Latest news with #LFM
Business Insider
02-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
No. 1 DeFi Protocol on Aptos, Echo, Launches Token Generation Event
A participant in Aptos Foundation's LFM program, Echo's TGE further cements its role in Bitcoin DeFi on Aptos Echo Protocol, the first Bitcoin liquid restaking and yield layer on MoveVM and the largest protocol on Aptos by total value locked (TVL), has launched its Token Generation Event (TGE). Echo's TGE follows a period of record-breaking growth and community engagement, underpinned by participation in Aptos Foundation's LFM program—a premier initiative that provides hands-on guidance to Aptos-native projects preparing for major product and token launches. Driving the BTCfi Momentum on Aptos With over $285 million in aBTC minted and Echo securing 65% of all bridged BTC assets on Aptos, the protocol has emerged as a key player in the growth of BTCfi (Bitcoin DeFi) on Aptos. Echo enables users to unlock yield opportunities on their Bitcoin holdings via aBTC—a cross-chain liquid Bitcoin token, backed 1:1 by BTC—while powering liquidity and collateral mobility across Aptos-native DeFi protocols. Echo recently surpassed an all-time high of $878 million in TVL, fueled by incentive campaigns, integrations with leading DeFi projects in the Aptos ecosystem and high user engagement. To date, the protocol is responsible for more than 1 million user transactions and 60,000 daily active users. 'The launch of the ECHO token marks a major milestone in our mission to bring BTCfi to life. With this TGE, we are unlocking a new phase of growth for our ecosystem and creating real opportunities for users, builders and the broader Aptos community,' said Jonathan Phay, Co-Founder of Echo Protocol. Accelerating Growth with Aptos LFM Program Echo's rapid evolution has been supported through participation in Aptos Foundation's LFM program, which offers strategic mentorship, marketing resources and ecosystem-wide support for Aptos-native projects preparing for TGEs and beyond. 'Echo Protocol has been instrumental in making BTC a productive, on-chain asset within the Aptos ecosystem,' said Ash Pampati, Head of Ecosystem at Aptos Foundation. 'This a major milestone—not just for Echo, but for BTCfi adoption on Aptos as a whole. Supporting Echo through its participation in LFM has been a key part of our mission to help Aptos-native projects scale and succeed.' Building the Future of Bitcoin Utility on Aptos Echo's TGE represents the next step in advancing Bitcoin utility on Aptos. Starting today, ECHO tokens will be available to users via Binance Alpha, Gate and Kucoin. Following its TGE, Echo plans to continue driving BTC liquidity and composability across the ecosystem, with new products and integrations aimed at expanding BTCfi use cases. About Echo Protocol Echo Protocol is a Bitcoin liquidity aggregation and yield infrastructure layer on MoveVM designed to make Bitcoin productive for holders, ecosystems, and DeFi protocols. By unifying fragmented BTC liquidity, enabling seamless DeFi integration, and amplifying yield opportunities, Echo provides the foundational infrastructure for unlocking BTC utility across chains. Echo Protocol is backed by leading investors such as Aptos, Maelstrom, and Selini, and is rapidly becoming the go-to layer for BTC capital efficiency in the modular DeFi stack. Angus
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Women entrepreneurs and sustainable brands shine at Lucknow Farmers Market
1 2 Lucknow: Over 5,000 farmers, startups and community groups participated in the Lucknow Farmers Market (LFM) online and offline on Sunday. Organised at Habibullah Estate here, over 80% of the participating entrepreneurs were women, showcasing their produce, including organic dals, spices, fresh vegetables, candles, cosmetics and baked goods. Homegrown brands such as Candlerea, The Masala Box, Our Pasta Lab and Vedic Organic Farming embodied the spirit of mindful consumption at the LFM. "At the heart of the LFM is the belief that nurturing our communities begins with empowering women, honouring mothers and healing our planet," said founder of LFM Jyotsana Kaur favourites included 'Maaji ke Haathon ka Achaar' by Divya Singh, born during the pandemic and Madhu Makkhi, Safura Haider's brand offering organic honey and mustard oil. Other highlights at the market included Just Cakes and Yellow House, which delighted visitors with their colourful array of bakery treats. From freshly baked doughnuts and cupcakes to handcrafted candies and marshmallows, their stalls added a sweet charm to the festive atmosphere. One standout stalls was Combucha Garden by Gopal Krishna Agarwal, startup promoting gut health through handcrafted probiotic founder of Maaji ke Haathon ka Achaar, Divya Singh, said, "During the pandemic, when the world came to a standstill, I found comfort in the kitchen with my mother. That's when 'Maaji ke Haathon ka Achaar' was born not just as a product, but as a memory preserved in every jar. Each flavour is inspired by recipes passed down through generations, made with love and a deep desire to bring the taste of 'ghar ka khana' back to people's lives. It's more than just achaar; it's nostalgia, resilience, and the warmth of home, bottled and shared with the world.""It's a daily dose of natural wellness. Our Combucha is brewed in small batches, with care and conscience, to support gut health while respecting the planet. Through our return-and-recycle model, we're not just nourishing bodies, but also building a sustainable future, one bottle at a time," said the founder of Combucha Garden, Gopal market also promoted Thalassemia Week, in collaboration with BloodConnect, reinforcing health and community care. A book swap station and participation from the Fridays for Future climate movement, led by Ashutosh Tiwari (Pan-India coordinator), brought attention to climate justice and youth music added festive cheer, while heartfelt tributes to mothers created an emotional touch. LFM continues its decade-long journey to support farmers, artisans and entrepreneurs while nurturing both Mother Earth and motherhood through sustainability and shared community values. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Mother's Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
Ya Biladi
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
«We're continuing discussions» : UK signals openness to Morocco's Sahara Plan
The British government is not ruling out the possibility of supporting Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara. «We continue to have discussions with our Moroccan friends», said Foreign Secretary David Lammy in response to a question from Conservative MP Andrew Mitchell. «This is a complex issue. The position of the government remains unchanged. Of course, we keep things under review as we continue to discuss these issues», he added. The MP had urged the Labour government to follow the lead of countries such as Spain, the United States, and France, which have supported Morocco's 2007 proposal to resolve the Sahara conflict. Lammy's comments mark a shift from the response the Labour government gave in September 2024 to a written question from Conservative MP Andrew Murrison. At the time, Lammy had stated that «successive UK Governments have regarded the status of Western Sahara as undetermined». Since mid-January, Morocco has had the support of the « Labour Friends of Morocco » (LFM), a group chaired by MP Joe Powell. The initiative aims to bolster ties between Morocco and the Labour Party, which has been in power since its landslide victory in the July 4 snap elections.
