The crypto development landscape is heating up as Ethereum’s layer-2 ecosystem enjoys a major boost from the Avalanche upgrade. Attracting developers with the promise of lower fees and faster transactions, the upgrade is the biggest yet for Avalanche, the 10th largest blockchain by total value locked (TVL).
Avalanche Ignites Ethereum’s L2 Growth
Activating new features months ahead of schedule, the Avalanche9000 upgrade is a game-changer for Ethereum’s layer-2 landscape. The enhancements drastically reduce costs for sending transactions, operating validators, and building applications on the network.
By making it easier and cheaper to deploy customized blockchains known as subnets, Avalanche aims to carve out a bigger slice of Ethereum’s L2 pie. The team is betting that the upgrade will entice more developers to build on Avalanche rather than competing chains.
Ethereum Name Service Taps Linea for L2
In another vote of confidence for Ethereum’s L2 future, the Ethereum Name Service (ENS) has selected Consensys-incubated startup Linea to power its upcoming Namechain L2 network. As the 7th largest rollup with over $1 billion in value locked, Linea’s zero-knowledge tech promises near-instant transaction finality—a must for Web3’s “phonebook.”
“We need fast finality. To do that and have it remain decentralized and secure, we need zero-knowledge proofs. Optimistic rollups can’t deliver that.”
– Nick Johnson, ENS Founder & Lead Developer
Solana Shines for New Crypto Devs
Even with Ethereum’s L2 advancements, rival Solana is emerging as the top choice for new crypto developers. Driven by the memecoin craze, Solana eclipsed Ethereum for the first time in July 2024, onboarding over 7,600 new devs compared to Ethereum’s 6,500.
Solana’s blend of ultra-low fees and lightning-fast settlement is proving irresistible to many projects. Recently, the Pudgy Penguins NFT collection launched its PENGU token on Solana, driving a record-smashing 66.9 million daily transactions—more than all other major blockchains combined.
No-Code Platforms Lower Barriers to Building
Beyond L2 wars and alt-L1 attractions, a new wave of no-code and low-code development platforms are further accelerating crypto building. Projects like Patchwork are rolling out “create-an-app” tools that enable devs to spin up Web3 applications in moments using natural language.
By pairing simplified app construction with flexible cross-chain deployment, these platforms are opening Web3 development to more people than ever before. As the experience of creating dapps starts to resemble assembling a website in Squarespace, the next bull run could be built by the no-code revolution.
DeFi Revivals and a Bitcoin L2 AMM
Ethereum’s DeFi ecosystem is also showing signs of life thanks to upstart EigenLayer. The project, which allows dapps to “borrow” Ethereum’s security, has attracted over $100 million from VCs while onboarding hundreds of millions in TVL before its full launch.
Meanwhile on Bitcoin’s Stacks L2 chain, the first AMM for Runes tokens just went live. The protocol, a joint effort between Bitflow and Pontis, aims to boost liquidity and scalability for Bitcoin’s emerging “memecoin” ecosystem.
The Road Ahead for Crypto Builders
As blockchains battle for builders, new tools and upgrades are reshaping the development landscape daily. With soaring Solana growth, no-code platforms finding traction, and DeFi revivals brewing, the competition for crypto mindshare is fiercer than ever.
Whatever the outcome of the great L1/L2 realignment, one thing is clear: Web3 innovation is accelerating at a breathtaking clip. For the growing ranks of crypto developers, the future looks bright indeed.
