Disclaimer: The author of this essay is highly bullish—and irresponsibly long—on the THORChain ecosystem (obviously including Maya Protocol). They hold all tokens mentioned, certain that some or all will grant generational wealth. However, taking financial advice from cartoon figures on the internet is probably not in your best interest. Act accordingly.

Why THORChain’s success matters to Maya Protocol

For those of us with a libertarian-leaning, freedom-loving, crypto-maxxing perspective, the recent pivot in THORChain's roadmap couldn’t have come at a better time. The markets are rallying, and THORChain is evolving under the stewardship of jp.thor, now with added power from the Rujira Network as an app layer. This article breaks down why these developments matter not just for RUNE but also for Maya Protocol (CACAO), which benefits from this ecosystem’s success.

THORChain’s roadmap: Key bullish catalysts

THORChain's roadmap is packed with features that could transform DeFi, making it one of the most exciting protocols in the space. Here’s a closer look at the standout elements:

• Streaming swaps: Offering near-CEX pricing, this feature has proven to be one of DeFi's standout innovations, significantly reducing slippage and boosting trade efficiency. Now, Maya Protocol has incorporated Streaming Swaps, expanding access to assets unique to its network, such as KUJI, DASH, ARB, and more. This means that users can enjoy seamless, low-cost swaps across an even broader range of assets, opening new avenues for liquidity and trading volume within both the Maya and THORChain ecosystems.
• Expanding integrations: Leading wallets and platforms like Ledger, Trust Wallet, OKX, and Bitget are integrating THORChain using SwapKit, a toolkit that streamlines cross-chain swaps by offering easy, plug-and-play access to THORChain’s and Maya’s decentralized exchange capabilities. 
• Solana & Base ($BASE): Adding Solana and potentially integrating with the OP Superchain via $BASE opens doors to a huge user base and positions THORChain as a critical cross-chain bridge. 
• Deflationary Tokenomics: With ADR 017, the "burn, baby, burn" tokenomics model could reduce $RUNE supply over time, with speculation about a potential 5% fee burn in the future.
• App Layer via Rujira Network: Through a decentralized layer including perps, order books, and options, THORChain aims to rival CEXs with a full-suite DeFi experience.

These catalysts alone are reason enough for RUNE holders to be excited, but the real story here is how they also impact Maya Protocol.

Why THORChain’s gains extend to Maya Protocol

On the surface, promoting THORChain in an article for Maya Protocol might seem counterintuitive. But here’s why it makes sense:

1. Symbiosis, not competition: Maya Protocol was developed by THORChain community supporters to create a resilient DeFi ecosystem. As a friendly fork with its own governance, Maya Protocol extends THORChain’s mission of decentralized, permissionless finance.
2. Interconnected protocols: Maya is built to be backward-compatible with THORChain, and the two protocols reinforce each other. Maya focuses on integrating unique chains (e.g., Kujira), adding swap routes and enhancing liquidity, all while being able to leverage THORChain’s developments when beneficial.
3. Mutual growth potential: Any bullish developments in THORChain (like SwapKit or new integrations) translate directly into opportunities for Maya Protocol to gain users and trading volume, strengthening both projects.

Key Drivers of Growth for Maya Protocol

SwapKit Integration

SwapKit simplifies integration with THORChain and supports Maya Protocol, opening it up to a broader range of users. When SwapKit v1 phases out and v2 is implemented, Maya Protocol’s integration will probably mean a boost in swap volume, fees, and user base, essentially “plug-and-play” access to all existing THORChain partnerships. This could be a massive volume driver, which is undeniably bullish for Maya.

Cross-Chain Routing Synergy

Users may not care whether THORChain or Maya Protocol powers their transactions, as long as they get reliable, low-cost, secure swaps. Frontends offering cross-chain functionality will need to implement both protocols to ensure the cheapest routing, meaning users can freely switch between them. Each transaction strengthens both protocols, benefiting token holders.

THORChain’s success is Maya Protocol’s catalyst

Every success for THORChain acts as a catalyst for the cross-chain DeFi space, naturally creating a halo effect that benefits similar protocols like Maya. As THORChain captures attention and expands adoption, it pulls Maya along with it as a compatible counterpart, increasing Maya’s visibility and liquidity potential. As a result, Maya can ride this momentum and gain traction as part of a broader DeFi movement.

‍

This article is part of the Write with Maya program, where we feature a different guest writer each month. This month’s writer is Dolphi24! If you’d like to join our writer community, apply here.‍

‍