and ecosystem updates.*

The Balancer Alliance program is now live, allowing protocols to earn swap fee shares by committing to long-term alignment. **Key developments**: - Rocket Pool joins, bringing deep rETH liquidity and ongoing DAO collaboration - Lido strengthens partnership, focusing core liquidity on Balancer - Protocols must convert fees to 80/20 BAL/WETH and lock as veBAL - Program connects governance rights with protocol commitment The Alliance structure emphasizes DAO-to-DAO cooperation and sustainable liquidity, particularly suited for Liquid Staking Tokens.

Balancer has unveiled a redesigned veBAL interface aligned with Balancer V3's visual identity. The update focuses on improving the user experience for $BAL token holders who participate in governance. Key features: - Streamlined process for locking $BAL tokens - Simplified gauge voting interface - Enhanced pool incentives visibility - Calendar integration for vote tracking The new interface maintains core governance functionality while reducing friction points. Users can access all veBAL features at [balancer.fi/vebal](https://balancer.fi/vebal). This update follows recent DAO initiatives to optimize liquidity, including deactivating inactive v2 gauges and boosting incentives for high-performing pools.

Balancer V3 launches MEV-Cap Hook, a new feature that redirects Maximal Extractable Value (MEV) back to liquidity providers. The system works by dynamically adjusting pool fees based on priority fees paid by MEV bots on OP Stack chains like Base and Optimism. Key features: - Higher priority fees trigger higher dynamic pool fees - Captured value stays within the pool - Works across all pool types, not just ETH pairs The mechanism allows MEV bots to operate while ensuring value flows back to LPs instead of leaking out. Currently live on Base, with plans to expand MEV protection offerings through collaboration with CoW Protocol.

Balancer V3 introduces a new boosted pool featuring MiCA-compliant stablecoins $USDR and $USDQ, with initial TVL of 1M. Key features: - Powered by Morpho Labs and curated by Steakhouse - 100% LP liquidity redeposited into lending markets - Enhanced yields through lending incentives - Fully compliant solution for business operations The stablecoins are issued by StablR ($USDR) and Quantoz ($USDQ), designed for both on-chain and off-chain financial solutions. Learn more: - $USDQ: [Quantoz](https://quantozpay.com/eurq-usdq/) - $USDR: [StablR](https://stablr.com/usdr)

Balancer v3 is launching a new Priority Fee Router on Base in Q1 2025, introducing a mechanism to redistribute MEV rewards to liquidity providers. - The system taxes high-priority transactions and shares fees with LPs - Creates new revenue stream for liquidity providers - Reduces sequencer MEV dominance The innovation draws inspiration from Paradigm's research on priority fees. Implementation aims to create a more equitable distribution of transaction fees in the DeFi ecosystem. [Read the full research](https://medium.com/@mikeisballin/mev-internalization-through-priority-fee-taxes-coming-to-balancer-v3-on-base-q1-2025-f20b3e1b7295)