Rising investor confidence and key innovations drive notable gains in blockchain infrastructure and DeFi tokens

This article explores four of today's top crypto gainers and the potential reasons behind their surge.

Rising investor confidence and key innovations are driving notable gains in blockchain infrastructure and DeFi tokens. As projects focusing on scalability, interoperability, and bridging Web2 with Web3 capture market attention and fuel momentum, we see a growing demand for versatile, secure, and user-friendly blockchain ecosystems.

Today's stellar crypto gainers highlight this trend, showcasing new products, partnerships, and milestones that are positioning these tokens as some of the top performers.

Biggest Crypto Gainers Today – Top List

Onyx (XCN) leads the pack with a 27% surge. The protocol is designed for multi-asset, scalable, and cryptographically secure financial ecosystems.

Merlin Chain (MERL) expands Bitcoin’s smart contract capabilities, supported by the Wizard 0.3 AI assistant upgrade.

Mask Network (MASK) is strengthening Web3 social interactions with expanded DApp access, while Zebec (ZBCN) pushes real-world crypto payment adoption with innovative products such as Paybridge and Zebec Cards.

1. Onyxcoin (XCN)

Onyx is a blockchain infrastructure designed for a multi-asset, scalable, and cryptographically secure financial ecosystem. It aims to enhance interoperability and efficiency, enabling independent networks to coexist and interact seamlessly.

The protocol provides support for custom asset issuance and smart contracts through a flexible programming model, offering institutions and developers a robust foundation for building secure, interconnected financial solutions.

The native token, XCN, plays a central role in the Onyx ecosystem. It is used for governance through the Onyx DAO, where holders vote on key protocol upgrades and decisions.

Moreover, XCN helps secure the network by incentivizing a federation of block signers. It may be used to pay for transaction fees and smart contract execution, reinforcing its utility in maintaining and evolving the Onyx ledger.

Onyxcoin (XCN) is currently priced at $0.02176, showing a significant surge of 27.04% in the past 24 hours. The token also gained 17.96% over the last 7 days, signaling renewed momentum.

With a daily low of $0.0162 and a high of $0.0219, XCN shows intense volatility and growing interest among market participants.

Two major releases, one early launch. We’re excited to announce Onyx AI and the $XCN Ledger Points Portal are now live ahead of schedule.

We don’t just move fast, we under promise and over deliver. Start exploring now via the official Onyx App 👇

https://t.co/QrIvGjwUnF pic.twitter.com/ZUFwgBFezU

— Onyx (@OnyxDAO) May 9, 2025

Onyx celebrates an early double release with the launch of Onyx AI and the $XCN Ledger Points Portal, both going live ahead of schedule. This move highlights the team’s commitment to rapid execution and delivering beyond expectations, with access now available through the official Onyx App.

By rolling out these tools early, Onyx strengthens its utility-driven ecosystem and reinforces investor confidence. The Onyx AI and Ledger Points Portal expand engagement and reward opportunities, adding momentum to the $XCN token’s long-term value proposition.

2. Merlin Chain (MERL)

Merlin Chain is a Bitcoin-native Layer 2 solution developed by Bitmap Technology to bring scalability, efficiency, and smart contract functionality to the Bitcoin network. It uses ZK-Rollup architecture to batch transactions off-chain, reducing fees and increasing throughput.

Integrated with decentralised oracle networks and data availability modules, Merlin Chain supports dApps, smart contracts, and cross-chain compatibility with EVM, pushing Bitcoin’s capabilities beyond simple transactions.

The native token, MERL, fuels the Merlin ecosystem. It is used for staking and collator delegation, helping secure the network and incentivising validators. Additionally, MERL covers transaction fees, serves as collateral, and provides liquidity across the platform. This utility-rich token underpins both the governance and operational efficiency of Merlin Chain, aligning with the project’s community-first approach and drive to expand Bitcoin’s functional frontier.

Merlin Chain (MERL) is trading at $0.1205, posting a 9.70% gain in the last 24 hours and a 14.64% increase over the past 7 days. The token moved between $0.101 and $0.1219 the previous day, showing steady upward momentum and growing investor interest in its blockchain infrastructure offering.

3. Mask Network (MASK)

Mask Network is a decentralised protocol that bridges Web2 social platforms like Twitter and Facebook with Web3 functionalities. Launched in 2019, it started by enabling users to encrypt and post secure messages on social media