"Maya" is a name that appears across multiple distinct cryptocurrency and fintech projects — from a cross-chain DeFi protocol to meme coins and a regulated Philippine digital bank. This guide clarifies what each "Maya" entity is, provides key data points, and outlines the risks users should be aware of before engaging with any Maya-branded project.
Maya Protocol (also known as MAYAChain) is a decentralised, permissionless liquidity protocol built on the Cosmos SDK. It is a "friendly fork" of THORChain, designed to enable native asset swaps across different Layer 1 blockchains — such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and THORChain — without the need for wrapping, pegging, or bridging[reference:2][reference:3].
Unlike many cross-chain solutions that rely on wrapped tokens (e.g., wBTC) or third-party bridges, Maya Protocol uses a decentralised network of validators and on-chain vaults to settle trades directly[reference:4]. This means users retain full self-custody of their assets at all times[reference:5].
Maya Protocol operates through a network of validators that manage on-chain vaults. It uses the Tendermint consensus engine and a Threshold Signature Scheme (TSS) for secure asset management. The protocol supports native swaps of assets including BTC, ETH, USDC, USDT, RUNE, and DASH[reference:10][reference:11].
Maya Protocol is integrated into platforms like ShapeShift, where users can swap native Bitcoin for Ethereum or USDC without KYC or account creation[reference:12][reference:13]. In June 2026, Gem Wallet also integrated Maya Protocol to enable cross-chain swaps for Bitcoin, Ethereum, Zcash, and more[reference:14].
Maya Protocol employs a dual-token ecosystem:
The project launched in March 2023 and has seen significant development activity, though the team remains anonymous[reference:19].
Several tokens share the "MAYA" ticker or name, and it is essential to distinguish between them to avoid confusion.
As mentioned, this is the fee-capture token for Maya Protocol[reference:21]. Its primary function is to receive 10% of protocol fees. This token is distinct from other MAYA tokens.
CACAO is the primary token of Maya Protocol, used for liquidity provision and network security. It has a total supply of 100 million tokens.
There is also a MAYA token associated with a popular Samoyed dog named Maya (also known as MayaPolarBear)[reference:25]. This is a meme coin with a total supply of 100 million MAYA and a market cap of approximately $66,870 as of mid-2026. It is listed on CoinMarketCap and has a small but active community.
Another ERC-20 token named MAYA exists on Ethereum with a max supply of 1,000,000,000,000 (1 trillion) MAYA and only 22 holders. This token has minimal liquidity and appears to be inactive.
Maya is a major fintech brand in the Philippines, offering both a digital wallet and a digital bank through a single app[reference:31]. It is not a cryptocurrency project in the traditional sense, but it does offer crypto trading services.
Maya Wallet, operated by Maya Philippines, Inc., is an electronic money issuer licensed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)[reference:32]. It allows users to send and receive money, pay bills, buy load, trade crypto, and make QR payments[reference:33]. Users can buy, sell, and trade Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other popular cryptocurrencies for as little as PHP 1[reference:34].
Maya Bank is a digital-only bank licensed by the BSP, with deposits insured by the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) for up to 1,000,000 PHP[reference:35]. It offers savings accounts, loans, and credit cards[reference:36].
In 2026, Maya was reportedly exploring a U.S. initial public offering (IPO) of up to $1 billion[reference:38][reference:39], reflecting its significant growth and ambition.
Maya World is an autonomous content creation studio designed for Web3 developers and blockchain projects[reference:40][reference:41]. It is described as the top media creation agent on Virtuals ACP and achieved 500 transactions in just 3 days[reference:42].
The MAYA token provides holders with access to the studio and dashboard, receiving daily "Units" for compute power to generate branded photos, videos, and other media[reference:43].
This project is distinct from both Maya Protocol and Maya Philippines.
The table below summarises key data points for the various Maya entities.
| Entity | Type | Status | Key Metric | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maya Protocol | Cross-Chain DeFi | Active (2023–present) | Blockchains supported | BTC, ETH, USDC, RUNE, DASH, and more[reference:44] |
| Maya Protocol | Cross-Chain DeFi | Active | CACAO Price (approx.) | A$0.26 (~$0.17) |
| Maya Protocol | Cross-Chain DeFi | Active | CACAO Market Cap | A$26.03M (~$17M) |
| MAYA (Meme Coin) | Community Token | Active (low liquidity) | Market Cap | $66.87K |
| MAYA (Meme Coin) | Community Token | Active | Total Supply | 100M MAYA |
| MAYA (ERC-20) | Token | Inactive (low holders) | Max Supply | 1,000,000,000,000 MAYA |
| MAYA (ERC-20) | Token | Inactive | Holders | 22 |
| Maya Philippines | Digital Bank / Wallet | Active (regulated) | Licensing | BSP-licensed[reference:51] |
| Maya World | Web3 Content Studio | Active | Transactions (3 days) | 500+[reference:52] |
Market data is approximate and subject to change. Always verify current data from reliable sources.
Each Maya entity carries its own set of risks. Here are the key risks to be aware of.
This table summarises the key differences between the various Maya entities to help you distinguish them.
| Entity | Type | Status | Legitimacy | Key Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maya Protocol | Cross-Chain DeFi | Active | ✅ Legitimate (live protocol) | Smart contract risk; anonymous team |
| MAYA (Meme Coin) | Community Token | Active (low liquidity) | ⚠️ Speculative | Low liquidity; meme coin volatility |
| MAYA (ERC-20) | Token | Inactive | ❌ Likely dead | No liquidity; potential scam |
| Maya Philippines | Digital Bank / Wallet | Active (regulated) | ✅ Legitimate (BSP-licensed) | Regional restriction; counterparty risk |
| Maya World | Web3 Content Studio | Active | ⚠️ Legitimate but unproven | Early-stage project risk |
Legitimacy ratings are based on available information and may change over time. Always conduct your own research.
Alex hears about a "MAYA" token that is supposedly going to "moon". He does some basic research.
Alex's evaluation:
Conclusion: Alex decides that the token is likely a scam or a dead project with no real value. He avoids the investment.
Alternative scenario: Alex discovers Maya Protocol, reads its documentation, and sees that it is a live protocol with integrations on ShapeShift and Gem Wallet[reference:61][reference:62]. He decides to research further before making any decisions.
Lesson: Alex's research helped him distinguish between different "Maya" projects and avoid a potential scam. Always verify the specific project you are considering.
Interacting with any "Maya" cryptocurrency project carries significant risk, including the potential for total loss of capital.
This article does not provide personalised financial, legal, or tax advice. The information is for educational purposes only. You should conduct your own research, verify all data from current and reliable sources, and consult with a qualified professional before making any decisions. Never invest more than you can afford to lose.
There is no single "Maya cryptocurrency". The name "Maya" is used by multiple unrelated projects: Maya Protocol (cross-chain DeFi), various MAYA tokens (meme coins, utility tokens), Maya Philippines (digital bank/wallet), and Maya World (Web3 content studio). Each is distinct.
Maya Protocol is a decentralised cross-chain liquidity protocol built on the Cosmos SDK. It enables native asset swaps between blockchains like Bitcoin and Ethereum without wrapping or bridging[reference:64]. It is a "friendly fork" of THORChain[reference:65].
No. Maya Philippines is a regulated digital bank and e-wallet that offers crypto trading as one of its services[reference:66]. It is licensed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)[reference:67] and is not a cryptocurrency project itself.
CACAO is the primary token of Maya Protocol, used for liquidity provision and network security. It has a total supply of 100 million tokens and is distinct from MAYA tokens.
Maya Protocol is a legitimate DeFi project with live integrations on platforms like ShapeShift and Gem Wallet[reference:70][reference:71]. However, like all DeFi protocols, it carries smart contract risk, validator risk, and the risk of exploits. The team is also anonymous, which adds uncertainty.
There is no single official MAYA token. Different projects issue their own tokens (MAYA, CACAO, etc.). Each has different tokenomics and should be evaluated separately.
Verify the specific project's website, team, and documentation. Check token liquidity on reputable exchanges. Be wary of unsolicited messages and social media hype. Never share your private keys or seed phrase. Distinguish between the different Maya entities.
Immediately cease any further interaction. Report the scam to the relevant authorities (e.g., the FBI's IC3, your local police). If you sent cryptocurrency, it is unlikely to be recoverable. Learn from the experience and be more cautious in the future.