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The Layer-1 Challengers: Why These Layer-1 Might Be the Real Ethereum Killers

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A question that is frequently asked is whether Ethereum will ever be replaced by another network. This question often comes alongside inquiries about the key differences between Layer-1 networks and their approaches to addressing the challenges Ethereum has introduced to the world of crypto.

A question that is frequently asked is whether Ethereum will ever be replaced by another network. This question often comes alongside inquiries about the key differences between Layer-1 networks and their approaches to addressing the challenges Ethereum has introduced to the world of crypto.

To recap, a Layer-1 blockchain is the foundational layer responsible for handling consensus and the execution of transactions and smart contracts. To make it easier to understand, let’s categorize these type of networks into two main groups (excluding Layer-2 solutions):

  • Similar networks (networks based largely on the same set of technologies or even compatible with Ethereum) with additional features. We will refer to these as EVM-compatible networks, for example: Solana, Binance Smart Chain, Polygon, Tron, Toncoin, Cardano, Avalanche, NEAR.

Note: sometimes these networks are natively incompatible without additional efforts to make them compatible (such as a sidechain or a form of virtualization) but to keep complexity they are included as well.

  • Novel networks (networks based largely on a new set of technologies and therefore being largely incompatible with Ethereum) with equivalent features. We can refer to them as EVM-Equivalent networks, for example: Sui, Aptos, Sei, Kaspa, Stellar, Filecoin, Hedera.

The blockchain landscape has been dominated by Ethereum for years, with its robust smart contract capabilities and widespread adoption. However, as the network continues to face scalability and congestion issues amongst other issues like security, cost and user-experience, various Layer-1 blockchains have emerged, each vying for the title of “Ethereum Killer.” Networks like Solana, Avalanche, and Cardano have all taken different approaches to outpace Ethereum, yet none have fully succeeded in dethroning the giant. When it comes to EVM-equivalent networks, Sui Network—is a new contender with rapid growth with origins from Meta’s Diem project that could be the true game-changer in the race to overcome Ethereum’s limitations.

The Rise of Layer-1 Competitors

How have other EVM-compatible networks tried to surpass Ethereum?

  • Solana: Known for its high throughput, Solana uses a unique consensus mechanism called Proof of History (PoH) combined with Proof of Stake (PoS). This allows Solana to process thousands of transactions per second (TPS), far surpassing Ethereum’s current capabilities. However, Solana has faced issues with network stability and centralization concerns, leading some to question its long-term viability.
  • Avalanche: Avalanche offers a highly flexible platform with its Avalanche consensus protocol, which allows for sub-second transaction finality and the ability to create custom blockchains. Avalanche’s unique architecture supports interoperability between multiple chains, making it a strong contender. Yet, like Solana, it has struggled with decentralization and network congestion at scale.
  • Cardano: Cardano takes a more methodical, research-driven approach, emphasizing security and scalability through its Ouroboros PoS consensus protocol. Cardano’s development has been slower, with some critics pointing to its lack of decentralized applications (dApps) and real-world usage as significant drawbacks.

EVM-Equivalent networks are taking a different approach; they are not just facing the challenge of getting users to switch for enhanced functionality, but also developers to switch to a different, potentially better, way of building decentralized applications. For example:

  • Sui Network: aims to offer developers and users alike a safer, faster and more user-friendly environment for using, connecting and developing applications. It does this with a full redesign on the consensus and execution of transactions and smart contracts as well as a completely new smart contract language called Move.

The Layer-2 Conundrum: Scaling Ethereum

Ethereum has been working to address its scalability issues through the development of Layer-2 (L2) solutions like Optimism, Arbitrum, and zk-Rollups. These L2 solutions aim to offload transactions from the Ethereum mainnet, thereby increasing throughput and reducing fees. While L2 solutions offer a promising path forward, they come with trade-offs:

  • Complexity: Users must interact with multiple layers, which can complicate the user experience and lead to fragmentation within the ecosystem.
  • Security Concerns: Since L2 solutions rely on Ethereum’s base layer for security, they may inherit vulnerabilities and create new attack vectors.
  • Limited Interoperability: L2 solutions often face challenges in maintaining seamless interoperability with other blockchains and L1 solutions.

While L2s provide a temporary solution, they may not fully resolve Ethereum’s fundamental issues. This is where a new EVM- Equivalent network such Sui Network could step in as a more comprehensive alternative. At the same time, Ethereum as a protocol is far from finished and developers may be able to tackle these obstacles towards mass adoption over time while other networks are trying to reinvent the wheel and struggle to get a critical mass.

This is not financial research but the opinion of the author of the article. We publish this information to inform and educate about recent market developments and technological updates, not to give any recommendation for certain products or projects. The selection of articles should therefore not be understood as financial advice or recommendation for any specific product and/or digital asset. We may occasionally include analysis of past market, network performance expectations and/or on-chain performance. Historical performance is not indicative for future returns.

Important information

For informational and advertising purposes only.

This information is intended only to provide general and preliminary information to investors and shall not be construed as investment, legal or tax advice. VanEck assumes no liability with regards to any investment, divestment or retention decision taken by the investor on the basis of this information. Views and opinions expressed are current as of the date of this information and are subject to change with market conditions. Certain statements contained herein may constitute projections, forecasts and other forward looking statements, which do not reflect actual results. VanEck makes no representation or warranty, express or implied regarding the advisability of investing in securities or digital assets generally.

Performance quoted represents past performance, which is no guarantee of future results and which may be lower or higher than current performance.

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Notes from our research on recent crypto moves: ideal moment for crypto index investing?

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Recent market movements reinforce the investment case for crypto index investing and we believe that now is the time to build a long crypto exposure via the Nasdaq Crypto Index (NCI) (or to boarden the exposure vs. a single asset Bitcoin ETF position).

Recent market movements reinforce the investment case for crypto index investing and we believe that now is the time to build a long crypto exposure via the Nasdaq Crypto Index (NCI) (or to boarden the exposure vs. a single asset Bitcoin ETF position).

Here are some commentaries from our Research:

• NCI surges +18% last week (Nov 3 to 10) while Bitcoin was up +15%: driven by market optimism following Trump’s election and a 25 bps rate cut by the Federal Reserve

• Bitcoin breaks new highs: Closed the week above $80k for the first time, leading a market rally

• Outperformance across NCI constituents:

o Smart contract platforms led gains:

 Cardano: +72.6%

 Avalanche: +31.4%

 Ethereum: +27.2%

 Solana: +25.4%

o All constituents (except LTC) outperformed Bitcoin’s gains, see below for last week:

• BTC Dominance tested 60% and retraced: Historically, this has either signaled the end of Bitcoin outperformance or the start of a powerful Altseason

• Strong performance outlook: Momentum in NCI’s broad diversification positions it well for potential long-term gains as macro and regulatory conditions improve

Nasdaq Crypto Index – Constituents performance Nov 3 – Nov 10:

Evolution of Bitcoin dominance:

Why consider Nasdaq Crypto Index (NCI) now?

• Diversification beyond Bitcoin: Capture both Bitcoin’s strength and the upside potential of emerging crypto assets in one allocation.

• Positioning for Altseason: NCI provides targeted exposure to key market segments poised to benefit from broader market growth.

• Current allocation:

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HBKU ETF en satsning på Sukuk värdepapper som följer Shariah principer

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HSBC Global Sukuk UCITS ETF C (HBKU ETF) med ISIN IE000E8WZD37, försöker spåra FTSE IdealRatings Sukuk-index. FTSE IdealRatings Sukuk-index spårar Sukuk-värdepapper över hela världen som är emitterade i US-dollar. Sukuk hänvisar till räntebärande värdepapper som följer sharias investeringsprinciper. Alla löptider ingår. Betyg: Investment Grade.

HSBC Global Sukuk UCITS ETF C (HBKU ETF) med ISIN IE000E8WZD37, försöker spåra FTSE IdealRatings Sukuk-index. FTSE IdealRatings Sukuk-index spårar Sukuk-värdepapper över hela världen som är emitterade i US-dollar. Sukuk hänvisar till räntebärande värdepapper som följer sharias investeringsprinciper. Alla löptider ingår. Betyg: Investment Grade.

Den börshandlade fondens TER (total cost ratio) uppgår till 0,40 % p.a. HSBC Global Sukuk UCITS ETF C är den enda ETF som följer FTSE IdealRatings Sukuk-index. ETFen replikerar resultatet för det underliggande indexet genom samplingsteknik (köper ett urval av de mest relevanta indexbeståndsdelarna). Ränteintäkterna (kupongerna) i ETFen ackumuleras och återinvesteras.

HSBC Global Sukuk UCITS ETF C är en mycket liten ETF med tillgångar på 1 miljoner GBP under förvaltning. Denna ETF lanserades den 7 september 2023 och har sin hemvist i Irland.

Investeringsmål

Fonden strävar efter att tillhandahålla regelbunden inkomst- och kapitaltillväxt genom att så nära som möjligt följa utvecklingen av FTSE IdealRatings Sukuk Index (totalavkastning) (indexet), samtidigt som sharia-principerna respekteras.

Investeringspolicy

Indexet består av globala islamiska räntebärande värdepapper, även känd som Sukuk. Fonden investerar i, eller får exponering mot US-dollar denominerade, Sukuk av investeringsgrad som är sharia-kompatibla och utfärdade på de globala marknaderna, som alla är indexbeståndsdelar. Indexets valuta är USD och avkastningen är osäkrad. Fonden förvaltas passivt och använder en investeringsteknik som kallas optimering, som syftar till att minimera skillnaden i avkastning mellan fonden och indexet genom att ta hänsyn till tracking error och handelskostnader vid konstruktion av en portfölj.

Fonden kommer endast att investera i Sukuk som uppfyller sharia-efterlevnadsprinciperna som tolkats eller godkänts av shariakommittén. Fonden kan investera upp till 10 % av sina tillgångar i kontanter och penningmarknadsinstrument upp till 10 % av sina tillgångar i Shariah-kompatibla fonder för effektiv portföljförvaltning. Kreditbetygen för investeringarna kan variera från tid till annan men kommer att vara minst Investment Grade.

Handla HBKU ETF

HSBC Global Sukuk UCITS ETF C (HBKU ETF) är en börshandlad fond (ETF) som handlas på London Stock Exchange.

London Stock Exchange är en marknad som få svenska banker och nätmäklare erbjuder access till, men DEGIRO gör det.

Största innehav

VärdepapperVikt %
KSA SUKUK LTD 5.268 25/10/284.85
KSA SUKUK LTD 3.628 20/04/274.00
KSA SUKUK LTD 4.511 22/05/333.03
KSA SUKUK LTD 2.969 29/10/292.41
SA GLOBAL SUKU 2.694 17/06/312.40
KSA SUKUK LTD 4.274 22/05/292.31
DIB SUKUK LTD 2.950 16/01/261.96
SA GLOBAL SUKU 1.602 17/06/261.90
SUCI SECOND INVE 6.000 25/10/281.85
SBSN INDO III 4.700 06/06/321.83

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Post-election recap: Three takeaways for crypto investors

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One week after the US elections, bitcoin has been hitting new all-time highs. This price action reflects the fact that the results were an ideal outcome for bitcoin and other crypto assets—with both a pro-crypto president and Congress set to take the reins of the US government in January.

One week after the US elections, bitcoin has been hitting new all-time highs. This price action reflects the fact that the results were an ideal outcome for bitcoin and other crypto assets—with both a pro-crypto president and Congress set to take the reins of the US government in January.

The support for crypto was overwhelming. There were 268 Congressional candidates and 19 candidates for the Senate that were elected and are considered pro-crypto, according to Stand with Crypto. This included the election of 50 of 58 candidates supported by the crypto industry.

But with change coming in 2025, what can investors take away from last week’s results? I think there are three things we know with certainty.

  1. Crypto will continue to be a political force: The election outcome might be the strongest signal we have seen that crypto is an asset class here to stay given the pro-crypto stance of President-elect Trump and many newly elected policymakers. Trump has supported big and bold ideas in this space, including supporting the US holding bitcoin on its balance sheet and the creation of a crypto advisory council to create supportive rules for the industry.

But this election will have an impact far beyond last week’s results. The engagement from the crypto community and industry in this election will reverberate into the next elections and those that follow, as policymakers are now grasping that—like the internet—crypto is a technology that should not be caught up in partisan politics. There were already signs of bipartisan support for the industry this year, but with such a definitive victory for pro-crypto candidates, both Democrat and Republican, the idea that Congress should try and stop this technology from being incubated in the US has faded away.

  1. The “generational shift” is happening: While there has been more support for crypto from Republicans than Democrats, I think this is a short-term dynamic that will not persist over time. What might be more important is the generational shift taking place, as younger generations of politicians embrace crypto while older generations remain skeptical. It’s not surprising that the most vocal critics of crypto tend to be relatively older, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren (75), Sen. Sherrod Brown (72), and Rep. Brad Sherman (70), while those who are embracing this technology—regardless of party affiliation—are much younger, including incoming US senators Tim Sheehy (38), Ruben Gallego (44), and Bernie Moreno (57). Over time, this generational gap might even become a more important distinction than partisan lines on this issue.
  2. It’s still early: Even with bitcoin’s rise over $82,000 this week, this is an asset class that is still in its early stages of adoption. Many investment advisors, wealth managers, and large institutional investors are still conducting their due diligence, and we think the political and regulatory environment next year will help them accelerate these efforts.

But we are still so early. And, given the cyclicality of this asset class, there is tremendous potential for this current environment being an excellent entry point. For example, one year after the 2016 and 2020 elections, bitcoin had returned 916% and 354%, respectively.

This performance tracks well with post-halving performance as well as favorable macro factors, such as lower interest rates in the US and economic stimulus in China increasing global liquidity and benefiting risk assets. These factors, along with the ongoing institutional adoption and a dramatically improving regulatory outlook in the US is setting crypto up for a very strong 2025.

Crypto is the election’s big winner

The new administration, together with a Congress more crypto-friendly than any other point in history, is poised to act quickly to ensure that the US maintains its leadership in digital assets. While there will be many uncertainties in the coming weeks and months regarding specific policies and personnel, we are clearly at an inflection point. Crypto has made its case to US policymakers and they have embraced it with open arms. This is a key factor setting 2025 up for what we believe will be an incredible year for this space.

For investors thinking about how to act based on the election results, we continue to advocate for taking a long-term view and getting diversified exposure to this asset class. We’ll continue to face uncertainty and volatility, but investors who maintain an extended horizon will benefit, just as they have in the past.


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