Welcome to the sixth edition of the Komodo Compass, a monthly primer covering the developments in and around Komodo Blockchain and the larger crypto ecosystem we’re building with you!
This newsletter offers a guide to Komodo stakeholders by gathering the resources they may need. It highlights recent developments, ecosystem insights, food for thought, and more!
In this edition ⤵️
- April Progress
- Quotes from Kadan
- A Day in the Life of a Komodo Team Member
- Contribute
- Komodo Events
- Updates from MiCa - Crypto Regulations
- Historical Crypto Events
- Degen Glossary
⚙️ Q1 2025 Progress
KDF Team
- Support for FIRO Spark transactions was added. A big thanks goes out to levoncrypto for this external contribution
- Enabling KDF using external wallets was completed
- Work started on TRON support
- Message signing for HD wallet using any address was added
GUI Team
- Still working on testing, bug fixes, and preparing a major release
Core Team
- KomodoOcean v0.9.1-beta1 release
- Creating and publishing AMD64 and ARM images of komodod
- Completed security review of Komodo DeFi Framework v2.4.0-beta
- Ongoing security review of KDF SDK
💭 Quotes from Kadan Stadelmann
“A SPAC led by Cantor, and backed by SoftBank, suggests there is further corporate appetite for bitcoin as a hedge.”
Komodo CTO Kadan Stadelmann shared his opinion in an article about the rally of Cantor Equity’s shares.
🎙️ Who Am I? -polycryptoblog
My journey from a curious teenager tinkering with electronics to becoming the Business Development lead at Komodo reflects a truth about the tech industry: success doesn’t demand a linear path. Growing up, I was fascinated by how things worked, tearing apart radios and building circuits, but I didn’t initially see technology as my career. Instead, I followed an academic route, studying psychology and philosophy at the University of Pittsburgh, seeking to understand the human mind and its place in the world.
A pivotal chapter came when I worked as a lead technician at a nuclear site in South Korea. The high-stakes environment demanded precision, teamwork, and creative problem-solving skills that would later prove invaluable in the fast-paced world of crypto. That experience grounded me, but I knew my future lay in a field where innovation was limitless.
That path wasn’t quite right. I pivoted, enrolling at California University of Pennsylvania to study electrical engineering technology, where I honed my technical skills. Yet, life threw curveballs. I faced personal challenges, namely a ruptured appendix, which led me to take a break from academia. These moments weren’t failures—they were critical in shaping my resilience and clarity of purpose. It was during this time that I joined the Komodo team.
My entry into cryptocurrency was a natural fit. I dove into blockchain technology, captivated by its potential to redefine trust and value exchange. Through relentless self-study and hands-on experimentation, I learned the intricacies of decentralized systems. My work in crypto led to notable accomplishments, including forging strategic partnerships that expanded Komodo’s ecosystem and driving initiatives that integrated atomic swap technology into real-world applications, enhancing secure, trustless trading.
Now at Komodo, I do business development, working with a team that’s reshaping decentralized finance. We don’t just chase trends—we build solutions that empower users globally. As someone who values authenticity, I’ve found the tech industry to be a place where diverse perspectives thrive, allowing me to bring my whole self to the table.
My story underscores that success in tech isn’t about credentials or a straight line. It’s about grit, adaptability, and seizing opportunities. With a laptop and a vision, anyone can carve their path in this industry. My journey—from Pittsburgh classrooms to South Korean nuclear sites to the forefront of crypto—proves that persistence and belief in possibility can transform dreams into reality, no matter where you start.
🍻 Contribute
A section on how the community can contribute to Komodo.
For Developers:
- Please check our GitHub issue tickets
- Choose one to work on
- Solve the issue or open a Pull Request (PR)
- We'll review from there (successful/solid contributions can almost guarantee a position or freelance work)
For Community Members:
- Visit the #contribute channel on Komodo's Discord Server
- Engage with our social media platforms
- Help spread the word about Komodo
- Create content related to Komodo
🕺 Events
🐉 Komodo Events
TownHall
On April 25th, we held the 5th in our Town Hall series with the agenda:
- AML / KYC
- Upcoming Voting
- HD Wallet Feature
- DEX Liquidity Challenges / Liquidity Tools
- Complex order management
- UX Improvements: Focus on WalletConnect
- Cross-Protocol Integration: 1inch integration progress
Click to read the summary and listen to the event recording.
🛫 Conferences
As Sapphire Sponsor, we participated in Blockchain Forum 2025, held in Moscow on April 23-24, 2025. It was a pleasure to exchange ideas with developers, builders, and tech leaders shaping the future of blockchain.
Then, we attended the Token 2049 event in Dubai and spent time with ecosystem stakeholders.
📰 Updates from MiCa - Crypto Regulations
The European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) has fully come into effect as of December 30, 2024, marking a significant milestone in global crypto regulation. MiCA establishes a harmonized legal framework for crypto-asset service providers (CASPs) across the EU, aiming to enhance transparency, consumer protection, and market stability.
Here are the most recent developments:
- Full Implementation of MiCA:
- MiCA now applies to all crypto-assets and CASPs operating within the EU, following a phased rollout that began in June 2024 with provisions for stablecoins (asset-referenced tokens and e-money tokens) and concluded in December 2024 with broader regulatory coverage.
- The regulation introduces licensing requirements for CASPs, enabling them to operate across the EU via passporting rights once authorized by a national regulator.
2. White Paper Requirements:
- Issuers of crypto-assets must prepare detailed white papers outlining project specifics, risks, governance frameworks, and underlying technology. These documents must be submitted to national competent authorities (NCAs) and shared with the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA).
3. Integration of the Travel Rule:
- MiCA incorporates the Transfer of Funds Regulation (TFR) Travel Rule, requiring CASPs to include sender and receiver information for every crypto transfer. This aims to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, but adds operational complexity for compliance.
4. Stablecoin Restrictions:
- ESMA has issued guidelines restricting non-compliant stablecoins like Tether's USDT within the EU. Starting April 2025, exchanges must halt all trading involving such tokens unless they meet MiCA standards.
5. Market Consolidation:
- MiCA’s stringent compliance requirements have led to increased operational costs for smaller firms, driving industry consolidation. Larger firms like Bitpanda have secured multiple MiCA licenses across member states to expand their regulatory footprint.
6. ESMA Finalizes Guidelines to Combat Market Abuse
- On April 29, 2025, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) published its final report providing comprehensive guidelines for national regulators to prevent and detect market abuse under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA). These guidelines, targeting both regulators and industry participants, are designed to ensure consistent supervision and to strengthen the integrity of crypto markets across the EU. Key requirements include robust surveillance systems, standardized reporting templates, and enhanced scrutiny of exchanges and market actors, including influencers. The guidelines support the harmonized application of MiCA’s market abuse provisions and will directly impact how crypto businesses operate and communicate within the EU.
7. New Technical Standards and Application Procedures
- On March 31, 2025, the Official Journal of the European Union published several new Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS) and Implementing Technical Standards (ITS) supplementing MiCA. These regulations, in force since April 20, 2025, detail the information required for CASP (Crypto-Asset Service Provider) authorization, procedures for cross-border supervision, and sustainability disclosures.
- The new standards clarify: 1) What information must be included in CASP license applications 2) The assessment process for acquisitions involving crypto-asset service providers or asset-referenced token issuers 3) Sustainability reporting requirements for crypto-asset businesses
8. Poland: Transition to CASP Licensing
- In Poland, MiCA is directly applicable, but national legislation is in progress to further specify local requirements. Entities that were previously registered as Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) can continue operations until July 1, 2026, or until they are granted or denied a CASP license. However, under the draft Polish Crypto Assets Act, those who do not submit a complete CASP license application by May 1, 2025, must cease operations by July 1, 2025. This marks a significant tightening of compliance and operational standards for crypto businesses in Poland.
9. EU-Wide AML Developments and Privacy Coin Ban
- Looking ahead, the EU is establishing a new Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) in Frankfurt, set to begin coordinating AML supervision from July 1, 2025. By July 2027, new guidelines will address anonymous cryptocurrencies, mixers, shell companies, and self-hosted wallets. Additionally, the EU will ban the trading of privacy coins such as Monero from 2027, further tightening AML/KYC requirements for service providers.
🤯 Historical Crypto Events
Namecoin: The First Altcoin (2011)
In April 2011, Namecoin (NMC) became the first altcoin by mining its genesis block. Namecoin introduced the concept of a decentralized, censorship-resistant domain name system (DNS) and arbitrary data storage, paving the way for the diverse ecosystem of altcoins and blockchain use cases beyond currency.
Today, Namecoin is accessible through Komodo Wallet, where you can securely store, send, and receive NMC with ease.
📖 Degen Glossary
A detailed explanation of a few crypto terms in each issue.
MOON
"Moon" or the phrase "to the moon" is a popular slang term in the cryptocurrency community. It describes a situation where the price of a cryptocurrency experiences a steep, rapid, and significant increase-often far beyond previous highs or expectations.
SHILLING
"Shill" or "shilling" refers to the act of aggressively promoting a cryptocurrency (or other asset) for personal gain, often without full transparency about one's motives or compensation
Be a Komodian!
We’ve never been more confident that the Crypto movement will drive the future of society. It has never been a more exciting time to get involved in Komodo and seize the DeFi.
If you are committed to DeFi and are interested in collaborating with or getting involved in Komodo, join our Discord now, and let’s connect!
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