Solana surged 204% in 2024, driven by decentralized exchange activity and the creation of over 3 million tokens, while Ethereum is poised for a potential breakout in 2025, with predictions of reaching $10,000 amid a favorable regulatory environment and increased staking opportunities. Retail trading has also surged, surpassing 2021 levels, as individual investors flock to cryptocurrencies and popular stocks. Meanwhile, hackers stole $2.2 billion from crypto platforms, with North Korean-linked groups responsible for a significant portion of the losses.
read moreAndrew O’Neill
0 posts last weekEthereum Community Conference Highlights: AI, Regulation, and Crypto Universal Basic Income
The Ethereum Community Conference in Brussels featured discussions on AI, regulation, and crypto universal basic income. Speakers highlighted the importance of user-friendly design, regulatory convergence, and the potential for decentralized finance. The event also addressed challenges in onboarding new users and the need for a user-owned AI and Internet. Additionally, the conference explored the role of stablecoins, the future of financial institutions in the crypto space, and the potential for decentralized universal basic income to alleviate poverty.
read moreCoinbase Advocates for Approval of Ethereum Exchange-Traded Product (ETP)
Coinbase has submitted a 27-page letter to the SEC in support of Grayscale’s application for an Ether-based exchange-traded product, arguing that Ether is a commodity, not a security, and highlighting its strong governance and market resilience. Meanwhile, S&P Global analysts have expressed concerns that spot Ethereum ETFs including staking could introduce new concentration risk to the blockchain network.
read moreSpot Ethereum ETF Applications Raise Concerns Over Network Concentration
S&P Global warns that approving Spot Ethereum ETFs in the US could worsen network concentration issues by centralizing staked tokens, potentially leading to risks like inactivity or collusion. The SEC is currently assessing eight applications for Spot Ether ETFs, with a 50% likelihood of approval by May and a near certainty expected by year-end. Coinbase’s significant involvement in both Bitcoin and Ether ETFs raises questions about potential risks and the need for diversification among digital asset custodians.
read moreEthereum Staking ETFs Could Impact Network’s Concentration Risk, Warn Analysts
The potential approval of ether staking ETFs in the U.S. could impact Ethereum’s validator mix, potentially increasing the network’s concentration risk. Analysts from S&P Global warn that while institutional custodians may reduce current concentration on decentralized staking protocols, they could introduce new concentration risks if a single entity is chosen to stake the bulk of ether in these ETFs. The entry of spot ether staking ETFs into the market could have a significant effect on concentration risk, making constant monitoring crucial.
read more