Echo Protocol halts new deposits and borrowing as it winds down

Echo Protocol is shutting down. The Bitcoin-focused DeFi service on the Aptos blockchain has stopped accepting new deposits, halted new borrowing, and switched off interest accrual. Existing users can still get out. They can withdraw, repay loans, and unstake. What Echo is shutting off, and what stays on Echo announced its wind-down on October 19, 2026. That ends a run of nearly two years for a protocol that launched around late 2024. The stated reason was vague. Echo pointed to necessary business adjustments. During its life, Echo offered three main product lines. These were lending, strategy products, and liquid staking derivatives, or LSDs. Users can still withdraw deposits, repay outstanding debts, and liquidate assets. Interest no longer accrues, so a loan’s balance stops growing at least. One piece of infrastructure is set to outlive the protocol itself. Echo has said the Aptos-to-B² bridge for aBTC redemptions will remain available even after the full shutdown. Two dates, one problem The timeline is where things get messy. Echo’s notice includes two separate November cutoffs. The first is November 14, 2026. That is the repayment date for borrowers. Loans left unpaid after th...