Midweek with Max: V2 Wrap-Up, Hemi Alliance, and a Deep Dive on hBitVM

Midweek with Max opened with a preview of the hBitVM white paper, which was shared in Discord as an early draft ahead of a broader public release later this week. Max explained that additional supporting content is forthcoming, including a blog post and an X thread, designed to make the ideas more accessible. With a dedicated engineering AMA focused entirely on the material in planning for later this week, the community has a chance to read and digest everything before a deeper discussion.

On the post-V2 front, Max said the team is wrapping up the final cleanup from the upgrade and Ethereum’s Fusaka update, noting that the network has stabilized. A formal V2 release is upcoming and will remain optional until the team schedules the Jovian activation in late December or early January, with advance notice for node operators.

Max introduced a new experiment called HBUSD, described as a one-way HEMI burn into a USD-denominated stablecoin. The protocol is expected to launch by month-end and will be paired with a community art and NFT design competition, offering prizes including HBUSD, HEMI, merch, and a free mint for the winning design.

Rick confirmed that the Hemi Alliance has concluded, but said a new, more structured Hemi Ambassador program is being developed for early 2026 by a small working group, with an external partner involved. Max also confirmed that the next veHEMI rewards cycle is expected before year-end, likely landing outside the main holiday window.

Several timing questions were addressed during Q&A. Max confirmed that VBK updates will be shared before the end of the year. The long-awaited OG role is now targeted for February, with the team setting a firm date to avoid continued delays. Max also clarified that while moving assets between Ethereum and Hemi will always involve Ethereum transaction fees, fees at the Hemi network level remain very low.

One of the more memorable moments came when Max was asked to explain hBitVM “like I’m five,” resulting in a very deep explanation that may have escaped the attention span of the intended five-year-old audience.

The episode closed with a look ahead to the final Midweek with Max of 2025, scheduled for next Tuesday with a holiday-themed format and broader team participation. Rick also announced an opt-in beta testing program launching soon, giving community members early access to upcoming features. The first product slated for beta is the hemiBTC staking vault, with clear warnings that it remains experimental despite being on mainnet.

Join Hemi’s Discord and catch next week’s live unscripted holiday episode, complete with special guests.