Ethereum

**Replicats** launches on Base, offering AI Smart Wealth Companions that autonomously manage and grow crypto portfolios. The Ethereum-based mini-app will showcase at **Devconnect's App Showcase** this November, demonstrating how AI agents are evolving from simple chatbots to active portfolio managers. This follows a broader trend of AI agents integrating directly into DeFi platforms: - **Rhea Finance** embedded agents for borrowing, lending, and swapping - **TrebleSwap** deployed branded agents for seamless transactions - **Bitte's embeddable chat** enables real actions across 12+ blockchains These developments signal AI's shift from answering questions to **executing real financial actions** through conversational interfaces. *Experience live demos at Devconnect to see how AI companions could transform portfolio management.*

The **Ethereum Foundation's Funding Coordination team** has announced a joint initiative with **Keyring Network** to introduce a new approach to impact funding within the Ethereum ecosystem. This partnership represents a **strategic collaboration** aimed at improving how funding is distributed and managed for projects that create meaningful impact in the Ethereum space. Key highlights: - Joint initiative between two major ecosystem players - Focus on **impact-based funding** methodology - New approach to funding coordination The collaboration builds on the Foundation's ongoing efforts to support ecosystem development, following their recent launch of the 2025 Academic Grants Round with $2M+ in dedicated funding. *This partnership could signal a shift toward more collaborative and impact-focused funding mechanisms in the Ethereum ecosystem.*

The Ethereum ecosystem delivered significant developments across multiple sectors in recent weeks. **Traditional Finance Integration** - Ondo Finance launched Global Markets with 100+ tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs - ChinaAMC, a major asset manager, launched on Ethereum - FG Nexus became the first NASDAQ-listed company to bring dividend-paying preferred equity fully onchain - Kraken announced xStocks coming to Ethereum via xStocksFi **Infrastructure and Technical Upgrades** - Fusaka upgrade successfully deployed to Holesky testnet, preparing for mainnet scaling - Ethereum Phone started shipping dGEN1 devices with built-in wallets and native dapp support - Celo executed Ice Cream hardfork, activating EigenDA v2 for improved performance **Record-Breaking Metrics** - Stablecoin transfer volume surpassed $5T in Q3 2025 - Layer 2 networks processed 25M daily transactions (all-time high) - Worldcoin reached 16M verified users - Arbitrum One stablecoin supply hit $9B - Safe processed 600M+ transactions **DeFi and Applications** - Aave protocol now holds more assets than the 36th largest U.S. bank - Coinbase rolled out DeFi lending powered by Morpho Labs - American Express launched passport stamps on Base - $1.3B streamed onchain with Superfluid (2x year-over-year growth) **Innovation Highlights** - Aragon and MetaLeX launched BORGs - programmable legal entities bridging code and law - Pudgy Penguins launched mobile game globally - $2.5B in tokenized gold moved to Ethereum - Art Blocks artists raised $50M+ for charity The developments demonstrate Ethereum's expanding role in traditional finance, gaming, and institutional adoption.

Privacy isn't about hiding - it's about **control**. Just like closing a door or whispering to a friend, privacy means choosing what you share, when, and with whom. Online, this fundamental freedom becomes more complex. Digital interactions often lack the natural boundaries we expect in physical spaces. **Key insight**: Privacy equals choice, not secrecy. It's about maintaining agency over your personal information in an increasingly connected world. This principle applies whether you're casting a vote, having a private conversation, or managing your digital footprint.

**ZK-SYNC's Atlas** brings major advances to Ethereum scaling through zero-knowledge technology. Key improvements: - **Cheaper transactions** with near-instant processing - **Enhanced scalability** for better user experience - **Lightweight verification** - millions of transactions verified by mobile devices The breakthrough maintains Ethereum's **security and neutrality** while dramatically improving performance. ZK technology compresses multiple transactions into single proofs, enabling unlimited throughput. *This could transform smartphones into full Ethereum nodes.*

**Key Ethereum Developments:** - Pectra upgrade live with smart account features and 2x L2 capacity - Stripe launches stablecoin accounts in 101 countries - Uniswap reaches $3T all-time swap volume - Multiple L2s reach Stage 1: Base, Kinto, Scroll, and Starknet **Technical Achievements:** - ZKSync achieves full EVM equivalence - SuccinctLabs/RiscZero reduces block proving to 12s - Aztec launches public testnet for private L2 **Adoption Highlights:** - Coinbase integrates Farcaster social - AAVE partners with ANT for RWA marketplace - WorldID verifies 12.5M humans on L2 - MorphoLabs hits $1B TVL on Base

Microsoft Fabric users can now access Ethereum blockchain data through Space and Time's integration. This development marks a significant step in enterprise blockchain adoption. - The integration enables direct querying of Ethereum on-chain data - Space and Time, operating on ZKsync Chain, provides ZK-verified data - Enterprise users can now access trustless, queryable blockchain data for business analytics This collaboration bridges the gap between traditional enterprise systems and blockchain technology, making Web3 data more accessible to mainstream businesses.

A new 'Checkpoint' series has been introduced to provide condensed updates from Ethereum's weekly All Core Developer calls. - Series will cover 4-5 calls per update - Focus on high-level development progress - Aims to make technical discussions more accessible The initiative comes as Ethereum continues to evolve, with recent discussions including the Dencun upgrade coordination among core developers. *Follow the Checkpoint series to stay informed about Ethereum's technical development without getting overwhelmed by weekly details.*

The Ethereum Foundation emphasizes its dedication to treating information as a public good, highlighting two key initiatives: - **Research Grant Program**: Launched in 2022 to support academic research and knowledge sharing - **Next Billion Fellowship**: Focuses on documenting community impact stories and technological accessibility These programs align with the Foundation's core mission of keeping technology open and accessible while fostering community-driven development. *Learn more about ongoing research opportunities and fellowship applications through the Ethereum Foundation portal.*

Mulenga Kapwepwe, founder of the Women's History Museum of Zambia, initiated discussions with local tech experts about blockchain's potential role in cultural preservation. This exploration follows a growing trend of African cultural institutions seeking innovative technological solutions. The initiative connects with other regional movements like Bitcoin Dada in Kenya, which focuses on empowering African women in blockchain technology. Key points: - Museum founder exploring blockchain for heritage preservation - Local tech community engaged in discussions - Part of broader African tech adoption movement *This intersection of traditional cultural preservation and blockchain technology represents an emerging trend in African heritage institutions.*