Market
Will It Lose Dominance in 2025?
Ethereum has long been the undisputed king of smart contract platforms. However, as 2025 progresses, cracks in its foundation have begun to show.
The Ethereum Foundation (EF), a nonprofit organization tasked with stewarding the blockchain’s development, is facing one of its most turbulent moments yet.
EF’s Leadership Turmoil: Conflict of Interest and Transparency Issues
Leadership shakeups, internal conflicts, and a controversial $165 million DeFi investment have raised concerns over Ethereum’s governance and neutrality. These struggles have come at a critical moment. The crypto market is changing, and new contenders are emerging as serious challengers for Ethereum’s position as the second-largest cryptocurrency.
Vitalik Buterin recently confirmed a restructuring within the Ethereum Foundation to address long-standing governance issues. This overhaul was prompted by controversies such as the EigenLayer scandal, where two Ethereum Foundation researchers, Justin Drake, and Dankrad Feist, took highly lucrative advisory roles with EigenFoundation.
“What is a core EF contributor doing when he accepts roles on projects that have conflicted incentives with Ethereum? Where’s the credible neutrality,” eMon, a popular user on X, quipped.
EigenLayer, a restaking protocol, allows users to leverage their liquid-staked ETH on other networks. Beyond increasing capital efficiency, this raises concerns about Ethereum’s security model. When crypto trader Cobie leaked that Drake and Feist had received millions in vested EigenLayer’s EIGEN tokens, the community reacted with outrage.
Critics saw this as a clear conflict of interest, with Ethereum insiders profiting from their influence over protocol development. The backlash led the Ethereum Foundation to introduce a formal conflict of interest policy in May 2024.
Drake eventually resigned from EigenLayer, but Ethereum’s credibility had already been damaged. Many questioned whether Ethereum’s researchers and decision-makers could be trusted to act in the network’s best interest rather than their financial gain.
Ethereum Foundation’s $165 Million DeFi Investment
As the EigenLayer controversy unfolded, the Ethereum Foundation made another eyebrow-raising decision. It committed 50,000 ETH (approximately $165 million) to DeFi. The move aimed to replenish EF’s treasury, which had shrunk by 39% over the past three years. The EF allocated the funds through a 3-of-5 multi-signature wallet and deployed them into lending protocols like Aave and Lido.
According to data on Spotonchain, the treasury held $752 million as of this writing.
The Ethereum Foundation avoided staking its ETH for years due to concerns about regulatory risks and network neutrality. However, with ETH struggling against Bitcoin and Ethereum losing ground in developer and user activity and market share, EF decided to take a more aggressive financial approach.
Some see this as a smart move to generate passive income, while others believe it signals desperation amid Ethereum’s declining dominance.
Gas Limit Debate: Scaling Solution vs. Network Risk
At the same time, Ethereum is undergoing another critical debate around increasing its gas limit. The Ethereum gas limit has surpassed 32 million, with nearly 52% of validators signaling support for an increase.
The argument is that raising the gas limit would lower transaction fees and improve network efficiency.
“This will be the first increase under proof of stake. Because PoS is so much more decentralized than obsolete tech like PoW, it took longer to coordinate. Who will be the hero to put us over the top,” posed Evan Van Ness, the former Consensys director of operations.
However, not everyone agrees. Critics warn that increasing the gas limit too aggressively could destabilize Ethereum. Specifically, they say it would make it harder for smaller validators to participate, potentially leading to further centralization.
Meanwhile, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin calls for the Pectra Fork, which promises better network usability.
“…IMO we should make the blob target also staker-voted so that it can increase in response to technology improvements without waiting for hard forks,” Buterin shared on X.
With Ethereum already grappling with restaking risks, conflicts of interest, and governance disputes, the gas limit debate adds another layer of uncertainty to the blockchain’s future.
Ethereum vs. the Competition: Possibilities of a New #2
With ETH underperforming compared to other assets, investors are looking at potential challengers. Solana, for example, has seen a resurgence, attracting developers and users with its low fees and high-speed transactions. Nevertheless, IntoTheBlock’s senior research analyst Juan Pellicer says Solana still has a long way to go before it can dethrone Ethereum.
“While Solana may continue to grow and potentially challenge Ethereum in specific niches, overcoming Ethereum’s entrenched position as the dominant platform in the immediate future is still unlikely, though the competitive landscape is dynamic and evolving,” Pellicer told BeInCrypto in an exclusive.
Meanwhile, Binance Smart Chain (BSC), Avalanche (AVAX), and even modular blockchain solutions like Celestia (TIA) are gaining traction. Against this backdrop, the question is no longer whether Ethereum will remain the dominant smart contract platform. Instead, it is whether it can maintain its position as the second-largest cryptocurrency.
If Ethereum continues to struggle with governance issues and scalability challenges while competitors offer better efficiency and user experiences, its place in the market could be at risk. Given all these developments, should investors still consider Ethereum in 2025?
Despite its ongoing issues, Ethereum remains the most decentralized and widely adopted smart contract platform. Its strong developer ecosystem, deep liquidity, and established infrastructure give it a significant edge. The recent leadership restructuring, the conflict of interest policy, and treasury management changes indicate that EF is taking steps to correct its course.
However, the risks are undeniable. Ethereum is at a crossroads, where its next moves will determine whether it can maintain its dominance or if a new market leader will dethrone it. Investors should weigh these factors carefully, balancing Ethereum’s strong fundamentals with the uncertainty surrounding its governance and future development.
Nevertheless, Ethereum is changing, and the community must decide whether these changes are for the better or signal the beginning of its decline.
BeInCrypto data shows ETH was trading for $2,812, up by almost 9% since Tuesday’s session opened.
Disclaimer
In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.
Market
SOL Price Jumps 10% as Whales Boost Accumulation
Solana (SOL) price is up 10% on Tuesday, February 4, as it attempts to hold above $200. Its market cap has recovered back above $100 billion. Despite this rebound, trading volume has dropped by roughly 40%, now sitting at $8.9 billion over the same period.
Meanwhile, SOL whale activity is showing signs of recovery after a recent decline, and key trend indicators remain undecided on the asset’s next move. Whether Solana can sustain its momentum or face renewed downside pressure will depend on how it interacts with critical resistance and support levels in the coming days.
Solana Whales Are Recovering From A Recent Fall From Its All-Time High
The number of Solana whales – addresses holding at least 10,000 SOL – has rebounded to 5,120, up from 5,096 just four days ago.
While it remains below the all-time high of 5,167 recorded on January 25, the recent increase suggests continued accumulation by large holders. This comes after a rapid surge from 5,054 on January 17, highlighting strong interest from big players in the market.
Tracking SOL whales is crucial because their buying and selling activity can significantly impact price trends. Large holders often signal confidence in the asset, and their accumulation can indicate bullish sentiment.
While the number is slightly below its peak, the fact that it is recovering suggests that major investors are still engaged, which could support SOL price stability or even future upward momentum.
Solana is Experiencing a Weak Downtrend Trend
Solana’s DMI chart shows its ADX at 33.5, which is a rise from 10.5 just four days ago. While it peaked at 36.2 a day ago, its current level still indicates a strengthening trend.
The ADX (Average Directional Index) measures trend strength, with values above 25 suggesting a strong trend and above 50 indicating an extremely strong one. The recent increase signals growing momentum, but the direction of the trend remains uncertain.
Currently, Solana +DI is at 14.7, up from 6 a day ago, while -DI has dropped to 26.99 from 39 two days ago. The +DI represents bullish strength, while the -DI reflects bearish pressure.
Although bearish momentum is weakening, bullish momentum is still relatively low, meaning the trend remains undefined. If +DI continues rising and crosses above -DI, it could signal a shift toward an upward trend, but for now, the market remains indecisive.
SOL Price Prediction: Will Solana Stay Above $200?
The price of Solana is currently trading between $222.8 and $191, with its EMA lines showing short-term moving averages below the long-term ones.
However, the downtrend isn’t that strong anymore, leaving the trend direction uncertain. SOL price is in a key range where a breakout in either direction could define the next major move.
If SOL price regains its uptrend and breaks the $222.8 resistance, it could climb toward $244.99, with a strong rally potentially pushing it back to $271.
On the other hand, if a downtrend forms and support at $191.69 is lost, the next target would be $181.91, with further downside possibly taking it as low as $168.77.
Disclaimer
In line with the Trust Project guidelines, this price analysis article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. BeInCrypto is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice. Always conduct your own research and consult with a professional before making any financial decisions. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.
Market
Ethereum ETFs See Record Volume Despite Market Chaos
US Ethereum ETFs hit record volume Monday as investors bought the dip despite market downturns. The nine ETFs saw $1.5 billion in total trading volume, with a $84 million inflow from new investors.
Although the ETFs are performing quite well, trouble remains on the horizon. Their trade volumes are becoming increasingly uncoupled from Ethereum itself as the community faces leadership crises and shaken public confidence.
Ethereum ETFs See Record Trading Volumes
Ethereum has been in a challenging spot lately, but its ETFs are pulling huge numbers. Ethereum was already struggling with declining user counts and falling prices, but Trump’s tariff threats brought huge shocks to the whole crypto market.
However, even while the altcoin was struggling, ETF investors bought the dip in huge amounts, leading to $1.5 billion in trading volume.
Essentially, the broader market shocks triggered huge levels of panic-selling, stop-loss triggers, and forced liquidations. As a key asset for the DeFi space, ETH is vulnerable to swings from overall leveraged trading.
These outflows pumped up the ETFs’ trading volume, and Ethereum delivered net inflows, including $84 million from new investors.
After these complicated actions, Ethereum’s price somewhat recovered from Monday’s early market crash.
However, the leading altcoin has been struggling for a few different reasons. Leadership restructuring at Ethereum has shaken public confidence in the firm, feeding price concerns.
Meanwhile, Ethereum ETFs also have a few bullish factors under their belt. They set a new record for inflows in December, attracting more than $2 billion in institutional interest despite a flagging price.
This trend continued throughout January, with heightened ETF trade despite widening cracks in the Ethereum Foundation.
Additionally, a few outside factors helped juice this rally. Donald Trump’s son, Eric Trump, encouraged his followers to invest in Ethereum via social media.
“In my opinion, it’s a great time to add ETH,” Eric Trump posted.
Open interest in ETH futures contracts on the CME also climbed around 6%, signaling institutional interest. Together, these revenue streams helped guarantee big gains.
Ultimately, Ethereum ETFs are doing well, but the underlying asset’s broader future is still uncertain. Community turmoil is causing serious cracks in the asset’s support base.
This is especially concerning because ETH enjoys prestige and reputation due to its long history in the space. Ultimately, these ETF trades may only paper over broader concerns.
Disclaimer
In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.
Market
FTX Creditors To Begin Receiving Payouts From February 18
Three years after FTX went bankrupt, its creditors are finally going to receive payments. These payouts will begin as early as February 18, starting with claims under $50,000.
These early payments will only begin for creditors in the Bahamas process. Other categories of former FTX users will have a deadline of March 4 to receive payouts.
FTX To Begin Reimbursing Creditors
According to an email circulated among FTX creditors, they will begin getting reimbursed for lost assets. These payouts will begin at 10 AM ET on February 18 and will only apply to claims under $50,000.
According to this email, all repayments in this category will be processed through BitGo, a crypto custody platform.
“The Joint Official Liquidators of FTX are pleased to inform you that you have completed all the required steps to be eligible to receive a distribution related to your Convenience Class claim and that a payment will be made to your nominated account,” the email began.
Apparently, however, these early reimbursements will only go to FTX creditors in the Bahamas process. According to a creditor advocate, former users in other categories will begin receiving payments on March 4.
Since FTX went bankrupt in 2022, its substantial obligations to its creditors have weighed heavily on the crypto market. The lost cryptoassets have greatly appreciated in value since the collapse; creditors will, therefore, receive 9% interest per annum starting from November 11, 2022.
There are still several unanswered questions in this process, especially regarding FTX creditors outside the Bahamas process.
However, after months of positive signals, this is the largest concrete step towards recuperating the investors’ assets. This development will help close a chapter on one of crypto’s darker moments and rebuild overall confidence.
Disclaimer
In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.
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