According to Cointelegraph, Ethereum is experiencing a significant surge in smart contract deployments, with the fourth quarter of 2025 marking a record period for the network. Data from Token Terminal reveals that the number of new smart contracts created and published on the Ethereum blockchain reached an unprecedented 8.7 million during this time. This milestone represents a sharp rebound from the previous two quarters, where contract deployment activity was notably lower. Token Terminal attributes this increase to organic growth driven by real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, stablecoin activity, and core infrastructure development. The platform highlights Ethereum's emerging role as a global settlement layer. Contract deployment is often seen as a leading indicator of future network activity, typically preceding growth in users, transaction fees, and maximal extractable value (MEV), which is the value captured by validators and block builders through transaction ordering. Over time, these factors contribute to broader on-chain economic activity and can influence Ether’s (ETH) price performance. Ether briefly surpassed its previous all-time high earlier this year, trading near $5,000, before experiencing a sharp reversal following a marketwide liquidation event on October 10. At the time of writing, ETH is trading around $3,000. Despite the competition among layer-1 blockchains, Ethereum continues to serve as a central pillar of the broader digital asset ecosystem. Rivals such as Solana, Avalanche, and BNB Chain emphasize different strengths, but Ethereum remains dominant in RWA tokenization, capturing the largest share of on-chain RWA market capitalization. Researchers at RedStone describe Ethereum as the "institutional standard" for hosting tokenization initiatives, citing its security, liquidity depth, and established infrastructure. The network also anchors the stablecoin market, with over half of the more than $307 billion in stablecoins currently in circulation residing on the Ethereum network, according to DefiLlama. Tether’s USDt (USDT) and Circle’s USDC (USDC) dominate Ethereum's stablecoin activity, accounting for the majority of Ethereum-based supply. As Ethereum continues to evolve, its role in the digital asset ecosystem remains significant, underscoring its importance as a settlement layer and a hub for crypto activity.

As we look ahead to January 2026, it appears that this month is poised to become a critical juncture for XRP, the popular cryptocurrency. Many industry analysts and investors are beginning to view this timeframe as a make-or-break moment, as a series of significant developments are likely to influence the future trajectory of XRP. In this context, it's essential to consider the various factors that the market is currently evaluating, including regulatory decisions, technological advancements, competitive dynamics within the cryptocurrency landscape, and overall market sentiment. Understanding these elements will be crucial for anyone looking to navigate the complexities surrounding XRP in the lead-up to this pivotal point in time. source: https://blocknews.com/january-2026-shapes-up-as-a-make-or-break-moment-for-xrp-here-is-what-the-market-is-weighing/

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Unleash Protocol has confirmed a $3. 9 million exploit after an attacker gained unauthorized control over its governance system, allowing the malicious upgrade of contracts and the extraction of user funds. The incident occurred on December 30, 2025, and involved the laundering of stolen assets through Tornado Cash. How the Exploit Unfolded According to the team’s […] The post Unleash Protocol Hit by $3 source: https://www.ethnews.com/unleash-protocol-hit-by-3-9m-exploit-after-governance-takeover/

Onchain development activity on Ethereum has rebounded sharply, driven by tokenized assets, stablecoins and infrastructure, according to Token Terminal. source: https://cointelegraph.com/news/ethereum-record-smart-contract-deployments-q4-2025?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound

According to Emmett Gallic, Trump Media withdrew 260 BTC, worth $21 million, from Coinbase in the past hour. Last week, the firm deposited 560 BTC into Coinbase, and 300 BTC (approximately $25 million) remain outstanding.

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CryptoQuant data shows that U. S. investors are actively selling Bitcoin, with the Coinbase Premium Gap dropping to -$122, one of its lowest levels in the past 18 months. The post CryptoQuant Flags Heavy U. S. source: https://btcusa.com/cryptoquant-flags-heavy-u-s-bitcoin-selling-as-coinbase-premium-gap-falls-to-122/

UK consumers also reduced their spending on debit and credit cards in 2025 for the first time since 2020, amid growing concerns about rising inflation. source: https://www.cryptopolitan.com/uk-posts-weakest-investment-in-g7/

On December 17, 2025, the bell rang at the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, marking the listing of HashKey Group, Hong Kong's first licensed digital asset trading platform.

Jinse Finance launches the "Jinse Web3.0 Daily," providing you with the latest and fastest news on MEME, DeFi, DAO, NFT, and the metaverse industry.

What seems like a land of opportunity is actually fraught with peril, with the real hurdles lying in one's understanding. Rather than being led astray by narratives, it's better to safeguard your own circle of competence, lower your expectations, and patiently wait for the right opportunity.

With President Trump's return to the White House in January, the regulatory environment has begun to change, and many foresee new opportunities in 2025.

Looking back at 2025, the core characteristics of the crypto market are the externalization of pricing frameworks and the deepening of channel competition.

For the global stablecoin industry, 2025 can be described as a year of rise but also one of constant ups and downs. As 2026 approaches, let's take a look back at the development of the stablecoin market in 2025.

A16Z, Artificial Intelligence, Crypto Market, a16Z: These 21 Major Future Trends Are About to Explode (Golden Finance), a16Z's Key Trends for 2026

Recommended reading tonight: 1. Grayscale: Crypto growth stalled in Q4 2025, but privacy tokens shone; 2. Dragonfly Partner: 25 predictions across 6 categories for crypto trends in 2026; 3. What does the market look like in the eyes of major institutions?

2025 will be a year in which capital, institutions, technology and politics accelerate simultaneously and squeeze each other.

What truly determines returns is the way you operate at the account level, not just market fluctuations themselves.