MilkyWay Protocol Announces Complete Shutdown, Users to Receive Refunds
Written by Ohris M. Greyoon, Blockchain & Crypto Expert
Source: Coinmarketcap
Updated: Jan 15 2026- Complete Shutdown: MilkyWay Protocol has announced a gradual phase-out of operations, deciding to permanently shut down due to unmet demand in decentralized finance (DeFi) and the WayCard product's failure to alleviate financing pressures.
- Market Fit Failure: The WayCard, aimed at daily expenses and rent payments, failed to achieve product-market fit due to limited runway, leading the team to express disappointment over the slower-than-expected maturation of the DeFi ecosystem.
- User Refund Arrangement: The protocol will distribute its earned revenue in USDC proportionally to MILK token holders, with all features disabled starting today and the system set to completely shut down after the designated closure date.
- Token Burn Plan: MilkyWay announced the burning of all remaining tokens reserved for the team, foundation, and community, including any undistributed airdrop shares, ensuring these tokens will not enter circulation.
About the author
Ohris M. Greyoon
Ohris M. Greyoon holds a Master’s in Computer Science from MIT and has 10 years of experience in blockchain technology and cryptocurrency markets. A pioneer in decentralized finance (DeFi) analysis, he leads Intellectia’s Crypto News, offering cutting-edge insights into digital assets.
