Network Activity Surge
Ethereum (ETH) recently witnessed a notable surge in network activity, primarily fueled by a rising interest in "Inscriptions." Briefly, Inscriptions accounted for 77% of all Ethereum transactions, concurrently leading to an uptick in gas usage on the network.
Potential Positive Impact
The influx of addresses drawn to the network through Inscriptions is seen as a potential positive for Ethereum. This increased engagement has the potential to enhance overall activity, contributing positively to the cryptocurrency.
Staked ETH Redemptions Challenge
However, amidst this positive development, Ethereum faces a challenge in the form of substantial staked ETH redemptions. In January, the network experienced the largest staked ETH redemption since the Shanghai Upgrade, with a significant withdrawal of 656,200 ETH. This withdrawal, linked to the actions of bankrupt crypto lender Celsius and staking service provider Figment, could impact Ethereum's staking ecosystem and influence market dynamics.
Dencun Upgrade and Protodanksharding
On the development front, Ethereum is gearing up for the Dencun upgrade. The deployment on the Goerli testnet introduces "protodanksharding" or blobs, aiming to reduce Layer 2 transaction fees. This move is anticipated to enhance Ethereum's scalability and cost-effectiveness.
Market Performance and Dynamics
Despite these advancements, Ethereum's market performance has seen a price decline, currently trading at $2,529.86. Over the last 24 hours, ETH experienced a decrease of 0.28%. However, the MVRV ratio suggests that a significant number of addresses still hold profitable positions.
Contrasting Perspectives
While the decline in price might prompt some addresses to sell their ETH, potentially impacting the price negatively, the Long/Short difference offers a contrasting perspective. The growing Long/Short difference indicates a higher number of long-term holders compared to short-term holders. Long-term holders, known for their reluctance to sell, can contribute to price stability and resilience amid short-term market fluctuations.
Source: Santiment
Ethereum's recent surge in network activity driven by Inscriptions presents positive prospects, but challenges arise with significant staked ETH redemptions. The upcoming Dencun upgrade aims to address scalability issues, though market dynamics indicate a price decline despite profitable positions held by a substantial number of addresses. The Long/Short difference suggests potential stability and resilience against short-term market fluctuations.