The battle for control of Stargate, one of the most active cross-chain protocols, is intensifying. The Wormhole Foundation has entered the fray, announcing plans to counter LayerZero’s $110 million acquisition proposal with a higher offer.
Wormhole called for Stargate’s community to pause the ongoing governance vote for five days, giving it time to finalize due diligence and present its competing bid. The move signals the start of what could become a heated bidding war for one of DeFi’s fastest-growing projects.
LayerZero’s Controversial Proposal
LayerZero had originally proposed acquiring Stargate’s assets in exchange for $110 million worth of ZRO tokens. Those assets include approximately $92 million in stablecoins, Ethereum, and other holdings, as well as Stargate’s future protocol revenues.
The deal has drawn criticism from community members who argue that it undervalues Stargate’s business, which has seen robust growth in cross-chain activity. Concerns also emerged that LayerZero’s offer prices ongoing revenue streams too low, potentially shortchanging token holders.
Wormhole’s Strategic Counter
Wormhole argues that Stargate’s fundamentals justify a stronger valuation. In July alone, Stargate processed $4 billion in bridge volume, a tenfold increase compared to the same period last year. The protocol is now integrated across more than 80 blockchains, giving it a significant footprint in the cross-chain ecosystem.
To ensure fairness, Wormhole urged Stargate to delay the current vote, saying this would allow the community to consider improved terms and potentially multiple offers.
Stargate’s Assets and Value
Stargate’s reported assets include:
- $76.47 million in stablecoins
- $15.9 million in Ethereum
- $55 million in Stargate tokens
- $5.24 million in other holdings
In addition, the protocol holds $345 million in total value locked (TVL) and generates roughly $2 million in annual revenue.
A Battle for Cross-Chain Dominance
Wormhole emphasized that a merger could create a powerful cross-chain network. Stargate would contribute liquidity and proven adoption, while Wormhole would bring wide integration and ecosystem reach. Together, the foundation believes they could significantly boost bridge volumes, increase fee revenue, and deliver lasting value to stakeholders.
The outcome of this contest could reshape the competitive landscape for cross-chain interoperability, setting the stage for one of the most significant mergers in DeFi history.
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Source: https://coindoo.com/wormhole-vs-layerzero-who-will-win-the-fight-for-stargates-345m-network/