Greetings, Sherpas. We’re continuing to make strong strides toward our vision of becoming the go-to ledger for real-world assets (RWAs). We’re grateful for our growing community, now 560K+ strong on X, and appreciate the support that drives MANTRA forward.

MANTRA is the First DeFi Platform to Become Licensed by VARA

‍In a reflection of our commitment to reliability, honesty, and integrity, we successfully obtained a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), to operate as a Virtual Asset Exchange, as well as provide Broker-Dealer and Management and Investment Services. ‍

The VARA license strengthens MANTRA’s global presence by enabling innovative, compliant financial products for investors worldwide, while also supporting our  growth in the Middle East, with a focus on RWA tokenization.

MANTRA and Google Cloud Launch an Accelerator Program for Real-World Assets

With support from Google Cloud, we announced the RWAccelerator Program to drive real-world asset tokenization across real estate, financial products, and alternative assets.

Applicants can choose from three tracks - infrastructure, tokenization, and DeFi - and will undergo a screening process to select the most innovative projects. Selected participants will gain access to Google Cloud resources, including credits, technical support, and workshops. 

Applications for the first intake are open until 20 March, 2025, with successful participants notified by 1 April. The program begins with an in-person summit in Dubai. The second intake opens on 20 March, 2025. Apply here.

MANTRA Chain Integration and $OM Listings

• Gate.io integrated MANTRA Chain, bringing mainnet $OM to its spot market, allowing over 21 million users to trade $OM. To mark the occasion, MANTRA launched a staking pool, giving users the opportunity to earn OM. Deposits and withdrawals are now open via the MANTRA network: https://www.gate.io/trade/OM_USDT

• Kraken also added $OM to its spot market, expanding access to over 10 million users across 190+ countries.

OM/USD: https://pro.kraken.com/app/trade/om-usd

OM/EUR: https://pro.kraken.com/app/trade/om-eur  

• $OM is now available to lease long on NolusProtocol starting last month. 

• Crypto.com has listed $OM on its exchange. Sherpas can now trade with USD and deposit or withdraw via ERC-20. You can sign up here.  

• With MANTRA now on Mintscan, developers can tap into real-time blockchain insights for greater efficiency and transparency. 

• Bybit, one of the world’s largest exchanges has officially integrated MANTRA Chain, bringing $OM to Bybit Spot.

• Bitget has also added $OM trading, providing another platform for users to engage with MANTRA.

• MANTRA announced integration with Tungsten earlier last month, a move that will allow institutional clients to securely custody $OM while leveraging Tungsten’s regulated framework, ensuring the highest levels of security, transparency, and compliance. Read more here.

• Hyperliquid, a premier decentralized exchange, has listed $OM as well. Sherpas can now trade the OM/USD pair with up to 5x leverage: http://app.hyperliquid.xyz/trade/OM 

• $OM got listed on Levana Protocol, a fully-collateralized perpetual swaps trading platform. 

OM/USD: https://trade.levana.finance/osmosis/trade/OM_USD

Follow our step by step guide here.

• HashKey Global, a licensed crypto exchange, launched $OM-USDT Perpetual Contract last month as well. Sherpas can now trade $OM with up to 20x leverage and zero trading fees: https://global.hashkey.com/en-US/futures/OMUSDT-PERPETUAL 
More details here.

• StreamSwap is also now deployed on MANTRA Chain this past month, further expanding the network’s capabilities.

New Validators for the MANTRA Network 

• Republic Crypto brings institutional-grade staking expertise and a strong investment community, aligning with our mission to democratize access to tokenized RWAs.

• We also welcomed BlockHunters, known for their validator infrastructure, public RPCs, and community-building efforts, strengthening MANTRA Chain’s security and decentralization.

• Cosmostation was added to further enhance security, decentralization, staking participation, and overall network performance.

• Additionally, we onboarded Vault Staking, Polkachu, Stakecito, NTT Digital, UOB Venture Management (UOBVM), Paysafe by BCW, and Cointelegraph as part of our third cohort of validators. Their addition reinforces network security and decentralizes governance.

They join a strong lineup of validators, including Google Cloud, Ledger, and Keplr, as we continue to build a resilient and decentralized ecosystem.

‍MANTRA Announced Sybil Slaying Season Ahead of Upcoming $OM Airdrop

To reward our community and builders who have contributed to MANTRA’s growth, and supported our mission to bring the financial ecosystem onchain, we launched the ‘Sybil Slaying Season’ ahead of the upcoming GenDrop.

Partnerships and Developments

We brought Southeast Asia’s most profitable agricultural market - durian farms - onto the MANTRA Chain as RWAs. Traditionally limited to large investors, DatoDurian is changing the game by tokenizing durian farms, giving retail investors access to fractional ownership of this high-yield asset. DatoDurian’s public round will be minted on MANTRA Chain.

MANTRA at Consensus 2025 Hong Kong

The MANTRA team took to  Consensus 2025, one of the industry's leading crypto events, as well as multiple side events held across Hong Kong.

Key Moments

• Main Stage Fireside Chat: Our CEO, John Patrick (JP) Mullin, joined Google Cloud’s Global Head of Crypto Strategy, Richard Widmann, for a Fireside Chat on the Main Stage. Together they launched the Real-World Asset Accelerator Program designed to empower builders and startups with investment capital, mentors, dedicated AI support and more. With Google Cloud, we aim to help innovators thrive, experiment, and push the boundaries of what’s possible in Web3.

• Startup Spotlight Session: Our Co-Founder, Jayant Ramanand, spoke on the Builder’s Stage at the Startup Village on the topic Pioneering Security and Compliance in the RWA Landscape.

Side Events 

• Web3 Connect: An Institutional-Focused Forum: JP, spoke on the panel "Trump2.0 - The Next Decade of Institutional blockchain - Staking, Crypto ETPs, ETFs, Macrotrends" alongside experts from Presto Labs, Franklin Templeton, Mantle Network, and Solana. 

• RWA Tokenization use cases: From Bonds to Real Estate we  hosted a panel discussion alongside Defactor, WOW Summit, OpenEden, Mimo, and LynxCapital to discuss real-world asset tokenization use cases across fixed-income products, real estate, and precious metals. 

• Racing into the Web3 Future: We partook in the Consensus Cup at Hong Kong’s iconic Happy Valley Racecourse along with IDA, BlackPine, Sora Ventures, Mythos Group, Zeus Network, OpenDID and BlockFills. 

• RWA in Consensus - Real Assets, Real Transformation: JP joined the  RWA Diversification: How Traditional Institutions and Web3 Unlock a Trillion-Dollar Market panel, alongside industry experts from Nerochain, Avalanche, Secured Finance and Advertising Time Trace.

• Real World Meet Up with Google Cloud: We hosted an evening that celebrated builders, traders, startups, and enthusiasts. Further elaborating alongside the  Google Cloud team on the Real-World Asset Accelerator Program announced that day. 

• Hack Seasons Conference Hong Kong: After successful editions in Bangkok and Singapore, Hack Seasons arrived in Hong Kong and so did our team. 

Community Connections 

• JP flew to NYC to  attend the Ondo Finance Summit, engaging with other industry leaders working to shape the future of onchain finance. 

• MANTRA Chief Operations Officer Peter Loo spoke at the Building Trust in Web3 Forum hosted by OneInfinity and Dubai Insurance. This event featured VARA, Ripple, Crystal Intelligence, CoinMENA and other key players in the Web3 space.

• JP had an in-depth conversation on Real World Assets - why they matter, where they’re headed, and how MANTRA is shaping the future of tokenization with CryptoPotato, one of the world’s leading information sources for crypto investors.Tune in to the podcast here.

• Lastly, JP joined the Groundbreakers Podcast with Tarek Fouad from Shorooq Partners to discuss digital asset regulations, RWA tokenization, and decentralized identity. He highlights the importance of compliance, stakeholder engagement, and MANTRA’s vision for the future, inviting developers to build impactful blockchain solutions. Watch the full episode here.

Media Highlights

• Cointelegraph featured MANTRA as a key player in the growing RWA tokenization sector, emphasizing its role in bridging traditional finance with DeFi. As institutions seek real-world assets on-chain, MANTRA is helping shape one of blockchain’s most sustainable use cases. Read more here.

• At Consensus HK, Cointelegraph covered MANTRA’s contributions to blockchain-based tokenization, where Co-founder Jayant Ramanand shared how MANTRA built an L1 blockchain designed for compliant, composable RWA tokenization.

The article highlighted MANTRA’s milestones, including: becoming the first DeFi-licensed protocol in Dubai, providing Layer 1 blockchain infrastructure for seamless integration, creating a secure and compliant environment for builders and institutions.

Additionally, Cointelegraph featured MANTRA’s RWAccelerator Program with Google Cloud, as well as MANTRA successfully securing its VARA VASP License - marking a significant step in global expansion and RWA tokenization across the Middle East.

• CoinDesk also highlighted MANTRA’s RWAccelerator Program in collaboration with Google Cloud, recognizing its role in supporting innovation and growth in the RWA tokenization space. 

As we enter  March, our commitment to empowering builders and shaping the future of onchain finance remains stronger than ever.
To our Sherpa community, your engagement fuels our momentum.
This month is set to be even more dynamic. Stay tuned.