So, Ethereum – what’s the story behind its revival?

Ethereum, often seen as a struggling altcoin, has lived in the shadow of Bitcoin for a long time.

It reached an all-time high of over $4,000 in December but saw a steep decline of more than 50%, falling to around $1,500 by April.

However, with the much-anticipated Pectra upgrade and continued popularity of ERC-20 tokens, Ethereum is making a significant comeback.

As Ethereum rises, here’s a look at some of the best cryptocurrencies to consider buying amidst the market upswing.

Pectra Upgrade: A Game Changer

On May 7, 2025, Ethereum launched the Pectra upgrade, marking its most significant update since the 2022 Merge. This upgrade introduced 11 Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs), including:

• EIP-7251: Raised the staking limit per validator from 32 ETH to 2,048.
• EIP-7702: Enabled account abstraction, allowing gas fees to be paid in tokens other than ETH and allowing multiple transactions to be bundled.

These changes enhanced validator operations and scalability for Layer 2. Another notable EIP, 7691, improved blob performance, which refers to temporary data storage for Layer 2 solutions.

The Pectra upgrade increased the number of allowed blobs per block from 3 and 6 to 6 and 9.

This upgrade led to a remarkable 20% increase in ETH’s price—a significant one-day gain since May 2021.

While it may seem like Ethereum has come back from the brink, it’s important to note that its core DeFi operations never truly faltered; they just lost some momentum.

Recent updates from the Ethereum Foundation indicate a bright outlook ahead.

Ethereum Foundation’s $32.65M Investment in Layer 2

The Ethereum Foundation has allocated $32.65 million via its Ecosystem Support Program (ESP) to enhance Layer 2 efficiency and education.

These grants aim to bolster the Ethereum and EVM (Ethereum Virtual Machine) ecosystem. Key areas of funding include:

• Community and Education: Grants for 37 projects designed to foster global growth through events like ETHPrague and ETHiopia and educational programs like the Arabic Blockchain Developer Bootcamp.
• Cryptography and Zero-Knowledge Proofs: Support for 16 projects advancing zero-knowledge proof technology and post-quantum cryptography.
• Developer Experience and Tooling: Funding for 17 projects aimed at enhancing mobile SDKs, analytics tools, and validator support.

Moreover, the timing of the Pectra upgrade coincided with the implementation of a significant trade agreement between the U.S. and UK.

Ethereum has surpassed the $2,000 resistance level, suggesting potential for ongoing upward movement.

Is Bitcoin poised to reach $300,000 this year? Could Ethereum also set new records?

As Ethereum gathers momentum, here are four promising ERC-20 tokens to consider.

1. MIND of Pepe ($MIND) – Merging AI with Meme Culture

MIND of Pepe is an AI-powered meme coin that merges internet culture with autonomous intelligence.

This ERC-20 token offers holders unique advantages as it learns from the crypto market and engages with communities.

Benefits include:

• Market analytics
• Investor insights
• Access to special token offerings

The MIND agent operates independently on the blockchain. With over $8.9 million raised, enthusiasm for $MIND’s future is high. Current pricing is $0.0037515, with projections suggesting it could rise to $0.00535 by the end of 2025.

Visit the presale page to learn how to purchase $MIND.

2. SUBBD Token ($SUBBD) – Empowering Creators through AI

SUBBD Token ($SUBBD) is a Web3 content-sharing platform that leverages AI tools to enhance the creator economy.

The ERC-20 $SUBBD token facilitates transactions, staking, and governance on the platform.

Investors can stake $SUBBD for a 20% APY during presale, transitioning to platform-focused rewards after a year, offering discounts based on $SUBBD holdings.

Token holders receive early feature access and voting rights, while creators can reward fans with exclusive content. AI influencers on the platform assist in generating voiceovers and scheduling livestreams.

With over $350K raised in presale, potential investors can explore purchasing $SUBBD, currently priced at $0.05535, with predictions suggesting it could reach $0.301 within a year.

3. Chainlink ($LINK) – Essential for DeFi

Chainlink is a decentralized oracle network facilitating secure connections between smart contracts on Ethereum and external data sources.

Chainlink plays a crucial role in the DeFi landscape by linking various blockchains and ensuring the smooth operation of smart contracts.

$LINK is the utility token used in this network, incentivizing data providers (oracles) to supply accurate and reliable information.

4. Ethereum ($ETH) – Potential for Significant Growth

Indeed, $ETH’s price surged 20% in just a day.

Moreover, trading volume skyrocketed by 160%, hitting $52 billion in 24 hours.

Despite this, there’s plenty of room for further increases. Currently trading at $2,300, $ETH still has potential to reach highs of $4,000 seen in December.

Positive indicators and ongoing investments from the Ethereum Foundation suggest a bright future for the platform.

With challenges for Solana and other so-called ‘Ethereum killers,’ it seems that speculation about Ethereum’s downfall has been overstated.

Future-Focused Cryptos: Leading the Shift

What distinguishes top cryptocurrencies?

Similar to Ethereum, they focus on future advancements. This might involve adopting emerging technologies like AI or enhancing utility across Web3 platforms.

The most promising altcoins share a visionary outlook. Always conduct your own research before investing; remember that volatility is part of the crypto landscape.

Ethereum’s resurgence underscores the resilience of the crypto economy.