The Solana network suffered a massive DDoS attack
Since the end of last week, the Solana network has been under one of the most powerful DDoS attacks in history, with peak load reaching 6 Tbps, according to SolanaFloor. The scale of the incident is comparable to attacks on Google Cloud, AWS, and Cloudflare. Despite the intense traffic, the blockchain is stable: the average transaction confirmation time remains at ~450 ms, and the p90 is less than 700 ms, according to Pipe Network. Solana's founder called the network's stability a "bullish signal." However, following the attack, the SOL price fell 4% in 24 hours, to ~$127.
Bitcoin demand exceeds daily mining volume
Institutional players have begun buying Bitcoin faster than miners can mine it—for the first time since November, corporate demand has exceeded the influx of new coins. Over the past three days, purchases have outpaced production by 13%.
Against the backdrop of a more than 30% drop in the price from its October peak, financial companies' interest in digital gold has increased again. However, according to Capriole founder Charles Edwards, the market remains stressed in the $126,000–$80,500 range.
He noted signs of a "corporate flywheel failure": a sharp increase in leverage and record discounts to NAV at companies with Bitcoin on their balance sheets. These factors could slow the price recovery, despite the network's robust fundamentals.
Solana begins testing post-quantum cryptography
The Solana Foundation has partnered with Project Eleven to prepare the blockchain for the potential threat of quantum computing. As part of the project, experts assessed the risks to the network and developed a prototype testnet using post-quantum digital signatures.
The testing confirmed that quantum-resistant transactions can be scalable and viable. Solana emphasized that ensuring network security is essential not only for the present but also for the future. This year, the ecosystem will continue to develop with the launch of a second client and a new consensus mechanism. The specific post-quantum encryption standard used in the Project Eleven testnet has not yet been disclosed.
Buterin advocates for simplifying Ethereum
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin stated that the complexity of its ecosystem is holding back mass adoption. Although the network is technically decentralized—transactions are executed using open source code and verified by validators—in practice, participants still have to rely on a small group of developers. This undermines the "trustlessness" principle, which requires the system to operate without intermediaries.
According to Buterin, to simplify interaction with the blockchain, it is sometimes worth deliberately forgoing some technical capabilities. The Ethereum roadmap acknowledges this problem: the goal is to make interaction with the network as simple as using regular web applications.
To this end, a number of updates are being developed: smart contract-based wallets that hide technical details like fees and keys, as well as simplified node launches—in the future, a node can even be launched from a phone or through a browser extension. This will expand the user base and strengthen the network's decentralization.
The Hegota hard fork on the Ethereum network is scheduled for the second half of 2026
The Ethereum team has chosen the name of the next major update following the Glamsterdam hard fork: Hegota, scheduled for release in the second half of 2026. The name combines the city of Bogotá (the location of Devcon) and the star Heze. The decision was made at the last All Core Developers Execution meeting of the year. The next meeting is scheduled for January 5th.
Ethereum currently adheres to a rhythmic update schedule, twice a year. After Pectra and Fusaka in 2025, Glamsterdam is expected in the first half of 2026, followed by Hegota. This approach allows for gradual and predictable implementation of improvements, avoiding infrequent and complex network restructurings.
Bhutan is investing 10,000 BTC in the construction of a new megacity
Bhutan has launched the Bitcoin Development Pledge and will commit up to 10,000 BTC (approximately $1 billion) to support the economy. The primary focus is the construction of Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), an innovation hub in the south of the country.
In the coming months, authorities will approve an asset management strategy: the use of Bitcoin as collateral, low-risk return instruments, and long-term storage are being considered. The goal is to preserve capital and its purchasing power for future generations, capitalizing on the growth of BTC. Gelephu will be designated a special administrative region with transparent regulation to attract fintech companies and crypto projects.
Bhutan has been mining cryptocurrency using renewable hydropower for several years, turning excess generation into a source of income. The country currently ranks seventh in the world in BTC reserves, holding 5,984 coins (worth over $517 million). Bhutan is also implementing blockchain technology: a digital identification system for 800,000 citizens and a gold-backed TER token are in operation.
