Proud to announce that the much anticipated Persistence One Incentivized Testnet is live! Built with community feedback, it pushes us closer to enabling fast, zero-slippage swaps across Bitcoin L2s. Powered by Intents. 

Here is everything you must know:

In this in-depth guide, find out everything you need to participate in Persistence One’s BTC Interop incentivized testnet. 

The above is great practice for those of you either learning to use Metamask/swaps or need to learn. 

Once your done, you will end up with something that looks like this:

Don't say, "I CAN'T DO THAT", Yes you can, just follow the instructions line by line and don't skip ahead, and you will be fine. Besides, there will be an airdrop coming for those that participate! 

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Key Takeaways

• The CFTC announces a pilot program focused on tokenized non-cash collateral with firms like Ripple and Coinbase.
• This initiative aims to provide clarity for US digital asset markets and fosters responsible innovation.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) said Friday it is launching a pilot program to explore the use of stablecoins and other digital assets as collateral in financial markets. The agency plans to convene a CEO Forum with leading crypto firms to discuss the launch, including Ripple Labs, Circle, Coinbase, and Crypto.com.

The forum, announced by Acting Chairman Caroline Pham, will focus on the CFTC’s digital asset markets pilot program for tokenized non-cash collateral. The initiative aims to assess the feasibility and implications of using assets like stablecoins as collateral in trading and clearing activities.

“The CFTC is committed to responsible innovation. I look forward to engaging with market participants to deliver on the Trump Administration’s promise of ensuring that America leads the way in economic opportunity,” Pham stated.

The CFTC’s move comes as stablecoins have grown in market capitalization and are increasingly seen as a potential bridge between traditional finance and the digital asset ecosystem. The initiative builds on Pham’s earlier proposal for a CFTC pilot program designed to serve as a US regulatory sandbox, aiming to provide clarity for digital asset markets while maintaining protective measures.

The agency has previously utilized pilot programs to evaluate new financial products and technologies. Pham has advocated for a “regulatory sandbox” approach to provide clarity for digital asset markets. The CFTC’s Global Markets Advisory Committee has also recommended expanding the use of non-cash collateral through distributed ledger technology.

More details about the CEO forum and the pilot program will be released as they become available.

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Codius is an open-source, smart contract platform designed to enable the creation and execution of decentralized applications (dApps) and smart contracts. It was initially developed by Ripple, the company behind the XRP Ledger, with the goal of expanding the functionality of blockchain technology beyond simple payments.

💡 Key Features of Codius 💡

1️⃣ Smart Contracts: Codius allows developers to write and deploy smart contracts in various programming languages, such as JavaScript.
2️⃣ Interoperability: It is designed to work with multiple blockchains, including the XRP Ledger, enabling cross-chain functionality.
3️⃣ Decentralized Hosting: Codius uses a decentralized network of hosts to run smart contracts, ensuring resilience and scalability.
4️⃣ Flexible Payments: Smart contracts on Codius can interact with multiple payment systems, including XRP and other cryptocurrencies.

🔗 How Codius Relates to the XRP Ledger and Ripple 🔗

1️⃣ Complementing the XRP Ledger:
The XRP Ledger is primarily optimized for fast, low-cost payments. Codius was envisioned as a way to add programmability to the XRP ecosystem, enabling more complex use cases like decentralized finance (DeFi), tokenization, and automated agreements.

2️⃣ Ripple's Vision:
Ripple initially developed Codius to expand the utility of the XRP Ledger and attract developers to build innovative applications on top of it. While Ripple has since shifted its focus to other projects, Codius remains an important part of the XRP ecosystem's history and potential future.

3️⃣ Interledger Protocol (ILP):
Codius is closely tied to Ripple's Interledger Protocol (ILP), which facilitates seamless transactions across different blockchains and payment networks. Together, Codius and ILP could enable cross-chain smart contracts and payments, further enhancing the utility of XRP.

🚀 Potential Use Cases for Codius 🚀

1️⃣ Decentralized Finance (DeFi):
Codius could enable DeFi applications on the XRP Ledger, such as lending, borrowing, and decentralized exchanges.

2️⃣ Tokenization:
Developers could use Codius to create and manage tokenized assets, such as real estate, stocks, or commodities, on the XRP Ledger.

3️⃣ Automated Payments:
Smart contracts on Codius could automate complex payment workflows, such as escrow services or subscription-based payments.

4️⃣ Cross-Chain Interoperability:
Codius could facilitate interactions between the XRP Ledger and other blockchains, enabling seamless asset transfers and data sharing.

📜 The History and Future of Codius 📜

• 2018: Ripple announced Codius as a way to bring smart contract functionality to the XRP ecosystem.

• 2019: Ripple shifted its focus away from Codius to prioritize other projects, such as On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) and RippleNet.

• 2023 and Beyond: While Codius is no longer actively developed by Ripple, the open-source nature of the project means that the community could revive and expand it in the future.

🌐 How Codius Could Impact the XRP Ecosystem 🌐

If Codius were to be fully integrated with the XRP Ledger, it could unlock a new wave of innovation and adoption. Developers could build powerful dApps and smart contracts, making XRP not just a payment tool but a full-fledged platform for decentralized applications including the derivatives market.

🔗 Learn More About Codius 🔗

• Codius GitHub Repository

• Ripple's Official Website

• XRP Ledger Documentation

🚀 Codius: A Gateway to a More Programmable XRP Ecosystem 🚀

(Note: Codius is currently not actively developed by Ripple, or so it seems, but its open-source nature leaves the door open for community-driven innovation.)