Ethereum: The Unshakable Foundation of Layer 1 Blockchains in 2025

As we move deeper into 2025, the cryptocurrency landscape continues to evolve, with Layer 1 blockchains taking center stage. Among these, Ethereum stands out as the undisputed leader, thanks to its unparalleled technical prowess and robust ecosystem. This article delves into why Ethereum remains the cornerstone of decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and smart contracts, while also exploring the key factors that make it a top contender in the Layer 1 space. From scalability and decentralization to real-world utility and transparent tokenomics, Ethereum’s fundamentals are stronger than ever, making it a must-watch blockchain in the years to come.

Top 5 Layer 1 Blockchains to Watch in 2025: Tech Over Hype

The next generation of LAYER 1 blockchains will be defined by technical prowess rather than marketing hype. Investors and developers are shifting focus to fundamentals: scalability, decentralization, real-world utility, and transparent tokenomics.

Ethereum remains the undisputed leader, serving as the Core infrastructure for DeFi, NFTs, and smart contracts. Its robust security, deep developer ecosystem, and growing Layer 2 adoption reinforce its dominance. The network’s staking mechanism has matured significantly since the Merge, while rollup solutions continue to enhance throughput.

Ethereum Price Correction May Be Temporary as Market Data Shows Underlying Strength

Ethereum’s recent pullback from the $2,800 level appears to be finding firm support NEAR $2,460, with the cryptocurrency now trading around $2,550. While a whale deposited 10,195 ETH (worth $25.67 million) to Kraken exchange, potentially signaling some selling pressure, broader market indicators suggest resilience.

Technical patterns show ETH broke below a short-term bullish trend line at $2,555, yet the asset maintains crucial support above $2,500. Notably, retail participation remains subdued compared to historical market tops—a sign this bullish phase may still be in its early stages.

Spot market activity tells a compelling story: buyers have consistently outpaced sellers throughout May, even after the retreat from recent highs. This fundamental demand, coupled with restrained leverage in derivatives markets, paints a picture of healthier consolidation rather than distribution.

Whales Accumulate Sub-$0.005 Tokens as Utility Narratives Gain Traction

While major cryptocurrencies dominate headlines, a quiet surge is unfolding among tokens priced below $0.005. Early investors are tracking wallet movements and trading volumes to identify potential breakout candidates before price adjustments occur.

Whale accumulation patterns suggest strong conviction in select low-cap tokens, particularly those tied to emerging trends like AI and smart contract integrations. Ethereum-based projects such as Dawgz AI are beginning to surface in these discussions, though the broader market remains focused on utility-driven narratives.

The movement of institutional-scale wallets often precedes significant price action in micro-cap tokens. This activity coincides with a broader market shift toward blockchain applications with tangible use cases rather than speculative assets.

Ethereum Validators Propose Doubling Gas Limit to Boost Network Throughput

Ethereum’s validator community is signaling a major network upgrade, with 153,795 validators advocating to raise the block gas limit to 60 million units—a near doubling from the current 36 million ceiling. This change WOULD mark the second gas limit increase this year, following the January adjustment from 30 million units.

The proposed upgrade could dramatically enhance Ethereum’s base-layer transaction capacity. Gas, the fundamental unit measuring computational effort for transactions, directly impacts network throughput. Validators currently processing blocks at the 36 million gas limit may soon need to adapt to higher computational demands.

Independent analytics platform GasLimit.pics reports that 13.5% of validators have already positioned themselves for this change. The MOVE reflects growing confidence in Ethereum’s technical resilience as it handles increasing transaction volumes and competes with layer-2 scaling solutions.