2024 was a landmark year for the crypto world, with significant developments across various networks. In December, Avalanche's "Avalanche 9000" Etna upgrade made subnet deployment cheaper and more autonomous. Sui's Mysticeti consensus engine, launched in August, improved transaction speed and efficiency. Fantom's Sonic Chain went live in December, offering fast transactions and Ethereum compatibility.

Hyperliquid's massive HYPE token airdrop and staking launch marked a major DeFi move. Ethereum's Dencun upgrade slashed layer-2 fees, sparking debate over its impact on layer-1 revenue. Cardano's Chang hard fork introduced onchain governance, while Near Protocol's Nightshade 2.0 update enhanced validator efficiency. Chainlink's CCIP facilitated cross-chain interactions, and Stacks' Nakamoto Upgrade boosted Bitcoin finality. These advancements highlight the dynamic evolution of blockchain technology.