Etheremine, Ethereum’s largest mining service provider by computing power, switched off its servers on September 15th, 2022, after Ethereum transitioned from a proof of work to a proof of stake consensus mechanism.

The mining service has been in operation for seven years and mined 3,271,518 blocks and 9,836,656 Ether, announced on its Twitter page and [official website](https://ethermine.org/announcement). Its users would no longer be able to connect their miners to the Ethereum pool.

## The Merge

Ethereum’s transition to [proof of stake (PoS)](/news/article/pos-vs-pow), dubbed the [Merge](/news/article/ethereum-the-merge), was a highly anticipated event that had been in the works for a while. The Merge replaced miners with validators. The network now relies on validators to validate transactions and security.
Before the Merge, Ether mining had developed into a multi-billion industry. More than a million people across the globe with mining equipment worth over $10 billion had at a particular time mined Ether.

The process involved miners competing to solve complex mathematical problems to earn the block rewards. Only the first miner to solve the computational problems got the rewards. 

The need for expensive mining hardware and more computational power grew as the process became more competitive. It is this need that led to the existence of mining pools like Etheremine. 

The service aggregates computing power from a group of miners to increase the probability of winning Ether. The reward would then be distributed among miners based on their contribution. The pools charged some fees for their services.

## Staking Service

In anticipation of the Merge, in August 2022, Etheremine launched a staking pool for its users. The new service offered via BitFly enabled users to stake their Ether and earn interest on their deposits. 

Unlike other platforms, Ethermine allows users to invest as little as 0.1ETH and earn yields for lending. However, in terms of the service fees, the lower a user’s holding, the higher the fees.

The platform allows those who wish to participate in ETH staking and earn but don’t have the required 32ETH. 

Before its [Ethermine Staking](https://staking.ethermine.org/) service, the platform debuted [Ethpool](https://ethpool.org/), a solo staking platform that requires users to have at least 32ETH. At the time of writing, the platform has 469 validators and guarantees 5.5% APR.

It is worth noting that those who participate in ETH staking will not be able to withdraw their earnings until the Shanghai Upgrade, another major upgrade to the Ether network. However, a precise date for the Shanghai upgrade is yet to be determined.

Also, the Merge, though a highly anticipated event, was not a welcomed network upgrade for all ETH holders. A few coin holders wished to continue using the network as a proof of work mechanism. Ethermine has no plans to support the planned PoW forks.

Although the Ethereum network has stopped mining, users can continue to use the platform’s other affiliated servers to mine Ergo (ERGO), Ethereum Classic (ETC), Beam (BEAM, and Ravencoin (RVN).



Ethermine switches off servers after Ethereum Merge

The much-anticipated upgrade to Ethereum, the merge, was completed on [September 15](/news/article/ethereum-merge-date). It transformed the blockchain’s Proof-of-work (PoW) mechanism into Proof-of-Stake (PoS). The market experts were optimistic that this upgrade would positively influence the Ether price. However, it has not been the case as the [Ethereum](https://ethereum.org/en/) price is continually plunging after the merger. 

Perhaps, the reason could be the overall downturn of the crypto market. Bitcoin is also struggling to maintain a price of over $20K. Besides, its worth even dropped under $19K this month. This has affected the entire crypto market, including Ether. Nonetheless, there are several other triggers, too.

## Ether’s nosedive after the merge

ETH was steadily thriving in the last three months when the BTC price struggled to hold its ground. In comparison to BTC, ETH saw a surge of around 60%. However, after the Ethereum merge, it [dropped](https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/22/09/28917798/bitcoin-ethereum-nose-dive-445m-liquidated-from-crypto-market) significantly. 

Five days before the upgrade, Ether’s price was approaching $1,800. Even up to September 14, Ether was trading at over $1,600. But as it completed the upgrade, it lost over $300 in value. It saw a drop of almost 21% in the last seven days, showing worrying signs for Ethereum investors.

## Ether’s nosedive after the merge

ETH was steadily thriving in the last three months when the BTC price was struggling to hold its ground. In comparison to BTC, ETH saw a surge of around 60%. However, after the Ethereum merge, it [dropped](https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/22/09/28917798/bitcoin-ethereum-nose-dive-445m-liquidated-from-crypto-market) significantly. 

Five days before the upgrade, Ether’s price was approaching $1,800. Even till September 14, Ether was being traded at over $1,600. But as it completed the upgrade, it lost over $300 in value. Besides, in the last 7 days, it saw a drop of almost 21%. This shows worrying signs for the Ethereum investors.

![ethereum merge.png](https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/prod-monitalks-media/ethereum_merge_0d3a08eff4.png)

## Ethereum the merge: Investor sentiment 

Disappointing US economic indicators such as high inflation, looming imminent [securities regulation that may apply to Ether staking](/news/article/ether-staking), and a market downturn have negatively affected crypto investor sentiment. After the completion of the Ethereum 2.0 upgrade, the selling pressure increased. Many investors chose to liquidate their funds while the price was high to protect themselves from potential losses. 

Even after this event, ETH investment products saw tremendous outflows. Ether threw up $15.4 million in outflows. However, this was not a market-wide trend, as BTC saw an addition of around $17.4 million in investment in the same period. Time will tell if the Ethereum price has been merely affected by hawkish sentiment or if the Merge is not worth the hype.



Ethereum the Merge: Price plunge & investor sentiment

The long-awaited [Ethereum merge](/news/article/ethereum-merge-date) has transformed the blockchain into Proof-of-Stake (PoS). On Thursday, the upgrade was completed, which was welcomed by crypto investors all around the globe. 

Gary Gensler, the chair of the [Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)](https://www.sec.gov/), has also followed the developments. He hinted that Ethereum might be considered security after the upgrade. Gensler also warned that the securities laws might also apply to Ether staking. He shared his points while speaking to the media after testifying before the Senate Committee. 

## Ether staking could trigger securities laws

According to the SEC chair, any digital coin or intermediary that investors can ‘stake’ will be identified as ‘security’ through the Howey Test. The Wall Street Journal [reported](https://www.wsj.com/articles/ethers-new-staking-model-could-draw-sec-attention-11663266224) that Gensler remarked, “From the coin’s perspective … that’s another indicia that under the Howey test, the investing public is anticipating profits based on the efforts of others.”

Though the chair has not mentioned any particular cryptocurrency, the remarks were made the same day as the Ethereum Merger. Many speculate that he was referring to Ether staking as its consensus mechanism has changed from Proof-of-Work to [Proof-of-Stake](/news/article/pos-vs-pow).

Gary Gensler also explained that staking is quite similar to lending. About this, his comments were, “[it] looks very similar—with some changes of labelling—to lending.”  

## SEC stance on securities

A security asset generally includes bonds and stocks. The service providers related to this type of assets in the United States must disclose them per the defined securities laws of the 1930s. That’s why any crypto exchange or brokerage also has to comply with these laws. If any asset is deemed a security, regulators might take legal action against the service provider. 

Previously, the regulating body has charged several firms for violating [securities laws](https://www.history.com/topics/us-government/securities-and-exchange-commission). The [SEC vs Ripple labs](/news/article/xrp-court-case-update) is a highly anticipated lawsuit in the crypto space. 

The regulators deemed the XRP token as a security and charged the firm for irregularities. 

The conclusion of this case might affect several other tokens too. The regulators also penalised BlockFi with a $100 million fine as it failed to register its interest accounts. 



Securities laws may apply to Ether staking, warns SEC

Investors look forward to the highly anticipated [Ethereum Merge](/news/article/ethereum-merge-news) in the crypto market tomorrow. The Ethereum blockchain will move from Proof-of-Work (PoW) to a much more efficient consensus mechanism, Proof-of-Stake (PoS). This transformation may help the blockchain to become a highly efficient ecosystem as its energy consumption is expected to be reduced by 99.95%. 

The merge will transition the ecosystem into Ethereum 2.0. This [new version](/news/article/ethereum-merge) is expected to be more secure, sustainable, and energy-saving. 

However, investors are still speculating how this merger will turn out. If you are also curious, here are all the details regarding the [Ethereum Merge](https://ethereum.org/en/upgrades/merge/#wen-merge) date and the predicted outcomes. 

## Ethereum Merge date

The expected [Ethereum Merge](/news/article/eth-merge-regulation) date is tomorrow- Thursday, September 15, 2022. The exact timing of the completion of the merger will depend on the network’s hash rate. It will be concluded when the network processes the Terminal Total Difficulty (TTD). 

At the time of this writing, over 20 hours are remaining for the completion. You can also check the precise Ethereum Merge date and timing via the Google countdown. 
 
![eth merge date.png](https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/prod-monitalks-media/eth_merge_date_c3ef9f95a2.png)

## The expected outcomes

As mentioned earlier, the reason for transforming the consensus mechanism from PoW to PoS is to limit energy consumption. With this development, its ecosystem is assumed to become 99.95% energy efficient. It may reduce the overall carbon footprint by converting it into an eco-friendly blockchain. 

Energy efficiency may also help the blockchain to become more scalable. This will make it a sustainable ecosystem. Moreover, its transaction speed and security are also likely to be improved with this upgrade. 

![eth merge date 2.png](https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/prod-monitalks-media/eth_merge_date_2_e0afc48601.png)
 
The [Nansen](https://www.nansen.ai/) and Kaiko analytic firms are closely studying the developments of this upgrade. The Kaiko report has shown that since July 2021, the funding rates for ETH have been negative. Furthermore, the traders are moving towards futures markets instead of spot markets. This is to gain more exposure before the upgrade. 

![eth merge date 3.png](https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/prod-monitalks-media/eth_merge_date_3_febbb27879.png)
 
On the other hand, Nansen’s report studied that crypto whales consistently accumulate ETH, regardless of the market’s downward trends. The report points out that the investors are optimistic about an increase in price after the merger.  




Ethereum Merge: Date, expected outcomes & risks

Chainalysis, the crypto analytics company, released a report concerning ether price prediction, which says that [Ether's price may decouple](https://cointelegraph.com/news/ether-price-could-decouple-from-other-crypto-post-merge-chainalysis) from other crypto assets after the Merge, with staking yields possibly driving significant institutional adoption.

According to a report released on the 7th of September by Chainalysis, the upcoming Ethereum upgrade will give institutional investors access to staking yields comparable to those of some securities, such as bonds and commodities, while also becoming much more environmentally friendly.

Since treasury bond yields offer much less in comparison, the report stated that ETH staking is expected to provide stakers with a 10-15% yield annually, making it an "appealing bond alternative for investors."

As per Chainalysis data, the number of institutional ETH stakers — those who have staked $1 million or more — has "been steadily increasing" from less than 200 in January 2021 to around 1,100 in August this year.

According to the firm, if this number grows faster following [the Merge](/news/article/ethereum-merge), it will support the hypothesis that institutional investors "do indeed see Ethereum staking as a good profitable strategy."

Staked ETH is currently locked up in a smart contract that cannot be withdrawn from until the Shanghai update happens around six to twelve months after the Merge.

As a result, the staked ETH market is currently illiquid, prompting some staking service providers to offer synthetic assets that represent the value of the staked Ether; however, "those synthetics don't always maintain a 1:1 peg," the firm claims.

The report states, "The Shanghai upgrade will allow users to withdraw staked Ether at any time, increasing liquidity for stakers and making staking a more appealing proposition overall."

According to the Ethereum Foundation, following the upgrade, the Ethereum blockchain's proof-of-stake transition will reduce energy consumption requirements by up to 99%.

## Ether price prediction: ConsenSys report

ConsenSys, the company behind the MetaMask wallet and founded by Ethereum co-founder Joseph Lubin, released a similar report this week examining the "impact of the Merge on Institutions."

The report expresses similar sentiments about ETH staking rewards and environmental sustainability attracting institutions. Still, it also emphasises the importance of the PoS Ethereum chain "producing stronger security guarantees for institutional investors" and ETH's potential to become a deflationary asset.
 



Ether price prediction: ETH price could 'decouple'

According to a recent [report published by the International Monetary Fund (IMF)](https://www.crypto-news-flash.com/imf-report-says-crypto-assets-are-no-longer-niche-products-calls-for-comprehensive-regulation/), crypto assets have shifted from being specialized products to being more widely used in recent years (IMF). Therefore, the government must adopt more specific policies to manage the industry.

The report's co-authors, Aditya Narain (director of capital markets at the IMF) and Marina Moretti, his assistant, stated that crypto assets are now valuable as payment tools, speculative investments, and hedges against weak currencies. Both of these observations were made in the report.

In addition, the authors mentioned that the recent failures of virtual asset providers (crypto exchanges, issuers, and hedge funds) constitute the impetus for regulators to adopt applicable crypto policies.

However, Narain and Moretti point out that various challenges make it difficult for regulators to design proper BTC rules. These challenges include the inability of regulators to use their talents effectively, the rapid evolution of the market, and the effort to monitor the actions of the market.

The regulatory bodies have several competing goals, and their resources are quite limited. Because of this, they are having trouble acquiring the knowledge and capabilities necessary to keep up with the rapid rate of industrial change.

The paper also issues a call to action to the various regulatory bodies, urging them to adopt a unified and coordinated strategy regarding cryptocurrency regulation. As a result, there is the potential for a global regulatory framework consistent with cryptocurrencies.

IMF's Narain and Moretti observed that crypto regulation is a "white whale" due to rapid innovation, inconsistent nomenclature, and a lack of staffing and data collecting, and this refers to the ETH merge. So, what are some of the options?

## IMF warns that BTC regulators face many challenges

The above authors also argued that standard financial regulation does not cover various issues of BTC legislation. As a result, they propose that the process of creating the policies be distributed among the many regulators.

The regulators will then be able to merge the policies into a single worldwide crypto policy that is comprehensive. Some people may concentrate on the BTC actors, such as those who build protocols, mine cryptocurrencies, and validate transactions. Others can focus on the safety of consumers, the integrity of the financial system, or both. 

There have been multiple meetings organized by global financial authorities to discuss the most effective methods for regulating the BTC industry. Within the next month and a half, Europe intends to publish the final text of the Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) BTC regulation that has received significant attention.

The United States' response to the most pressing concerns regarding BTC business is proposed legislation called the "responsible financial innovation act." Even MPs opposed to BTC, who had previously pushed for a complete prohibition on the use of cryptocurrencies, now embrace the idea of regulating the market rather than outright prohibiting it.

US Congressman [Brad Sherman is the latest anti-crypto congressman to change his position](/news/article/us-crypto-congress-ban), shifting from calling for a complete ban on cryptocurrency to calling for the sector to be regulated. Sherman believes that an absolute prohibition cannot be enacted since the industry has amassed so much wealth and power in recent years. If the authorities consider the recommendations made by the IMF in this study, it will be in everyone's best interest, including investors, players, ETH merge, and regulators.



ETH merge is the obstacle to crypto regulation

An Ethereum wallet is vital before investing in the second largest cryptocurrency by market cap, Ether (ETH). The wallet not only stores Ether coins but also allows you to send, receive, and spend the crypto coins.

There are generally two types of Ethereum crypto wallets, hardware, and software crypto wallets. Some of the best options to store your Ethereum include:

## MetaMask

[MetaMask](https://metamask.io/) is one of the best, if not the best Ethereum wallet. It is one of the most widely used Ethereum wallet, and for good reasons. 

The wallet is easy to use, therefore beginner-friendly. Besides allowing you to store and spend your Ether (ETH), it also allows you to access decentralized Ethereum apps.

The MetaMask wallet is available as a browser extension and mobile app. It is a software wallet, therefore best used with a hardware wallet.

## Exodus

The [Exodus Wallet](https://www.exodus.com/) is another beginner-friendly crypto wallet ideal for ETH storage. It is free to use and non-custodial, meaning you maintain full control of your crypto. It also does not require users to register or supply personal information to use it.

The Exodus wallet supports more than 150 cryptocurrencies across seven separate blockchains. It is another software crypto wallet available on desktop and mobile.

## Atomic 

There are many reasons why many Atomic wallet users consider it the best Ethereum wallet. It is decentralized, easy to use, non-custodial, and allows users to store, exchange, and buy ETH with a bank card. Verification and KYC standards are not necessary to access funds stored in the wallet.

The Atomic Wallet supports over 500 crypto assets, including Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, XRP, and [Litecoin](/coins/ltc). It is also available on desktop and mobile.

## Ledger 

Ledger Nano X and Ledger Nano S are two great hardware wallets that support ETH storage. As hardware wallets, both wallets allow users to store their ETH offline.

Both wallets are physical devices in the form of USB drives. They support over 1,800 cryptocurrencies, besides ETH. They also support desktop, Android, and iOS devices.

The Ledger Nano X wallet is considered an upgrade of the Ledger Nano S. It is not only pricier but also has a few features, including a battery and Bluetooth.

## Trezor 

Trezor, like Ledger, offers two hardware crypto wallets, Trezor One and Model T that support ETH storage. Both wallets support more than a thousand cryptocurrencies, besides ETH. They are highly secure and great alternatives to the Ledger wallets.

Compared to the Ledger wallets, the Trezor wallets are lighter and more uniquely shaped. They are also cheaper. The Trezor One wallet is, however, cheaper than the Trezor Model T and all the Ledger wallets. Either of the Trezor wallets can be the best Ethereum wallet for you.

## Bottom line

There you have it, some of the best Ethereum crypto wallets to consider before investing in ETH.

While software wallets like MetaMask, Exodus, and Atomic have their advantages, which include convenience, it’s always best to consider using them with hardware wallets like the Ledger and Trezor crypto wallets for great security.



Best wallets to store your Ethereum

Ethereum merge news is having an impact on the price of digital assets linked to the blockchain.

ETH-based digital asset funds have seen positive inflows for seven straight weeks as institutional investors pile in, according to the latest CoinShares report. There were $16.3 million inflows last week, bringing total inflows to $159 million over seven weeks.

Market sentiment for Ethereum-focused products is primarily due to "greater clarity" regarding the upcoming merge. It is scheduled for September 19, according to CoinShares Head of Research James Butterfill on Monday. A shift from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake in Ethereum's algorithm is credited with the change in investor sentiment.

Finally, Ethereum 2.0 Beacon Chain will be added to the mainnet in the merge, concluding an important transition from PoW to PoS. When Ethereum switches to a PoS consensus mechanism, it should become more secure and use less energy, which will, of course, help make it less harmful to the environment.

The Goerli and Prater testnet merge is also scheduled for this week, and it will be the final dress rehearsal before the mainnet merge takes place in less than six weeks.

## Traders are getting ready for the next round of trading

[Cryptocurrency analysts Glassnode have predicted](https://cointelegraph.com/news/institutions-flocking-to-ethereum-for-7-straight-weeks-as-merge-nears-report) that the anticipated Ethereum merge news will lead to "buy the rumor and sell the news" among traders. For Ethereum, "derivatives traders are placing obvious bets on the upcoming merge."

An analytics firm's newsletter, Betting on the Merge, ETH options and futures are now in "backwardation". That is a situation in which the current price of an asset is higher than the prices trading in the futures market.

When it comes to the Ethereum merge news, futures and options markets are in a backwardation after September, which suggests that traders are anticipating an event like this and have positioned themselves accordingly, the newsletter said. Data from Ethereum options shows professional traders are ready to go long on ETH's Merge, which is relevant.

However, [the merge's impact on Ether's price](/news/article/ethereum-merge) is yet to be determined.

In a recent interview, Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin said the "narrative" is likely to remain positive after the merge, which is "an aspect that hasn't yet been priced in."

He added, "I expect morale to soar once the merger is completed. In other words, I believe the merger will not be priced in, and by that, I mean not just in terms of market value, but also in terms of psychological impact and narrative arc. After the fact, I don't think it's going to be factored into the narrative at all."

CoinGecko reports the price of Ethereum is $1,776 at the time of writing, up 8.6% in the last seven days.



Ethereum Merge News Just Around the Corner

The Raiden Network is Ethereum’s solution to its scaling problem. It is similar to Bitcoin’s Lightning Network, allowing users to initiate fast and low-cost transactions. It works with any ERC20 token.

While built on the Ethereum blockchain, Raiden differs from Ethereum as it does not require global consensus to transfer tokens between participants. Instead, it powers token transfers using hash-locks and digital signatures.

## Benefits of using the Raiden network

Several benefits come with using the [Raiden network](https://raiden.network/101.html). Some of them include;

•	Low transaction costs: transaction costs on the Raiden network are pretty low compared to the Ethereum blockchain. Users can cheaply transfer small quantities of ERC20-based tokens over the network. Payments can be divided into smaller portions over a period for the same fee.
•	Instantaneous transfers: users can send, receive, and confirm transfers instantaneously on the Raiden network. Transfers are as fast as sending text messages.
•	Increased privacy: Users also benefit from better privacy when sending coins over the Raiden network than over the Ethereum blockchain.

## The Raiden Network Token (RDN)

The Raiden Network Token (RDN) is the native currency of the Raiden network. Its main use case is to pay for services within the Raiden network. The token can be used for micropayments and API access.

RDN tokens have a max supply of 100,000,000. According to Coinmarketcap, they currently have a circulating supply of 66,793,931. 
Compared to other cryptocurrencies, RDN coins have had a steady price increase over the years, ever since they first appeared. The digital coins were first tradable on 7th Nov 2017. 

RDN coins are currently trading at $0.06658, with a live market cap of $4,448,620. They are ranked 973rd largest cryptocurrencies in the world.

## Raiden Network Token (RDN) price predictions

Several crypto prediction platforms, including WalletInvestor and Digitalcoinprice predict RDN coins will experience a few bull runs in the future, but it won't be enough to see them trade above $1. The digital coins will still be trading under $1 by 2024.

While they may not be a quick money maker, many investors agree RDN coins are good for long-term investment. At their price, RDN coins also offer a good entry point into the crypto market for many beginner crypto investors. 

## Where to buy RDN coins

RDN coins are listed in several crypto exchanges, including Gate.io, CoinDCX, Bancor Network, and Tokenomy.
Unlike other cryptocurrencies, RDN coins cannot be purchased directly with fiat money. The crypto coins can only be bought with other crypto coins. 

You’ll first have to buy a cryptocurrency like Bitcoin or [ETH](/coins/eth) from a fiat-to-crypto exchange, then go to any exchange that lists RDN coins and use your crypto to buy the coins.

## Where to store RDN coins

As ERC20 tokens, RDN coins can be stored in any ERC20 compatible wallet, including MetaMask and MyEtherwallet. The tokens can also be stored in hardware wallets that support Ethereum blockchain like Trezor and Ledger.

Bottom line

Is Raiden Network a good investment? The network has several benefits that make it better than the Ethereum blockchain. Its native token, while not as expensive as other cryptocurrencies, stands out with its use cases in the network. Many investors also see the crypto coin as good for long-term investment.

However, as is the case with any kind of investment, research is vital to ensure you make the right investment decision. Note that this is not financial advice but the opinion of the author.


Is Raiden Network a Good Investment?

The Bitcoin price rose by 7 percent on July 20, while Ether news now confirms its $1,500 level. The cryptocurrency market was bullish as the new day began, with Bitcoin (BTC) breaking the price zone of $23,000 while Ether (ETH) was successful in maintaining the price level of $1,500.

## Ethereum's Price Stabilization

The leading cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, increased in value by 7.6 percent, while Ethereum saw its value increase by 4 percent over the past day. According to data provided by CoinMarketCap, the prices of one bitcoin (BTC) and one ether (ETH) as of 12:12 p.m. Eastern Time were respectively $23,465 and $1,563.

The market capitalization of BTC controls increased to 42.98 percent, up from 41.31%, while the market capitalization of Ether decreased to 18.09 percent, down from 18.2 percent.

A survey conducted by CoinMarketCap projects that the price of one Ether will reach $2,765.93 by the end of July, while another survey projects that the price of the most popular cryptocurrency, BTC, will reach $33,267.03 by the same time period. In total, there were approximately 34,247 and 12,313 people who cast their votes, respectively.

On the other hand, according to the data compiled by PricePredictions, Bitcoin will be worth more than $35,213.01 in 2022, while Ether will be worth more than $2,345.58. The prices of the two tokens have significantly increased as a result of this development.

In April, Antoni Trenchev, the Chief Executive Officer of the cryptocurrency lending company Nexo, made a bullish prediction by stating that Bitcoin could reach $100,000 within the next year.

Cardano (ADA), Cosmos (ATOM), Flow (FLOW), [VeChain (VET)](/news/article/vechain-news), and Helium (HNT) were the top five cryptocurrencies by daily gain, increasing by 10.57 percent, 10 percent, 11.7 percent, and 10 percent, respectively.

Helium (HNT) was the top cryptocurrency by daily gain. As of 12:33 a.m. Eastern Time, the prices of these tokens were as follows: $0.5251, $10.28, $2.06, $0.0271, and $10.22.

As the prices of BTC and Ethereum continue to rise, more and more people are taking notice. Experts are making bullish predictions about the future of both currencies, with some saying that they could reach new heights shortly. Keep an eye on the Ethereum news now to stay up-to-date on all the latest developments in this exciting market! 

For more developments on the crypto news go to Latest Moni.


Ethereum news now confirms $1,500 price level

[Ethereum's merge trial on the public test network Sepolia was a success](https://cointelegraph.com/news/sepolia-testnet-merge-mostly-successful-hiccups-will-not-delay-the-merge), clearing the path for the cryptocurrency's shift to the proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus mechanism.

The final merge testing will take place on the Goerli network in the coming weeks before the formal merge on the Ethereum mainnet may be approved.

The move to a Proof-of-Stake mechanism in [Ethereum](/coins/eth) 2.0 has been delayed in the past. The Ethereum mainnet transition is currently scheduled for the end of the year.

Terence Tsao, an Ethereum protocol developer, stated that the Merge transfer was successful, but about 25-30% of validators went offline following the Merge due to "wrong configs." He did, however, emphasise that "hiccups will not delay the Merge."

During the stream, Superphiz, a founding member of the ETHStaker Community, emphasised that the Merge's success would not be known "for several hours or even until tomorrow."

The final test will take place on the Goerli test network. Superphiz further stated that the Sepolia test results would determine the Merge's timing.

The testnet Merges serve as a "dress rehearsal," allowing Ethereum developers and independent project developers to understand what to expect when the actual Merge occurs.

During the broadcast, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin revealed that "much more third-party infrastructure that isn't present on the testnets" will be one of the issues confronting the main network Merge.

"So there might be non-critical issues like that that will just pop up in the Merge that we're not catching with these tests […] There's a lot of peripherals that are just not getting tested, and that's unavoidable and probably fine."
The news cheered Ether (ETH) investors, as the ETH price went up by 5% in the previous 24 hours and is now trading at $1,175. Earlier this week, the world's second-largest cryptocurrency saw significant selling pressure.

For more latest crypto news, check out [Latest Moni. ](/news)



ETH rises 5% after Ethereum's Sepolia testnet success

There are thousands of different cryptocurrencies, including the new Ethereum Max. Every day, hundreds of new ones are created. It can be challenging to separate the good from the bad in this crypto river.
As a general rule, most current cryptocurrencies are entirely useless and should be avoided. Is Ethereum Max among them? Let's look more closely at the new Ethereum Max cryptocurrency. This article will lay out all the information you need to know about Ethereum Max.

## What is Ethereum Max?

Ethereum Max, or [EMAX](https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/ethereummax/), is an ERC20 token. With no pre-sale and no tokens reserved for the development team, all tokens were released on the open market, resulting in a fair and complete distribution of the coins. EMAX was created to provide the world with an [Ethereum](/coins/eth)-based token that gives holders the security and versatility of the Ethereum blockchain while also yielding rewards and enhancing digital asset decentralisation. The token was created to strengthen existing systems while also adding secondary benefits such as redistributing a percentage of all transactions to existing holders. With each transaction, investors will receive an increase of EMAX in their wallets.

## How Does EMAX Work?

It is difficult to explain how Ethereum Max works because it does nothing but exist. ERC-20 tokens are simple to create and require little programming knowledge. The Ethereum blockchain is open to the public. Anyone can create a token with any name they choose and generate marketing buzz around it, with no requirement that it be useful.

The whitepaper and roadmap for the project make very ambitious claims for the future of the 'Ethereum Max Ecosystem,' but the uses of EMAX crypto are chiefly speculative.

Its current value appears to be derived primarily from demand generated by an aggressive marketing campaign combined with a deceptive name. According to the project's website, the token gives EMAX wallet holders a 3% share of the transaction value. Because the contract code EMAX token is not publicly available, it is unclear how this is accomplished.

Overall, the EMAX token functions by being popular, similar to a meme coin. However, unlike a meme coin, there is no meme to drive its popularity, so the project relies heavily on marketing to unsophisticated buyers to increase demand for EMAX crypto.

## What is the Use of EMAX Token?

EMAX is one of the only environmentally friendly and 100% decentralised tokens to avoid rug pulls. The entire supply is released to the open market, and none is burned to a dead address. We currently have six months of liquidity locked in; once we convert to V3, we will have 1,000 years of liquidity locked in. This reduces the risk for investors while ensuring security via the Ethereum blockchain. It is also worth noting that EMAX tokens are not mined because they are supported by Proof of Stake (PoS) technology. This allows us to operate in an environmentally friendly and fully decentralised environment.

## Buying and Selling EMAX

You can always sell EMAX cryptocurrency on the same exchange where you bought it. The procedure for selling EMAX cryptocurrency is nearly identical to purchasing it.

## Conclusion

EMAX crypto is a token created by unidentified Ethereum Max project developers.

The token's name may lead you to believe it is an official product of the Ethereum blockchain or the Ethereum Foundation. That is not the case.

If you purchase EMAX cryptocurrency, you can exchange it for any other ERC-20 token on a decentralised exchange you can or a few centralised exchanges.


Ethereum Max: Everything you need to know

Wondering what the [Ethereum](/coins/eth) price GBP could be by 2023? Crypto analysts have gathered their minds to brainstorm the prediction about the price of Ethereum this year and beyond.

Ethereum is highly popular since it’s feature-rich and has a vast number of applications that imply long-term growth. Perhaps you've heard about its connection to smart contracts, NFTs, and DeFi.
Some claim that it has the capacity to displace Bitcoin! What's more, unlike most altcoins, Ethereum is less likely to crash and burn. Still, it has the potential to moon and earn investors massive profits.

Here we explore Ethereum price GBP and everything you need to know about Ethereum prices. But first things first. What’s Ethereum?

## Ethereum in Brief

Ethereum is a decentralised computing platform that runs smart contracts: applications that execute exactly as intended, with no chance of fraud or third-party manipulation.

Ethereum as a cryptocurrency is mined like Bitcoin, but Ethereum's mining process is different. Ethereum miners who contribute more to the network receive a more significant percentage of the block reward than a proportion of the overall number of blocks. Ethereum was proposed in 2013 by Vitalik Buterin, a cryptocurrency researcher and programmer. Bitcoin inspired him, but he thought Bitcoin needed more features than just being a digital currency.

Millions of people worldwide have used Ethereum, and it has been used to power some of the world's most extensive decentralised applications. Ethereum is a versatile platform that can be used for various purposes. Contracts and programs can be written in any programming language, and they can be run on Ethereum's blockchain.

Ethereum's native currency, Ether, is used to pay for transaction fees and computational services on the Ethereum network. Ether can also be traded on exchanges for other cryptocurrencies or fiat currencies like GBP or US.

## A Brief History of Ethereum

Ethereum's price in GBP grew almost exponentially in 2017 and early 2018 due to the popularity of Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs). ICOs were a way for Ethereum projects to raise money by selling tokens to investors. Because you needed Ether to participate in ICOs, the demand for Ethereum soared. However, the era of ICOs is now over as regulators have cracked down on them.

Many projects turned out to be scams, which shocked the market enormously. Ethereum lost more than 92% of its value in 2018, but it has since rebounded from the price that dropped below $100. Ethereum's price will continue to rise as more and more people realise its potential.

The Ethereum blockchain, by far, is the most durable smart contract platform. It is said that 96% of the top cryptocurrencies have an Ethereum foundation. This means that 89% of the 1,000 best tokens are based on Ethereum.

## Ethereum Price Prediction for 2023 by Crypto Experts

Ethereum price GBP is forecast to stabilise in 2023, with predictions varying from a minimum price of $1,711 to more than $8,000. Ethereum holders can breathe a sigh of relief, as most experts do not show any steep drop in price throughout the year. However, some predictions are more optimistic than others.

The Ethereum community will be keeping a close eye on the market throughout 2023. So, sit back, relax and hold on to your ETH - it looks like we're in for a bumpy ride.

## Coin Price Forecast

On a wild ride, the price of Ethereum has been spiking up and down, but Coin Price Forecast's predictions are relatively optimistic. Their experts believe that Ethereum will reach $3,237 by the middle of 2023 and then continue to rise in value, reaching $3,965 by the end of the year. This is good news for Ethereum investors, who have seen the value of their investment increase significantly over the past year.

However, they warn that Ethereum's price is susceptible to sudden changes and could drop before rising again. So, if you're thinking of investing in Ethereum, it's essential to keep an eye on the market and be prepared to act quickly. Who knows? You might make a killing.

## [Trading Beasts' Predictions](https://tradingbeasts.com/price-prediction/ethereum)

Ethereum's price is forecasted to peak in January 2023 at $3,491.198, which is quite a pessimistic prediction by Trading Beasts. They say that the value of ETH will reach its lowest point in December, with a minimum of $1,805.995.
This is quite a steep drop from the beginning of the year and has caused Ethereum price GBP to be a hot topic among investors. According to their sources, the average price of ETH throughout 2023 will be within the $2,100-$2,800 range. However, some believe that Ethereum's price could spike again due to the increasing popularity of Ethereum-based DeFi applications.

In other words, if you're thinking about investing in Ethereum, you might want to hold off until after the New Year, when prices are predicted to stabilise again. Maybe Ethereum will have a rebound and prove Trading Beasts wrong!

## [Long Forecast](https://longforecast.com/ethereum-price-prediction-2018-2019-2020-2021-eth-to-usd)

If the Economy Forecast Agency's predictions are correct, Ethereum is in for a bumper year. By December, the value of Ethereum will have almost tripled, reaching $7,000. This will be good news for investors, but it may also mean that Ethereum becomes less accessible to everyday users.

While the price of Ethereum has been steadily climbing over the past few years, it remains to be seen whether this upward trend can be maintained. Only time will tell whether the Economy Forecast Agency's predictions come true.

Month  Open    Low-High	Close
2023
Jan	 2,194	2,194-2,723	 2,545
Feb	 2,545	2,545-3,159	 2,952
Mar	 2,952	2,952-3,560	 3,327
Apr	 3,327	3,327-4,129	 3,859
May  3,859	3,859-4,789	 4,476
Jun	 4,476	4,476-5,555	 5,192
Jul	 5,192	5,192-6,036	 5,641
Aug	 5,641	4,406-5,641	 4,738
Sep	 4,738	4,738-5,881	 5,496
Oct	 5,496	5,496-6,821	 6,375
Nov	 6,375	5,772-6,640	 6,206
Dec	 6,206	6,206-7,458	 6,970

## [Wallet Investor](https://walletinvestor.com/forecast/ethereum-prediction-data/1)

Ethereum is a popular cryptocurrency, and it looks like its popularity is only going to continue to grow. According to Wallet Investor, Ethereum is forecast to have a positive year in 2023. The year will begin with a minimum price of $4,350.190, and by July, the minimum price will have risen to $5,460.000. Finally, by December, Ethereum is predicted to have a minimum price of $6,440.330.

Ethereum is an excellent investment for those looking to make some money in the cryptocurrency market. So, if you're thinking about investing in Ethereum, now may be the time to do it.

## What's the Future of Ethereum Price GBP?

Ethereum (ETH) is currently the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalisation, Ethereum price GBP, and is expected to maintain this position in the foreseeable future. The Ethereum token is firmly entrenched as the second-largest cryptocurrency behind Bitcoin (BTC).

Ethereum accounts for approximately 54% of the $117billion in Total Value Locked (TVL) on all blockchains, especially in decentralized finance (DeFi) software. According to DeFi Llama, Ethereum is the first smart contract platform with a provably fair distribution of funds that is fully decentralised and censorship-resistant. The coin's benefits include its large developer community, leadership position in decentralized finance (DeFi), and planned to scale improvements for Ethereum 2.0.

However, Ethereum's price will continue to be influenced by various factors, including global economic conditions, innovation in the DeFi space, and Ethereum's scalability issues. Nevertheless, Ethereum is expected to remain a significant force in the cryptocurrency world for years to come.

"Several crypto firms have seen their valuations soar due to massive capital injections. Ethereum layer-2 developer StarkWare attained a $6 billion valuation, Immutable hit a $2.5 billion valuation with its NFT gaming platform, and Roofstock completed a funding round at a $1.9 billion valuation for its online real estate business." According to data compiled by James Butterfill, head of research at CoinShares, usage of Ether and bitcoin, and stablecoins, as a substitute for cash has risen in Ukraine and Russia.

"At times, Russia and Ukraine have seen daily trading volumes of US$80 million per day. This has primarily been against the crypto pairs USDT and BUSD, popular US Dollar stable coins (cryptocurrencies linked to the US dollar). Still, we've also seen significant quantities of Bitcoin and Ethereum used...We believe that cryptocurrencies are being utilised as a financial hedge against declining national currencies and their mobility, particularly by Ukrainians seeking to flee their country."

## Final Thoughts

So, what's the future of Ethereum price GBP? Experts have weighed in with their predictions, and while no one answer fits all, it seems likely that Ethereum will only continue to grow in value. However, it's important to remember that these are just forecasts and that prices could go up or down depending on various factors. In short, whether you're looking to invest now or hold off for a bit longer, Ethereum is worth keeping an eye on as we move into the future.

With such potential for growth, don't be surprised if the Ethereum price skyrockets in the next few years since it's here to stay.


Ethereum price GBP: What could it be by 2023?

[Bitcoin's](/coins/btc) price rose above $30,613, increasing by 5.62% in the last 24 hours. [Ethereum's](/coins/eth) price also rose by 7.02% to $1,902 in the same time frame.  

The [Bitcoin (BTC) price](https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/bitcoin/) remained far above the $28,500 support zone and began a new upward trend over the $29,200 resistance mark. As of writing, the price has surpassed $30,600 and has increased by more than 5% in a single day. 

Similarly, the price of Ethereum (ETH), the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalisation, is back over the $1,850 resistance level and is up 6% in a day.

BTC and ETH were not along in experiencing 24 hours of notable value rises on the cryptocurrency markets.
Ripple (XRP), which is another major altcoin, was aiming for an upward break over $0.40. ADA gained 12% and broke through the $0.50 resistance level. 

## Bitcoin Price Rises

The Bitcoin price began to rise steadily after establishing a solid base at $28,500. BTC surpassed $30,000 and entered the positive zone. The next significant resistance level is at $30,500. A clear move above $30,500 may signal the start of a more rapid rise. It might rise to $32,000 in this case. On the downside, $29,500 provides immediate support. The major weekly support is at $28,500. 

## Ethereum Price Update

Ethereum's price stayed firmly over $1,700 and began a steady rise above the $1,850 resistance zone. On the flipside, immediate resistance is found at $1,920. The next significant barrier is at $1,950, over which the price might break $2,000 for the first time in months. If there is a downward correction, the market may find offers, around $1,820. The next big support is at $1,750. 

A co-founder of a cryptocurrency exchange stated that Bitcoin remains stable. Although, reaching its ultimate strength will take time, experts have observed.

Over the previous 24 hours, the overall cryptocurrency market volume has climbed by 4.74% to $53.47 billion.
Keep following Latest Moni from Moni Talks for the latest cryptocurrency price rise news, breaking market stories and blockchain insight.


Bitcoin Price and Ethereum Price See 24hr Rise

It isn't just about ETH to GBP values. [Ethereum](/coins/eth) is the most well-known of altcoins, and it's much more than just another cryptocurrency for many investors and enthusiasts. Experts say that this innovative platform could grow in value by 400% in the coming years, making it an appealing option for anyone interested in diversifying their digital investments.

Launched by [Vitalik Buterin](https://time.com/6158182/vitalik-buterin-ethereum-profile/) in 2015, ETH, or Ether, has seen incredible growth since its creation. With a price ranging from a low of $0.311 at launch to an all-time high of nearly $5000 late last year, Ether is a highly volatile currency with plenty of opportunities for those willing to take on risk. And despite recent drops below $2800 over the weekend, Ether still offers a powerful return on investment for individuals who purchase at the right time, representing a lifetime ROI of over 700,000%.

Ethereum's popularity is partly due to its utility as a software network that allows developers to build and power NFTs, apps, and new tools. The blockchain-based software network includes several functions and applications all over the tech globe, especially for decentralised finance (DeFi), gaming, entertainment, and music. With multiple potential uses, it's no wonder Ethereum is one of the most popular cryptos.

Since Ethereum's inception in 2014, its price has been on a rollercoaster ride. ETH cost has fluctuated wildly in the past year, rising from around GBP 100 in early 2020 to GBP 900 by December. And while the current ETH to the GBP exchange rate is around GBP 450, experts believe that Ethereum still has a lot of upside potential. Its annualised ROI since 2014 is nearly 300%, meaning early investors have quadrupled their investment every year.

## So what's driving Ethereum's price projections?

### Ethereum Price Projections

Looking to venture into the cryptocurrency craze, but unsure where to start?

There is no easy answer when it comes to predicting the price of Ethereum or any other cryptocurrency. Many experts agree that it is nearly impossible to accurately predict the future price of a volatile commodity like Ethereum. However, they note that Ethereum has seen tremendous growth in recent months and is poised for even more success in the coming year.

Some have suggested that Ethereum's transition to "Ethereum 2.0" could significantly drive growth in the coming months, making ETH even more appealing and sustainable for widespread use. Will that happen? Who knows - for now, there is no doubt that ETH is an exciting investment opportunity worth keeping an eye on.

Given these variables, here are some expectations for Ethereum's value throughout the year:

### $12,000+
 
The price of Ethereum has been rising in recent months, and Coinpedia predicts it will continue to grow in the coming years. If Ethereum's anticipated Ethereum 2.0 transition is successful, the price could reach as high as $12,962.33 by 2022. The latest upgrades could potentially make Ethereum more cost-effective for users to mint and create products.

With the new upgrades, Ethereum could become a more viable option for developers and users alike, leading to even more growth in the coin price. Only time will tell if Ethereum 2.0 will be a success, but if it is, it could significantly impact the cost of Ethereum.

### $6,500-$8,000

When Coinpedia predicted that Ethereum (ETH) could hit prices between $6,500 and $7,500 by 2022, many in the crypto community noticed. While this bullish sentiment seemed to hold true at first, it quickly became apparent that Ethereum's price would not arise purely from sentiment.

In recent months, the rising price of Ether has captured the attention of investors around the world. According to Henri Arslanian, a global crypto leader at PwC, ETH to GBP is currently "the only show in town." However, demand and functionality will need to improve for the ETH price GBP to continue rising and capture more market share in the crypto market.

Many experts speculate that this can be achieved through advancements in blockchain technology and a growing awareness of Ethereum's capabilities among businesses and consumers alike. For example, Ian Balina has remarked that ETH could potentially reach $8,000 by taking advantage of its leadership position and overcoming its current shortcomings related to high gas prices and slow transaction speeds.

### $4,000-$5,000

ETH is currently in a good place. The cryptocurrency has been on the rise since early 2021 and shows no signs of stopping. Predicting the price of a volatile cryptocurrency is hard, but most experts agree that Ethereum could reach $4,000 again by 2022. In fact, Bloomberg intelligence analyst Mike McGlone recently predicted that Ethereum could end the year between $4,000 and $4,500. All in all, it looks like ETH is slowly but surely climbing up to where it belongs.

## What Drives Ethereum's Price

Ethereum is renowned for being the first blockchain to utilize smart contracts. These innovative features have contributed to Ethereum's popularity and helped it earn a reputation as one of the leading contenders in the fast-growing world of blockchain technology.
However, in recent years, a new wave of ETH alternatives has emerged, bringing similar capabilities and changing the demand dynamics for ETH.

Several key factors impact ETH prices and can potentially influence its value positively and negatively.

## Utilisation and High Traffic

With the advancement of smart contracts and non-fungible tokens on the Ethereum blockchain, artists and creators have taken control of their digital creations in a whole new way. This has been a blessing for the blockchain, as it has helped to grow both the popularity and adoption of Ethereum. However, some view this growth as a curse. The high transaction volume on the Ethereum network has created what some call a "bottleneck" on the blockchain.

In other words, the increased popularity of Ethereum has made it difficult for users to transact efficiently due to congestion and high transaction fees.

In recent years, the popularity of Ethereum has risen dramatically, primarily driven by the growth and success of blockchain-based applications and other decentralized technologies. However, in the meantime, several new companies have emerged that are creating competitive solutions to the existing Ethereum platform.

These add-on solutions, known as Layer 2s, are designed to work on top of the current Ethereum network. In contrast, entirely new blockchain networks - also known as Layer 1s - have been released as potential alternatives to Ethereum. As a result, these emerging competitors have begun to pull users away from the Ethereum blockchain and into their platforms, creating a steadily growing climate of competition within the marketplace.

For investors interested in how these trends could affect the value of their investment in Ethereum, this increased competition is somewhat bittersweet. While it suggests that users are still enthusiastic about blockchain technology overall, it may lower demand for ETH to GBP conversion or ETH price GBP if users opt instead for alternative blockchains with more established track records. Ultimately, only time will tell how these trends affect market positioning for ETH trading and ETH price forecasts within this rapidly changing landscape.

## First Mover Advantage

Ethereum has been a crucial player in the cryptocurrency world since its launch in 2015. Since then, many other cryptocurrencies have entered the market, including some more environmentally friendly than Ethereum. However, experts believe that Ethereum's "first-mover advantage" will help it maintain its position in the market.

Cryptocurrencies are only valuable if a community of users is willing to buy and sell them. Thankfully, Ethereum has a first-mover advantage and a large and committed community of users. This makes it well-positioned for long-term success.

Ethereum, which by market capitalisation is the second-largest cryptocurrency, is well-positioned to meet future demand growth, experts say. Although new blockchains like Solana and Cardano provide similar functionality, Ethereum has a large and active user base that is likely to continue to grow.

Additionally, Ethereum developers have shown a willingness to expand capacity if needed rapidly. For now, it appears like the Ethereum community is content to wait and see if additional power is required. However, if demand increases, Ethereum is well-positioned to meet that demand.

## Competition from 'Ethereum-Killers'
 
In 2021, the terms "cryptocurrency" and "NFT" entered the mainstream consciousness, signaling a growing interest in Web3 technologies and their potential to revolutionize the internet's interaction. With its focus on improved data security, transparency, and user ownership of digital assets, Web3 has quickly become a hot topic in tech circles.

Companies like Ethereum and other leading blockchains like Solana, Cardano, and Tezos have been at the forefront of this emergent movement. Driven by ambitious goals to develop new infrastructure that will power the future vision of a truly decentralised web, these organisations have attracted significant investment from visionary investors who see parallels between today's Web3 pioneers and those involved in the dot com boom of the late 90s.

As more users flock to Web3 platforms, it seems certain that this groundbreaking technology will play a pivotal role in shaping our technological landscape for years to come. Whether it's ETH to GBP conversion or ETH price GBP exchange rates, there is no doubt that Web3 represents an exciting chapter in the evolution of our increasingly connected world.

## The Future of Ethereum

As the saying goes, "April showers bring May flowers." And after a long winter, nothing feels more refreshing than warmer weather and brighter days. For Ethereum, the past few months have been something of a downer. Despite ongoing optimism from the crypto community, Ethereum has been struggling to find its footing following a period of intense volatility. However, there is reason to believe that Ethereum will come back soon.

According to Arslanian, Ethereum currently holds over 90% of the NFT market. He expects this year to be a make-or-break year for the innovative contract blockchain. Zannos similarly believes that Ethereum has what it takes to rebound from its current slump, citing the strong community momentum as a critical factor in its favor.

So, while we wait to see how things will play out, there's reason to believe better days ahead for Ethereum.



ETH to GBP: Is Ethereum the Next King of Crypto?

The world loves an underdog, and the cryptocurrency market is no different.  Recently, the crypto-market’s 2nd most capitalised digital asset, Ether, acquired the backing of the [wealth and asset management division of Morgan Stanley](https://www.morganstanley.com/what-we-do/wealth-management/?cid=ppc-71700000088238971:700000002375621:58700007479779948:p67225276587&gclid=Cj0KCQiA3rKQBhCNARIsACUEW_YNit0Yu2BI-5Ptsa4FaGgIT3dncUlMVQy6Q2rEn9YJnDTVKYGBhGMaAnREEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds), a leading global investment bank with over 60,000 employees worldwide.

The investment banking powerhouse recently raised eyebrows with the distribution of a 20-page report filled with information demonstrating the financial firm’s confidence in the [Ethereum](/news/category/ethereum-news-today) blockchain.  Authored by investment strategist, Denny Galindo, the report details how the Ethereum blockchain technology can be more effective in terms of its practical application to solving real-world problems than  its rival and cryptocurrency’s reigning champion: Bitcoin.  

## Investors Should Consider Ethereum

Whaaat?  No, we’re for real.  In the report, Galindo presses the fact that Ethereum has a multitude of features that places the technology head-and-shoulders above the rest of its crypto-competitors, including Bitcoin.  The key takeaway from Galindo’s report was that investors should be considering the digital cryptocurrency, Ether, as a stand-on-its-own investment from the more wildly popular and more heavily capitalised Bitcoin cryptocurrency.

The report goes into an analysis of how the Ethereum blockchain technology and Bitcoin are akin to one another in two significant ways: both offer a decentralised form of currency and have a component of digital scarcity.  What the report also implies, is that the Ethereum blockchain technologies seem to be evolving in a way that leads experts to believe that they can be used for much more than a simple payment mechanism.  Galindo goes on to say that the pace at which the Ethereum blockchain is innovating clearly demonstrates an attachment to a “larger collection of activities.” 

## Will Ethereum Reach New Highs in 2022?

The cryptocurrency investment community is viewing the report as prophetic; a huge tailwind that the entire cryptocurrency market can ride to new highs in 2022.  Despite the market’s rocky start this year, there is still a feeling of momentum that is suggesting that 2022 could be a very big year for Ethereum.  There are many, many innovations happening in the world of blockchain technologies, and a lot of them are happening on the Ethereum blockchain.  Among them, the blockchain serves as an app store that is owned by no one and facilitates the operation of decentralised finance applications (DeFi) and the exchange of increasingly popular non-fungible tokens (NFTs).  

While Galindo promotes his belief that the Ethereum blockchain offers a much wider array of applications than Bitcoin, he does “pump the brakes” in his report by saying it shouldn’t be considered an open endorsement to “buy” Ether, the digital coin that trades on the Ethereum network.  Rather, the report is ultimately intended to be an educational supplement, or a primer, to help investors bone up on the Ethereum blockchain, especially considering that it is far less understood than its bigger brother, Bitcoin. 

Ethereum is ranked 28th in terms of being the world’s most valuable asset (ranked by market cap.) currently valued at $368 billion. If a bit of perspective would help, Walmart is valued at $370 billion.


Ethereum’s New Mega-Booster – Morgan Stanley News

All eyes were on Ark Investment Management today after the release of a report claiming [Ethereum](/coins/eth) could reach $180,000 by 2030.

Famed crypto investment fund Ark Investment Management released details today claiming that the market value of Ethereum could reach $20 trillion by 2030. Such a massive market cap would mean an individual Ethereum price of anywhere between $170,000 and $180,000.

The new report from the investment fund supports the claims, by stating that it all depends on the amount of market share Ethereum manages to capture from traditional finance through DeFi.

## $1 million [Bitcoin](/coins/btc)?
---------------------------------------------------------

Decentralised Finance, or DeFi for short, is the area of cryptocurrency that is currently creating more efficient, more transparent, and more reliable applications which aim to disrupt the legacy financial system. The total value of the DeFi market today is $108.5 billion and growing, with the Ethereum network currently accounting for around 70% of all DeFi transactions. If Ethereum can maintain or increase this market share in the next 8 years while traditional financial systems wake up to the cost benefits of DeFi protocols, then anything is possible.

The report also suggested that if Bitcoin can continue to ‘scale as nation states adopt as legal tender then the price of one Bitcoin could exceed $1 million by 2030.’ These are bold claims from Ark Invest, but as we all know are not unheard of in the cryptocurrency space. Only last month Michael Saylor, CEO of Microstrategy, made the claim that Bitcoin would hit $1 million in the next 10 years. Microstrategy backed up their confidence with another purchase of Bitcoin taking their total holdings to 121,044 which at current prices is worth $4.4 billion.

## Ark 21 Shares ETF
-----------------

Ark Investment Management were in the news again yesterday, as the US based [SEC](https://www.sec.gov/) stated that any decision on a futures Bitcoin ETF would be delayed an extra 60 days from the beginning of February. Ark Invest together with 21 Shares had made the application to launch a futures backed Bitcoin Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) back in June 2021. 

The ruling from the SEC pushes the decision deadline back to April 3rd stating that it was ‘appropriate to designate a longer period’ as a proposed rule change regarding Bitcoin ETFs would impact their decision. Ark and 21 Shares will be relieved to know that April 3rd will be the final date for a decision, as the SEC will be unable to deliberate any further from this date.

## A Step in The Right Direction

With more and more investment funds looking to create Bitcoin ETF’s it can only be a positive for the continuing legitimacy and development of the cryptocurrency market. Although not quite a physically backed Bitcoin ETF, futures-based investment funds are a step in the right direction. If cryptocurrencies can continue to gain mainstream exposure and financial legitimacy, then Ark Investment’s claim of a $1 million Bitcoin by 2030 may not seem so far away.

Ark Invest Holdings: Ethereum Prediction

Crypto investors are accustomed to market crashes. Smart investors cash out at the right time and invest in the downtrend, while those experiencing fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD) contribute to the market collapse by panic selling. 

The latest crypto crash has erased over $1 trillion in market value. Market-definers [Bitcoin](/coins/btc) and [Ethereum](/coins/eth) plummeted to lows not seen in months and most altcoins have recently suffered greatly. Of course, several factors have contributed to the latest market crash, but we won't dive into them.

Instead, we will explore the consequences of the market plummet. How are investors reacting to the meltdown? 

## Ethereum is a mixed market 

According to Glass node metrics, the total Ethereum value in the ETH 2.0 Deposit Contract reached a five-month low of roughly $20.9 billion. The previous low of roughly $21.2 billion was observed on Sep. 21. 

While this statistic represents one position, the number of users with at least 0.01 Ethereum in their crypto wallets has reached an all-time high (ATH) of nearly 22 million. 

The statistics appear to indicate that holders with large Ethereum investments cashed out at the right time driving the market price down and leading a number of new investors to add Ethereum to their holdings at a relatively advantageous discounted price. 

Investors are keeping an eye on Open Interest in Perpetual Futures Contracts as well, as it reached a one-month high of nearly $65 million at crypto exchange Kraken. Notably, the previous one-month high was on Jan. 22. This indicates an increasingly upward trend. 

It should be noted that the number of Bitcoin addresses with over 100 Bitcoins is at a three-month low of almost 16,000. The previous three-month low was on Jan. 22 (surprise surprise). This indicates an increasingly downward trend. 

A correlation between the last two statistics? I think so. Folks, Ethereum is here to stay and 2022 will be a good year for the crypto asset. Hold tight!



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