Ethereum’s ecosystem has become quite complex with its layer 2 solutions, especially when compared to the streamlined and efficient Solana, often dubbed the “ETH Killer.” But does this indicate that Ethereum will fall behind in this cycle, or might it emerge as a formidable competitor once things stabilize?
Ethereum has been under significant scrutiny recently, drawing criticism from various factions including Bitcoin Maximalists and Memecoin enthusiasts, while Solana is gaining fresh traction. Here’s what to consider regarding which cryptocurrency could be the better hold this cycle.
The Ethereum Challenge Against Solana
Still the reigning champion in the smart contract domain, Ethereum is wrestling with challenges. Its value against Bitcoin has plummeted to levels not seen in over three years, sparking investor concern. This decline is largely attributed to liquidity being redirected to platforms like Solana.
“Ethereum continues to be the leading smart contract platform focused on genuine decentralization, and it boasts significant institutional adoption and developer engagement,” defended Eric Connor, a core developer of Ethereum, in light of recent criticism.

Ethereum finds itself in a difficult position, as the rise of layer-2 solutions and competing platforms siphons away its liquidity and user base. This has hindered ETH’s momentum, pushing its price below the $2,500 threshold while Bitcoin continues to recover. Is Ethereum in trouble? The answer is both yes and no.
In this cycle, do not anticipate Ethereum to outshine Bitcoin or any rising altcoins like Solana, Sui, and Kaspa.
However, Vitalik Buterin and his team are banking on the expansion of L2s; this strategy will take time to yield results.
Ethereum is facing serious challenges
UNI transitioning off-chain is merely the final blow, as all applications are migrating to competing L1s & L2s instead
Declining ETH revenue, as UNI was ETH’s top fee-generating application!
Now ETH risks falling behind, becoming irrelevant & unsustainable; Ethereum’s future is grim
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— Justin Bons (@Justin_Bons) October 14, 2024
Ethereum is the foundation of what will eventually become a completely digital commercial infrastructure. I understand its importance. However, it may also be the most tedious hold in the crypto space. It won’t reach explosive growth; the ETFs only serve to hold it back, and regarding solid layer ones, interest seems average at best. It resembles mining iron while others are busy mining gold or diamonds.
You can think about all the applications that require iron, but the excitement will never match that of those mining gold, hoping for a breakthrough each day.
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The Future for SOL & ETH
In sharp contrast, Solana has been charting its own course, surging 17% just this week. Analysts from 99Bitcoins attribute this to Solana’s lively ecosystem and incredibly low transaction fees. The frenzy surrounding meme coins on Solana is also helping to overshadow Ethereum.

However, Solana’s journey is not without its challenges—recent sell-offs by major players like Pump Fun, which sold 40,000 SOL this week, have created downward pressure on its price. Nonetheless, analysts remain optimistic about Solana’s ability to absorb new supply and keep traders engaged, suggesting a bright future ahead.
In summary, the fears surrounding Ethereum are legitimate.
Yet, this also serves as a potential bottom signal for those looking to invest in Ethereum. At 99Bitcoins, we often find that contrarian trading can be beneficial, as a flood of negativity can frequently indicate a bottoming out.
As Ethereum and Solana continue to vie for dominance and advancement, those managing finances and technology need to stay alert as the landscape evolves.
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