Long time no see! It’s time to discuss the latest updates in the cryptocurrency market.
This week in crypto brought a mix of shifting market dynamics, ecosystem shake-ups, and long-term forecasts that are prompting serious discussion across the industry.
From stablecoin competition in DeFi to leadership changes in privacy-focused projects and bold token distribution strategies, all the hot news is in our weekly digest.
Before diving into the news break, take a moment to explore how Evercode Lab can support your Web3 ambitions. With our white-label solutions, you can develop and launch your own crypto or Web3 product faster, easier, and with full technical support at every stage: from concept to release.
USDC Surpasses USDT in DeFi Activity
USDC (Circle) has overtaken USDT (Tether) in terms of activity within DeFi protocols. The corresponding value of the first stablecoin is $17.3 trillion; the second is $12.9 trillion, according to the Artemis analytical platform.
However, in the context of market capitalization, USDT is still the leader with an indicator of $186 billion. The current value of the USDC is $74.9 billion.
So, while USDT still leads in overall market capitalization, on-chain data shows that USDC is now more frequently used across lending platforms, decentralized exchanges, and liquidity pools.
This shift is largely driven by USDC’s stronger compliance positioning and closer alignment with regulated financial institutions.
DeFi protocols increasingly favor assets that are perceived as transparent and predictable, particularly as regulatory scrutiny grows.
Entire Zcash Development Team Leaves ECC
In a major governance shake-up, the full development team behind Zcash has announced its departure from the Electric Coin Company (ECC).
In short, the move follows an internal conflict related to project direction, funding, and governance structure.
According to former CEO Josh Swihart, most of the board members of the non-profit Bootstrap Foundation acted contrary to the mission of the private cryptocurrency. The structure supported and developed the Zcash ecosystem.
“In short, the terms of our employment were changed in ways that made it impossible for us to perform our duties effectively and with integrity.” – Josh Swihart (X)
Zcash has long been positioned as a privacy-focused blockchain, but the exit of its core developers raises questions about future development continuity and leadership.
While the Zcash network itself continues to operate, the loss of the team responsible for maintaining and improving the protocol may slow innovation in the short term.
Solana Mobile Allocates 30% of SKR Token Supply to Airdrops
Solana Mobile revealed plans to allocate 30% of the total supply of its upcoming SKR token to airdrops.
SKR will become a tool for managing the platform and distributing rewards between developers, users and partners. The total issue will amount to 10 billion coins.
The move signals Solana Mobile’s commitment to user ownership and long-term engagement.
By distributing a significant portion of tokens via airdrops, the team hopes to drive adoption of its mobile devices and Web3 app ecosystem while avoiding excessive centralization of token ownership.
Simultaneously with the launch of the token, the developers will introduce a new role, “Guardians”. These operators will be responsible for the security of the platform using the TEEPIN architecture. They will also verify the authenticity of devices, approve applications in the DApp Store, and monitor compliance with community rules.
Analyst Predicts Bitcoin Stagnation Until 2027
A market analyst, Keith Alan, suggested this week that Bitcoin (BTC) could enter a prolonged period of stagnation, potentially lasting until 2027.
The forecast points to macroeconomic pressure, slower inflows of new capital, and Bitcoin’s increasing maturity as an asset class.
According to Alan, the current movement of Bitcoin depends on the confrontation between buyers and sellers. The expert believes that a return to $87,000 is only a matter of time.
So, BTC may spend several years consolidating rather than experiencing explosive growth cycles seen in earlier market phases. For long-term holders, such a period could represent accumulation and infrastructure-building rather than price-driven excitement.
Final Thoughts
This week’s news reflects a crypto market that is evolving rather than slowing down, and it’s only the beginning of the year.
Stablecoin competition is intensifying, governance issues are reshaping legacy projects, ecosystems like Solana continue experimenting with user incentives, and Bitcoin’s long-term trajectory is being redefined.
As always, understanding these shifts is key to navigating the next phase of the crypto industry. Stay tuned with Evercode Lab for more weekly insights into blockchain trends, and explore how our white-label solutions can help your business innovate and thrive in the fast-moving Web3 ecosystem.