Yala Completes Seed Funding Round โœ… ๐Ÿ’š

Hi Yala frens,

Weโ€™re excited to announce the completion of our seed funding round co-led by Polychain Capital and Ethereal Ventures to build out a Bitcoin liquidity layer built around stablecoin $YU. 

Quick Take

The incredible support for Yala by several of the industryโ€™s most prominent investors follows our successful testnet launch and paves the way for Yala to build out a flourishing liquidity layer connecting Bitcoin with key L1/L2 ecosystems.

โ€œOur strategy is to invest in and support founders in building an ecosystem driven by strong synergies. Through its stablecoin, Yala will bridge the gaps, enabling our Bitcoin ecosystem to thrive with robust liquidityโ€ - Spokesperson at Polychain Capital.
"Yala's approach addresses the current liquidity gap in the Bitcoin ecosystem. Their first-mover advantage, paired with the excellent execution speed of the team, will unlock new opportunities in BTC-related DeFi innovation. EV is thrilled to be supporting their journey," - Min Teo, Managing partner & co-founder at Ethereal Ventures

 

The Mission

Yala is building a Bitcoin liquidity protocol to unlock the full strength of Bitcoin liquidity, connecting it to multi-chain ecosystems through $YU. Yala has developed a modular approach allowing for the deployment of cross-chain modules on various ecosystems, including EVM-compatible chains like Ethereum and non-EVM chains like Solana, enhancing Bitcoin composability and driving the development of a robust interconnected Bitcoin DeFi ecosystem.

Yala facilitates EVM access with its modular infrastructure to enhance BTC composability. Built as core components of the Yala protocol, Yala offers 1) an overcollateralized stablecoin protocol, 2) an insurance derivatives service, and 3) atomic swap functionality, enabling seamless liquidity between Bitcoin and other ecosystems.

"Yala is revolutionizing Bitcoin's role in decentralized finance. By issuing Bitcoin-backed stablecoins and creating programmable cross-chain modules, we're not just enhancing liquidity, we're building a bridge that connects Bitcoin to the wider DeFi ecosystem, unlocking unprecedented opportunities for innovation and growth." - Vicky Fu, Co-founder and CTO of Yala.

Yala operates a multi-token system built around $YU (a meta-yield Bitcoin-backed stablecoin) and $YALA (the Yala ecosystem governance token), enhancing Bitcoin liquidity cross-chain whilst preserving the security and stability of the underlying network. Through $YU, Yala allows BTC holders to generate additional yields through various cross-chain DeFi protocols.

By deploying programmable cross-chain modules and facilitating access to EVM & non-EVM ecosystems, Yala unlocks a thriving and interconnected DeFi ecosystem on Bitcoinโ€‹.

 

Whatโ€™s Next?

The Yala testnet is right around the corner, stay tuned ๐Ÿค—

Over the coming months, several new developments will be unveiled including: 

  • TestNet V0: YU stablecoin issuance and Pro Mode, Oracle, Indexer.
  • Testnet V1: YU stablecoin Lite Mode with meta yield, NFT and VIP levels.
  • V1 Release: Insurance module, security enhancements.
  • V2 Launch: Governance Framework Initiation

In the meantime, keep your eyes on the look for the Yala mainnet launch!

Your support is massively appreciated ๐Ÿ’š

Team Yala

Yala Updates: September

September was a big month for Yala with a number of significant protocol developments, fantastic events across Korea & Singapore, and final preparations for the launch of the upcoming Yala testnet. Amongst all of this, the unwavering mission of the Yala team to unify and expand Bitcoin liquidity remains, and we are excited to unveil all our hard work over the coming weeks.

In this update we will cover a number of things including:

  • Yala Protocol Development
  • Explainer: How Does Yala Work?
  • KBW & TOKEN2049 Recap ๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฌ
  • What's Next: October

As the Bitcoin DeFi ecosystem continues to evolve, it is poised to unlock new levels of financial empowerment and innovation.

With Bitcoin's unmatched security and decentralization at its core, protocols like Yala are at the forefront of this transformation. The future holds a landscape where users can seamlessly access lending, borrowing, and yield generation without intermediaries, all while maintaining the robust trust of Bitcoin's network.

As we move forward, the growing integration of Bitcoin into DeFi presents a unique opportunity to reshape traditional finance and expand decentralized access to financial services globally.

Yala is committed to leading this charge, fostering a thriving and inclusive financial future.


Yala Protocol Development

In this section, we dive into the latest technical updates and enhancements to the Yala protocol.

Our team has been hard at work refining the underlying infrastructure to ensure a seamless, secure, and efficient user experience for the upcoming Yala testnet. From upgrades in smart contract functionality to improved performance and scalability, these updates are designed to optimize your interactions with Yala and empower a more decentralized future.

Here's a breakdown of the key developments:

  1. Cross-Chain Bridge: The new cross-bridge function will allow users to safely bridge native BTC to destination chains and convert it into YU. In the future, we plan to integrate a notary bridge alongside @FireblocksHQ, tailored to meet evolving user needs.
  2. Vault Creation: Development to allow users to create vaults to deposit BTC and mint YU, unlocking a new level of flexibility. Each vault holds both BTC and YU, and users will be able to create multiple vaults for their assets, enabling more control over their YU allocation and usage.
  3. Vault Adjustment: The ability to adjust vaults, allowing users to deposit more BTC and mint additional YU or withdraw BTC and repay YU. As long as the vault maintains a safe collateralization ratio, users can freely manage their assets within the vault.
  4. Vault Closure: When users wish to close a vault, they can repay the YU amount (along with any interest fees) and withdraw all the BTC. Afterward, the vault will be completely emptied.
  5. Liquidation Mechanism: Vaults with collateralization ratios that fall below the minimum threshold will be subject to liquidation. This safeguard kicks in if the value of BTC drops and hits the liquidation price, ensuring the protocol remains stable and secure.
  6. Points & Leaderboard System: A point-based system to reward users for their activity on the platform. Through 'Berries', users can position themselves for future Yala airdrops. The leaderboard tracks user rankings based on their earned points.
  7. BTC Wallet Support: In Phase 1, Yala will support the OKX and Unisat wallets for BTC, with plans to expand support to additional BTC wallets in the future.
  8. YU Staking: Functionality for users to stake YU to earn Berries as rewards. This staking feature is designed to encourage greater participation while offering incentives for contributing to the ecosystem.
  9. Functional Testing & Code Review: Our tech team is rigorously testing these new features and conducting comprehensive code reviews to ensure everything is functioning smoothly and is ready for the official testnet launch.

These updates are setting the foundation for a robust and secure experience within the Yala ecosystem, driving us toward an exciting launch.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to refine and optimize the protocol!


Explainer: How Does Yala Work?

Yala is a Bitcoin-based asset protocol designed to channel Bitcoin liquidity into multiple ecosystems using $YU, a Bitcoin-collateralized stablecoin pegged to the USD. With Yala, users can deposit BTC and mint $YU, which can then be used across the broader DeFi space to earn yield and secure the underlying network.

So, how does Yala actually work?

Yalaโ€™s integrated lending protocol allows users to generate $YU by locking collateral, including Bitcoin and LRT/LSD assets:

  1. Deposit Collateral: Deposit BTC or other accepted assets into Yala to create a CDP.
  2. Mint $YU: The collateral is used to mint $YU, an over-collateralized stablecoin pegged to the USD.
  3. Generate Yields: Earn yields with $YU through DeFi activities incl lending, staking, LPing, quant trading strategies and more.

KBW & TOKEN2049 Recap ๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฌ

The Yala team recently wrapped up an exciting two weeks attending Korea Blockchain Week in Seoul and TOKEN2049 in Singapore.

These events provided a unique opportunity for us to present our vision for the future of Bitcoin DeFi and connect with key players in the global blockchain community. From insightful panel discussions to productive networking sessions with other leading DeFi protocols, we forged new partnerships, gathered valuable insights, and showcased Yalaโ€™s innovations.

Panels from the Yala team included:

  • Connecting Bitcoin liquidity with a meta yield stablecoin YU.
  • Velocity Unleashed: Maximizing Bitcoin Liquidity Potential
  • Unlocking Bitcoinโ€™s Liquidity: Meta Protocols, Stablecoins, and Advancing Path
  • Evolving Bitcoin: Scaling and Innovating beyond Store of Value
  • The Future of Liquid Restaking Tokens (LRTs) and Their Impact on DeFi
  • & many more.

For a full recap of Yala's trip, check out our post below:


What's Next: October

October is set to be a monumental month for Yala, with several key developments that will shape the future of our protocol. Weโ€™re excited to share more about the technical progress made in September, including the introduction of our cross-chain bridge, vault management features, and YU staking rewards.

These updates have laid the foundation for our next big step: The launch of the highly anticipated Yala testnet.

The Yala testnet will give users the chance to interact with the protocol, create and adjust vaults, stake YU, and experience firsthand the innovative features weโ€™ve developed. This is a crucial phase as we prepare for the full mainnet release, and your feedback will help us refine the platform to ensure a seamless experience.

In addition to the testnet, weโ€™ll also be announcing an exciting new fundraising round that will help accelerate Yalaโ€™s growth and expand our ecosystem.

Weโ€™re thrilled to have new partners joining us on this journey as we continue to push the boundaries of Bitcoin DeFi.October marks the beginning of an exciting chapter for Yala, and weโ€™re looking forward to sharing more as we drive toward our full launch.

Stay tuned for more updates and announcements as we enter this pivotal phase!

Yala Goes to Token2049 ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฌ

Hi Yala fam! ๐Ÿ‘‹

Weโ€™re excited to share our upcoming events and talks at Token 2049 in Singapore, and we would love for you to join us!

Check out where you can find the Yala team below ๐Ÿ‘‡

HashKey Space 2024

๐ŸŽ™๏ธ Evolving Bitcoin: Scaling and Innovating beyond Store of Value ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ

Experience an invite-only gathering designed to foster deep connections amongst ecosystem partners, top investment fellows, and industry thought leaders. 

Panelists:

๐Ÿ—“๏ธ 1.15pm-1.50pm, Sep 17th
๐Ÿ“ Jubilee Ballroom
๐Ÿ”— https://lu.ma/ocytph72

Liquid Asset Summit: Redefining Staking & Liquidity

๐ŸŽ™๏ธ Unlocking Bitcoinโ€™s Potential

Immerse yourself in a mix of insightful sessions and unparalleled networking at this TOKEN2049 Singapore side event, perfect for DeFi enthusiasts and blockchain professionals alike.

๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ Panelists:

๐Ÿ—“๏ธ 4pm-4.30pm, Sep 17th
๐Ÿ“ The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore
๐Ÿ”— https://lu.ma/fqjk0w8w

Restaking & Infra Day

Delve into restaking technologies and DeFi solutions with Web3 developers and tech founders during this focused one-day event, exploring cutting-edge developments in the field.

๐Ÿ—“๏ธ 11am-6pm, Sep 18th
๐Ÿ“ Andaz Singapore - A Concept by Hyatt
๐Ÿ”— https://lu.ma/restakingsingapore

1. Keynote

๐ŸŽ™๏ธ Velocity Unleashed: Maximizing Bitcoin Liquidity Potential

Join us for Crypto Research Day, where industry leaders and pioneers will discuss the latest trends in blockchain, crypto, and AI, offering panels and debates on the future of Web3.

2. Panel

Join us for Restaking & Infra Day to discuss restaking and its long term impact on the DeFi space. ๐ŸŽ™๏ธ  The Future of Liquid Restaking Tokens (LRTs) and Their Impact on DeFi๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ Panelists:

Crypto Research Day 24โ€™

๐ŸŽ™๏ธ The State of the Bitcoin Ecosystem

Join us for Crypto Research Day, where industry leaders and pioneers will discuss the latest trends in blockchain, crypto, and AI, offering panels and debates on the future of Web3.

๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ Panelists:

๐Ÿ—“๏ธ 2.15pm-3pm, Sep 9th
๐Ÿ“ Level 4, WeWork, 83 Clemenceau Avenue, Singapore 239920
๐Ÿ”— https://lu.ma/i5m9cp8t

Bitcoin Staking Forum

๐ŸŽ™๏ธ How L2 Networks Will Shape the Future

Join us to uncover how L2 networks are shaping the future and discuss their implications in this dynamic panel session.

๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ Panelists:

๐Ÿ—“๏ธ 4.50pm-5.20pm, Sep 9th
๐Ÿ“ InterContinental Singapore
๐Ÿ”— https://lu.ma/BTCstaking


Send us a DM to get in touch if you want to discuss how Yala can help you tune in to the Bitcoin liquidity ecosystem.

See you there!

The Yala Team ๐Ÿ’š