Upbit Listing Drives Yield Basis Token Surge Amid DeFi Liquidity Expansion

Yield Basis Protocol Sees Rapid Adoption in Decentralized Finance

The decentralized finance (DeFi) sector continues to evolve with innovative liquidity solutions, particularly those addressing challenges like impermanent loss in automated market maker (AMM) pools. Yield Basis (YB), a protocol enabling Bitcoin liquidity provision without such risks, has gained significant traction following its listing on Upbit, South Korea’s leading cryptocurrency exchange. This development underscores a broader trend of major exchanges expanding access to niche DeFi tokens, potentially enhancing market liquidity and user participation in the ecosystem.

Listing Details and Market Response

Upbit announced the listing of YB, with trading for the YB/BTC and YB/USDT pairs commencing on December 26 at 15:00 Korean Standard Time (KST). Deposits and withdrawals for the token will operate exclusively on the Ethereum network, with the contract address specified as 0x01791F726B4103694969820be083196cC7c045fF. Users are advised to confirm network compatibility to avoid transaction issues. To maintain market stability during the initial phase, Upbit implemented temporary restrictions:

• Buy orders prohibited for the first five minutes after trading opens.
• Sell orders priced more than 10% below the previous day’s closing price restricted in the early period.
• Limit orders only for approximately two hours post-launch.

“To comply with the Travel Rule, deposits from exchanges not included in the list of supported virtual asset service providers may not be credited, and returns may take a long time,” Upbit stated in its official notice.

Protocol Growth and Broader Implications

Yield Basis has demonstrated robust growth in its underlying protocol metrics, positioning it as a competitive player in the DeFi liquidity space. The platform allows users to supply Bitcoin to AMM pools while avoiding impermanent loss, a common deterrent in yield farming activities. According to available data, the protocol’s total value locked (TVL) has expanded from around $30 million in early October to over $200 million as of late December—a more than sixfold increase in under three months. This TVL growth indicates strong demand for Bitcoin-integrated DeFi solutions, particularly as institutional and retail investors seek ways to Use BTC beyond simple holding.

The Upbit listing arrives at a pivotal moment, potentially accelerating adoption by providing easier access for South Korean traders, who represent a significant portion of global crypto volume. However, challenges persist in the sector. Upcoming token unlocks could introduce selling pressure, while competition from established DeFi platforms may test YB’s sustainability. Market analysts note that while short-term price momentum is evident, long-term viability will depend on the protocol’s ability to maintain TVL growth and innovate amid regulatory scrutiny on exchanges like Upbit. Key statistics highlighting Yield Basis’s trajectory include:

• TVL increase: $30 million (early October) to $200 million (December 2025).
• Price performance: +17% post-announcement, reaching $0.43.
• Volume surge: +169% in daily trading.