Cardano Overtakes Ethereum in Developer Engagement, Yet Lags Behind in DeFi Leadership and Overall Market Value

XRP Eyes $6 Surge as Regulatory Progress and ETF News Fuel Optimism

Experts point to a positive technical outlook for

heading into September 2025, citing a potential MACD crossover on the two-day chart—a formation that has previously signaled large upward moves. Currently trading at $3.12, XRP is hovering near important support, and the $5–$6 range is seen as a short-term goal if the bullish signal is confirmed. Ripple’s growing traction among institutions and the SEC’s dismissal of its lawsuit have strengthened the bullish narrative. Optimism has grown further following the SEC’s approval of standardized rules for crypto ETF listings, with 11 pending XRP ETF filings, such as the REX-Osprey XRP ETF (XRPR), which is scheduled to start trading on September 18. Analysts believe that green lights for ETFs could spark institutional interest, possibly pushing XRP toward $3.70 or above in a favorable scenario.

Cardano (ADA) Sees Uptick in Developer Engagement but Still Lags Behind

In 2025, Cardano outpaced Ethereum in core developer activity, recording 21,439 GitHub commits across 550 projects, compared to Ethereum’s 20,962. Despite this, ADA’s price has stayed relatively quiet, trading at about $0.69, with a $24.2 billion market cap—much lower than Ethereum’s $470.1 billion. Cardano’s emphasis on academic rigor and innovative governance attracts specialized developers, but Ethereum remains the leader in DeFi, NFTs, and enterprise adoption. Upgrades like the move to proof-of-stake and EIP-4844 have cut gas fees and improved scalability for Ethereum, further cementing its status as the top smart contract network.

Layer Brett Emerges as a New

Rival

As the search continues for the next breakout

coin, Brett (LBRETT) has attracted attention as a promising high-reward option. Layer Brett operates as an Ethereum Layer 2 platform, providing 10,000 TPS, $0.0001 gas fees, and a 900% staking APY. Observers suggest that features like near-instant transactions and broad compatibility could help Layer Brett outperform (SHIB) and (PEPE), both of which struggle with limited scalability. SHIB, now at $0.0000123, is challenged by slow adoption and network congestion, while Pepe’s weak technical signals cap its growth. Layer Brett’s community-driven approach and $1 million giveaway campaign add to its speculative appeal.

XRP’s Momentum from Regulation and Institutional Moves

The SEC’s universal rules for crypto ETF listings have simplified the approval process, with products like Grayscale’s Digital Large Cap ETF (GDLC) and Bitwise 10 Crypto Index ETF (BITW) awaiting review. XRP’s inclusion in such funds, together with Ripple’s legal win, has eased regulatory concerns. Partnerships with industry players such as DBS Bank and Franklin Templeton also strengthen XRP’s use in international payments. Should the REX-Osprey ETF succeed and further SEC approvals follow, demand for XRP could spike, possibly retesting its record high of $3.66.

Cardano’s Hurdles and Ethereum’s Continued Strength

Even with its developer growth, Cardano’s ecosystem is still relatively small, with only $250 million in total value locked and slow DeFi uptake—far behind Ethereum’s $60 billion plus. Ethereum’s mature tooling, EVM support, and enterprise partnerships—including with

and JPMorgan—reinforce its lead. Cardano’s careful approach and focus on sustainability may appeal to certain niches, but delays in rolling out solutions like Hydra have limited broader acceptance. Forecasters expect ADA to reach between $1.05 and $1.50 in the near term, but note that Ethereum’s dominance in functionality and integration shows no sign of fading.

Meme Coin Trends and Associated Risks

Although SHIB and PEPE retain a large following, their dependence on hype and lack of concrete use cases make them susceptible to rapid market shifts. Layer Brett stands out with its Layer 2 tech and staking rewards, blending viral appeal with real utility. That said, regulatory risks, price swings, and execution issues remain. Prospective buyers should exercise caution, as chasing high yields does

ensure future profitability.