THORChain V3.3 Upgrade Overview

THORChain’s V3.3 upgrade integrates Cosmos SDK v0.50 and CometBFT, enhancing security, scalability, and cross-chain liquidity.

Validator Rewards Reduction

THORChain reduced validator rewards from 25,000 to 2 RUNE daily, aiming to curb inflation and stabilize the ecosystem.

THORChain has released version 3.3, featuring both technical changes and a long-term plan for its ecosystem. Watching THORChain’s future is intriguing as the community and developers make various decisions.

> THORChain v3.3 is successfully rolled out ✅ https://t.co/Yur9NkgDjY
> — THORChain (@THORChain) March 14, 2025

THORChain 3.3: What’s Changed?

The release introduces enhancements to increase cross-chain liquidity. The adoption of Cosmos SDK v0.50 is a significant upgrade, improving compatibility with other blockchains using the Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol.

THORChain has evolved from a simple tool for cross-chain asset exchange to a more versatile platform ready for complex demands.

Moreover, the project transitioned from Tendermint to CometBFT, improving security and speeding up transaction finalization. Users can expect faster transactions without compromising network stability or decentralization.

Community Decisions That Changed Direction

Beyond technical improvements, THORChain’s economic philosophy saw major changes. In January 2025, founder JP Thorbjornsen and the development team decided to suspend the ThorFi Savers and Lending programs for twelve months, aiming for better scalability before further expansion.

On February 4, 2025, THORChain node operators opted to convert $200 million in debt into equity tokens. Despite mixed opinions, this move aimed to solidify the project’s economic foundation amid crypto market volatility.

Additionally, on February 11, 2025, the community made a critical decision to lower block incentives for validators from 25,000 RUNE each day to just 2 RUNE. These steps are intended to ensure the project’s financial viability and reduce token inflation.

However, these drastic changes raise concerns about the retention of validators in the network due to declining profitability.

Where Will THORChain Go?

Amid these changes, it’s evident that THORChain is open to trying new ideas and taking bold steps. Their economic strategies reflect a desire to maintain ecosystem health, while the merge of Cosmos SDK and CometBFT shows a commitment to enhancing technical efficiency.

If favorable conditions arise, THORChain could establish itself as a key player in the cross-chain DeFi market. However, future major changes may be necessary if some controversial decisions lead to new problems. The crypto community will be closely monitoring THORChain’s actions.

As of the last update, RUNE is trading at approximately $1.18, down 0.82% over the past 24 hours and 20.22% over the last 30 days.