$ETH
Ethereum (ETH) is expected to maintain a strong position in the crypto market due to its role as the leading smart contract platform and its continued upgrades. With Ethereum 2.0 fully implemented, the network is now more energy-efficient and scalable thanks to the shift from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake. This has made ETH more appealing to institutional investors and environmentally conscious users. The growth of decentralized finance (DeFi), NFTs, and layer-2 solutions like Optimism and Arbitrum also contribute to increased demand for ETH, as it's required for gas fees on the Ethereum network. If Ethereum continues to dominate in these areas and developers keep building on the platform, the long-term outlook for ETH remains bullish. However, volatility and competition from other blockchains like Solana and Avalanche still pose risks.