Introduction:

The recent decision by Coinbase International Exchange to introduce perpetual futures trading for Fantom (FTM) and THORChain (RUNE) has sparked a significant uptick in their prices. This move marks a milestone for Coinbase as it unveils its "first-ever" perpetual trading listings, available exclusively on its international exchange. The anticipation and positivity surrounding this announcement have been palpable.

Price Surge:

Following the Coinbase announcement, the prices of Fantom and THORChain experienced notable increases. Fantom's price surged by over 10%, reaching $1.17 on March 22, with a market cap of $3.29 billion. Conversely, THORChain saw a slight rebound from its low of $8.29, with its price climbing to $8.70, representing a 5% gain from the low point.

Sonic Upgrade Impact:

The surge in Fantom's price is particularly noteworthy due to the anticipation surrounding the upcoming Sonic upgrade. Scheduled for release in the spring, Sonic promises to revolutionize the Fantom network by introducing a new smart contract coding language and execution engine. This upgrade aims to significantly enhance transaction throughput while reducing costs, positioning Fantom as a leader in decentralized finance (DeFi) and Web3 gaming.

Andre Cronje's Insights:

Andre Cronje, the co-founder of Fantom, shed light on the importance of a secure Ethereum<>Fantom bridge amidst the excitement surrounding the Sonic upgrade. Cronje recognized the necessity of integrating a Layer 2 stack for the bridge and emphasized the need to address historical oversights to fortify the network's security and resilience.

Conclusion:

The addition of perpetual futures trading for Fantom and THORChain on Coinbase International Exchange has catalyzed a surge in their prices, reflecting the market's optimism and anticipation. With the impending Sonic upgrade, Fantom is poised to achieve significant advancements in scalability, cost reduction, and security, reaffirming its position as a frontrunner in the blockchain space.