2026-01-09 02:24:42

Is there still someone saying that crypto assets are "non-mainstream"? By 2025, Ethereum has silenced all doubts with two sets of key indicators: ETF plus strategic reserves holding over $35 billion worth of ETH, and on-chain RWA issuance surpassing $12 billion. Behind these numbers reflects a fundamental shift in traditional finance's attitude towards this blockchain.

Let's first look at the $35 billion figure. When Ethereum's spot ETF just launched in 2024, many thought institutions might just be testing the waters. But by this year, the ETF plus strategic reserve holdings have directly dispelled that doubt—institutions are clearly serious and optimistic for the long term. Why choose Ethereum over other blockchains? The key points are twofold: First, Ethereum's consensus foundation is the most stable, with an ecosystem woven by 32,000 active developers that other chains will find hard to catch up with in the short term; second, in terms of compliance, Ethereum is the fastest mover. The recent Pectra upgrade introduced EIP-7702, enabling smart accounts to operate in a compliant manner—supporting gas fee pay-per-use, stablecoin payments, and other functions, perfectly meeting institutional risk management needs.

The real core remains the $12 billion RWA. Tokenization of real-world assets is the key channel connecting traditional finance with the on-chain world. Assets like US bonds, real estate, and carbon quotas—traditionally "illiquid and high-threshold"—can be split and circulated once tokenized, allowing small investors to participate. This is where the game rules are truly rewritten.

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AirdropSweaterFan

· 9h ago

Institutions are really starting to get serious. $35 billion is no small figure, indicating that Ethereum is no longer a niche project. RWA (Real-World Assets) is indeed interesting. The potential for on-chain circulation of US debt is quite promising. With such aggressive ETF holdings, no wonder other public chains are getting anxious haha. Really, the shift from just testing the waters to long-term commitment is happening so quickly it’s almost unbelievable. Once compliance is in place, institutions will dare to enter with large amounts. Pectra’s recent upgrade really hit the sweet spot. Small investors can finally participate in these high-threshold assets, which is truly fair. But to be honest, the combination of these two figures—$35 billion and $12 billion—is really quite impressive.

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TokenomicsShaman

· 10h ago

Isn't it clear enough that institutions are investing 35 billion USD? This is a real gold and silver signal. 120 billion RWA is the true game changer; the integration of traditional assets onto the chain should have happened long ago. Following the compliant route is the right choice; Ethereum is now a regulatory lowland. The developer moat is something other chains won't be able to overturn in the short term. Updates like EIP-7702 are what institutional needs are really about, not some conceptual hype. People are still debating whether non-mainstream chains are mainstream; institutions have already voted with their money. RWA has truly broken down the barriers between blockchain and traditional finance. Only fools wait for other chains; the consensus on Ethereum has already been formed.

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SellLowExpert

· 12h ago

$35 billion? This time, institutions are really going all in, not just playing around. $12 billion RWA is the real killer move; traditional finance is about to be overtaken. In terms of developer moat, other chains truly can't catch up; long-term optimism is justified. On compliance, Ethereum is indeed leading the way, with Pectra's upgrade moving quickly. RWA is the game-changer; even ordinary people can participate now. Institutions are pouring real money, and Ethereum is on the fast track to take off. The attitude has shifted from testing the waters to long-term holding; the change is very obvious. Gotta admit, Ethereum's hard metrics this time have truly shut everyone up. $12 billion RWA is the real bridge connecting two worlds. A stable consensus foundation is a hard strength; other public chains simply can't compare.

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GateUser-ccc36bc5

· 01-09 02:54

$35 billion? This time, institutions are really all in, not just the usual pump-and-dump tactics. --- RWA has surpassed $12 billion. This is truly a game-changer. Isn't it more attractive to put US debt on the chain? --- On the compliance front, ETH is definitely leading the way, while other chains are still exploring. --- The largest number of developers is the moat. Who can break through a network woven by 32,000 developers? --- Small investors can also participate in US debt? Really? If this becomes widespread, the entire financial system will change. --- Non-mainstream? Ha, now even Wall Street is stockpiling ETH, so how can it still be called non-mainstream? --- The gas fee sponsorship feature really hits the pain point for institutions. No wonder large funds are pouring into ETH. --- Honestly, RWA is the long-term focus, not the superficial hype of coin price speculation. --- Why not choose other chains? Because they have real ecosystems, not just empty air.

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BlockchainRetirementHome

· 01-09 02:47

350 billion? I just laugh, it was about time, really very conscientious. Institutions finally stop pretending, Pectra's upgrade this time really has some substance. RWA is the key, traditional assets on the chain will eventually rewrite everything. With such a deep moat in the Ethereum ecosystem, how can other chains catch up? It's really hopeless. Ethereum's quick compliance actions mean victory; it will become the standard sooner or later. 120 billion RWA is just the beginning; I bet this is only the prologue. But speaking of which, are there still people asking if Ethereum is viable? It's time to wake up.

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hodl_therapist

· 01-09 02:45

$35 billion, I was saying that institutions wouldn't play around easily. This time, they are really all in. RWA is the real highlight. Tokenizing US Treasuries? Ha, traditional finance can finally no longer hold back. Developers' moat is unquestionable; other public chains can't catch up. Pectra's upgrade was quite clever; compliance has indeed been a long-standing hurdle. But honestly, $12 billion in RWA still has some room for imagination. This is just the beginning. Institutions have truly shifted their stance; it's time to take off the label of non-mainstream.

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GhostInTheChain

· 01-09 02:41

$35 billion really can't be sustained anymore; institutions are truly betting with real money this time. RWA is the real game-changer; once traditional assets are on the chain, the entire game truly changes. I think the key to the Pectra upgrade is this move; Ethereum has indeed been relentless in compliance. $12 billion in RWA sounds like a lot, but this is just the beginning. Are institutions experiencing FOMO? No, this is called serious long-term optimism. Having over 30,000 developers creates a deep moat; other chains won't catch up in the short term. I still can't quite imagine what scenarios would emerge if US debt were to be tokenized, but if it truly becomes tradable, that would be incredible. Ethereum is stable with this move; the next step is to see who can follow up on compliance.

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RugpullSurvivor

· 01-09 02:40

Institutions are pouring 35 billion in real money into ETH. Does it hurt the "non-mainstream" crowd now? RWA is the real core; traditional finance is truly about to be disrupted.

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SatoshiChallenger

· 01-09 02:39

Ironically, when institutions put real money into the market, it often signals the top. Data shows that the last asset class to "rewrite the rules" was ICOs in 2017, which were also hyped up excessively at the time. 120 billion RWA sounds like a lot, but compared to the more than 30 trillion scale of the U.S. bond market... just do the math on this penetration rate. Interestingly, this year so many people are hyping Ethereum, but the voices claiming some public chain "surpassed Ethereum" are just as loud as last year [cold laugh]. Objectively speaking, institutional entry is good news — in the short term. But what is the lesson from history? The more compliant and well-structured the mechanism, the more it often means risks are suppressed... which also means the profit ceiling is being pushed down.

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