Ethereum News Today: Ethereum Turns 10 With $85B TVL and 56% NFT Growth in 30 Days

Ethereum, the world’s leading smart contract platform, marked its 10th anniversary on July 30, 2025, celebrating a decade of transformation from an ambitious idea to a foundational infrastructure for decentralized systems. Over the past ten years, the protocol has evolved into the backbone of decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and decentralized applications (dApps), with nearly $85 billion in total value locked (TVL) as of the anniversary [3]. In recent months, the NFT market has also seen $275.6 million in sales, reflecting a 56% growth in the last 30 days [3].

Aya Miyaguchi, President of the Ethereum Foundation, reflected on the project’s early struggles, including skepticism from developers who dismissed it as “just another scoin.” Despite the initial doubts, Ethereum grew into a global platform, attracting innovators like Stewart Brand and Brewster Kahle—pioneers in open digital systems—who helped shape the community’s long-term vision. The launch of the UNICEF Crypto Fund at Devcon Osaka in 2019 marked a significant step in demonstrating how traditional institutions could integrate blockchain [1].

Miyaguchi also highlighted Ethereum’s expanding global footprint, especially in underdeveloped regions. During her visit to Argentina in 2022, she observed how local builders in Buenos Aires’ Barrio 31 were using Ethereum to include more people in digital systems. The high number of women leading these initiatives further underscored the project’s inclusive potential [1]. In Africa, developers like Awosika Ayodeji and Yoseph Ayele have driven Ethereum’s adoption through projects in Nigeria, Ghana, and Ethiopia. Groups such as Borderless Africa and ETHAccra are using the network to support education, finance, and digital identity systems [1].

Ethereum’s continued innovation is evident in its recent upgrades, including The Merge, which transitioned the network to a more energy-efficient proof-of-stake model. Looking ahead, upcoming upgrades like Fusaka and Glamsterdam are expected to enhance data efficiency and accessibility [5]. Jason Linehan of Consensys noted that Ethereum’s Layer 1 could scale by up to 10 times in the next 12 months, supporting the rapid development of Layer 2 solutions [5].

Interoperability is another key focus. Hart Lambur of Risk Labs stressed the importance of seamless cross-chain communication in unifying the fragmented user experience. Future upgrades, such as the "surge," "scourge," and "splurge," aim to address transaction costs and maximal extractable value (MEV) protections, improving scalability and user experience [5].

Institutional adoption is also on the rise. Ethereum has seen over $9.65 billion in inflows following the approval of U.S. spot ETFs, according to CoinGlass. Experts predict Ethereum will become the core infrastructure for global finance, potentially replacing traditional systems with decentralized alternatives. BlackRock’s tokenization of funds on the Ethereum network is an early example of this shift [5].

Ethereum researchers are also preparing for potential threats like quantum computing by exploring quantum-resistant cryptographic schemes. Vitalik Buterin outlined possible improvements in 2024, and Linehan noted that Ethereum is the most advanced in readiness for such a transition [5].

The long-term vision for Ethereum includes becoming the global settlement and payment layer for all valuable assets on the internet. Experts anticipate that sustained on-chain throughput, institutional adoption, and real-world asset tokenization will drive Ethereum’s future growth. Amir Forouzani of Puffer Labs predicted that Ethereum could surpass Bitcoin in market value if it continues to improve user experience and deliver as a reliable financial infrastructure [5].

As the platform celebrates a decade of innovation, its ability to adapt and scale will determine its success in the next ten years. With a clear roadmap and a committed community, Ethereum remains well-positioned to lead the blockchain ecosystem and shape the future of digital finance [5].

Sources:

[1] "Ethereum at 10: Here’s How Far Biggest Smart Contract Platform Has Come" - [https://coinmarketcap.com/community/articles/688b619f23396a76e6026d0a/](https://coinmarketcap.com/community/articles/688b619f23396a76e6026d0a/)

[3] "Here's How Far Biggest Smart Contract Platform Has Come" - [https://www.coinlive.com/en/news-flash/864011](https://www.coinlive.com/en/news-flash/864011)

[5] "Ethereum Turns 10: What's Coming in the Next Decade?" - [https://decrypt.co/332724/ethereum-turns-10-whats-coming-next-decade](https://decrypt.co/332724/ethereum-turns-10-whats-coming-next-decade)