DeFi Llama Quells Internal Squabbles, Scraps Token Launch Plans

Pseudonymous member 0xngmi said the argument about the token launch has been resolved and the fork is cancelled

article-image

Source: Shutterstock / Nina Shu, modified by Blockworks

share

Blockchain data provider DeFi Llama has walked back claims about an internal conflict that led to the split of its website and Twitter handle.

0xngmi, a member of the project said to be responsible for 90% of DeFi Llama’s success, initially claimed on Twitter that the team was undergoing a “hostile takeover” as another member wanted to launch a token. Apparently, this was a move the rest of the team didn’t approve of.

But late on Monday, 0xngmi provided an update to say the argument had been resolved, the fork had been canceled, and the website would continue to work on a single domain.

Loading Tweet..

DeFi Llama confirmed the development via Twitter, apologizing for “poor communication” and “misunderstanding within the team.” 

“We would like to put what happened behind us. There is no LLAMA token currently planned, and any airdrop will be discussed with the community, as every important decision is,” the project said.

“We will take steps to operate in a more transparent manner to ensure this doesn’t happen again.” It added that each arm of LlamaCorp would cooperate with the other.

The team caused quite a stir over the weekend after 0xngmi and another individual contributor Tendeeno openly indicated on Twitter that DeFi Llama’s co-founder 0xLLam4 didn’t care about the opinions of the rest of the team.

Tendeeno had said DeFi Llama was the most successful project under the LlamaCorp umbrella, which includes other services like DL News and LlamaPay. Developments surrounding the conflict have not affected DL News, and it continues to be business as usual at the new outlet, according to a person familiar with the matter. 

However, DeFi Llama itself was not generating revenue, which is why the co-founder thought launching a token would solve this. 

Tendeeno said the team didn’t want this because “the project’s value and reputation would be wrapped up in this token.” He further claimed that the co-founder behind the hostile takeover had not contributed any work to DeFi Llama and had not paid employee salaries. 

DeFi Llama did not comment on the claims laid out in Tendeeno’s tweets.

Tendeeno added to the narrative late Monday, saying the team wants to move on without continuing the conversation publicly, “but rest assured everyone at DL is happy with the outcome.”


Get the news in your inbox. Explore Blockworks newsletters:

Tags

Decoding crypto and the markets. Daily, with Byron Gilliam.

Upcoming Events

Old Billingsgate

Mon - Wed, October 13 - 15, 2025

Blockworks’ Digital Asset Summit (DAS) will feature conversations between the builders, allocators, and legislators who will shape the trajectory of the digital asset ecosystem in the US and abroad.

recent research

Research Report Templates.png

Research

Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) represent low-hanging fruit in a massive market ripe for Web3-driven disruption. The global CDN market was valued at ~$28B in 2024, and is projected to surpass $140B by 2034, (18.75% CAGR) underscoring the immense demand for efficient content delivery.

article-image

US dollars might technically be worth less, but it’s still good news

article-image

Apps are doing well, as is casino gaming, says Tom Schmidt of Dragonfly

article-image

Sponsored

Machine DeFi brings programmable peer-to-peer finance into contact with tangible machines that generate real-world value

article-image

What happens to your investment portfolio when the companies driving returns are no longer in it?

article-image

Wow, the ETF hype sure didn’t last long

article-image

The private sector lost 33,000 jobs in June; analysts had projected payrolls to add 100,000 positions