Ethereum is making big moves again. Recently, $170 million worth of ETH has flowed into the Layer2 ecosystem. What does this reflect?



The staking side is changing. More and more funds are choosing to flow into Layer2 rather than stacking on the mainnet, indicating a market reallocation. So what will Ethereum look like in 2026? This is a question worth pondering.

The prosperity of Layer2 is indeed on the way, but what are the real highlights? Transaction volume? Ecosystem applications? Or something else?

There's also an interesting phenomenon—the MEME coin ecosystem on Ethereum. From Doge to Shib, and then to various new trends, will there be a true masterpiece? Will there be a breakout hit like Solana? It depends on community consensus and luck, but the market is definitely waiting.

The anticipation for ETF approval is also heating up. If an Ethereum spot ETF is approved, how much incremental capital will enter? This is another variable. Staking, ecosystem, policy expectations—these factors intertwine, making Ethereum in 2026 full of uncertainties.
ETH1,39%
DOGE2,71%
SHIB1,46%
SOL0,86%
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RebaseVictimvip
· 01-11 22:53
1.7 billion to Layer2? To put it simply, the mainnet congestion is too outrageous, and we need to divert traffic. --- Can meme coins become a hit? Dream on, unless the next crazy genius launches again. --- Will ETF approval really bring in incremental funds? Honestly, I’m more concerned about what it will actually look like. --- Staking, ecosystem, and expectations all piled together—aren't we just betting that it won't collapse at some point in 2026? --- What’s the point of L2 prosperity? As long as the mainnet keeps eating gas fees, users will never run out. --- That Solana breakout hit really struck a chord with me. Why can’t ETH produce something like that? --- Instead of thinking about what 2026 will be like, it’s better to understand how long you can hold.
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MetaEggplantvip
· 01-11 18:47
170 million invested in Layer2, indicating that big players are also starting to let go of the mainnet. This signal is quite interesting. Wait, the real opportunity is in MEME coins. Solana has gone mainstream, but Ethereum still hasn't produced a breakout hit. Staking, ecosystem, ETF expectations—all are changing. It's really hard to see clearly by 2026.
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RektButAlivevip
· 01-11 11:00
1.7 billion invested in Layer2? Basically, the mainnet fees are too high, so everyone has moved away. Can Solana's meme hit product be replicated? I doubt it... The ETH community just isn't wild enough. Will ETH take off after the ETF approval? I don't expect much increase; the capital has already been priced in. Staking and diverting traffic from the mainnet, in the long run, it's not that pessimistic. 2026 is too far away; I'm only concerned about whether we can rebound this year.
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SleepyValidatorvip
· 01-09 00:54
1.7 billion invested in Layer 2? Feels more like testing the waters; the real big players haven't moved yet. Don't just look at trading volume; the ecosystem is the key. Without applications, all of it is pointless. That MEME coin thing... just depends on who gets lucky, but Solana's breakout feels like ETH has yet to figure out how to break through. If the ETF really gets approved, that would be a game-changer. It's too early to say anything now. Staking, L2, ETF... if all three come together by 2026, it would definitely be exciting. Speaking of mainnet funds flowing into L2, does that mean the mainnet is about to cool down? I haven't quite figured out that logic. Market reallocation sounds nice, but it's really just gambling. It seems like everyone is waiting for a catalyst. Whoever comes out first doesn't matter; it will happen eventually. With so many Layer 2 solutions, who will be the last standing? Feels pretty crowded.
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GateUser-4745f9cevip
· 01-09 00:48
170 million invested in Layer2, to put it simply, the mainnet congestion is too severe, so everyone has moved away. --- MEME coins breaking out of the circle? What are you thinking, Solana hasn't even created a second Doge, why should ETH succeed. --- Staking, ecosystem, ETF all pushed together. 2026 is indeed a big game, but honestly, who the hell can really see it clearly. --- Layer 2 is crazily sucking liquidity, let's see if the mainnet will be drained to an empty shell. --- ETF has been implemented, is the capital really entering? I think big players have already quietly jumped on board, while retail investors can only watch and sip their soup. --- What did Solana's MEME coin breakout rely on? Luck + community consensus. Can ETH replicate this? I don't believe so. --- So the core still depends on which ecosystem applications can truly land, not on superficial trading volume.
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ApeWithNoChainvip
· 01-09 00:39
$170 million flows into Layer2, basically betting that the Ethereum mainnet is going to fail. As for MEME coins, Sol has already broken through many circles, and Ethereum is still grinding? It feels a bit awkward. Can ETF implementation really save the day? I'm a bit skeptical. Staking, ecosystem, ETF expectations—if all three are just mysticism, then let's wait and see in 2026... Mainnet migration isn't that fast, right? It all seems a bit exaggerated. A thriving Layer2 is easy to talk about, but who will foot the bill? Gas fees still need to be cut. Ethereum now is like an old man, still trying to compete with Sol for the young crowd—it's tough.
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NFTArchaeologisvip
· 01-09 00:37
It's somewhat like observing the economic flow in the late Roman Empire, a process where capital shifts from the center to the provinces. The 170 million in Layer2 isn't just a simple transfer of funds; it's more like the market is recording a renewed confidence—where you invest, you also bet. The only problem now is that we haven't yet seen clearly whether this is truly a prosperity of L2 or just a cover for the decline of the mainnet. We have to wait for time to tell.
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GasFeeTearsvip
· 01-09 00:34
1.7 billion invested in L2? The mainnet must be feeling pretty uncomfortable now, and staking yields are also expected to drop. Layer2 is hot, but where are the blockbuster hits that truly go viral? Solana has them, and we're still waiting. 2026 sounds nice, but it's better to get the ETF sorted out first before boasting. The MEME coin ecosystem is basically about betting on popularity; Shiba Inu was also born this way. Staking, ecosystem, ETF... there are too many variables, it feels like everyone is betting on policy trends. Is the mainnet really losing favor? The once king now has to rely on Layer2 to survive.
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SnapshotStrikervip
· 01-09 00:31
170 million invested in Layer2, in simple terms, the mainnet is too crowded. Staking rewards are being diluted to death, and funds will inevitably flow out. On Solana, MEME can take off, but for us ETH, it's just missing that "crazy" spirit. Who knows about 2026, if the ETF really gets approved, then that's another story.
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