Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan predicts that Ethereum will surpass Solana by 2025. According to Hougan, innovations in the Ethereum ecosystem, especially thanks to Layer-2 networks, will allow the platform to grow rapidly and reach a wider user base. "The perception that Ethereum is slow and expensive is changing with Layer-2 technologies. These developments significantly increase Ethereum's scalability and ease of use," said Hougan, adding that Layer-2 networks will increase Ethereum's competitiveness, making it more competitive than Solana.
He states that it has put him in stronger competition with the company.
Ethereum’s Layer-2 networks create a more attractive platform for both developers and users. Hougan stated that these technologies provide solutions to Ethereum’s scalability issues and make the platform directly competitive with Solana. “Layer-2 networks are transforming the Ethereum ecosystem, and the effects of this transformation are already being observed,” Hougan said, noting that the impact of the innovations is now tangibly felt.
Ethereum,$ETH
It is especially preferred in artificial intelligence (AI) and decentralized finance (DeFi) projects. Projects such as Clanker and Virtuals emphasize Ethereum’s innovative infrastructure and ease of use. Hougan states that such projects allow Ethereum to appeal to a wider audience while maintaining its strong infrastructure. Ethereum’s corporate reputation and user-friendly structure make the platform attractive to a wider range of investors.
A report published by Electric Capital reveals the growth of Solana’s developer ecosystem. According to the report, Solana has seen an 83% increase in monthly active developers by 2023, surpassing Ethereum in this area. This shows that Solana is becoming an attractive platform for new developers.
However, Hougan believes that Ethereum will maintain its leadership with the advantages offered by Layer-2 technologies. "Ethereum proves its flexibility with the infrastructure it provides for AI and DeFi projects. It becomes a more cost-effective and user-friendly platform with Layer-2 developments," said Hougan, emphasizing that Ethereum's innovation capacity will bring it to the forefront in the long term.
According to VanEck’s prediction, Ethereum’s Layer-2 integration and staking infrastructure could push the platform’s price above $6,000 by 2025. While Solana will also reach new heights, Ethereum’s innovations are expected to attract more investors. Ethereum’s growing Layer-2-supported ecosystem could propel the platform to greater leadership in the blockchain space. Its emphasis on AI and DeFi continues to be a strong indicator of Ethereum’s innovation capacity.