Deep Dive
1. Catapult Upgrade (Q3/Q4 2019)
Overview: The Catapult upgrade aimed to rewrite NEM’s core software in C++ to improve transaction speeds by 10x and scalability. However, forum discussions (NEM Forum) indicate delays due to funding challenges and developer attrition. The upgrade was critical for enterprise adoption but faced setbacks during the 2019–2020 bear market.
What this means: Neutral for XEM. While the technical foundation was laid, delays and muted post-launch marketing limited network effects. Recent delistings (e.g., Dex-Trade) suggest ongoing liquidity and adoption challenges.
2. XEM Value Proposition Strategy (2024)
Overview: The NEM Foundation proposed discounts for enterprises using XEM in private chains and a dedicated exchange for mosaics/STOs. These ideas aimed to tie XEM’s utility to real-world transactions but lacked concrete execution timelines (NEM Forum).
What this means: Bearish for XEM. Without clear milestones, these proposals remain aspirational. The token’s 87% annual price decline and $20.5M market cap (vs. Binance Coin’s $110B) reflect weak demand-side catalysts.
3. Japanese Market Expansion (2025)
Overview: Japan’s 2025 crypto tax overhaul (Cointelegraph) could revive NEM’s historical regional traction. However, recent news highlights XEM’s classification as a “ghost chain” (CoinMarketCap) due to stagnant developer activity.
What this means: Neutral. Regulatory tailwinds exist, but NEM’s lack of recent partnerships or ecosystem growth (e.g., no major dApps) undermines revival prospects.
Conclusion
NEM’s roadmap lacks actionable near-term drivers, with legacy upgrades and unexecuted strategies failing to counter declining adoption. The project’s reliance on past initiatives like Catapult and regional goodwill in Japan hasn’t translated to measurable progress. How might NEM’s Proof-of-Importance mechanism adapt to modern DeFi and institutional demand?