As always, this is not financial advice. What is written here is for informational purposes only.
Ethereum was a grand vision. We have to give that to Vitalik Buterin. The co-founders of Ethereum knew what they were doing when these envisioned the future of blockchain. Ethereum is responsible for most of what we see with stablecoins, memecoins, and DeFi.
The problem is that Ethereum is no longer a lone wolf. In fact, many proclaim there are better options out there. Since blockchain is open source, it was forked a number of times. The result is the EVMs, which house much of the activity mentioned above.
For the moment, the biggest competitor to Ethereum is Solana. This is long favored due to lower fees and faster throughput. Anyone who moved USDC over the last couple years know that Solana is a better option. The fees are lower and settlement takes less time.
Unfortunately for Ethereum, this was the case during a down period. When the bull runs, fees on that network tend to skyrocket.
This all could be coming to an end.
Pectora Could Make Ethereum A Big Time Player
Pectora is the latest upgrade to the Ethereum network. While there were a few hiccups on the testnet, the results were viewed as positive. Proving the forecast, throughput was increased, offering the belief that scaling of the blockchain is near.
One of the keys is to expand the layer 2. Ethereum has seen the volume increase, helping to push down fees.
Dune reveals that Ethereum’s Layer 2s processed millions of transactions daily in early 2025, often surpassing Solana’s 60-65 million daily transactions when aggregated.
Superchain, a collective of Layer 2s built on Optimism’s Stack, is a prime example. By February 2025, Superchain accounted for 60% of all Ethereum Layer 2 transactions, with projections to hit 80% by year-end. That’s 11.5 million daily transactions and over $4 billion in total value locked, numbers that tower above Solana’s $9.2 billion TVL.
We are far removed from the days of trying to get a few transaction per second through. The key for Web 3.0 is to match the volumes that traditional entities are putting up. This means looking at the capabilities of Visa or the banking system for finance. On the social media front, this means Meta and X activities.
Ethereum is the originator of the smart contract technology on blockchain. It opens up a number of options that are not seen on he likes of Bitcoin.
The fact that it is innovating is something to watch.
AI Taking Over
From Ethereum's perspective, AI is taking over. This is mostly due to AI coins operating on that network, something that does help to enhance the value.
However, the trust Golden Goose is blockchain networks have AI applications operating. Whether they are integrated into platforms or separate AI agents, Ethereum could capitalize.
The fact that it has security tied to decentralized finance makes it an ideal first step. Dominating the TVL and other DeFi activities means that, as services appear automating the process, this blockchain will naturally benefit.
A key benefit from AI is that it is a force multiplier. We see the activities tied to a network skyrocket. It is the goal of both Meta and X. Blockchains need to think is in this same direction.
AI agents use Ethereum by optimizing it, creating a feedback loop of efficiency and capital inflow. Some data reveals that whale wallets, those stacks of Ethereum, are tied to some of the best AI projects, with inflows rivaling 2021 peaks.
Following those above, some predict ETH will hit $7,000 as AI token adoption accelerates. Vitalik’s vision, supercharged by AI, is turning Ethereum into a juggernaut ready to lead the next wave of web3 dominance.
Bitcoin is getting a lot of attention of late, and for good reason. However, this is not really leading down a path to Web 3.0. A strong Ethereum might help that along.
People are aware of this chain, with it getting a lot of exposure. This is more than simply the price action people. Developers are understanding of what it can off. Unfortunately, up to this point, it came with some major limitations.
Getting past this is crucial.
What could result is exponential gains for Web 3.0. The multiplication factor with open source is always in play. Whatever can be done on Ethereum, can be replicated elsewhere if needed. Developers take what is put out and innovate over the top of it.
If Ethereum is truly making strides, there could be a greater impact down the road as others utilize these improvements for their own ends.
Overall, this could be an acceleration process.
Can it make Ethereum a big time player in the world of online activity? That is what Vitalik is going for.