Wormhole Tops LayerZero With 120M USDC DeFi Acquisition

Wormhole’s $120 million USDC offer for Stargate changes the conversation around DeFi acquisition strategy. By topping LayerZero’s $110 million ZRO token-swap proposal with an all-cash deal, Wormhole’s bid ensures STG holders immediate access to liquidity, eliminating the uncertainty and conversion risk that comes with token swaps. This kind of certainty matters, especially when staked rewards and ongoing protocol performance are on the line.

Need for Fair DeFi Acquisition Process

The cash offer isn’t just about outbidding LayerZero.  Wormhole bid is pushing for a more deliberate process, requesting a five-day pause on the Snapshot vote to review Stargate’s financials, bridge volume, treasury, and potential liabilities. With Stargate handling $4 billion in bridge volume in July, $345 million in TVL, and a treasury of over $92 million, the bid frames the protocol as undervalued by LayerZero’s original proposal. The message is clear: STG holders deserve a fair, competitive process that reflects the true fundamentals of the project.

Market Response to the Offer

Community reaction has been mixed. Pro-liquidity voices welcome the all-cash certainty, while governance purists worry that delaying the vote could disrupt Stargate’s roadmap. Still, the market response is notable. Wormhole’s token climbed 6.3% after the bid, and STG rose roughly 6% to touch $0.18. Even LayerZero’s ZRO gained momentum alongside BTC and ETH gains. It’s a reminder that these bids carry weight far beyond just governance votes. They ripple across the broader ecosystem.

Implications of a Wormhole-Stargate Merger

A Wormhole-Stargate merger could become a major cross-chain hub. It would combine Stargate’s strong liquidity and staked rewards with Wormhole’s multi-chain integrations. The all-cash approach also highlights a shift in DeFi M&A thinking: immediate liquidity can outweigh complex token-swap arrangements with contingent future rewards. LayerZero’s offer included a 1 STG to 0.08634 ZRO swap plus six months of revenue for stakers, and while 88.6% of STG holders backed that proposal, many still viewed it as riskier than receiving cash outright.

Traditional Approach in DeFi Acquisitions

Wormhole’s bid on due diligence signals a more traditional acquisition approach than is typical in DeFi. They aim to verify bridge volumes, TVL, and regulatory exposures while structuring potential incentives for Stargate contributors. This methodical approach, combined with the $120 million USDC bid, sets a new benchmark for DeFi acquisitions. Immediate liquidity for STG holders and clarity on long-term value now take center stage, pushing the debate beyond short-term token mechanics toward sustainable growth.

This move could reshape expectations for future DeFi acquisition deals.  Wormhole bid has not only raised the stakes but also framed a template: all-cash offers that prioritize certainty and proper review may become a standard for major cross-chain protocols. For STG holders, it’s a rare moment where liquidity, governance, and strategic vision align in one bid.