Crypto in 2024: Mid-Year Reflections
4 takeaways 👇
Crypto moves fast – like blink-and-you-missed-it fast.
The first half of this year has been no different, with new chains and applications emerging daily and the crypto industry gaining mainstream acceptance in the financial world.
Amid the Twitter echo chambers and the frenzy of bull market price action, it's easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. So, let's zoom out and focus on the signal amid the noise.
TL;DR Crypto is just getting started; don't get shaken out.
Today, we’ll take a step back to reflect on the key developments of H1 2024, exploring the significant events and trends that highlight the progress we've made this year. 👇
1️⃣ Crypto is now mainstream
Remember the days when crypto was a niche plaything for cypherpunks? Those days are well over.
In the first half of 2024, crypto broke through to the mainstream with a vengeance.
The turning point was the long-awaited approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs in January. Suddenly, Wall Street had a comfortable on-ramp to crypto, and they took it in a big way. Eleven ETFs launched in one day, and volumes broke records.
And it didn’t stop at Bitcoin. The SEC finally greenlit eight spot ETH ETFs in May, further validating the entire crypto ecosystem, and opening the door for even broader institutional adoption.
2️⃣ Crypto Adoption Accelerating
Crypto adoption is accelerating at a remarkable pace. The number of active users across blockchains is up big time, hitting an all-time high of 42.92 million active addresses in April.
Another factor is the resurgence of DeFi. DeFi activity and mindshare are on the rise again, signaling a renewed interest and activity onchain, one that's moving beyond simple speculation to perhaps some real-world utility, like in the form of stablecoins for payments and asset tokenization for RWAs such as government securities.
The momentum is clear: more people are coming onchain, and they're finding more reasons to stay.
3️⃣ Ethereum Still Dominant, But Solana Rising
Ethereum remains the dominant force in crypto. Over 60% of the total value locked in DeFi sits on Ethereum, a testament to the lindy ecosystem, which acts as a foundation for countless applications and chains.
This dominance is not just a matter of capital but also technological progress on the roadmap. Ethereum is scaling through L2s like Base who have seen robust adoption this year, and thanks to the most recent Dencun upgrade, offer users significantly lowered gas fees.
Moreover, Solana’s innovation engine is running hot. Tech advancements like zk-compression and user-friendly features like Blinks are setting the stage for broader adoption, and we can see that Solana’s network effects are taking root in real time.
Make no mistake: Ethereum isn't going anywhere. Its established network effects and vast developer community ensure its continued importance in crypto. But Solana's impressive strides can't be ignored. Both ecosystems are thriving, each in its unique way. This parallel adoption is a win for crypto users, as it accelerates innovations and drives the entire industry forward.
4️⃣ More Chop Ahead, Then Up-Only
Bitcoin broke its all-time high in March, briefly breaching the $70 ,000 mark. While that party seemed to end pretty abruptly, let's not get carried away. This bull market is far from over.
The long-awaited ETH ETFs are nearly here, interest rate cuts are likely on the way, and crypto will likely continue to earn a place on the national stage during the U.S. elections with potential positive policy shifts in play.
💭 Closing Thoughts
So, has the first half of 2024 been all smooth sailing for crypto? Not quite.
The bull market must go
4 takeaways 👇
Crypto moves fast – like blink-and-you-missed-it fast.
The first half of this year has been no different, with new chains and applications emerging daily and the crypto industry gaining mainstream acceptance in the financial world.
Amid the Twitter echo chambers and the frenzy of bull market price action, it's easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. So, let's zoom out and focus on the signal amid the noise.
TL;DR Crypto is just getting started; don't get shaken out.
Today, we’ll take a step back to reflect on the key developments of H1 2024, exploring the significant events and trends that highlight the progress we've made this year. 👇
1️⃣ Crypto is now mainstream
Remember the days when crypto was a niche plaything for cypherpunks? Those days are well over.
In the first half of 2024, crypto broke through to the mainstream with a vengeance.
The turning point was the long-awaited approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs in January. Suddenly, Wall Street had a comfortable on-ramp to crypto, and they took it in a big way. Eleven ETFs launched in one day, and volumes broke records.
And it didn’t stop at Bitcoin. The SEC finally greenlit eight spot ETH ETFs in May, further validating the entire crypto ecosystem, and opening the door for even broader institutional adoption.
2️⃣ Crypto Adoption Accelerating
Crypto adoption is accelerating at a remarkable pace. The number of active users across blockchains is up big time, hitting an all-time high of 42.92 million active addresses in April.
Another factor is the resurgence of DeFi. DeFi activity and mindshare are on the rise again, signaling a renewed interest and activity onchain, one that's moving beyond simple speculation to perhaps some real-world utility, like in the form of stablecoins for payments and asset tokenization for RWAs such as government securities.
The momentum is clear: more people are coming onchain, and they're finding more reasons to stay.
3️⃣ Ethereum Still Dominant, But Solana Rising
Ethereum remains the dominant force in crypto. Over 60% of the total value locked in DeFi sits on Ethereum, a testament to the lindy ecosystem, which acts as a foundation for countless applications and chains.
This dominance is not just a matter of capital but also technological progress on the roadmap. Ethereum is scaling through L2s like Base who have seen robust adoption this year, and thanks to the most recent Dencun upgrade, offer users significantly lowered gas fees.
Moreover, Solana’s innovation engine is running hot. Tech advancements like zk-compression and user-friendly features like Blinks are setting the stage for broader adoption, and we can see that Solana’s network effects are taking root in real time.
Make no mistake: Ethereum isn't going anywhere. Its established network effects and vast developer community ensure its continued importance in crypto. But Solana's impressive strides can't be ignored. Both ecosystems are thriving, each in its unique way. This parallel adoption is a win for crypto users, as it accelerates innovations and drives the entire industry forward.
4️⃣ More Chop Ahead, Then Up-Only
Bitcoin broke its all-time high in March, briefly breaching the $70 ,000 mark. While that party seemed to end pretty abruptly, let's not get carried away. This bull market is far from over.
The long-awaited ETH ETFs are nearly here, interest rate cuts are likely on the way, and crypto will likely continue to earn a place on the national stage during the U.S. elections with potential positive policy shifts in play.
💭 Closing Thoughts
So, has the first half of 2024 been all smooth sailing for crypto? Not quite.
The bull market must go
5 days ago
