Monero Ecosystem Update – Late May 2025: Privacy Coin News & Developments
Network & Development Highlights
Firstly, Monero’s network security hit new highs this fortnight. The blockchain’s hashrate – a measure of mining power – surged to an all-time peak of 6.49 GH/s on May 25, 2025 , well above historical averages. This milestone reflects growing miner participation, fueled by rising XMR prices and the recent launch of Tari merge-mining. Tari, a new merged-mined sidechain co-founded by Monero’s former lead, went live after years of development, allowing Monero miners to earn extra rewards in Tari (XTM) with no additional energy cost . Since Tari’s debut, the Monero network saw a notable influx of nodes, now over 13,000 , further decentralizing the infrastructure. An AI-focused project called Qubic even channeled its idle computing power into Monero mining, quickly becoming a top-10 miner by contributing significant hashpower . These trends all bolster Monero’s ASIC-resistant, privacy-preserving network against attacks and censorship.
Decentralized mining also took a leap forward. P2Pool – Monero’s peer-to-peer mining pool – briefly captured over 19% of the total network hashrate , making it the second-largest “pool” with no central operator. This is a major milestone for Monero’s ethos of decentralization, as P2Pool miners work in a trustless way that prevents any single entity from dominating block production . Developers delivered rapid improvements to P2Pool in recent weeks: version 4.6 was released with support for Tari merge-mining donations and other new features , followed by v4.7 adding a “Nano” sidechain to increase share frequency . Notably, core contributor SChernykh implemented an opt-in donation mechanism via Tari merge-mining to fund future Monero development (like the next-gen RandomX v2 algorithm) after a period of slowed progress due to funding constraints . This creative solution channels a portion of miners’ Tari rewards to support ongoing research, unless miners choose to opt out.
Several other technical projects reached important milestones. Monero’s upcoming protocol upgrade “FCMP++” is now the subject of an open optimization competition , inviting developers to optimize two critical cryptographic libraries in exchange for hefty bounties (100 XMR and 250 XMR prizes). Funded by the Monero General Fund, this contest (running through June 30) aims to boost transaction performance and wallet sync speeds in preparation for future upgrades . On the atomic swaps front, the UnstoppableSwap project announced a new “early Bitcoin refund” feature to make XMR-BTC swaps more robust . This update lets a trader refund the counterpart’s BTC early if something goes wrong, instead of waiting out long time-locks – improving reliability in edge cases and user experience for cross-chain swaps . Meanwhile, Cuprate – a lightweight Monero node in Rust – saw steady progress. Developer boog900 completed the third of four milestones in his crowdfunding proposal, having released versions v0.0.2 and v0.0.3 with new transaction pool relay rules and reorg recovery fixes . The next version (v0.0.4) is imminent as Cuprate works toward full compatibility with Monero’s RPC interface . All these behind-the-scenes improvements indicate that even without a headline-grabbing hard fork, Monero’s core technology is quietly but constantly being refined.
Wallets, Apps & Tools Updates
Cake Wallet
Monero users received a flurry of software updates to enhance their day-to-day experience. Cake Wallet and Monero.com (the popular mobile wallets) rolled out a major v5.0.0 update across all platforms . The new release brings a fresh UI look with multiple themes and various UX improvements, plus expanded support for advanced features like Silent Payments and PayJoin transactions for Bitcoin . These wallets, developed by Cake Labs, cater both to multi-coin users (Cake Wallet) and Monero-only users (Monero.com), and the latest version also improves hardware Ledger support and squashes bugs.
Edge Wallet
On the multi-currency front, Edge Wallet introduced an innovative “Duress Mode” geared toward privacy-conscious travelers . This feature lets users log in with an alternative PIN to a decoy empty wallet – useful in high-pressure situations like forced device unlocks at checkpoints. The decoy wallet looks real, preserving plausible deniability, while the actual funds remain hidden and secure . Similarly, Stack Wallet (developed by community member rehrar) released v2.2.0 with its own mobile duress PIN functionality and other fixes . Stack’s update also added an option to bypass Tor when connecting to a local Monero node (giving advanced users more flexibility) and included general improvements for Ethereum and other assets . The convergence on duress features across wallets underscores the Monero community’s focus on personal security in an increasingly hostile world.
A number of new tools and services launched to support Monero’s ecosystem. For developers and testers, a Monero testnet faucet is now live which was created by community member, Techtoshi, this faucet provides free testnet XMR to anyone building or experimenting on Monero’s test network, making it easier to trial new apps and protocol tweaks without using real funds . Another welcome addition is other websites such as Monero Explorer and the Monero Ecosystem Directory for all things related to Monero, popup and seem to be in active development. In the realm of new apps, a community developer proposed Monero Browser Wallet concepts that could enable seamless multisig escrow for e-commerce, hinting at a future where buying goods with Monero can leverage decentralized escrow agents in-browser. For content creators, a platform called XMRChat emerged to facilitate censorship-resistant livestream tipping with Monero – ensuring creators can receive 100% of donations directly, with no KYC or middlemen. While still early, these tools highlight the grassroots innovation happening around Monero.
On the services side, the KYCnot.me directory, a popular resource listing no-KYC exchanges and services, underwent a complete redesign. Maintainer pluja announced a faster, modern site revamp that remains fully functional without JavaScript. The upgrade introduces anonymous user accounts, a karma/review system, better search and filtering, and even AI-assisted moderation for listings . KYCnot.me’s improvements should make it easier for users to find reputable ways to acquire or spend Monero without sacrificing privacy. These ecosystem enhancements, from wallets to websites, all serve to make Monero more accessible and secure for everyday users of the privacy-focused crypto.
Community & Adoption Updates
Monero’s community continues to drive progress through crowdfunding, meetups, and real-world adoption. Several community crowdfunding system (CCS) proposals (caution is advised on bounties and any community funded projects, there have been 2-3 issues in the past of people not getting paid, one of them being Kewbit, despite having completely the milestones as agreed for the Haveno mobile app but) have been in the spotlight. Over the past two weeks, multiple developers published progress reports on funded CCS projects, signalling that donor money is translating into real work. For example, core developer Justin Berman logged nearly 200 hours on Monero research tasks (like improving transaction efficiency for Seraphis and researching new proof-of-work tweaks) , while others integrated Tor network support into the new Cuprate node as part of their CCS milestones . On the flip side, new proposals are being floated: one ambitious idea called “Moneropen” aimed to build a Monero wallet inside Telegram for easy in-chat transactions . The proposal sought 100 XMR funding and outlined milestones to implement a full-featured Telegram MiniApp wallet . However, community feedback was skeptical – concerns arose about the plan to store user keys via Telegram’s cloud system , which could undermine decentralization. That pushback ultimately led the proposer to withdraw Moneropen for now . The episode highlights the Monero community’s high standards for security and openness, even as they explore novel adoption ideas.
Other community funding efforts have met more enthusiasm. Longtime contributor gnuteardrops announced plans to continue the Monero Graphics project through 2027, seeking 60 XMR in donations to support the creation of new Monero artwork and design resources . Last year’s funding allowed him to produce 100+ free graphics for Monero and assist various ecosystem projects with design, now he hopes to keep that momentum going for another 19 months . This kind of grassroots crowdfunding (outside the formal CCS) underscores the community’s commitment to outreach and education; many users have responded by chipping in to keep Monero visually engaging and well-presented. Meanwhile, on the development side, boog900’s ongoing CCS for the Cuprate Rust node received positive news with the completion of its third milestone (out of four), as mentioned earlier . Each successful milestone builds confidence that community-funded projects are delivering results.
Monero usage in commerce also saw encouraging signs. 1689 Cigars Co., a premium cigar retailer, announced it now accepts Monero (XMR) payments, giving privacy-conscious customers a way to buy high-end cigars confidentially. The business even listed its products on XMRBazaar, a Monero-only online marketplace, to reach crypto customers, for instance, showcasing a signature cigar blend available for XMR . In the realm of e-commerce, the community was excited to see XmrB4U back online after a two-year hiatus. XmrB4U is a service that lets users purchase items from any online store using Monero, acting as an anonymous intermediary between the customer and merchant . Upon its return (announced by a user on Reddit), Monero enthusiasts welcomed the news and even suggested improvements like integrating the service with I2P for greater privacy. The developer responded quickly, confirming that both Tor and I2P support are on the roadmap to make the service more private . As always, users are advised to exercise caution with new or revived services, but XmrB4U’s comeback is another step toward a more robust circular economy for Monero.
Even niche crypto services show Monero’s strength. MyNymbox, a privacy-oriented mail forwarding platform, shared updated payment stats indicating that Monero is now the leading payment method on its platform at 45% of transactions – far ahead of Bitcoin (25%) and Lightning Network payments (19%). This kind of metric is telling: when users are given a choice, a significant number opt for the superior privacy of Monero for their purchases, even compared to BTC. It’s a small but meaningful indicator of Monero’s real-world utility and community preference in the privacy crypto space.
On the community media front, Monero maintainers and enthusiasts continue to engage and educate. The Monero Talk podcast and Monerotopia livestream covered recent market action and tech updates, and even though a new episode was skipped this week, recordings from past Monero events were streamed to keep content flowing . A popular Reddit post by user snangsnang gained traction for arguing that exchange delistings and institutional attacks on Monero are in fact badges of honor, proving that Monero’s privacy is effective and threatening to the status quo . The discussion contrasted Monero’s steadfast resistance to surveillance with Bitcoin’s gradual compliance, even quoting Satoshi’s early warnings about the co-opting of cryptocurrency . The sentiment in the Monero community overwhelmingly echoes this view – that pushback from regulators and centralized entities only validates Monero’s mission to provide uncensorable, private money. Indeed, a recent Bitfinex blog post observed a “growing resurgence of privacy coins” driven by global surveillance concerns and the rise of CBDCs, highlighting how Monero’s cypherpunk ethos has stayed true even as much of crypto chases institutional acceptance . Monero’s supporters take pride in building their own peer-to-peer tools (DEXs, encrypted messaging, etc.) in response to exchange delistings , ensuring the project remains as independent as possible from traditional finance rails.
In community alerts, users were warned of a new phishing scam making the rounds. An email purporting to be an official “Monero GUI update” was reported, which linked to a fake website mimicking GetMonero.org . The spoof site prompted downloads that actually installed a remote access trojan (ConnectWise Control) on the victim’s machine . Monero community members quickly spread the warning on Reddit and X/Twitter, reminding everyone to only download Monero software from official sources and to stay vigilant against increasingly sophisticated phishing attempts. This incident serves as a timely reminder of the importance of operational security, especially when using privacy tools.
Finally, the Monero scene is gearing up for some in-person events. MoneroKon 2025 is just around the corner – the annual Monero conference will take place in Prague from June 20-22. Developers, researchers, and privacy advocates from around the world will convene for three days of talks and workshops focused on digital freedom and financial privacy. (Tickets are still available for those who can attend .) The community is buzzing in anticipation of MoneroKon, with planning meetings and even ticket giveaways (courtesy of the Revuo XMR newsletter and Trocador) helping drum up excitement . Shortly after MoneroKon, the Monero clan will also have a presence at PorcFest in New Hampshire, where the MoneroTopia 2025 meetup is set to be held – further proof that the project’s community aspect is as strong as ever. These gatherings are a testament to the fact that, despite being a distributed project with anonymous contributors, Monero thrives on real human collaboration and shared ideals.
Market Trends & Outlook
Monero’s market performance in May 2025 reflected its growing momentum. XMR’s price staged a stealth rally, climbing roughly 40% over the past two months and briefly breaking above the $300 level. In mid-May, Monero spiked to about $329, its highest price since August 2021 , before a healthy consolidation in the high-$200s. This surge propelled Monero’s market capitalization into the crypto top 25. In fact, a CoinDesk report noted that Monero’s market cap overtook both Toncoin and Litecoin, after more than doubling in price this year. Passing an established coin like Litecoin is a symbolic milestone for XMR, even if ranks fluctuate with market conditions. The mainstream coverage wasn’t all positive, the CoinDesk piece framed Monero’s rise with the usual crime-related tropes, drawing ire from the community for overlooking legitimate privacy use-cases. Nonetheless, the price action speaks for itself: Monero has significantly outperformed many large-cap cryptocurrencies lately. According to CoinMarketCap data, XMR was the second-best performing crypto asset over a 7-day span during the late-May rally , and it is on track to log one of its highest monthly closes ever if current prices hold . This strength appears decoupled from Bitcoin’s trend, reinforcing the idea that Monero often marches to its own beat as a “privacy crypto” haven.
Analysts and traders are taking note of Monero’s technicals. A recent Monero Talk interview with market analyst Kevin Wadsworth highlighted bullish indicators on the XMR/BTC chart, including a positive trend crossover and a potential break above long-term resistance . Some chartists believe Monero could target the 0.0055 BTC level in the coming months (around a 65% gain from current levels in BTC terms) if these signals play out . Fundamentally, interest in Monero is buoyed by macro factors as well: investors concerned about inflation and financial surveillance see Monero’s fixed supply and privacy as an attractive combination. A Finance Monthly article this month pondered whether XMR could “outrun inflation” better than the U.S. dollar, positioning Monero as a sort of digital gold alternative for the privacy-conscious . And as mentioned, Bitfinex’s research pointed out that early Bitcoin adopters are increasingly turning to Monero , viewing it as a continuation of Bitcoin’s original vision for uncensorable, peer-to-peer cash (a role BTC is perceived to have drifted away from). This narrative is bolstering Monero’s “safe haven” appeal independent of broader crypto market trends.
That said, Monero’s journey is not without headwinds. Regulatory pressures continue to loom in the background – for instance, the European Union recently finalized rules that will effectively ban privacy coins on regulated exchanges by 2027 , and some countries have already seen Monero delisted from major platforms. In France, a new law even presumes anonymity-enhanced crypto use as potential money laundering . Such developments create uncertainty about liquidity on exchanges, but Monero’s community has been proactive in adapting: peer-to-peer trading is thriving (as seen with RetoSwap and LocalMonero alternatives), and decentralized exchange technology is improving. Haveno, a Tor-based community arbitrated swap exchange, surpassed $40 million in total XMR volume this year with over 6,000 swaps completed via a network operator called RetoSwap, growing 100% month-over-month by leveraging community-funded fee waivers. Interestingly, in late May users observed a temporary drop in RetoSwap’s weekly volume and speculated on reasons, ranging from Tor network instability to shifting arbitrage opportunities. This sparked discussions but also highlighted how closely the community monitors the health of its independent trading avenues. Overall, despite occasional lulls or pullbacks, Monero’s on-chain usage and demand seem to be in a long-term uptrend, supported by its strong network fundamentals and dedicated user base.
Finally, the past two weeks in Monero showed incremental but meaningful progress across the board. No dramatic protocol forks or major listings occurred, and yet, by many metrics the Monero ecosystem is stronger than ever. Development continues at full steam, the community is funding and building new projects, merchants and services are embracing XMR for its privacy benefits, and the coin’s market performance has been resilient in the face of broader crypto stagnation. In a world increasingly fixated on surveillance and control, Monero stands out as a contrarian success story: a privacy coin that quietly keeps delivering on its promise. The relative quiet of late May’s news cycle belies the significant undercurrents of activity and optimism in the Monero project. As one community member aptly put it, “Don’t mistake a lack of hype for a lack of progress”, Monero’s steady march towards private, fungible digital cash continues unabated , and each week’s small victories are building a formidable foundation for the future of privacy-focused crypto.
Sources: Monero Community Forum, GetMonero Blog, The Monero Moon Newsletter, Reddit (/r/Monero), CoinDesk (and more throughout above).