Competition and Macro Uncertainty Cloud the Path to $4,000

[nihalsari]

Rival blockchains continue to challenge Ethereum on cost and speed. Networks like Solana now process far more transactions at the base layer, while Ethereum relies on rollups to scale—an intentional design choice that prioritizes decentralization over fee maximization.

At the same time, uncertainty in the US economy and softer crypto risk appetite have limited catalysts for a renewed ETH rally. Data from Nansen shows Ethereum’s leadership in total value locked remains intact, but without a resurgence in application demand, Ether’s climb back toward $4,000 may take longer than bulls hope.

[ed]

eth choosing rollups over base layer speed was always a long game move