Layer1
On Jan 14, 2026 Vitalik Buterin said Ethereum now effectively provides the full Web3 stack first envisioned in 2014, pairing core Layer‑1 features with rollups, wallets and auxiliary tooling. He framed recent advances in modular scaling and developer infrastructure as the missing pieces that complete the platform.
Etherscan reported that Ethereum processed 1.91 million Layer 1 transactions in a single day, while keeping the average fee around $0.16. The milestone signals strong on-chain demand with low-cost access for users.
Monad’s native token MON opened with an estimated $4 billion market capitalization on launch day, beating early expectations. The new high-speed Layer 1 promises faster throughput and lower fees as it seeks developer and trader attention.
Solana co-founder Anatoly Yakovenko said the network’s single-layer architecture can process more transactions in a month than Ethereum has in its lifetime, framing SOL’s throughput as a competitive advantage over ETH.
The Ethereum Foundation announced the launch of a 47-member Privacy Cluster focused on enhancing protocol-level privacy features on Ethereum's layer-1 network. Key initiatives include developing zero-knowledge tools, confidential transfer solutions like PlasmaFold, and privacy-preserving wallets such as Kohaku, all aimed at balancing privacy, regulatory compliance, and decentralized autonomy.