The past week has been a whirlwind of developments in the crypto world, from major Ethereum events to geopolitical market impacts. Kyle Heise and I covered some of the biggest topics shaping the industry right now. Let’s break it all down.
The Ethereum Conference Circuit: Mountain Dow & ETH Denver
Kyle attended both Mountain DAO and ETH Denver, giving us insight into the state of Ethereum builders and projects. Mountain DAO, a premier Solana-focused builder event, has grown significantly since its inception. With over 200 attendees at its peak this year, the event showcased some of the most exciting developments in Solana’s ecosystem. Founders like Anatoly Yakovenko (Solana’s creator) and Austin Federa (formerly of Solana Comms) were present, discussing new advancements in decentralized infrastructure.
ETH Denver, on the other hand, has expanded into a massive event, now hosted at a rodeo convention center. While the main event remains valuable, the real action happens at side events where smaller, more curated discussions take place. One of the key takeaways from ETH Denver was the increasing emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI) and how it’s shaping the crypto space.
Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN) Are on the Rise
One of the most exciting areas of development right now is DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks). This emerging category touches a wide range of industries, from decentralized cloud computing to drone-powered mapping. Some standout projects include:
Fluence – A decentralized computation cloud aimed at improving global computing power.
Spexi – A project that allows users to monetize drone flights by capturing high-quality images for mapping.
Glow Foundation – A platform enabling users to earn Bitcoin by harnessing solar energy from their homes.
A-Kave (A-KAVE) – A decentralized data storage project working with Filecoin to put media archives on the blockchain.
These projects reflect the broader trend of blockchain technology moving beyond financial speculation and into real-world applications.
Macroeconomics and Crypto Market Volatility
Recent geopolitical tensions and economic policies have created uncertainty in financial markets, impacting crypto prices as well. The looming tariffs from the Trump administration on Canada, Mexico, and potentially the EU have caused ripples across global markets. Bitcoin, which many still view as an alternative investment, is not immune to these macroeconomic pressures.
In the past week, Bitcoin’s price fell from its all-time high near $100K down to $79K, before rebounding to around $84K. These fluctuations are normal, but they highlight the growing correlation between crypto and traditional markets, especially as institutional investors continue to pour money into the space.
My Take
Markets thrive on stability, and right now, stability is hard to find. Whether it’s geopolitical conflicts, upcoming elections, or looming regulatory changes, uncertainty is everywhere. That being said, I remain extremely bullish on crypto’s long-term potential.
We’ve never seen more momentum in the industry. Regulatory cases against major crypto firms like Binance and Coinbase are being rolled back, and we now have a crypto summit scheduled at the White House on March 7. This is a sign that policymakers are beginning to recognize the industry's legitimacy.
The recent market pullback is nothing new. Historical data shows that 30-40% drops are common even during bull markets. If you’re long-term bullish, you should expect volatility and see it as an opportunity rather than a reason to panic.
The Role of AI in the Future of Work and Crypto
AI is transforming every industry, and crypto is no exception. Whether it’s trading bots, decentralized data processing, or AI-generated content, the integration of artificial intelligence is accelerating. One of my concerns is how AI will impact job markets, particularly entry-level positions. In fields like law and medicine, AI is already capable of automating significant portions of the workload. Those entering the workforce today need to be thinking about how to use AI to their advantage, rather than being displaced by it.
Podcasting and content creation are also on the brink of AI disruption. Tools like Notebook LM can generate AI-driven podcasts based on curated content, complete with realistic voices and dialogue. The big question is how much AI-generated content audiences will accept versus valuing real human perspectives.
The Reality of Altseason
Many traders are anticipating an “altseason,” but with 13 million tokens now in existence, it’s unlikely to look like previous cycles. Instead of speculative pumps across the board, I expect the real winners to be established projects with strong founder-led teams, real utility, and long-term vision.
Tokens to watch include:
Ethereum (ETH)
XYO (XYO)
Solana (SOL)
Chainlink (LINK)
Render (RNDR)
Hedera (HBAR)
Internet Computer (ICP)
Meme coins and hype-driven assets may see spikes, but sustainable gains will come from projects actually building something useful.
Crypto Prices (As of Today)
Bitcoin (BTC): $84,000
Ethereum (ETH): $3,200
XYO (XYO): $0.01277
Solana (SOL): $120
Chainlink (LINK): $17
Render (RNDR): $10.50
Bitcoin Market Cap: $1.65T
Ethereum Market Cap: $380B
Summary
The crypto industry continues to evolve rapidly, with major conferences like ETH Denver and Mountain DAO showcasing real innovation. DePIN is an emerging sector to watch, as blockchain technology moves beyond finance and into real-world applications. Meanwhile, geopolitical tensions are causing short-term volatility, but the long-term outlook for crypto remains strong. AI is increasingly shaping the industry, and those who fail to integrate it into their workflow may find themselves left behind. Finally, while an altseason may happen, investors should focus on projects with real utility and staying power.
Happy HODLing, everyone!
Share this post