Ethereum

Ethereum activated its Fusaka upgrade on December 4, 2025, at 9:49 p.m. UTC during Epoch 411392. The upgrade introduces peer data availability sampling (PeerDAS), which increases data throughput for Layer-2 networks by up to 8 times. The technology reduces transaction costs and improves processing speed by fragmenting rollup data into smaller segments.

Ethereum activated its Fusaka upgrade on December 3 at slot 13,164,544, implementing execution-layer optimizations without disrupting network operations. The network maintained 995,908 active validators and 35.63M staked ETH immediately following activation. ETH traded above $3,150 after the upgrade deployment.

Hyperliquid Strategies has completed its merger with Sonnet BioTherapeutics, forming the largest HYPE token treasury. The combined entity holds 16.89 million HYPE tokens valued at $583 million, offering U.S. public market investors direct exposure to the Hyperliquid ecosystem through a publicly traded vehicle.

Ethereum's Fusaka upgrade activates Wednesday, introducing fee structure changes analysts expect to drive supply contraction. The upgrade addresses a structural issue where Layer 2 solutions generated substantial user fees but contributed minimal revenue to the base layer, potentially shifting Ethereum toward deflationary supply dynamics. Analysts project the changes could burn an additional 200,000 to 400,000 ETH annually under conservative estimates.

Digital Asset Treasuries acquired 370,000 ETH in November 2025, an 81% decline from August's peak of 1.9 million ETH, according to Bitwise data. The contraction reflects weakening institutional demand driven by deteriorating market conditions and declining treasury company valuations. Certain firms continue expanding holdings despite the broader pullback.

BlackRock deposited 44,140 ETH valued at approximately $135.36 million to Coinbase Prime on December 3, data show. The asset manager has maintained steady Ethereum transfers for roughly one month, continuing the pattern despite a recent 7% rally that pushed ETH above $3,100.

Gary Gensler, who recently stepped down as SEC Chairman, distinguished Bitcoin from thousands of alternative cryptocurrencies that lack fundamental value. His remarks came as Vanguard reversed its crypto ban, enabling 50 million clients to access spot ETFs and generating $1 billion in trading volume within the first 30 minutes.

XRP exchange-traded funds recorded $845 million in net inflows during their first 13 trading sessions, positioning the asset as the third digital currency to surpass the $800 million threshold in ETF capital accumulation. The performance outpaced Ethereum, which required 95 sessions to reach the same level, and exceeded Solana's $651 million gathered over 25 sessions. Vanguard added XRP funds to its digital assets platform as the token traded near $2.16.

Ethereum's leverage ratio on Binance hit an all-time high of 0.57, data show, as traders increased risk exposure ahead of the Fusaka upgrade. Open interest across exchanges recovered to $17 billion from $15 billion, while liquidation data indicate potential price movement between $2,900 and $3,200. ETH traded at $3,089.42 with the fear and greed index at 54 points, reflecting neutral market sentiment.

Ethereum maintains $174.95 billion in stablecoin supply, representing 63% year-over-year growth, data show. Layer 2 solutions Arbitrum One and Base Chain hold $7.84 billion and $4.53 billion respectively. Competition intensifies across secondary networks as total stablecoin supply reaches an all-time high of $283.2 billion.