Big layer one networks focused less on hype and more on strong foundations. The main goals were better connection between networks and real financial use in daily life. This work is now shaping what adoption may look like in 2026.
Ethereum and Solana stood out as two networks moving in different but important ways. Each showed how top platforms are preparing for long term growth.
For Ethereum the year brought stronger interest from large institutions. More traditional players began using Ethereum based products. At the same time the network kept improving how it handles traffic. Transactions became cheaper and smoother which helped everyday users and builders.
Many developers on Ethereum began to focus on one big problem. That problem is how to make different layers work together easily. Over the past years Ethereum grew fast but this also caused a split user experience. Assets and apps became spread across many layers. In 2025 real progress was made to bring these parts closer.
Builders now believe that 2026 could be the year Ethereum feels more united. The goal is simple. Users should move assets and use apps without friction. This matters for both people and institutions. A smooth experience is key for trust and growth.
Another trend on Ethereum was the rise of digital asset treasuries. These setups allow exposure not just to price but also to activity on the network. This gave more ways to earn yield and helped support demand. Ether saw a strong recovery during the year and later stabilized near current levels.
Looking ahead many believe Ethereum adoption will come from simple financial tools. These include crypto based banking services and tokenized assets. The focus is shifting away from pure speculation. The aim is to solve real money problems for real people.
Solana took a different path in 2025. After a rough earlier period the network spent the year under heavy real use. Early in the year activity surged as many users flooded the network. This stress helped reveal weak points and fix them.
By the end of the year Solana became faster and more stable. Capacity increased and fees stayed low. Builders showed strong interest and many new teams started building financial apps. For the first time the idea of Solana as a fast market network felt real.
Much of the work on Solana focused on deep infrastructure. One major effort was improving how transactions are ordered. This helps make pricing fair and improves user results. While very technical the outcome is simple. Better apps and smoother use.
The biggest change is expected in 2026 with a new upgrade. This update aims to make the network reach final agreement much faster. Today transactions take several seconds to fully settle. After the upgrade this could drop close to one second.
Fast final settlement is important for serious finance. It reduces risk and builds confidence. With this upgrade Solana hopes to support larger markets and more advanced financial activity.
Together Ethereum and Solana show where the industry is heading. Less noise and more real building. Better links between systems. Stronger tools for daily finance. The work done in 2025 may define how crypto grows in the years ahead.
