Top TRON Ecosystem Projects to Watch in 2024

Explore the top TRON ecosystem projects to watch in 2024, from DeFi platforms to NFT marketplaces and gaming. Discover how initiatives like SunPump have driven growth in TRON’s ecosystem activity and TVL, solidifying its role as a key blockchain for decentralized finance and entertainment.

TRON is a high-performance blockchain known for its scalability, low transaction fees, and focus on decentralized finance (DeFi), NFTs, and entertainment. TRON's architecture enables rapid transaction processing, making it a popular platform for users and developers. The ecosystem is especially notable for supporting stablecoins like USDT and decentralized applications (dApps) in the gaming and DeFi sectors.

TRON DeFi TVL | Source: DefiLlama

Over the past year, TRON’s ecosystem has experienced significant growth, driven by new partnerships, increased adoption of its DeFi services, and the launch of innovative platforms like SunPump. As of this writing, TRON’s DeFi ecosystem ranks as the second most valuable in the crypto market, with a Total Value Locked (TVL) exceeding $8.25 billion. This growth highlights TRON’s strategic importance in the blockchain industry, especially as it continues to attract developers and investors interested in low-cost, high-speed transactions.

In 2023 and 2024, TRON achieved several key milestones that have solidified its position as a major player in the blockchain industry. The introduction of platforms like SunPump, designed for the fair launch of TRON memecoins, has significantly boosted on-chain activity and community engagement. SunPump alone has generated over 1.84 million TRX in revenue since its launch, reflecting the platform’s rapid adoption.

TRON’s partnerships have also played a crucial role in its ecosystem expansion. Collaborations with major platforms like Oraichain for AI integration and Curve Finance for DeFi initiatives have enhanced TRON’s offerings. These developments have further strengthened TRON’s standing, particularly in the DeFi sector, where it now ranks second in TVL, only behind Ethereum. The ecosystem’s ability to efficiently support stablecoins, alongside the launch of the SunPump memecoin platform, has been a driving force behind TRON’s growth, making it a network to watch closely in 2024.

To get started with interacting with TRON network projects, you’ll need a TRON-compatible wallet like TronLink, which is the most popular option for managing TRX and TRC-20 tokens. Unlike MetaMask, which primarily supports Ethereum-based networks and EVM-compatible chains, TRON operates on a different architecture that uses the TRC-20 token standard, making TRON incompatible with MetaMask. After installing TronLink as a browser extension or mobile app, you can fund your wallet with TRX by buying the tokens on KuCoin. TRX tokens are needed for transaction fees and staking within the TRON ecosystem. From there, you can easily connect your wallet to various TRON dApps, including DeFi platforms like JustLend and NFT marketplaces like APENFT.

Here’s a curated list of some of the best and most promising dApps and projects operating in the TRON ecosystem to watch this year. We’ve compiled this list based on each project’s use case, value proposition, and popularity.

DeFi: JustLend DAO

JustLend DAO is the first official decentralized lending platform on the TRON network, launched in 2020. It operates as a money market protocol where users can deposit assets into liquidity pools to earn interest or borrow against collateral. The platform is designed to offer decentralized financial services with interest rates determined algorithmically based on the supply and demand of TRON assets. JustLend supports various tokens, including TRX, USDT, and JST (its native token). The JST token plays a key role in governance, allowing holders to vote on protocol changes and improvements. The platform also introduced automated order matching and real-time interest rate adjustments, making lending and borrowing efficient and accessible.

In 2024, JustLend DAO experienced significant growth, with its TVL reaching $5.95 billion, making it the largest DeFi platform on TRON. This growth was driven by new integrations and improved features like increased liquidity and better lending options. The platform also expanded its staking services, including the staking of TRX for stUSDT, TRON’s stablecoin. JustLend’s continued enhancements have contributed to TRON’s position as a leading DeFi network, attracting more users and solidifying its dominance in the lending space.

DEX: SunSwap

SunSwap is a decentralized exchange (DEX) on the TRON network that facilitates automated liquidity provision and seamless token swaps. Launched in 2021, SunSwap allows users to trade TRC20 tokens efficiently without intermediaries. The platform’s core feature is its liquidity pools, where users can provide liquidity and earn rewards. SunSwap integrates tightly with Sun.io for staking and liquidity mining, where users can participate in two-token mining, earning both SUN tokens and project tokens. SUN, the platform’s native token, is central to governance and liquidity rewards. SUN holders can participate in governance voting, influence liquidity pool allocations, and benefit from staking incentives.

In 2024, SunSwap solidified its position in the TRON ecosystem with a TVL of over $527 million, making it one of the most significant platforms within TRON’s DeFi landscape. The introduction of SunPump, a memecoin launchpad, further boosted SunSwap’s activity and revenue. The platform’s dual-token mining and governance features have attracted more users and liquidity providers, enhancing its overall liquidity and trading efficiency. SunSwap remains a vital component of TRON’s DeFi infrastructure, continually evolving with new features and community-driven initiatives.

Stablecoin: Tether (USDT)

Tether (USDT) is the most widely used stablecoin, pegged to the U.S. dollar, ensuring price stability for crypto transactions. Launched in 2014, USDT operates across multiple blockchains, with the TRON network being a significant contributor to its circulation. On TRON, USDT facilitates fast and low-cost transactions, making it a preferred choice for users looking to move large sums with minimal fees. The SUN token plays a key role in governance, allowing users to shape the platform's direction by voting on protocol upgrades and other decisions.

In 2024, Tether minted an additional $1 billion in USDT on the TRON network, bringing its total annual issuance to $33 billion across multiple blockchains. This surge reflects the high demand for stablecoins on TRON, which now controls 37.9% of the total stablecoin market share. TRON’s efficient infrastructure and fixed transaction fees have made it a leading network for stablecoin transactions, with more than $61 billion in circulation. The consistent minting activity, like the recent $1 billion issuance, supports liquidity management and ensures smooth market operations across TRON and Ethereum.

Launchpad: SunPump

SunPump is a memecoin deployer platform launched on the TRON blockchain on August 9, 2024, similar to Pump.Fun on the Solana network. The platform allows users to create and launch their own memecoins quickly and efficiently, making it a key player in the emerging memecoin market on TRON. Backed by Justin Sun, SunPump has gained significant traction, generating over $1.1 million in revenue within the first 11 days of its launch. The platform has created over 6,000 memecoins in this short time and has attracted liquidity through the Meme Ecosystem Boost Incentive Program, which allocated $10 million to support new token launches.

SunPump’s biggest revenue day so far was August 20, 2024, when it generated nearly 2.78 million TRX (approximately $400,000) in a single day. The platform briefly went offline due to high traffic but was quickly restored. SunPump’s impact has extended beyond its platform, driving substantial liquidity and revenue to the TRON network, which has recently overtaken competing chains in daily transaction volume. SunPump’s success underscores the growing popularity of memecoins within TRON’s ecosystem, supported by strategic initiatives and increasing user interest.

Memecoin: Sundog (SUNDOG)

Sundog (SUNDOG) is a memecoin launched on August 15, 2024, as part of the TRON blockchain's push into the memecoin ecosystem. Positioned as TRON’s flagship memecoin, Sundog quickly gained attention due to its rapid price surge and significant market cap growth. The token’s initial momentum was driven by the launch of SunPump, TRON’s new meme fair launch platform designed to rival Solana’s Pump.fun. Sundog’s market cap soared from $126 million to a peak of $325 million, fueled by a whale investment of $450,000. The meme coin’s quick rise has drawn comparisons to Solana’s Dogwifhat (WIF), another popular memecoin with similar community-driven appeal.

Sundog’s growth is supported by TRON’s aggressive ecosystem strategies, including a $10 million allocation from Justin Sun’s Meme Ecosystem Boost Incentive Program, aimed at preventing rug pulls and fostering community support. Since its launch, Sundog has seen substantial adoption, attracting over 12,000 holders and trading on some crypto exchanges With its success, Sundog is now one of the most promising meme coins on the TRON blockchain, showcasing the platform’s potential to compete with other blockchains in the memecoin sector.

NFT: APENFT (NFT)

APENFT is a platform focused on bridging traditional art with blockchain technology by converting physical and digital artworks into NFTs. Launched in March 2021 in Singapore, APENFT has since become a key player in the NFT space by collaborating with major auction houses like Sotheby's and Christie’s. The platform stores these digital assets on-chain as ERC-721/TRC-721 tokens. APENFT’s native token, NFT, serves as the governance token, enabling holders to vote on platform developments, including decisions regarding art exhibitions and the direction of art collections. The platform also collaborates with renowned artists and features high-value art pieces like Andy Warhol’s "Three Self-Portraits" and Beeple’s "OCEAN FRONT.”

In 2024, APENFT introduced the TRONscription Market in collaboration with TRON, marking a significant milestone in the NFT space. The key feature of this launch is the redeemable inscription, which allows users to mint, trade, and redeem NFTs seamlessly. This new mechanism improves the liquidity and accessibility of NFTs on the TRON network. In addition to this, the platform offers empowerment packages designed to support ecosystem participants, further enhancing user engagement. The NFT token remains central to this evolving ecosystem, driving both governance and participation.

Infrastructure: BitTorrent (BTT)

BitTorrent (BTT) is a utility token integral to the operations of the BitTorrent ecosystem, which originally began as a peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing protocol in 2001. Acquired by TRON in 2018, BitTorrent expanded beyond file sharing to include blockchain-based services like the BitTorrent File System (BTFS) and the BitTorrent Chain (BTTC). BTFS provides decentralized file storage, rewarding users with BTT tokens for contributing storage space. This solution addresses the limitations of the original BitTorrent protocol by incentivizing long-term file storage through BTT rewards. As of 2024, the BTFS network boasts over 8 million storage miners and 168 million storage contracts, making it a leading decentralized storage solution in the blockchain industry.

BTTC, launched to facilitate cross-chain asset transfers, is another significant innovation in the BitTorrent ecosystem. It serves as a scalable interoperability layer connecting TRON with Ethereum and other EVM-based blockchains. The chain uses a proof-of-stake mechanism, where validators stake BTT and earn rewards while securing the network. In 2024, BTTC continued to grow in relevance, supporting high-throughput transactions at low fees, with average gas costs under $0.01. The BTT token remains central to the ecosystem, enabling staking rewards, decentralized storage incentives, and transactions within BTTC. With ongoing developments like expanding wrapped Bitcoin on the TRON and BTTC networks, BitTorrent’s integration with blockchain technology positions it as a critical player in Web3 infrastructure.

Cross-Chain: Meson Finance

Meson Finance is a decentralized cross-chain bridge platform launched to facilitate seamless asset transfers across over 50 public chains and Layer 2 networks, including TRON, Ethereum, and Bitcoin Layer 2 networks. Utilizing Atomic Swap technology, MesonFi supports a wide range of assets such as BTC, ETH, and stablecoins, making it an essential tool for users seeking low-cost and efficient cross-chain services. The platform focuses on providing secure and transparent asset transfers, making it a reliable choice in the rapidly evolving DeFi landscape. In 2024, MesonFi played a key role in the launch of ccBTC, a cross-chain Bitcoin token backed 1:1 by Bitcoin reserves. This initiative aims to enhance Bitcoin liquidity across dApps and various blockchain networks.

One of the significant developments for MesonFi in 2024 is its collaboration with the Nervos CKB Eco Fund to support the issuance and cross-chain circulation of ccBTC. By leveraging Nervos CKB and RGB++ protocols, MesonFi ensures secure and efficient BTC transfers within the ecosystem, enabling DApps like decentralized exchanges, lending platforms, and algorithmic stablecoins to integrate Bitcoin assets smoothly. The platform’s focus on transparency and security is evident in its multi-party confirmation mechanism, which governs minting, burning, and on-chain verification processes. These advancements position MesonFi as a leading cross-chain solution provider, contributing to the broader adoption of decentralized financial services.

TRON’s ecosystem is set for significant growth and technological upgrades in 2024. One major area of focus is scalability. The introduction of Stake 2.0 in early 2024 allows for more efficient resource utilization, enhancing TRON’s network performance and encouraging users to stake TRX through programmable smart contracts. Additionally, BitTorrent Chain (BTTC) strengthens TRON’s cross-chain capabilities by facilitating seamless asset transfers across different blockchains, positioning TRON as a leader in cross-chain interoperability.

On the innovation front, TRON is integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into its ecosystem through initiatives like the AI Development Fund. The fund’s goal is to combine blockchain with AI, creating new opportunities for dApps and smart contracts. This expansion includes partnerships with organizations like Oraichain, driving AI integration and innovation within the TRON network. Furthermore, TRON’s DeFi ecosystem remains a cornerstone, with platforms like JustLend DAO and SunSwap contributing to the ecosystem’s TVL growth, making TRON the second-largest Layer 1 blockchain by TVL.

Future Trends in the TRON Ecosystem

Looking ahead, TRON aims to further strengthen its position in decentralized finance, entertainment, and cross-chain solutions. One trend to watch is the push for decentralized entertainment, where TRON continues to innovate with its high-speed, low-cost infrastructure. With strong support for NFTs and gaming dApps, TRON is becoming a go-to platform for decentralized content distribution and entertainment.

Interoperability will also play a key role in TRON’s growth. The network’s cross-chain integrations, powered by BTTC, allow assets to move effortlessly across multiple blockchains. This capability is crucial for expanding TRON’s user base and attracting more developers to build dApps that are accessible across different ecosystems. Lastly, TRON’s emphasis on community engagement through initiatives like HackaTRON and Tron Academy shows its commitment to fostering innovation and participation within its ecosystem.

TRON’s expansion in 2024 highlights its focus on enhancing decentralized finance, entertainment, and cross-chain solutions. With planned upgrades, AI integration, and increased scalability, TRON is well-positioned to attract developers and users alike. These advancements, alongside growth in cross-chain compatibility and DeFi innovations, could keep TRON competitive in the evolving blockchain landscape.

However, it’s essential to remain aware of potential risks. Market volatility, regulatory scrutiny, and the inherent unpredictability of emerging technologies could impact TRON’s trajectory. As always, careful research and consideration of the broader crypto market conditions are advised when exploring opportunities within TRON’s ecosystem.