1. Market Insights & Developments
Slot Auction Highlights
- Kusama: Anonymous team Parathread3348 secured the 135th slot auction.
- Polkadot: The 66th slot auction is underway, with decentralized identity protocol Litentry leading at 25.24% block production.
Web3 Foundation Grant Recipient: Pendzl
The Web3 Foundation announced Pendzl as its latest Decentralized Futures grantee—a smart contract library designed to streamline Polkadot development. Key features:
- Built atop OpenBrush v4.3.0 with ink! 5.0.0 compatibility.
- Simplifies complexity through pre-built functionalities.
- Encourages open-source collaboration among ink! developers.
👉 Explore Pendzl's technical roadmap
2. Controversy: Asset Hub vs. Parallel Chains
Moonwell founder Luke Youngblood critiqued Parity’s approach to stablecoin deployment:
- Centralization Concern: Asset Hub’s mandatory USDT/USDC integration potentially sidelines parallel chains like Moonbeam.
- Liquidity Issues: Lower stablecoin liquidity compared to other ecosystems.
Community Debate:
- Supporters argue Moonbeam should function as an Ethereum L2.
- Critics highlight Asset Hub’s unified asset management benefits.
3. Technical Upgrades & Governance
Parity Runtime Updates
Polkadot 1.2.0:
- Adds Snowbridge for Ethereum interoperability.
- Enables async backing on system parachains.
- Enhances Asset Hub swap functionality.
Kusama 1.2.0:
- Replaces auctions with Coretime Chain.
Treasury & Proposals
Polkadot:
- Referendum #581 for runtime v1.1.3 upgrade.
- Referendum #590 to remove nomination pool limits.
Kusama:
- Multiple proposals including bridge funding (#361) and fee adjustments (#364).
4. Ecosystem News
Key Announcements
| Project | Update |
|---|---|
| Celer Network | cBridge now supports Blast L2. |
| Crust Network | Partners with PINK for memecoin airdrops. |
| Manta Network | Launches Renew Paradigm V2 with multi-wallet support. |
| peaq | Raises $15M to expand DePIN ecosystem. |
5. Events Calendar
Upcoming Highlights
- Apr 6–9: Polkadot sponsors Hong Kong Web3 Festival.
- Apr 17: Gavin Wood to keynote Polkadot Pulse in Dubai.
- May 20: Polkadot Blockchain Academy opens in Singapore.
FAQ Section
Q: Why did Moonwell criticize Asset Hub?
A: Concerns over centralized stablecoin control and reduced parallel chain competitiveness.
Q: What’s new in Polkadot 1.2.0?
A: Snowbridge integration and enhanced Asset Hub swap features.
Q: How can developers contribute to Pendzl?
A: Submit proposals via its GitHub repository or join community discussions.