Kraken and Deutsche BΓΆrse has announced a strategic partnership that will integrate crypto with traditional market infrastructure.
Kraken And Deutsche BΓΆrse Have Partnered Up
As announced in a press release, US-based digital asset exchange Kraken has teamed up with Deutsche BΓΆrse Group to bridge crypto and traditional finance and deliver institutional investors access across asset classes.
Headquartered in Frankfurt, Deutsche BΓΆrse Group is one of the biggest financial market infrastructure providers in the world. It operates the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, which ranks the 12th largest in market cap globally.
In the first phase of the partnership, Kraken will integrate directly with 360T, a subsidiary of the German multinational corporation that provides foreign-exchange trading services. This integration will provide Kraken clients access to the latterβs foreign-exchange liquidity.
The partnership will go the other way, as well. Via Crypto Finance, another Deutsche BΓΆrse subsidiary, and Kraken, Deutsche BΓΆrse Group clients will be able to trade cryptocurrencies and derivatives.
The two firms also plan to leverage Kraken Embed, the crypto trading infrastructure solution created by Kraken, to provide institutions in Deutsche BΓΆrse Groupβs network with digital asset access.
The press release noted:
Together, the companies will develop advanced white-label solutions enabling banks, fintechs, and other financial institutions to offer secure, compliant crypto trading and custody services to clients across Europe and the U.S.
Another thing Kraken and Deutsche BΓΆrse Group are collaborating on is integration of xStocks in the ecosystem of 360X, Deutsche BΓΆrseβs tokenized trading venue. xStocks is a stock tokenization standard that has been gaining adoption. Kraken announced the acquisition of Backed, the company behind xStocks, just this Tuesday.
Arjun Sethi, Kraken Co-CEO, said:
By linking traditional and digital markets across a wide range of asset classes, weβre building a holistic foundation for the next generation of financial innovation: defined by efficiency, openness, and client access.
The companies are also looking to make derivatives listed on Deutsche BΓΆrse Groupβs Eurex, the largest futures and options marketplace in Europe, available on Kraken, if regulators provide the nod.
Stephan Leithner, Deutsche BΓΆrse CEO, noted:
This collaboration with Kraken is a great strategic fit for Deutsche BΓΆrse Group. It underscores our ongoing commitment to shaping the future of financial markets by combining the trust and resilience of our regulated infrastructure with the innovation of the digital asset ecosystem.
Back in October, the German organization also announced another crypto partnership, this one with USDC issuer Circle. The collaboration aimed to integrate the latterβs USD and EUR stablecoins in the formerβs infrastructure to boost stablecoin adoption in Europe.
Bitcoin Price
At the time of writing, Bitcoin is trading around $92,500, up 1% over the last week.
Skyline launches bAP3X on the Base network, bringing Apex Fusionβs AP3X token cross-chain utility and interoperability to Coinbaseβs EVM-compatible ecosystem.
As the whole crypto market bled, Zcash (ZEC) started December with a massive one-day pullback, leading the losses among top cryptocurrencies. While some market observers suggest that the altcoin is positioned for a major move, others have warned that the price risks another major correction in the coming weeks.
Zcash Loses Key Support Levels Amid Crash
Following the late Sunday market correction, Zcash has lost crucial levels and fallen to one-month lows. Over the past three months, the cryptocurrency has seen a parabolic rally, surging over 1,775% to its all-time high (ATH) of $750 in early November.
Since its ATH rally, the altcoin has been trading within the $440-$720 levels, bouncing between the rangeβs upper and lower boundaries amid the recent market volatility. However, the end-of-November pullback saw ZECβs price unsuccessfully retest its key support area, closing the day below this area for the first time in nearly a month.
After losing this zone, Zcash continued to drop below other key support levels, breaking down the $400 barrier and hitting a local low of $328 on Monday morning before bouncing to the $340 area.
Amid this performance, some market observers warned that the altcoin could be in trouble and further bleeding may occur in the coming weeks. Sjuul from AltCryptoGems highlighted that ZEC registers the biggest price drops in the weekly and daily timeframes, with declines of 40.2% and 24%, respectively.
The analyst previously pointed out that the cryptocurrency lost its uptrend after falling below the EMA200, recording βa perfect bearish retest followed by a strong rejectionβ last week. As a result, Sjuul suggested that if Zcash did not reclaim the key moving average, the cryptocurrency would be positioned for a breakdown to lower support levels.
Similarly, Altcoin Sherpa considers that ZEC could drop another 30%-40% to the $200 area after losing the crucial $440 support. Nonetheless, he added that the price will likely see short-term bounces during its retracement.
ZECβs Correction: Nothing To Worry About?
Mert Mumtaz, Helius co-founder and CEO, affirmed that a correction after a 700% rally βis normal,β adding that the privacy token βlooks greatβ on higher timeframes. Notably, the cryptocurrency still shows 700% and 485% increases on the three-month and one-year timeframes.
The CEO also highlighted Zcashβs strengths: βprivacy is not a narrative, private money is the entire purpose of crypto,β suggesting that the altcoin is positioned to challenge other leading cryptocurrencies like XRP in the future.
Meanwhile, another pseudonym market watcher considers that Zcash is preparing for a big move despite the correction. According to X analyst Make Sense, the cryptocurrency is at a make-or-break level after falling to the $320 mark, its first major support area below the November range.
If ZEC holds the current range, the price could reclaim its recently lost range and bounce to its $500-$600 mid-range. On the contrary, if it loses its current levels, the cryptocurrency could retest the $280 and even $200 area, he affirmed, before a trend reversal.
βThis is where market makers decide the next trend: bounce early β mid-range rally or deep sweep β full trend reversal. Either way, volatility is about to explode,β he explained.
As of this writing, Zcash is trading at $338, a 20% decline in the monthly timeframe.
A sudden drop in XRP balances across major crypto exchanges has led to speculations about how this might affect the cryptocurrencyβs price action. The movement was highlighted by analyst Vincent Van Code, who explained that the transfers are not simply a sign of long-term holders scooping up supply.Β
Instead, he pointed to the expanding influence of newly launched Spot XRP ETFs, which are now absorbing a significant share of market activity that once took place on retail platforms.
ETF Demand Is Pulling Liquidity Away From Exchanges
Van Code noted that billions of XRP leaving Binance, Upbit, and Kraken are largely flowing into ETF custodial wallets. This changes the way the market reacts to buying and selling pressure because retail exchanges now operate with thinner liquidity. When daily trading volume on those platforms averaged around the multi-billion-dollar range, it required very large orders to create noticeable price movement.Β
Now that volume has contracted, even moderate-sized trades can produce sharp intraday swings. The effect is a market environment that is fundamentally supported by ETF buying, yet increasingly sensitive to smaller sell-offs or sudden bids.
Even as exchange liquidity drops, Van Code noted that high-frequency trading firms are preventing price dislocations. These groups have already mastered the arbitrage models used in Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, and they have now adapted the same systems for XRP.Β
Whenever the ETF price drifts above or below its underlying value, the bots immediately correct the gap, keeping both markets tightly aligned. This mechanism makes sure that XRP still gets purchased during ETF creation events and provides a layer of structural stability, even though retail charts may begin to show more frequent spikes and dips.
What This Means For XRPβs Approach To New Price Highs
In Van Codeβs view, the long-term picture for XRP is strengthened by this shift, even though the short-term experience for traders may become more uncomfortable. When XRP enjoyed daily spot volumes in the range of $2 billion to $3 billion on exchanges, you would typically need more than $200 million in concentrated buying or selling to push the price 5% to 10% in either direction.Β
Now that on-exchange volume has dropped toward levels below $1 billion a day, the equation looks very different. A sell order or resistance wall of around $15 million can now swing XRP by roughly 12% to 18% within a single hour in these thinner conditions. However, the saving grace is these arbitrage bots.Β
According to the analyst, XRP is still on track to reach $5. However, until the price adapts to reduced spot volume on exchanges, traders should be prepared for air pockets up to 20% in price, where relatively modest buy or sell flows can cause outsized moves.
Less than five minutes after meeting with Todd Humphrey at a Seattle coffee shop, the longtime tech exec is already sizing up the customer. He quickly assesses how coffee drinkers interact with each other and their technology devices, and wonders why theyβve come to this particular location.
Humphrey has spent decades focused on using technology to enhance the customer experienceΒ β from his early days at Kobo working on e-reader services, co-founding healthcare startup League, a CEO stint at project management company LiquidPlanner, and more recently as an exec with the Seattle Kraken, where he was senior vice president of innovation and fan experience.
Humphrey left the NHL franchise earlier this year to embark on a new adventure: Highmark Sports Group, his own consultancy aimed at helping sports teams, leagues, and companies boost their operations.
The Canadian native and former professional hockey player isnβt straying far from Seattleβs hockey scene. Heβs a senior advisor for the Seattle Torrent, the new womenβs pro hockey team that plays its first-ever home game tonight at Climate Pledge Arena. Heβs also working with the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.
We recently caught up with Humphrey to learn more about his approach to helping organizations improve their customer experiences and how to balance new technologies like artificial intelligence with essential human touches. The interview was edited for clarity and brevity.
GeekWire: Todd, thanks for speaking with us. How are you thinking about technology and the customer experience in 2025?
Todd Humphrey: βIβm old enough to remember what the experience used to be like. Youβd read about a game that was happening that night in the newspaper. Youβd show up, youβd walk in, it would smell like stale beer and popcorn, and thereβd be peanuts on the floor. They would play the national anthem and the game would start.Β
The in-venue fan experience has totally been revamped. Technology plays a huge part of that. I think about the door-to-door experience, and all the different touch points. From the moment someone wakes up, theyβre going to check the app to see whoβs playing. You can tell them the best way to get to the game and where to park.Β
Once they walk through the doors, youβre thinking about lines. The average NHL fan spends more than one hour standing in lines during the three-hour experience. We tried to cut that by more than half, and I think we got there.Β
You want to get people to, from, and through the venue in a really efficient manner. Technology helps with some of that βΒ digital ticketing, way-finding, mobile ordering, mobile payments.Β
We really used that Amazon approach of the customer experience and working backward β at the end of the day, what are all the friction points, and how do we alleviate those?
Thereβs a huge opportunity for other teams and organizations to really rethink their experience. And itβs not just sports teams. Itβs when you go to a concert, when you go to the Hockey Hall of Fame βΒ what does that feel like? How do we turn it into a more of a holistic, overall experience beyond the time you spend in the building?β
Humphrey, former SVP of fan experience for the Seattle Kraken, scans his palm to enter Big Chicken, a store that uses Amazonβs Just Walk Out technology at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. (GeekWire File Photo / Kurt Schlosser)
GeekWire: How do you thread the needle of incorporating technology and automation β but also focusing on the human elements of an experience?
Humphrey: βTechnology is a vessel that you have to use because itβs expected and itβs really convenient. Everybodyβs got a computer in their pocket, sitting in their hand, and if you can use it in the right way, itβs a great leverage point.
At the same time, I donβt want to see teams and leagues and companies get too hung up on the tech, because I think little things like the human interactions matter.
When you walk into an arena for a concert or a game, youβre going have a touch point with ticketing and security before you get inside. If those interactions are awesome, your event is off to a really good start.Β
I think that training the people who work there to greet people and engage with people and look them in the eye and get to know who they areΒ β itβs a huge advantage.
When I go to QFC, I donβt want to check myself out. Sometimes it doesnβt work as well. And Iβd miss that interaction with the cashiers. Theyβve seen my kids grow up over the years. They know who I am and what I do. Thereβs a lot to be said for that.Β
As much as technology is awesome and ChatGPT tells us all the answers, people still like human interaction. When people go to events, they really want to be seen, they want to be heard. And when I see an usher at Climate Pledge Arena high-fiving a Kraken fan during a celebration, it just warms my heart, because thatβs what itβs all about.
AI is going to provide more efficiency for us and make things easier to do. But on the other side of that, because thereβs so much bent toward technology, I think live events, concerts, games, theater β all the places where people can gather are going to be more important. People just have an innate desire to be together and cheer together.β
GeekWire: What advice do you have for startup leaders who may not be leading a sports franchise, but still interact with customers and want to improve their experiences?Β
Humphrey: More companies need to take their customer experience and work backwards. You also need to have conviction in what youβre building and why youβre building it. And itβs talking to more customers. Some companies build in silos. The more you can talk to people to hear directionally where you might want to go, the better.Β
But at the end of the day, you as a company, as a leadership group, have to pick your lane. I would get conviction around that.Β
Itβs also understanding what the whole journey is going to be for that fan or customer, whether itβs a SaaS customer or a cloud customer or an AI-driven customer. What is that customer going to feel all the way through the experience? And can you build a business that delivers an incredible, top-tier experience βΒ and also drives revenue? Itβs a hard thing to do.β
Shiba Inu has rebounded from a weekly downtrend, as the leading meme coin prepares to test Fibonacci resistance levels. Looking at the price charts, it is notable that Shiba Inu is quietly clawing its way back after a choppy week.
The tests will use standardised templates with major exchanges including Coinbase, Crypto.com and Kraken.
The project links to the earlier Admissions and Disclosures Discussion Paper.
The experiments sit within the FCAβs multi-year Crypto Roadmap ending in 2026.
The United Kingdom is pushing ahead with a practical form of crypto regulation, and the latest move by the Financial Conduct Authority shows how the country plans to shape its rulebook.
The FCA has approved RegTech firm Eunice to carry out live experiments in its sandbox, creating a clearer picture of how future rules may be built through real-world testing rather than theory.
On Wednesday, the regulator confirmed that Eunice will test standardised crypto disclosure templates with major exchanges such as Coinbase, Crypto.com and Kraken.
The templates are designed to check whether transparency improves when tools are used directly in active market conditions.
Industry input
The FCA said its sandbox is still open to companies working on similar solutions, and it continues to encourage firms to apply. The regulatorβs message points to a broader shift.
The UK wants to rely on practical experiments to understand how crypto behaviours unfold in real time, instead of relying only on policy consultation rounds.
This approach moves industry participants closer to the centre of rule formation. It also gives the regulator the chance to observe how products behave before final guidance is introduced.
Euniceβs work fits this model, focusing on ways to strengthen transparency in a market that is seeing increased institutional involvement.
The trial also links back to the Admissions and Disclosures Discussion Paper published last year. That paper invited the industry to share technical insight and help shape early frameworks.
The new pilot now tests those ideas under live conditions, allowing the FCA to gather evidence on how different disclosure requirements perform when applied at scale.
Broader roadmap
The Eunice experiment also aligns with the regulatorβs multi-year Crypto Roadmap, which is expected to end with the publication of the UKβs final crypto rules in 2026.
Over the past year, the FCA has introduced several changes aimed at increasing clarity for crypto companies.
These include stricter financial promotion rules, warnings issued to unregistered exchanges still operating in the UK and a comprehensive paper covering admissions, disclosures and market-abuse concerns across digital assets.
Each step forms part of a longer regulatory timeline that aims to tighten standards while preserving room for innovation. The use of the sandbox allows the FCA to test what works and what does not before decisions are written into policy.
Shifting tone
More recent actions suggest the regulator is becoming more open to crypto activity under controlled conditions. On 1 August, the FCA lifted its ban on crypto exchange-traded notes for retail investors.
This allowed consumers to access crypto-based ETN products again, signalling a more flexible approach to digital assets. On 17 September, the FCA launched a consultation on whether Consumer Duty should apply to crypto.
This traditional finance requirement focuses on ensuring firms deliver good outcomes for customers. Extending it to crypto would raise expectations around product design, risk communication and market conduct.
The regulatorβs move to work with Eunice fits into this shift. By focusing on trials inside the sandbox, the FCA is building a system that responds to real behaviour rather than assumptions.
The decision also supports the UKβs long-term plan to use evidence gathered from ongoing experiments to shape final rules.
The sandbox programme will continue to influence how the UK designs its next phase of crypto regulation.
As new projects enter the environment, the FCA will gather more insight into how disclosure tools perform, how markets react and how different rules might work once introduced.
The Eunice trial marks an early step in this process, and future policy decisions are expected to draw heavily on the findings produced through these real-world tests.
Tokenization in blockchain turns real or digital assets into digital tokens that can be created, managed, and traded on a blockchain network. For businesses, this opens new ways to raise capital, improve liquidity, and streamline ownership management across various asset classes such as real estate, equity, intellectual property, or inβappΒ assets.
What tokenization means
In simple terms, tokenization is the process of converting rights to an asset into a digital token that lives on a blockchain. Each token represents a specific claim, such as a share of ownership, access to a product or service, or a unit of value in your ecosystem.β
Unlike a traditional database entry, a token is recorded on a distributed ledger, which makes transactions transparent and harder to tamper with. This helps support trust between parties and simplifies interactions, especially when you are dealing with multiple stakeholders or crossβborder transactions.
Token development services for businesses
When companies talk about Token development Services, they usually mean endβtoβend support for designing, building, testing, and deploying custom tokens on blockchain networks such as Ethereum, BNB Chain, or Polygon. These services often include smart contract development, tokenomics design, compliance review, and technical integration with existing systems like wallets, exchanges, or internal platforms.β
A professional token development partner helps you choose the right token standard (for example, ERCβ20 for fungible tokens or ERCβ721/ERCβ1155 for NFTs) and defines how your token will behave within your product or business model. This guidance is especially important for nonβtechnical teams that want to use blockchain without building everything fromΒ scratch.
Types of tokens you canΒ create
Tokens come in several categories, and understanding them helps you decide what fits your business.
Utility tokens: Provide access to a product, feature, or service in your ecosystem, such as credits in a platform, loyalty points, or inβapp currency. These tokens are often used to incentivize usage and create network effects in digital products.β
Security tokens: Represent regulated financial instruments such as shares, bonds, or revenueβsharing rights, and usually fall under securities laws. They can help fractionalize highβvalue assets and make them available to a broader range of investors.β
Payment tokens: Function as a medium of exchange or store of value, similar to cryptocurrencies that users send and receive for payments. These may be used inside your platform or in wider ecosystems that accept theΒ token.β
Nonβfungible tokens (NFTs): Represent unique assets such as digital collectibles, access passes, or tokenized certificates, where each token carries distinct properties. NFTs are widely used in gaming, digital art, loyalty programs, and ticketing.β
Governance tokens: Give holders voting rights over protocol rules, product features, or treasury usage, often used in DAOs and communityβdriven projects. These tokens help distribute decisionβmaking and align incentives between teams andΒ users.
How tokenization works step byΒ step
Tokenization follows a structured path from idea to liveΒ token.
Asset and goal definition
Identify what you want to tokenize: equity, physical assets, IP, platform usage rights, or community participation.β
Define the business objective, such as fundraising, improving liquidity, building a rewards system, or creating a governance mechanism.β
2. Legal and compliance review
For security tokens or realβworld assets, legal teams assess relevant regulations (securities, KYC/AML, data protection) in the jurisdictions you operate.β
The outcome shapes who can hold your token, how it can be traded, and which restrictions must be coded into smart contracts or surrounding processes.β
3. Token model and tokenomics
Decide total supply, distribution method (sale, airdrop, vesting, rewards), and how tokens will circulate in your ecosystem.β
A wellβdesigned token economy balances incentives for users, investors, and the project team, while avoiding unsustainable inflation or misalignment.β
Developers write smart contracts that define token rules: minting, burning, transfers, access control, and any custom logic such as vesting or whitelists.β
These contracts usually follow established standards (like ERCβ20 or ERCβ721) to keep your token compatible with wallets, exchanges, and DeFi protocols.β
5. Security review andΒ audits
Independent auditors review smart contracts for vulnerabilities such as reβentrancy, overflow, or access controlΒ flaws.β
Fixing issues before launch reduces the risk of hacks, exploits, and financial loss for both you and your token holders.β
6. Deployment and integration
After testing on a testnet, developers deploy the token contracts on the main blockchain and verify them so anyone can review theΒ code.β
The token is then integrated with wallets, dashboards, payment flows, or other applications that will useΒ it.β
7. Launch, distribution, and ongoing management
Tokens are distributed through sales, grants, rewards programs, or internal allocations as defined in your tokenomics.β
Over time, teams may adjust parameters, add utilities, or introduce governance proposals to keep the token useful and aligned with businessΒ goals.β
Business benefits of tokenization
Tokenization offers several practical advantages for businesses beyond basic crypto speculation.
Liquidity and fractional ownership: Tokenizing highβvalue assets such as real estate, private equity, or IP allows you to divide them into smaller units and make them more accessible to a wider pool of investors. This can improve capital formation and exit options compared to traditional illiquid holdings.β
Process automation: Smart contracts automate functions like dividends, loyalty rewards, vesting schedules, or royalty payouts based on transparent rules. This reduces manual work, cuts down errors, and shortens settlement times.β
Global reach and 24/7 markets: Blockchain networks operate around the clock, making it possible to interact with users and investors across borders without relying only on local intermediaries. Wellβdesigned tokens can be listed on compatible platforms to tap into global liquidity pools.β
Data transparency: The public ledger records token movements, which supports auditable trails for regulators, partners, and stakeholders. This traceability is valuable for complianceβheavy industries and investor reporting.
Common tokenization useΒ cases
Different industries use tokenization in ways that match their specificΒ needs.
Real estate and private equity: Properties or fund units are divided into tokens, letting investors buy smaller stakes and trade them more easily than traditional shares in private vehicles. This structure can also simplify revenue sharing from rent or distributions through smart contracts.β
Startups and platforms: Projects issue utility or governance tokens to fund development and build active communities around their products. Tokens can grant early access, voting rights, or inβapp benefits that tie directly to platformΒ usage.β
Loyalty and rewards: Brands use tokens as universal loyalty points that customers can earn, trade, or redeem across multiple partners instead of siloed point systems. This encourages ongoing interaction and creates measurable value for frequentΒ users.β
Gaming and digital collectibles: Inβgame assets, skins, and items can be tokenized as NFTs, allowing players to own, trade, or move them between compatible games or marketplaces. This can support new monetization models for both studios and players.β
Financial services and payments: Payment tokens and stablecoins help with faster transfers, programmable payouts, and crossβborder settlements. Financial institutions also experiment with tokenizing deposits and debt instruments for more efficient internal processes.
Key risks and challenges
While tokenization is attractive, businesses should also understand theΒ risks.
Regulatory uncertainty: Security tokens and realβworld assets often fall under complex, evolving regulations across different countries. Working with legal and compliance specialists from the start helps limit regulatory exposure.β
Security vulnerabilities: Poorly written or unaudited smart contracts can lead to hacks, frozen tokens, or permanent loss of funds. This makes code quality, audits, and operational security practices nonβnegotiable.β
Market and adoption risks: A token without a clear value proposition, real utility, or thoughtful tokenomics may struggle to attract and retain users or investors. Businesses also need realistic plans for user education, onboarding, and ongoing engagement.β
Operational complexity: Integrating wallets, custody solutions, KYC providers, and trading venues can be complex for teams new to blockchain. Working with experienced partners and choosing mature infrastructure providers helps simplifyΒ this.
How to decide if tokenization fits yourΒ business
Before launching a token project, it helps to evaluate strategic fit and readiness.
Check alignment with business goals: Determine whether tokenization adds real valueβββfor example, by improving capital access, building a stronger user community, or automating specific processes. If it does not connect clearly to revenue, efficiency, or user adoption, the project may struggle.β
Assess your audience and partners: Consider whether your investors, customers, or partners are familiar with digital assets and comfortable using wallets or exchanges. If not, you may need simplified UX, custodial options, and education plans.β
Review internal capabilities: Look at what your team can handle and where you need external support, such as smart contract development, security, legal, or marketing. Collaborating with a specialist token development company fills gaps and reduces projectΒ risk.
Working with a token development company
For many organizations, partnering with a specialist firm is the most practical way to execute a tokenization strategy.
Strategic discovery: A good partner helps refine your use case, choose the right token type, and align token mechanics with your business model. This includes defining roles for users, investors, and partners within your ecosystem.β
Technical build and audits: The provider designs and builds smart contracts, tests them on testnets, and coordinates independent code audits. They also handle integrations with wallets, dashboards, or existing systems so your team can focus on product and operations.β
Ongoing support: After launch, a partner can assist with upgrades, governance features, analytics, and incident response. This longβterm support keeps your token infrastructure reliable as your projectΒ grows.
Practical steps to start your tokenization journey
If you are considering tokenization, you can follow a clear sequence to move from idea to implementation.
Clarify your use case andΒ KPIs
Define what success looks like: capital raised, user growth, secondary market volume, or cost reduction in specific processes.β
Map how tokens will be earned, used, and held by different stakeholders overΒ time.β
2. Choose asset type and tokenΒ model
Decide whether you need a utility token, security token, NFT, or a combination ofΒ these.β
Select the underlying blockchain based on fees, ecosystem maturity, and integration needs.β
3. Assemble your team andΒ partners
Bring together internal stakeholders (product, finance, legal, IT) with external specialists (token developers, auditors, legal advisors).β
Assign clear ownership for tokenomics, technical delivery, and compliance oversight.β
4. Design tokenomics and governance
Set total supply, distribution methods, release schedules, and usage incentives backed by clear, published documentation.β
Decide how decisions will be made postβlaunch, including any onβchain governance or community input.β
5. Build, test, andΒ launch
Develop smart contracts following best practices and standards so your token is compatible with the wider ecosystem.β
Conduct controlled testnet pilots, refine based on feedback, then move to mainnet launch with a clear communication and onboarding plan.
If your business is exploring tokenization and you want a practical, endβtoβend approach, partnering with an experienced token development team makes a real difference. Codezeros helps businesses define clear token strategies,build secure smart contracts, and launch tokens that fit realβworld use cases across DeFi, NFTs, enterprise applications, andΒ more.β
Whether you are planning a utility token for your platform, tokenizing a realβworld asset, or designing a full token economy from the ground up, the Codezeros team can guide you through every stepβββfrom discovery and architecture to audits, deployment, and longβterm support. Reach out to Codezeros today to discuss your token development requirements and turn your tokenization vision into a live, productionβready solution for your business.
Lookonchain reported $436.5 million in USDC moved to Kraken.
Project revenue fell to $27.3 million in November.
Wallets still held over $855 million in stablecoins and $211 million in SOL.
Pump.funβs internal fund activity has drawn intense scrutiny after pseudonymous co-founder Sapijiju challenged claims that the project cashed out more than $436 million in stablecoins.
The discussion began when blockchain analytics platform Lookonchain reported that wallets linked to the Solana memecoin launchpad had transferred large amounts of USDC to the crypto exchange Kraken.
The activity raised fears of selling pressure and uncertainty about how the project handled its reserves.
The story quickly spread across X, where users analysed the movement of funds, debated the projectβs finances, and questioned the clarity of the explanations offered.
USDC flows tied to internal management
In an X post, Sapijiju said the transfers were part of Pump.funβs treasury management process and were not sales.
The post said the USDC originated from the PUMP tokenβs initial coin offering and was moved between internal wallets to support the companyβs runway and reinvestment plans.
The post also stated that Pump.fun had never worked with Circle.
Treasury management typically involves reorganising wallets, allocating capital, and preparing budgets, and does not always indicate selling or liquidation.
Lookonchainβs report said the transfers to Kraken had reached $436.5 million in USDC since mid-October.
The timing drew more attention because Pump.funβs monthly revenue had fallen to $27.3 million in November, its first drop below $40 million since July, according to DefiLlama.
Despite the concerns, data from DefiLlama, Arkham, and Lookonchain showed that the Pump.fun-tagged wallet still held more than $855 million in stablecoins and $211 million in Solana SOL, which traded at $136.43.
Analysts and community respond
Nansen research analyst Nicolai Sondergaard interpreted the reported transfers as a sign that more selling could follow.
In contrast, EmberCN suggested the activity reflected institutional private placements of the PUMP token rather than active dumping.
The competing interpretations led to a broader review of the tokenβs performance and project structure.
CoinGecko data showed that PUMP traded at $0.002714, down 32% from its ICO price of $0.004 and almost 70% below its September high of $0.0085.
Currently, PUMP is trading at $0.002738, rising 6.9% in the past 24 hours.
The price movement added more tension to community discussions as users examined whether the treasury actions aligned with the tokenβs market conditions.
Across X, multiple posts highlighted the divide in sentiment.
Some users argued that the explanation raised more questions, pointing to inconsistencies and asking for clearer communication.
Others dismissed the statement entirely and linked the treasury activity to concerns about token performance and execution.
A separate group of users said Pump.fun had the right to manage its revenue, ICO proceeds, and reserves as it saw fit.
They described treasury movements as common practice after an ICO and said the main issue was whether USDC reserves properly backed the circulating supply.
Treasury structure becomes central issue
As more users examined the fund flows, the debate shifted from selling pressure to the broader structure of Pump.funβs treasury.
The discussion focused on the scale of reserves, how the project organised its wallets, and whether the team provided enough visibility into its financial management.
The presence of more than $855 million in stablecoins indicated that large amounts of capital remained under project control, but users continued to question the timing, communication, and purpose behind the transfers.
The situation highlighted how treasury management can become a point of market sensitivity, especially when combined with falling revenue, volatile token prices, and community scepticism.
With attention across X still focused on the movements, the conversation has moved toward transparency expectations, reserve backing, and the companyβs approach to supporting long-term development.
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Kraken, one of the longest-running crypto exchanges, has taken a major step toward going public, filing for a U.S. initial public offering (IPO) through its parent company, Payward, Inc.
The draft S-1 registration statement was submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), formally placing Kraken in the IPO pipeline.
The confidential filing follows an $800 million fundraising round completed on Tuesday, which valued Kraken at $20 billion. The round, raised over two months in two tranches, was led by major traditional finance investors, including Citadel, the hedge fund founded by Ken Griffin.Β
Kraken had initially planned a $500 million IPO at a $15 billion valuation in July, which it executed successfully in September, but the company later revealed that the exchange had actually raised $800 million.
While the company has yet to disclose the number of shares it plans to offer or an anticipated price range, the confidential submission allows the company to continue preparing for a Wall Street debut while keeping key details under wraps.
Founded in 2011, Kraken allows trading across more than 450 digital assets, U.S. futures, equities, ETFs, and multiple fiat currencies. The platform also serves institutional clients through Kraken Institutional and offers staking, custody, and advanced portfolio management tools.
The company has positioned itself not only as a crypto-native exchange but also as a multi-asset brokerage competitor, a theme likely to feature in investor materials once the S-1 becomes public.
Kraken uncertainty amidst SEC lawsuitΒ
The filing comes after a period of regulatory uncertainty. In March, the SEC dropped a long-running lawsuit against Kraken over its staking services.
The SECβsΒ alleged that the cryptocurrency exchange operated as an unregistered securities exchange, broker, dealer, and clearing agency, violating securities laws by, among other things, offering crypto staking services and trading specific crypto assets that the SEC deemed securities.
That ruling appears to have cleared the way for the exchange to accelerate its growth and consider a public listing.
Krakenβs confidential filing aligns with a broader resurgence of crypto IPO activity in the U.S., following listings from firms like Bullish, Circle, Gemini, and Grayscale.Β
The SEC review process, alongside market conditions, will dictate the timing of the offering. Until the S-1 is made public, details on valuation metrics, financial performance, and share pricing remain undisclosed.
Earlier this year, Mastercard announced a major partnership with Kraken, enabling users in the UK and Europe to spend crypto (including Bitcoin and stablecoins) at over 150β―million merchants that accept Mastercard.Β
Citadel Securities made a strategic investment at a $20 billion valuation.
Institutional investors led the first tranche of funding.
Kraken plans to grow across Latin America, APAC, and EMEA.
Kraken is entering a new phase of global expansion after securing fresh capital that places the company at a valuation of $20 billion.
The update outlined how this raise will support the firmβs plans for 2026 and strengthen its position across regulated markets, tokenized products, and institutional services.
The company also linked the funding to its broader push into global regions, deeper derivatives activity, and new financial tools.
The announcement signalled a shift toward long-term growth supported by new infrastructure and a wider product lineup rather than short-term market conditions.
Institutional backing drives Kraken capital raise
Kraken raised $800 million through two funding tranches.
The first tranche was led by major institutional players, including Jane Street, DRW Venture Capital, HSG, Oppenheimer Alternative Investment Management, and Tribe Capital.
The company added that Kraken Co CEO Arjun Sethiβs family office made a significant commitment to the round.
A further $200 million strategic investment came from Citadel Securities at the confirmed $20 billion valuation.
Kraken said the new capital will support its vertically integrated model that includes equities, derivatives, spot markets, tokenized assets, staking, custody, clearing, and payments.
The company had raised only $27 million in primary capital before this round and continued to operate profitably, reporting $1.5 billion in revenue for 2024 and surpassing that figure in the first three quarters of 2025.
Sethi posted on X that the raise reflected long-term conviction in the companyβs strategy.
He noted that more than $100 million for the round came from his family office.
Product growth strengthens derivatives and tokenized asset plans
Kraken linked the funding to several important developments that took place across its ecosystem in recent months.
On Nov. 14, the company reported strong Q3 results that included $198 million in adjusted EBITDA, up 28% from the previous quarter, and more than $1.5 billion in revenue over the first nine months of 2025.
Kraken also completed its latest proof of reserves audit, confirming 1:1 plus backing for major assets.
This audit was the first to use distributed validator technology for Ethereum staking within the platform.
The company expanded its US derivatives presence through the acquisitions of NinjaTrader and Small Exchange.
Small Exchange was a $100 million transaction finalised in early October.
These acquisitions give traders new ways to access crypto-connected futures in addition to existing stock and commodity contracts.
To support high-frequency and institutional traders, Kraken introduced a new colocation service in partnership with Beeks Exchange Cloud.
The company said this upgrade offers faster and more direct trading connectivity.
Expansion plans target global markets
Kraken outlined its next steps across key regions as it works toward its 2026 strategy.
The company plans to enter new markets in Latin America, the Asia Pacific region, and EMEA.
Kraken said these expansions will coincide with the launch of new asset types, upgrades to staking services, and new trading features that widen customer use cases.
The company also plans to strengthen its payments network and expand its institutional product suite.
Kraken said these steps will help bridge traditional and open finance through regulated global infrastructure.
Wider financial ecosystem supports long term growth
Kraken positioned the new funding as part of a broader plan to support a growing financial ecosystem that connects regulated markets, tokenized assets, and cross-border financial services.
The company said its vertically integrated approach provides the structure needed for sustainable product development and regional expansion.
The funding also helps the firm invest in infrastructure, compliance systems, and service lines that support both retail and institutional customers.
Kraken said it aims to use this momentum to build a wider presence across global markets while continuing to advance tokenized financial products and regulated trading.
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Security tokens are emerging as a pivotal bridge between traditional capital markets and blockchain innovation. By embedding realβworld asset rightsβββsuch as equity, debt, or real estateβββinto programmable digital tokens, the tokenisation model unlocks new ways for projects to raise funds and for investors to accessΒ assets.
Getting the strategy right is nonβnegotiable. Launching a token without rigorous planning, skipping a proper audit, or failing to scale thoughtfully can turn what looks like an opportunity into a regulatory minefield or a liquidity trap. Thatβs why auditing and scaling are just as critical as the initialΒ launch.
What exactly is a security token? At its core, a security token is a digital asset issued on a blockchain that represents rights or interests in a realβworld asset. That could be shares in a company, debt obligations, property holdings, or other investment rights.Unlike typical utility tokensβββwhich provide access to a service or productβββsecurity tokens confer ownership rights, profitβsharing, voting or other financial attributes.
How do security tokens differ from utility tokens and cryptocurrencies? With utility tokens, youβre generally buying access to a platformβfeature or service, not a stake in an incomeβproducing asset. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are primarily value stores or mediums of exchange, not tied to legal ownership of an underlying asset. In contrast, a security token is anchored to an asset and subject to securities regulations.
How do they link traditional finance and blockchain innovation? Security tokens combine the legal structure of traditional securities (with regulated rights, disclosures and investor protections) with the technological advantages of blockchain (like programmability, automation and global access). This hybrid model enables things like fractional ownership of real estate, global investor pools, and automated dividend or voting mechanisms.
What benefits do they bringβββfor investors and projectΒ owners?
Compliance & trust: Because these tokens follow securities laws, they carry legal frameworks that investors are familiar with, helping boost credibility.
Liquidity & access: Tokenising traditionally illiquid assets (e.g. real estate, private equity) enables fractional ownership and enables a broader range of investors to participate.
Efficiency & automation: Smart contracts can automate processes like dividend distribution, investor restrictions, transfer rules, reducing cost and time compared to legacyΒ systems.
Market Research and Regulatory Compliance
Before you draft a contract or mint a token, you need to know who youβre speaking to and under what rules. Itβs like planning a road trip: you pick your destination (market), chart the best route (compliance), and make sure your vehicle is road-legal (regulatory pact).
First off, get crystal clear on your target audience. Are you aiming at institutional investors or savvy retail crypto fans? Do they understand blockchain, or do you need to educate them? Knowing the investor profile helps shape everything: marketing tone, token features, even the distribution model.
Next, dive into compliance. If you skip this step, your project risks hitting regulatory roadblocks or worse, being shut down. For example, a token issued under the label of βsecurityβ must comply with securities laws in the operating jurisdiction.Youβll need to build processes like KYC (Know Your Customer), AML (Anti Money Laundering), and potentially investor accreditation frameworks depending on theΒ country.
Also, your jurisdictional map matters. If you issue a security token in the US, youβll often deal with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules; in the UK it may be the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA); in Asia different regulators apply.Issuers who build compliance into the token (on-chain whitelisting, transfer restrictions) get extraΒ trust.
In practical terms, your checklist shouldΒ include:
Legal opinion on token classification (is it a security in that jurisdiction?).
Investor eligibility filters and jurisdictional exclusion controls (which countries youβllΒ allow).
Transparent disclosure documents (whitepaper, prospectus, rights of token-holders).
Tech setup that supports compliance (e.g., token transfer restrictions, investor whitelist).
Designing Your SecurityΒ Token
Now that youβve scoped your market and checked the regulatory terrain, itβs time to craft your tokenβs DNA. Think of this like building the engine before you hit the road. A powerful engine matters, but if itβs mis-aligned with the chassis, youβll wobble. Token design and tokenomics are your engine andΒ chassis.
Choose the right blockchain and tokenΒ standard
Your choice of blockchain affects scalability, cost, and compliance features. Certain token standards are purpose-built for security tokens. For example, the ERCβ3643 and ERCβ1400 standards let you embed compliance logic (like transfer restrictions or investor whitelists) into the token itself.Using one of these means your token isnβt just a show-pieceβββitβs built to obey rules and function in regulated markets.
Build your tokenomics: supply, features and value proposition
Hereβs where you get creative. A well-designed token doesnβt just sit on a ledger waiting for a pumpβββit actively aligns incentives for investors, the project, and the ecosystem.Key questions you shouldΒ address:
How many tokens will there be in total? Whatβs the distribution between investors, founders, advisors, reserve?
What rights does the token confer? Dividends? Voting rights? RevenueΒ share?
How does value come into it? If your token is just a security wrapper with no real utility or value-capture mechanism, investors will spotΒ that.
What lock-up or vesting schedules apply? To avoid early dumping, you need smartΒ design.
Does the token build demand organically, rather than relying only on hype or speculation? Projects that treat tokenomics as an afterthought oftenΒ crash.
Align legal, technical and businessΒ layers
One key overlooked aspect: you need all three parts talking to each otherβββlegal, tech and business. Your legal opinion must match the token contract capabilities. If your law says βtransfer only to accredited investorsβ then your smart contract must enforce that (via whitelist, for example). Technical token design must match tokenomics and business goals (fundraising, growth, secondary market). Otherwise youβll build a castle onΒ sand.
Smart Contract Development andΒ Security
Building the smart contracts for your security token isnβt just codingβββitβs engineering trust and transparency for investors. In this section, weβll walk through the best ways to create a contract that holds up under pressure and stands the test ofΒ time.
Choosing the right smart contract framework and standard Start by picking a blockchain and token standard that suit your tokenβs regulatory and technical needs. There are specific standardsβββsuch as those that allow transfer restrictions, investor whitelisting or other compliance features built into the token itself. By selecting the right standard early, youβre not retrofitting complianceβββyouβre coding it in from day one, giving your token a lasting compliance backbone.
Core security best practices you must enforce When youβre writing the contract code, certain principles must be non-negotiable. ForΒ example:
Keep the code simple. Complex logic often hides bugs and increases the risk of unexpected behavior.
Grant only the minimum required privileges. Role-based access and multi-signature administration help reduce critical securityΒ risks.
Build in fail-safesβββpause functions, circuit breakers, upgrade mechanisms. If something goes sideways, you want a way to stop the bleedingΒ fast.
Use well-tested libraries and known patterns (for example from OpenZeppelin) instead of reinventing the wheel or duplicating unsafe codeΒ blocks.
Common vulnerabilities to watch out forβββand avoid Because once your contract is live, you canβt change the code easily. So avoid mistakes like re-entrancy attacks (where a contract calls back into itself unexpectedly), insecure use of tx.origin vs msg.sender for authorization, or integer overflows/underflows (especially if using older versions of Solidity). Also avoid relying heavily on external contracts without proper checksβββthird-party integration is a potential weak link that often gets overlooked duringΒ testing.
Testing, deployment and upgrade strategy Donβt skip testing: unit tests, integration tests, even formal verification when possible. Simulate edge-cases and verify business logic matches real-world scenarios. Use testnets before mainnet, and document every deployment step for transparency. Plan upgradeability carefully: since contracts on chain are hard to change, you should build in or plan for controlled upgrades or modular logic structures to adapt overΒ time.
Auditing Your SecurityΒ Token
Think of auditing as the pre-flight check for your token before take-off. You canβt afford to skip itβββor worse, ignore what the report finds and hope for theΒ best.
Why an audit is indispensable Hereβs the blunt truth: smart contract mishaps have cost millions of dollars and countless reputations. A proper audit reveals coding errors, logic flaws, compliance gapsβββissues that could lead to hacks, regulatory fines, or reputational damage. By getting the audit done, you send a message: βWe take this seriously.β That builds investor confidence and increases your projectβs overall credibility and perceived market stability.
The audit process at aΒ glance
Documentation & code freeze: Gather the whitepaper, architecture docs, detailed specs, and freeze the code while the audit runs for consistency.
Automated tools + manual review: Automated scanners pick up common issues; human auditors look for deeper logic flaws and designΒ errors.
Report + remediation: Youβll get findings prioritized by risk. You fix them, then sometimes the auditor does a follow-review to confirm allΒ changes.
Certification and disclosure: Many teams publish the audit report alongside the launch, which builds transparency, investor trust, and community assurance.
Ongoing audits: Security isnβt βdoneβ after launch. Regular check-ups help you stay ready for new threats and evolving vulnerabilities.
Key items to ask your auditor or checkΒ yourself
Are transfer restrictions (whitelisting, investor accreditation) built into the smart contract logic correctly?
Is upgrade logic properly secured and limited to trusted roles or verified multi-signatures?
Has every external dependency (libraries, oracles) been reviewed for integrity and versionΒ control?
Does the audit cover business logic (tokenomics, rights) as well as just raw code security?
Are there test results, and do you have a structured plan for post-audit remediation?
Fixes, disclosures and managing trust Once vulnerabilities are found and fixed, publishing a summary of what was resolved (without exposing code secrets) helps you show accountability. Also prepare a βwhat weβll watch going forwardβ sectionβββshows maturity and commitment. If you hide the audit or ignore its findings, you risk investor skepticism, regulator scrutiny, and long-term reputation damage thatβs difficult toΒ reverse.
Launching Your Security Token Successfully
A successful launch defines the public perception of your project, shaping how investors, regulators, and exchanges view your token. This stage requires precision, timing, and clear communication aligning legal compliance with marketΒ appeal.
Pre-launch preparation and checklist Before going live, ensure every foundation stone is in place. This includes verifying smart contract integrity, finalizing the audit process, completing regulatory filings, and setting up whitelisting for verified investors. You also need investor onboarding portals, wallet integrations, and compliance tools tested and ready. Pre-launch dry runsβββsimulated purchase and redemption testsβββconfirm every mechanism works flawlessly under pressure, ensuring a smoothΒ rollout.
Exchange and platform selection The platform you choose to launch your token determines accessibility and investor reach. Some tokens prefer private security exchanges for compliance ease, while others opt for hybrid solutions supporting broader secondary trading. Assess jurisdictional compatibility, liquidity depth, reputation, and technical support. Partner with platforms that understand digital securities and have a track record of handling compliant token listings securely.
Investor relations and marketing strategy This stage isnβt about hype; itβs about credibility. Build marketing around your projectβs real-world value and transparency. Create educational materials explaining investor rights, dividend models, and governance structures. Host AMAs, webinars, and targeted PR campaigns highlighting compliance and audited transparency. Every communication should signal professionalism, confidence, and long-term vision rather than short-term speculation.
Technical deployment and post-launch monitoring Once launched, monitor the tokenβs on-chain performance continuouslyβββtrack transfer restrictions, ownership updates, transaction confirmations, and liquidity flows. Set up alerts for unusual activities and maintain dashboards that visualize investor participation and market health. Early response to technical or operational issues prevents crises and demonstrates operational maturity.
Post-Launch Management and ScalingΒ Strategy
The launch may end your initial phase, but scaling marks the start of sustainable success. Managing a live security token involves balancing compliance, investor engagement, and liquidity while preparing for future growth in globalΒ markets.
Maintaining compliance and reporting Post-launch, compliance never stops. Continuously update investor KYC/AML records, maintain audit trails, and file periodic disclosures with regulators or exchanges. Automated compliance systems simplify workflows, but manual oversight remains essential. Staying ahead of evolving regulations ensures your asset remains legitimate and tradable across jurisdictions.
Building liquidity and secondary market trading Liquidity is the lifeblood of a successful token. Collaborate with approved exchanges and licensed broker-dealers to enable compliant secondary trading. Introduce market makers to stabilize price movements and ensure trading depth. Review trading analytics to assess investor confidence, identify dormant holdings, and encourage healthy activity through transparent updates and performance reporting.
Investor engagement and transparency A compliant token still needs a strong community. Communicate regularly with investors through newsletters, governance updates, and performance summaries. Offer voting features or digital AGMs for token holders to feel connected. Transparent communication reinforces loyalty and builds an active ecosystem that continues attracting institutional and retail participants.
Scaling the ecosystem through partnerships and upgrades Once stability is achieved, expand strategically. Integrate with asset management platforms, fintech solutions, or DeFi bridges designed for security tokens. Collaborate with custodians and regulated liquidity providers to widen accessibility. When planning upgrades, always use transparent governance proposals and communicate roadmaps clearly to avoid investor uncertainty.
Scaling Your SecurityΒ Token
Launching a token is only the beginning. Scaling is what transforms your security token from a single offering into a thriving, long-term investment ecosystem. Itβs about extending reach, increasing liquidity, and building a community that actively participates in governance andΒ trading.
Expanding adoption through strategic partnerships Partnerships are a force multiplier. Collaborate with fintech platforms, asset managers, and regulated exchanges to broaden accessibility and integrate your token into real-world financial workflows. Partnering with custodians and secondary market providers also improves credibility and builds trust among investors who may be new to blockchain.
Leveraging DeFi and cross-chain opportunities The DeFi landscape offers ways to make your token more liquid and usable. Consider staking, lending, or other compliant decentralized finance mechanisms to increase utility. Cross-chain compatibility can open doors to new investor pools and allow your token to participate in multiple blockchain ecosystems, expanding market reach beyond the initialΒ chain.
Enhancing investor engagement and utility Scaling isnβt just technicalβββitβs social. Encourage investor participation through voting, governance proposals, and feedback loops. Introduce utility features like dividends, rewards, or premium access for token holders. The more value investors see beyond speculation, the stronger your tokenβs community becomes, and the more resilient the ecosystem grows.
Tracking KPIs and iterating growth strategies To scale effectively, measure everything. Track metrics like active holders, trading volume, liquidity depth, and governance participation. Analyze adoption trends to fine-tune your roadmap, marketing, and ecosystem incentives. Regular iteration ensures your token grows in line with investor expectations and market opportunities, instead of plateauing or losing relevance.
Conclusion
Launching, auditing, and scaling a security token is a journey that blends careful planning, technical precision, regulatory compliance, and strategic growth. From understanding the fundamentals of security tokens and designing robust tokenomics, to developing secure smart contracts, conducting professional audits, executing a compliant launch, and building long-term investor trust, every step matters. Post-launch, focusing on liquidity, investor engagement, partnerships, and continuous performance tracking ensures your token evolves into a sustainable, thriving ecosystem. By integrating these practices, projects can not only meet regulatory standards but also deliver real value to investors, creating a security token that stands out in the competitive digital assetΒ market.
Launching a token is more than just writing smart contracts itβs about finding the right blockchain home where your idea can thrive. Among the many networks available, BNB Chain has emerged as one of the most business-friendly ecosystems for token creation. It blends scalability, low transaction costs, and a massive user base, making it an ideal launchpad for startups and established enterprises alike. Over the years, BNB Chain has transformed from being just Binanceβs blockchain into a powerful ecosystem that supports DeFi, GameFi, SocialFi, NFTs, and tokenized real-world assets. For entrepreneurs, this means access to a vibrant space where innovation meets liquidity, backed by solid infrastructure and an active global community.
Key Benefits for Entrepreneurs
What truly sets BNB Chain apart is its compatibility with Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), allowing developers to use Solidity the same coding language used for Ethereum-based projects. This reduces the development learning curve and ensures that projects can easily migrate or connect across chains. In addition, BNB Chain offers significantly lower gas fees, which is a major advantage for projects with frequent transactions or large user bases. The cost efficiency allows businesses to experiment and iterate without heavy spending, while the broad integration with wallets, exchanges, and DeFi platforms guarantees strong visibility andΒ reach.
Understanding the Foundation: BNB Chain Ecosystem & Token Standards
A Look Inside the BNB Chain Architecture
BNB Chain is built on a dual-architecture model designed to balance scalability, decentralization, and high transaction speeds. It includes two major components: the BNB Smart Chain (BSC) and the BNB Beacon Chain. The Smart Chain focuses on smart contract functionality and decentralized applications, while the Beacon Chain handles staking, governance, and consensus. Together, they create a fast, flexible, and secure blockchain environment for developers and businesses. Over time, this ecosystem has evolved to support thousands of decentralized projects across DeFi, NFTs, gaming, and metaverse applications making it one of the most active and reliable networks in the cryptoΒ space.
The Role of BEP-20 Tokens in BNBβsΒ Success
At the heart of token creation on BNB Chain lies the BEP-20 standard. Similar to Ethereumβs ERC-20, BEP-20 defines how tokens can be created, transferred, and managed on the network. This standard is widely adopted because it is simple, flexible, and compatible with most wallets and dApps. Entrepreneurs can use BEP-20 to develop utility, governance, or asset-backed tokens that can interact seamlessly with DeFi protocols like PancakeSwap and wallets such as MetaMask and Trust Wallet. Its interoperability allows for easy cross-chain functionality, making it ideal for businesses that want to scale beyond one ecosystem.
Why Token Standards Matter for Entrepreneurs?
Token standards play a vital role in ensuring compatibility, scalability, and ease of listing. When you follow the BEP-20 framework, your token automatically gains access to a wide range of DeFi platforms, liquidity pools, and trading venues. This standardized approach simplifies integration with exchanges and bridges, giving your project a faster route to liquidity and recognition. Moreover, exchanges and launchpads prefer tokens built on well-established standards since it ensures reliability and smoother auditing.
Tools and Infrastructure Supporting the Ecosystem
The BNB Chain ecosystem is ready-made for entrepreneurs. From wallets and bridges to explorers and liquidity protocols, everything you need is already in place. Popular wallets like MetaMask, Trust Wallet, and Binance Wallet support BEP-20 natively, while cross-chain bridges allow seamless movement between BNB Chain, Ethereum, and other networks. Tools such as BscScan provide transparency for tracking transactions, verifying contracts, and analyzing token activity. DeFi protocols like PancakeSwap and Biswap offer ready liquidity pools, helping your token find an immediate market after launch. This complete infrastructure enables you to focus on innovation and growth rather than worrying about backend complexities.
Ideation & Business Fit: Defining Your TokenβsΒ Purpose
Finding the Purpose Behind YourΒ Token
Every successful token begins with a clear purpose. Before you start building, define the problem your token solves and how it adds value to users or your business. A well-defined purpose ensures your token has a meaningful role within your ecosystem rather than existing purely for speculation. Ask yourself critical questions what issue does your token address? Does it create utility, improve engagement, or open new revenue channels? For instance, a retail brand may develop a loyalty token to reward customers, while a gaming company might use tokens to represent in-game assets or achievements. The goal is to ensure your token aligns with a tangible use case that supports your brandβsΒ mission.
Choosing the Right TokenΒ Type
Tokens come in many forms, and selecting the right type determines your projectβs direction. Utility tokens give holders access to specific features or services, governance tokens enable community voting, and reward tokens drive participation and loyalty. On the other hand, memecoins thrive on community engagement and culture, while asset-backed tokens link digital ownership to real-world value such as property, gold, or private credit. Choosing the right role defines your tokenomics, compliance requirements, and market approach.
Positioning and Market Differentiation
Differentiation is another key factor. The crypto landscape is competitive, with thousands of tokens fighting for attention. Conduct a thorough market study to identify gaps in your niche. Analyze competitors, understand what they do well, and find opportunities where you can stand out whether thatβs through better utility, enhanced transparency, or stronger community engagement. Tools like CoinGecko, DappRadar, and Kaito can help you identify emerging trends and benchmark performance.
Aligning Your Token with Your BusinessΒ Roadmap
Finally, ensure your token aligns seamlessly with your overall business roadmap. It should contribute directly to your companyβs growth goals whether by boosting user retention, creating a decentralized governance model, or unlocking new monetization channels. A strong roadmap ties your token to real milestones, like feature rollouts or ecosystem partnerships, giving investors and users confidence in its long-term value. When a token is built around clear intent, market relevance, and solid business alignment, it transforms from a digital asset into a powerful growth engine for yourΒ brand.
Tokenomics is the heartbeat of every blockchain project. It defines how your token will function, circulate, and maintain value over time. A solid tokenomics model isnβt just about numbers itβs about designing an economy that aligns incentives among users, investors, and developers. Entrepreneurs need to think of tokenomics as a mini financial system that drives behavior, rewards participation, and sustains growth. A poorly designed token economy can lead to quick burnout, while a balanced one ensures long-term engagement and credibility in theΒ market.
Setting Total Supply and Allocation
One of the first steps is defining your tokenβs total supply. Will it be capped or inflationary? Fixed-supply tokens often attract investors because theyβre seen as scarce assets, while inflationary tokens suit ecosystems that rely on ongoing rewards or staking incentives. Once the supply is determined, you need a clear allocation strategy how much goes to founders, investors, ecosystem development, liquidity pools, marketing, and reserves. A well-balanced allocation promotes sustainability. For instance, reserving a percentage for liquidity ensures healthy market trading, while allocating a share to development keeps your project evolving. Transparency in supply and allocation helps build trust among your community and investors.
Designing the Emission and VestingΒ Model
Token emissions determine how and when new tokens enter circulation. Entrepreneurs must strike a balance between availability and scarcity. Releasing too many tokens early can crash prices, while an overly restrictive model might limit user participation. Vesting schedules help manage this by locking tokens for founders and early investors over a defined period preventing sudden sell-offs that could harm the market. Gradual vesting also signals confidence in your projectβs long-term success. The key is to align token release timelines with your roadmap milestones to ensure value grows with ecosystem expansion.
Incentive Mechanics and Utility Integration
The best tokens donβt just sit in wallets they move, engage, and motivate. Craft meaningful incentive mechanisms that encourage users to hold, stake, or spend your token. Examples include staking rewards, cashback programs, or governance voting rights. You can also design deflationary features like token burns, which reduce supply over time, naturally supporting value appreciation. Linking your token to real use cases like accessing premium services, unlocking features, or participating in governance creates organic demand. The more utility your token provides, the more sustainable its market valueΒ becomes.
Establishing Governance and Community Control
True decentralization comes from shared control. Incorporating governance features allows your community to vote on updates, new features, and policy changes. Governance tokens give holders a voice, building loyalty and transparency. However, decentralization must be structured wisely too much power spread early can slow decision-making, while too little can alienate users. Many projects start with semi-decentralized governance, gradually increasing community participation as the ecosystem matures.
An effective governance model ensures your project evolves democratically while keeping it agile enough to respond to marketΒ shifts.
Liquidity Management and Anti-Dump Safeguards
Liquidity is the fuel that keeps your token tradable. Without it, users canβt buy or sell efficiently, leading to volatile price swings. Establishing liquidity pools on major decentralized exchanges like PancakeSwap ensures stability and continuous trading activity. Entrepreneurs should also implement anti-dump mechanisms such as vesting periods, transaction limits, or time-based release locks to prevent large holders from crashing the price. Liquidity locks, where project teams lock a portion of their LP tokens for a fixed duration, reassure investors that the team wonβt suddenly withdraw funds. These small yet critical measures help maintain confidence and foster long-term growth.
Technical Implementation: Building the Token on BNBΒ Chain
Setting Up the Development Environment
Once your strategy, compliance, and tokenomics are ready, itβs time to bring your token to life. Start by setting up a secure development environment using tools like Remix IDE, Hardhat, or Truffle. Connect your wallet (MetaMask or Trust Wallet) to the BNB Smart Chain testnet for initial deployment. Testing on testnet helps verify contract behavior without using real funds. Make sure to configure gas settings and RPC endpoints correctly to avoid deployment errors.
Writing and Testing the SmartΒ Contract
Develop your BEP-20 smart contract using Solidity. You can reference audited templates from OpenZeppelin to ensure reliability. Add necessary functions such as transfer, mint, burn, and approve, along with custom logic if required like staking or governance modules. After development, rigorously test your contract on the testnet to check for errors, failed transactions, or gas inefficiencies. Utilize blockchain explorers like BscScan to verify token metadata and confirm its operational accuracy.
Mainnet Deployment and Verification
Once testing is successful, deploy your token contract on the BNB Chain mainnet. Double-check your parameters before confirming the deployment since changes afterward may not be reversible. After deployment, verify your contract on BscScan to make the code transparent and readable to the public. Verified contracts build trust, allowing users and exchanges to confirm your tokenβs authenticity instantly.
Integrating Wallets, Exchanges, andΒ dApps
Next, integrate your token with wallets like MetaMask, Trust Wallet, and Binance Wallet. Submit your tokenβs details name, symbol, decimals, and contract address to ensure seamless recognition. To enhance visibility, list your token on decentralized exchanges like PancakeSwap by creating a liquidity pool. Once your liquidity stabilizes, consider approaching centralized exchanges for listing applications. You can also integrate your token into DeFi apps, staking platforms, or NFT ecosystems to extend its usability.
Final Testing and Launch Readiness
Before the public launch, perform a final audit and stress test. Check transaction speed, liquidity flow, and contract responses under simulated high demand. Prepare a comprehensive documentation set, including token specifications, whitepaper, and user guides. Finally, execute your launch campaign with coordinated marketing, influencer promotions, and community events to drive attention and trust during the first days ofΒ trading.
Launch Preparation: Audit, Deploy, Integrate &Β List
Securing Your Token Before theΒ Launch
Before going public, every entrepreneur should treat security as a top priority. A token launch without proper safety measures can quickly erode investor confidence. The first step is to conduct a comprehensive audit through a trusted third-party firm like CertiK, PeckShield, or Hacken. These audits verify that your smart contract operates as intended and is free from vulnerabilities. Post-audit, freeze your contract to prevent last-minute code changes, as consistency between the audited and deployed version builds investorΒ trust.
Beyond code audits, perform internal and external penetration testing to simulate real-world exploits. Testing your systemβs resilience under stress ensures youβre launch-ready. Itβs also smart to prepare an incident response plan a structured set of actions to take in case of a bug or exploit. Transparency during this phase reassures your community that security comes first, setting a strong tone before launchΒ day.
Building Launch Infrastructure
The technical setup for your launch determines how smoothly your token enters circulation. Begin by establishing the liquidity pools that will enable your tokenβs trading. Platforms like PancakeSwap or Biswap are ideal for initial liquidity since they attract large daily trading volumes. Youβll need to deposit equal values of your token and BNB to create a healthy trading pair. Consider locking part of your liquidity using services like PinkLock or Unicrypt this prevents early liquidity withdrawals and builds investor confidence.
At the same time, set up your official dashboards, such as claim pages for airdrops or vesting portals for investors. Make sure your website, whitepaper, and analytics dashboards are synced to reflect real-time token metrics. These tools enhance transparency and create a professional image for your project atΒ launch.
Wallet and Platform Integrations
Once the contract is verified on BscScan, integrate your token across major wallets like MetaMask, Trust Wallet, and Binance Wallet. Adding it to wallet directories makes it easier for users to interact with your token right away. You can also register your token with multi-chain data aggregators like CoinGecko and CoinMarketCap.
For exchange readiness, reach out early to centralized exchanges (CEXs) such as Gate.io, BitMart, or MEXC, which often support BNB-based tokens. Prepare documentation that includes your token audit report, compliance summary, and liquidity proof. A smooth listing process depends on how well you present your projectβs credibility and community traction.
Launch Marketing and Community Readiness
Marketing and technical deployment must move hand-in-hand. Build momentum weeks before your token goes live. Use your social channels, newsletters, and crypto forums to share sneak peeks and countdown updates. Coordinate with influencers and key opinion leaders (KOLs) for shoutouts, AMAs, and reviews. A structured pre-launch campaign featuring teaser videos, referral programs, or whitelist events can attract early investors and active community members.
Launch day is about visibility and confidence. Ensure your website and analytics dashboards can handle traffic surges, your community team is ready for real-time engagement, and your marketing materials clearly explain how to buy or interact with yourΒ token.
Go-to-Market Strategy: Community, Marketing, Hype & Distribution
Building an Engaged Community
Community isnβt just a side activity itβs the backbone of any successful token. A loyal, vocal, and informed community drives awareness, organic growth, and sustained trading volume. Start by setting up official communication channels such as Telegram, Discord, and X (formerly Twitter). Use these platforms to provide updates, share behind-the-scenes development stories, and answer user questions directly.
Community moderators play a vital role. They maintain a positive tone, manage queries, and create a sense of belonging. Reward active members through ambassador programs or small airdrops. These incentives turn participants into promoters, naturally expanding your projectβs reach.
Marketing Strategies That Work for BNBΒ Tokens
BNB Chainβs ecosystem has a strong social-driven culture, so marketing needs to be authentic, data-backed, and consistent. Combine both organic and paid efforts. Publish educational content explaining your projectβs value proposition through blogs, Twitter threads, and short videos. Use platforms like Medium and LinkedIn for detailed stories and industry insights.
Collaborate with influencers and KOLs on platforms such as YouTube, X, and TikTok who specialize in crypto education. Encourage them to test your product, provide feedback, or host AMAs. Run airdrop and bounty campaigns via platforms like Zealy or Galxe to boost engagement while rewarding user activity.
Press coverage also amplifies credibility. Reach out to crypto news outlets like CoinTelegraph, BeInCrypto, or NewsBTC for features or announcements. Each exposure opportunity brings you closer to establishing brand trust and market presence.
Crafting Viral Loops and Hype Mechanics
Virality drives token momentum. Create events that generate FOMO and excitement, such as meme contests, NFT giveaways, or staking reward boosts. Limited-time offers or gamified quests can motivate users to act fast. Align your narrative with BNB Chainβs popular trends like DeFi staking, play-to-earn mechanics, or SocialFi integration.
Leverage data-driven platforms like Kaito or LunarCrush to track engagement and identify what kind of content resonates most with your audience. Analyze which campaigns bring the most traffic and conversions, then double down on whatΒ works.
Establishing Partnerships and Liquidity Alliances
Collaborating with other projects on BNB Chain is a powerful growth multiplier. You can partner with DeFi protocols for liquidity pooling, launchpad platforms for co-promotions, or NFT projects for crossover events. Joint campaigns often lead to higher trust and shared community exposure.
Liquidity partnerships like staking collaborations or token swaps also strengthen your tokenβs market presence. They create new use cases while improving the overall health of your trading ecosystem.
Post-Launch: Sustaining Momentum and TokenΒ Value
Managing Liquidity and Market Stability
After the initial excitement fades, your focus should shift toward maintaining liquidity and stability. Consistent liquidity management ensures smooth trading and minimizes volatility. Consider adding more liquidity pools or incentivizing holders to stake tokens for rewards. These mechanisms reduce sell pressure and lock value into your ecosystem.
Regular buy-back or burn programs can also help sustain long-term value by reducing circulating supply. Communicate these initiatives transparently to your holders it shows commitment to value preservation and marketΒ health.
Strengthening Governance and Community Involvement
As your token ecosystem grows, begin transferring decision-making power to your community. Introduce DAO-style governance, allowing holders to propose or vote on key updates. Governance participation gives users a sense of ownership, which deepensΒ loyalty.
To ensure participation, make governance intuitive use familiar interfaces like Snapshot or Tally that simplify voting processes. Over time, a balanced governance model will build a decentralized, self-sustaining ecosystem.
Ecosystem Expansion and Integrations
Growth doesnβt stop after launch. Keep your token relevant by expanding into new integrations and partnerships. For example, you can collaborate with DeFi, NFT, or metaverse projects to introduce new use cases. Launch liquidity farms, staking platforms, or cross-chain bridges to attract diverse communities.
Interoperability is the next frontier bridging your token to other ecosystems such as Ethereum, Polygon, or Arbitrum can amplify visibility and liquidity. The broader your presence, the more resilient your token economyΒ becomes.
Tracking Performance and Responding to MarketΒ Trends
Monitor both on-chain and off-chain analytics regularly. Use platforms like Dune Analytics, Nansen, and BscScan to evaluate transaction volume, wallet growth, and community engagement metrics. Combine these insights with social sentiment analysis to understand how your project is perceived.
Market conditions in crypto can shift rapidly. Maintain agility by adapting your communication and incentive strategies. If engagement drops, launch fresh campaigns or partnerships. Consistent iteration keeps your project dynamic and relevant.
Risk Management and CrisisΒ Response
Even the strongest projects face challenges price dips, technical glitches, or market corrections. The difference between success and failure lies in response management. Maintain open communication during crises. Address issues transparently through official channels, explaining actions being taken. Proactive communication preserves community trust and investor confidence, even in tough situations.
Sustaining Long-Term Value
Ultimately, long-term token success depends on ongoing value creation. Continue innovating launch new utilities, reward long-term holders, and evolve your brand identity. Keep reinforcing your core mission and ensure that your community feels included in every stage of growth. A project that stays transparent, adaptive, and user-centric can thrive long after the initial hypeΒ fades.
Cost Breakdown & Budget Planning for 2025 /Β 2026
Launching a token on BNB Chain involves a range of expenses depending on the projectβs complexity, security needs, and marketing scope. On average, BNB Chain token development costs between $15,000 and $75,000, while enterprise or asset-backed projects may exceed $100,000.
To optimize spending, divide your budget into three stages: Pre-launch, focusing on tokenomics and audits; Launch, covering liquidity, KOL promotions, and exchange integration; and Post-launch, dedicated to governance, updates, and community retention.
The best ROI doesnβt come from cutting costs but from strategic allocation. Projects that invest smartly in security, marketing, and transparency tend to achieve better adoption, sustained liquidity, and long-term credibility.
Conclusion
Launching a token on BNB Chain offers entrepreneurs a powerful blend of speed, scalability, and affordability, making it one of the most practical ecosystems for innovative blockchain projects. From ideation and tokenomics design to compliance, deployment, and post-launch growth, success comes from meticulous planning and execution. The key lies in building a token that delivers genuine utility, maintains transparency, and fosters long-term community trust.
As blockchain adoption accelerates into 2026, businesses that align their token strategies with real-world use cases will lead the next wave of digital transformation. Blockchain App Factory provides expert token development services, helping entrepreneurs and enterprises build, audit, and launch secure, compliant, and market-ready tokens across the BNB Chain and beyond empowering your project to thrive in the evolving Web3Β economy.
A hearty, comforting and fulfilling soup that you must try this winter season is the classic restaurant style chicken noodle soup which is a one pot wonder that will keep you full for the entire night!
Winter is just round the corner and so is the craving for that soulful bowl of warm soup that will perfectly fit the bill as a one pot meal!
So here I come with my homemade chicken noodle soup that not only looks gorgeous but can also give the restaurant version a run for its money in terms of its flavors and taste!
Try it once and you will know why I am saying what I am saying!
What is chicken noodle soup?
Asian chicken noodle soup is a widely popular soup and I am not surprised at all! If a single dish can work as an entree as well as main course, who wouldnβt love it?
I made this a week before Diwali when we were feeling a little under the weather; we loved it so much that we immediately decided to prepare it for our little blog and share it with yaβall!
The best thing about this soup recipe is that you wonβt need a long list of ingredients; just the basic aromatics, chicken & noodles and you are ready to whip up the most comforting soup of the season!
Chicken Lollipops are everyoneβs favourite party starter for a reason. And making them at home is so much easier than you think!
If thereβs one appetiser that never lets you down, itβs Chicken Lollipop. Crispy edges, juicy meat, and that hint of spice that hits just right. Thereβs a reason you will find it at every celebration, from family get-togethers to late-night takeout orders.Β
With this recipe you can bring that crunchy, flavourful magic straight to your kitchen. I usually serve this with my homemade schezwan sauce, or Thai sweet chilli sauce, but it tastes really good with ketchup, mayo, or any other dip of your choice.Β
Chicken Lollipops: These are the middle segments of chicken wings that are trimmed into a βlollipopβ shape.
Marinade: A mix of soy sauce, red chilli sauce, vinegar, tomato ketchup, chilli powder, garlic paste, and salt.
Batter: Cornflour, all-purpose flour, and rice flour make a light, crisp coating.Β
Egg: Helps the batter stick to the chicken while frying.
Oil: Use any neutral oil with a high smoke point, like sunflower or vegetable oil, for frying.
Ginger Paste: Adds warmth and a sharp kick.Β
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Chicken Lollipops made of?
Theyβre made using the middle segment of chicken wings. The meat is cut and pushed down to one end to form a βlollipopβ shape thatβs easy to hold and perfect for snacking.
What cut is a Chicken Lollipop?
Itβs the mid-joint or βdrumetteβ part of the wing. You can trim it yourself or buy them ready-made from most butcher shops or supermarkets.
Can I make this recipe in an air fryer instead of deep frying?
Yes! Lightly brush the lollipops with oil and air fry them at 200Β°C for 10β12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Theyβll still be crispy and juicy with much less oil.
How can I make it spicier or milder?
For extra heat, add a pinch of red chilli flakes or a splash of hot sauce to the batter. To make it milder, use Kashmiri chilli powder instead of regular chilli powder, it gives colour without too much spice.
Is Chicken Lollipop healthy?
Like most fried foods, itβs best enjoyed in moderation. For a lighter version, you can air fry or bake them and skip the second fry step.
Richaβs Top Tips
Marinate long enough: Even 30 minutes makes a difference, but if you have time, let the chicken rest in the fridge for a few hours. The flavours go deeper, and the meat stays juicier after frying.
Use rice flour for crunch: Donβt skip it! Itβs the secret to that light, crispy texture that stays crunchy even after a few minutes.
Keep the oil hot but steady: Around 175β180Β°C is perfect. Too hot and the coating burns before the chicken cooks; too low and the lollipops turn soggy.
Double fry for extra crispiness: If youβre making these ahead for a party, fry them once to cook through, and again for a minute just before serving.Β
Storage Tips
Fridge: Store leftover chicken lollipops in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat them in an air fryer or oven at 180Β°C for 4β5 minutes to bring back some of the crispiness.
Freezer: You can freeze marinated or fried (but un-sauced) lollipops for up to a month. To reheat, let them thaw in the fridge overnight and air fry or deep fry for a few minutes before serving.
Room Temperature: If youβre serving them later the same day, keep them loosely covered on the counter for no more than 2 hours to maintain their texture.
Serving Ideas
Chicken Lollipops fit right into any setting, from game nights to festive dinners. Here are a few delicious ways to serve them:
With Schezwan Sauce: The classic combo that never fails, spicy, tangy, and just the right amount of heat.
With Noodles: Serve alongside Hakka Noodles for that restaurant-style experience right at home.
With Drinks: They pair beautifully with chilled drinks, mocktails, soft drinks, or even iced tea, balancing out the spice with a bit of freshness.
Customisation Ideas
Turn it saucy: Instead of serving them dry, coat the fried lollipops in a quick honeyβgarlic glaze or toss them in a sweet chilli sauce for a sticky, glossy finish.
Make it cheesy: Add a little grated mozzarella or processed cheese to the batter for a melty surprise once you bite in.
Try a fusion twist: Swap the usual Indo-Chinese flavour with peri-peri or tandoori masala for something new but equally addictive.
Experiment with the coating: Use crushed cornflakes or breadcrumbs in the batter for an extra layer of crunch that holds up longer.
And there you have it, crispy, juicy Chicken Lollipops that taste just like your favourite restaurant ones, maybe even better. Once you nail this recipe, itβll easily become your go-to for parties, weekends, or those days when youβre craving a little indulgence.
If you give this a try, tag @my_foodstory on Instagram, Iβd love to see how they turn out in your kitchen!
Make chicken lollipop at home with this detailed, easy to follow recipe. These lollipops are crunchy, juicy and taste just as good as takeout! Plus when you make them at home, no more soggy lollipops.
Whisk together soy sauce, red chilli sauce, vinegar, tomato ketchup, red chilli powder, garlic paste, salt in a bowl and toss the chicken lollipops in it. Marinade for half an hour.
In the same bowl, add cornflour, all purpose flour, rice flour, egg and ginger paste and mix well to create a thick batter and coat the lollipops in it.
Heat about two inches oil in a wok or kadhai to 350F/ 176C. Add the battered lollipops one by one to the oil in such a way that the meat is at the bottom and the bone is on top (watch the video to see how I do it). Fry these on medium high heat till golden brown β approx 3-4 minutes.
Take these out on a tissue paper to blot out any excess oil and serve hot with schezwan sauce.
Video
Notes
Cutting chicken lollipop: Chicken lollipops are prepared using the middle segment of the chicken wing. You can watch this video to learn how to do this at home or just buy them pre-prepared from the store.
Marinade:Β marinade for at least 30 minutes. For the best results, marinate the chicken in the refrigerator overnight. Remove the chicken from the refrigerator 10 minutes prior to frying.Β Β
Oil temperature:Β Ensure the oil is at 350F/ 176C for frying the chicken. This temperature is ideal for perfectly cooked crispy chicken.Β
Make these in advance: You can also make these ahead by frying them once and storing them for a couple of hours. When ready to serve, heat the oil to about 400F/204C and flash fry the lollipops for the second time for just a minute. This will give it a super crispy coating and youβll have hot chicken lollipops ready to go.
This Chettinad Chicken Curry is a beautifully layered, spicy, coconut-y, herby curry. Serve with rice, dosa, or roti, for a meal thatβs delicious and unforgettable!Β Β
If thereβs one chicken curry that never fails to impress me, itβs this Chettinad Chicken Curry. When you make this at home, thereβs something magical about the way your whole kitchen comes alive with the smells of pepper, curry leaves, and that nutty coconut. aroma fills up every corner.
This recipe has strong spicy flavors but itβs also comforting in the way only homemade food can be. A slow-roasted spice paste and a touch of coconut bring everything together into a rich curry thatβs perfect for when you want something hearty and deeply satisfying.Β
Chicken: We have used boneless thigh chicken pieces as they remain juicy through the cooking process. You can use bone-in chicken, however I would not recommend using breast pieces. Β
Coconut oil: For that nutty, authentic South Indian flavors. You can use a neutral-flavored oil or ghee in a pinch, but it will alter the flavors slightly.Β
Whole spices: Mustard seeds, fennel seeds, and curry leaves for an earthy fragrance.
Aromatics: Sliced sambar onions (or shallots), green chilli, red chilli, and ginger-garlic paste.
Tomato puree: To bring slight sweetness and tang.
Chettinad spice paste: Freshly ground cumin seeds, coriander seeds, dried red chillies, black pepper, fennel seeds, cinnamon, green cardamoms, and grated coconut; this is what gives the curry its peppery kick.
For finishing: Chopped coriander leaves and a final handful of curry leaves.
Richaβs Top Tips
Take your time with the spice paste: Slowly roast the spices and coconut till they smell nutty and just start to change colour.Β
Grind it fine: A smooth spice paste gives you that restaurant-style curry texture that coats every piece of chicken beautifully.
Avoid chicken breast: Chicken breast pieces cannot withstand the longer cook time of this chicken curry and tend to become dry and stringy.Β
Donβt rush the simmer: Once everythingβs in, let it bubble away gently. The chicken turns tender, and the flavours come together perfectly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is special about Chettinad Chicken Curry?
Itβs all about the freshly roasted spices. The unique blend of coconut, black pepper, fennel, and curry leaves gives it an earthy flavour thatβs spicy but perfectly balanced.
Is Chettinad Chicken very spicy?
Traditionally, yes. Itβs meant to have a good kick from black pepper and dried red chillies. But you can easily tone it down by using fewer chillies or milder varieties like Kashmiri red chillies.
Whatβs the difference between Madras curry and Chettinad curry?
Madras curry usually has more tomatoes and relies on pre-made curry powder. Chettinad curry, on the other hand, is made with freshly roasted and ground whole spices, giving it a more layered flavour.
Storage Tips
Fridge: You can store leftover Chettinad Chicken Curry in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The flavours actually deepen over time, so it tastes even better the next day.
Freezer: You can freeze the curry for up to a month. Let it cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating: Warm the curry gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of water or coconut milk if itβs thickened in the fridge. Avoid high heat, slow reheating helps keep the chicken tender.
Tip: If youβve made a big batch, store the chicken and gravy separately. It keeps the texture just right when you reheat.
Serving Ideas
This spicy, rich curry deserves sides that balance and complement its strong flavours. Here are some of my favourite pairings to make it a complete South Indian-style meal:
Over Steamed Rice: Simple basmati or sona masoori rice lets the flavours of the curry shine through.
With Coconut Rice: Doubles up on the coconut goodness and adds a subtle sweetness that balances the spice.
With Lemon Rice: A bright, citrusy side that lifts the warmth of the curry beautifully.
With Ragi Dosa: A light, earthy pairing that turns this into a wholesome weekend lunch.
Alongside Appams: The soft, lacey texture of appams works beautifully with the thick, spiced gravy.
With Chapati or Phulka: If you prefer a simple bread option, this makes for an easy, comforting meal.
Customisation Ideas
Make it richer: Stir in a bit of thick coconut milk or ghee toward the end for a creamy, slightly luxurious version thatβs perfect for special occasions.
Add veggies: Potatoes, mushrooms, or even drumsticks soak up the spicy Chettinad masala beautifully and make the curry more hearty.
Use the spice paste elsewhere: The Chettinad masala is so versatile! Try it with paneer, prawns, or boiled eggs for a quick variation thatβs just as flavourful.
Swap the protein: If youβre not in the mood for chicken, this masala works equally well with mutton, fish, or tofu. Just adjust the cooking time to suit the protein.
Did You know?
Chettinad cuisine comes from the Chettiar community of Tamil Nadu, known for its vivid use of freshly ground spices and complex flavours. Itβs one of the spiciest and most aromatic cuisines in India, with each household often blending its own secret masala mix.
Interestingly, traditional Chettinad curries were always cooked in clay pots over firewood, which gave them that signature smoky depth. And while chicken Chettinad is now famous across restaurants, the original versions often featured local meats like quail or crab!
This curry is a reminder on how simple ingredients can turn into something special with just a little time and care. The freshly ground spices, coconut, and curry leaves come together to create that unforgettable Chettinad aroma that lingers long after the meal.
Once you make it from scratch, youβll see why people love this curry so much. Donβt forget to tag @my_foodstory on Instagram when you try it!!
500gramschickenboneless thigh, cut into 3/4th inch cubes
Β½teaspoonturmeric powder
2tablespoonscoconut oil
1teaspoonmustard seeds
Β½teaspoonfennel seedsor saunf
3β 4 sprigs curry leavesdivided
25sambar onions approx. ΒΎ cupthinly sliced
1green chillislit
1red chilliwhole
1teaspoonginger garlic paste
ΒΌcuptomato puree
ΒΎteaspoonsalt
1 β 1 ΒΌcupwaterdivided
1tablespoonchopped coriander leaves
spice paste
1tablespooncumin seedsor jeera
1tablespooncoriander seedsor dhaniya
6byadgi or kashmiri red chilliesdry
1teaspoonblack pepperwhole or kali mirch
Β½teaspoonfennel seedsor saunf
1inchcinnamon
4green cardamoms
ΒΌcupgrated coconut
ΒΌ β Β½cupwater
Instructions
Marinate chicken with turmeric powder and set aside.
500 grams chicken, Β½ teaspoon turmeric powder
Add all the ingredients under spice paste except water and dry roast on a low flame for 3-4 minutes till they start smelling nutty and the coconut is a light golden. be careful not to burn the spices. grind with ΒΌ β Β½ cup of water into a fine paste.
1 tablespoon cumin seeds, 1 tablespoon coriander seeds, 6 byadgi or kashmiri red chillies, 1 teaspoon black pepper, Β½ teaspoon fennel seeds, 1 inch cinnamon, 4 green cardamoms, ΒΌ cup grated coconut, ΒΌ β Β½ cup water
in a pan, heat coconut oil and add mustard seeds and fennel seeds. Once they start crackling, add 3 sprigs of curry leaves, onions, green chilli, red chilli and ginger garlic paste. Cook until the onions are a light pink. add the ground spice paste and cook for 5-7 minutes. Add tomato puree and cook for 5-6 minutes till the rawness goes & oil separates from the masala.
Add marinated chicken and saute for 2 minutes. Add ΒΌ cup of water and salt, cover and cook on low for 15 minutes till the chicken is cooked well. Keep checking the gravy every 5-6 minutes as it tends to stick to the bottom of the pan. If so, add 2-3 tablespoons of water and continue cooking.
1 β 1 ΒΌ cup water, ΒΎ teaspoon salt
garnish with the remaining 1 sprig of curry leaves and chopped coriander leaves.
1 tablespoon chopped coriander leaves
Video
Notes
I prefer coconut oil for this recipe, but you use an oil of your choice or even ghee
Feel free to increase or reduce the number on chillies based on your preference
We have used boneless chicken pieces, but bone-in chicken pieces would work equally well.Β