Crypto.com - The Most Comprehensive Crypto Finance Platform

What is Crypto.com?

Crypto.com is a leading cryptocurrency financial platform, providing services ranging from trading, staking, decentralized wallets, NFTs, to crypto Visa cards and DeFi solutions. Founded in 2016 by Kris Marszalek, Bobby Bao, and Gary Or, Crypto.com aims to make cryptocurrencies more accessible through its Cronos blockchain technology – an EVM-compatible chain with high speed, low fees, and superior interoperability.

With the Cronos blockchain , strategic partnerships (Formula 1, UFC, Visa), and institutional-grade security, Crypto.com is not just an exchange but a pioneering force in digital finance.

The platform features features like the Crypto.com Visa Card with up to 8% cashback, Crypto Earn with up to 14.5% APY, and Cronos Assistant – an AI assistant coming in Q1 2025 to automate trading. With institutional-grade security (ISO 27001 certified, 98% cold storage of assets), Crypto.com is gradually realizing its vision of integrating crypto into every aspect of life.

History of Crypto.com project development

• Founding Stage (2016) : Crypto.com was founded as Monaco by Kris Marszalek (CEO), Bobby Bao (CTO), and Gary Or (CPO), with the goal of developing a debit card that allows spending cryptocurrencies like fiat money.

• Rebranding and Expansion (2018) : Monaco purchased the domain name Crypto.com from Professor Matt Blaze and renamed it Crypto.com , increasing brand awareness.

• Crypto.com Exchange Launched (2020) : Crypto.com launched a centralized exchange, supporting spot, margin, and futures for over 350 cryptocurrencies, competing with Binance and Coinbase.

• Cronos Blockchain Development (2021) : Crypto.com launches Cronos, an EVM-compatible blockchain supporting DeFi, NFTs, and GameFi, attracting developers with its high speed and low costs.

• Partnerships and Sponsorships (2021-2022) : Crypto.com becomes a partner of Formula 1, owns the naming rights to the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, and partners with UFC, Philadelphia 76ers, Paris Saint-Germain.

• 2022 : Crypto.com lays off over 2,000 employees during market crisis but maintains stable operations.

• 2023 : Close institutional floor in the US due to low demand, focus on retail services.

• 2025 : Plans to expand into traditional banking, stock trading, and stablecoin issuance , promising to bring Crypto.com closer to the global financial system.

Cronos Technology and Ecosystem

Cronos , the core technology platform of Crypto.com , is a decentralized, open-source, energy-efficient blockchain that manages $6 billion in assets and ranks in the top 15 global blockchains . Built on the Cosmos SDK , using Ethermint and the Proof of Authority (POA) consensus mechanism , Cronos ensures high performance with fast transactions (5-6 seconds), low fees ($0.01-0.5), and is carbon neutral.

Compatible with Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) and supporting the Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol , Cronos allows for the import of assets from Ethereum, Cosmos, and other chains, and the deployment of dApps and smart contracts using Solidity .

The Cronos ecosystem serves 100 million users and 500 developers , supporting Web3 applications such as DeFi, NFT, GameFi, and payments, aiming to bring the next 1 billion users to experience self-custody of digital assets.

With Cronos Labs providing a $100 million fund through the Cronos Accelerator , Cronos is fueling the innovation economy and metaverse, competing with Ethereum and Solana with superior performance, low costs, and cross-chain interoperability.

Main components in Cronos:

• Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) : Cronos uses Ethermint, which enables fast smart contract deployment from Ethereum and compatible EVM chains, supporting Solidity developers to build dApps on Cronos.

• Tendermint and Cosmos SDK : Provide a secure, consistent consensus mechanism and a modular blockchain development framework, supporting flexible programming languages.

• Interoperability (IBC + Ethereum-Cronos Bridge) : IBC enables communication with Cosmos SDK blockchains, supporting cross-chain asset transfers and execution; upcoming Ethereum-Cronos bridge will connect ERC-20 tokens from other EVM chains.

• Proof of Authority (PoA) : PoA consensus on Tendermint PoS, ensuring scalability and security with carefully selected validators.

A Brief Introduction to the Tendermint BFT Protocol

Tendermint is a Byzantine Fault Tolerant (BFT) consensus protocol that allows multiple computers (nodes) to agree on a system state, even if some nodes are acting dishonestly. It consists of two main parts:

• Tendermint Core : Ensures that all nodes agree on the same blockchain. Works well even if up to 1/3 of nodes are faulty or malicious.

• Application Blockchain Interface (ABCI) : Is the bridge between Tendermint Core and blockchain applications. Allows developers to build applications in any programming language, as long as they communicate via ABCI.

Cronos POS: Payments and NFT Platform

Launched in 2021 (formerly Crypto.org Chain), Cronos POS is a public Layer 0 blockchain optimized for micropayments and NFTs. Cronos POS powers the Crypto.com Pay service , and supports NFT integration, staking, and DeFi wallets, acting as a bridge for real-world payment applications. The chain is powered by Tendermint BFT technology with transaction confirmation times of around 5–6 seconds, integrated with the Cosmos SDK , and secured by over 100 validators.

• Performance : Thousands of TPS, transaction costs under $0.01.

In addition to processing thousands of transactions per second (TPS), Cronos POS has very low transaction costs (less than $0.01) and is carbon neutral – an important factor for an environmentally friendly blockchain. Cronos POS provides an efficient payment solution, promoting practical applications of blockchain.

Cronos EVM: DeFi and GameFi Ecosystem

Cronos EVM is a fully Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatible Layer 1 blockchain that allows for seamless deployment of Ethereum dApps using the Solidity language and popular tools like MetaMask. Built on top of Ethermint and the Cosmos SDK, Cronos EVM is capable of handling up to 5,000 TPS with transaction costs ranging from $0.1 to $0.50 – lower than traditional Ethereum.

• Tendermint BFT, Cosmos SDK, bridge integration with Ethereum.

• Performance : 5,000 TPS, transaction cost 0.1-0.5 USD.

• Applications : dApps like VVS Finance (DEX), Tectonic Finance (lending), and Cronos Play SDK (GameFi).

Cronos zkEVM: Security and Efficiency

Evolving beyond Layer 1, Cronos zkEVM is a Layer 2 solution that uses ZK Rollups technology – an advanced transaction compression technique that reduces costs while still ensuring security inherited from the original Ethereum chain. Cronos zkEVM uses ZK Stack (by zkSync) combined with Tendermint BFT, allowing full EVM compatibility and supporting smart contract deployment without modification.

• Technology : ZK Stack, Tendermint BFT, EVM compatible.

• Performance : Over 100 TPS, cost under $0.01.

With over 100 TPS performance and transaction costs below $0.01, Cronos zkEVM is ideal for low-cost yet high-security applications such as DeFi, GameFi, and micropayments.

Additional technologies

Cronos is reinforced by:

• IBC : Connect with Cosmos (Osmosis, Injective), Ethereum, BNB Chain.

• Cronos Play SDK : Supports NFT and wallet integration into games (Unity, Unreal Engine).

• Chainlink Oracle : Providing real-time price data for Visa Cards and dApps.

• Cronos Assistant (Q1 2025): AI assistant that automates trading.

• Cronos Accelerator : DeFi/GameFi startup support program from Cronos Labs' $100 million fund.

Crypto.com Project Highlights

Crypto.com App

Mobile platform that supports buying, selling, and managing over 400 cryptocurrencies , integrating Crypto Earn (up to 14.5% APY) and the Crypto.com Visa Card . The app uses Chainlink Oracle and TradingView to ensure accurate price data, and connects to Cronos POS for fast payments (CB Insights).

• Buy/Sell Crypto : Supports instant trading for 400 cryptocurrencies, integrated hot/cold wallet with MPC security.

• Crypto Earn : Offers interest rates up to 14.5% APY, flexible asset locking from 1 to 3 months.

• Chainlink Oracle : Ensures accurate price data, supports trading, and converts crypto to fiat.

• TradingView Integration : Provides advanced charts, supports analysis tools such as RSI, MACD.

Crypto.com App with optimally designed features, easy to understand and use for beginners, while ensuring a friendly interface, effective support for both new users and professional traders.

Crypto.com Exchange

Centralized exchange offering 350+ trading pairs , supporting spot, margin (10x), and futures (100x) trading with latency below 1ms. Integrated with Cronos EVM for dApp and smart contract deployment, suitable for high-frequency trading (Gemini).

• Matching Engine : Proprietary order matching system, processing millions of transactions/second , latency under 1ms , using C++ and Kafka to optimize performance.

• REST/WebSocket API : Supports automated trading and HFT, limited to 1,000 requests/minute (REST), 100 messages/minute (WebSocket), using JSON and Protobuf standards .

• Margin/Futures Engine : Leverage calculation ( 10x for margin, 100x for futures) with automatic liquidation system based on Mark Price and Index Price .

• Liquidity Aggregation : Connect with global liquidity providers, ensuring low spreads and high liquidity.

• TradingView Integration : Advanced charts, support for drawing Fibonacci, Bollinger Bands.

Crypto.com Visa Card

The Crypto.com Visa Card is a prepaid card that enables crypto spending at 80 million Visa acceptance locations worldwide, with instant conversion to fiat via Chainlink Oracle . Deployed on Cronos POS , the card supports 19 cryptocurrencies and 20 fiat currencies, offers up to 8% cashback in CRO , integrates with Apple/Google Pay , and has no annual fee. The product offers convenience and flexibility to users, seamlessly connecting to the Crypto.com ecosystem .

Crypto.com DeFi Wallet

Crypto.com DeFi Wallet is a non-custodial wallet that supports staking on Cronos POS with 10% APY, integrating Cronos EVM to connect dApps via WalletConnect, suitable for DeFi and GameFi. Designed with a friendly interface, the wallet allows users to fully control private keys, ensuring safety and flexibility in digital asset management.

Safe and convenient on Wallet:

• Decentralized Staking: Supports staking CRO, ETH, and other tokens on Cronos POS, 10% APY, with flexible lockup periods from 7 to 180 days.

• dApp Connectivity: Cronos EVM integration, WalletConnect support to connect 300+ DeFi (like Uniswap) and GameFi (like Degen Arcade) dApps.

• Token Swap: Enables multi-chain token swaps (CRO, ERC-20, BEP-20) with 1-2 CRO transaction fee, 1inch protocol integration.

• Advanced Security: Uses AES-256 encryption, stores private keys locally on the device, supports biometric authentication (Face ID, Touch ID).

• Asset Management: Shows balance, transaction history, and supports seed phrase wallet import, optimized for new users.

NFT Marketplace

NFT Marketplace is an NFT trading platform on Cronos POS , using IPFS to store data at a cost of less than $0.01 per transaction. Supporting artists and collectors with exclusive collections, the platform provides a transparent and efficient experience. Integrated with the Cronos ecosystem, NFT Marketplace promotes the development of the digital art market.

Cronos Play SDK

Cronos Play SDK is a tool that supports the integration of NFTs and crypto wallets into games, deployed on Cronos EVM . Supporting Unity and Unreal Engine , the SDK promotes GameFi development, bringing a gaming experience combined with digital finance. With the ability to seamlessly connect to the Cronos ecosystem, this product opens up opportunities for developers to build innovative projects.

Tokenomics and token allocation

• Project name : Crypto.com

• Token : CRO

• Blockchain : Cronos (and EVM/Ethereum compatible)

• Token standard : ERC-20 (and CRC-20 on Cronos)

• Contract: 0xa0b73e1ff0b80914ab6fe0444e65848c4c34450b (ERC-20)

• Dạng token: Utility & Governance

• Total supply : ~30 million CRO (after burning 70 billion in 2021)

• Circulating Supply : ~27.39 million CRO (as of 05/02/2025)

Token Allocation

• 30% : Secondary distribution and launch incentives, released daily over 5 years from 11/14/2018 to 11/14/2023.

• 20% : Capital reserve, locked until 11/07/2022 (unlocked).

• 20% : Network Long-Term Incentives, locked until 11/07/2022 (unlocked).

• 20% : Ecosystem grants, locked until Crypto.com Chain Mainnet launch (now Cronos Mainnet, unlocked since 2021).

• 10% : Community development, including team and future development fund.

CRO utilities : Transaction fees, staking (Visa card cashback up to 8%, reduced exchange fees), use in dApp.

Wrapped CRO (WCRO) is a wrapped version of CRO, pegged 1:1 , increasing DeFi compatibility. WCRO supports liquidity provision, yield farming, and trading on DEXs like VVS Finance, conversion via DeFi wallets, without affecting the total supply of CRO.

Development Team

• Kris Marszalek (CEO): We love Ensogo.

• Bobby Bao (CTO): Managing Director of Crypto.com Capital.

• Gary Or (CPO): Full-stack engineer.

• Rafael Melo (CFO): Financial expert.

Strategic Partnerships & Collaborations

Cronos Chain & Crypto.com : developing and supporting Cronos Chain, an Ethereum and Cosmos compatible blockchain, to power DeFi, NFT, and Web3 applications. The Cronos ecosystem has attracted over 500 developers and serves over 80 million global users.

Google Cloud : becomes the primary provider and operates validator nodes for Cronos, enhancing security and performance for the network.

Chainalysis & Fireblocks : Crypto.com partners with Chainalysis and Fireblocks to integrate AML/KYC compliance and transaction security solutions, ensuring safety and regulatory compliance for users.

Matter Labs : Cronos Labs, with support from Crypto.com , partnered with Matter Labs to develop Cronos zkEVM , a Layer-2 solution that uses zero-knowledge technology to improve scalability and transaction performance.

ACT Games : Crypto.com partners with ACT Games to bring NFT and blockchain games to Cronos, expanding the application of blockchain in the entertainment and gaming sector.

Crypto.com is not only developing in the blockchain field but also expanding strongly into sports and entertainment through global strategic partnerships. And major partners such as:

Crypto.com Roadmap 2025

Crypto

• Q4 2024: Level Up launch (completed).

• Q1 2025: Web Apps, Crypto Baskets, Cronos AI Dev Tools.

• Q2 2025: Exchange Expansion (Fat On/Off Ramp Expansion), Bitcoin Rewards.

• Q3 2025: Maximize Crypto Rewards, Institutional Custody.

• Q4 2025: Cortex AI, Crypto.com Stablecoin , AI Trading Engine, Cronos One, Margin Derivatives, Cronos ETF Proposal, Singularity API.

Stocks (New)

• Q1 2025: Stock & ETF Trading.

• Q2 2025: Sports Contract Trading.

• Q3 2025: Stocks, FX, Commodities and Index Derivatives Options.

Banking (New)

• Q1 2025: Personal Multi-Currency Account.

• Q2 2025: Cash Profit.

• Q3 2025: 1 Second, 1 Cent Global Transfers.

• Q4 2025: International Bank Accounts, Business Accounts.

Cards

• Q4 2024: Debit Card expansion to Latin America, Middle East, Africa (completed).

• Q3 2025: Credit Cards.

• Q4 2025: Prime Card, 10% Travel Cashback .

Join the HCCVenture community to get the latest market information. Once again, we give our opinion on potential projects in the crypto market. This is not investment advice, consider your portfolio. Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not represent the platform in any way. This article is not intended to guide investment decisions.

Compiled and analyzed by HCCVenture

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