This week’s market pulse centers on emerging Layer‑1 innovation, leveraged staking instruments, and novel protocol integrations. As ecosystems mature and narratives evolve, these four assets are capturing investor interest.
Aptos (APT): Expansion Through Developer Grants & Partnerships
Aptos is trading at $4.89, up 2.32% in the past 24 hours and surging 23% over the week. Core to this performance has been Aptos’s latest round of developer grant programs and strategic partnerships aimed at bolstering Move‑based smart contract activity. The team also highlights exploration into AI integrations, leveraging the same on‑chain protocol targeting Web3‑AI convergence. Daily on‑chain metrics show rising transaction volumes and active wallet counts. Sustained capital inflows and developer momentum may keep APT consolidating its role as a powerful Layer‑1 contender.
Near Protocol (NEAR): AU & Chain-Abstraction Drive Usage
NEAR is currently priced at $2.20, gaining 1.84% in 24 hours and up 14% on the week. Community updates this cycle emphasize NEAR’s push into User‑Owned AI, chain abstraction, and sharded blockchain architecture, tailored for real-world and AI‑native apps. These shifts reflect a broader narrative: NEAR is positioning itself as a foundation for AI-native Web3 ecosystems. On‑chain growth, driven by developer activity, underpins growing utility. If upcoming layer upgrades deliver, NEAR may sustain this upward trajectory.
Sonic (SONIC): Community‑Led Ecosystem Updates
Sonic trades at $0.0414, showing no change over 24 hours and little recent volume. Community-led articles this week detailed upcoming layer enhancements, staking integrations, and project migrations within the Sonic ecosystem. Despite little price movement, developers are preparing new tools aiming to unlock user growth. While the token lacks liquidity and trading activity, its roadmap suggests a potential uptick if ecosystem rollouts materialize. Sonic remains in a holding pattern until developer momentum translates into market traction.
Jito (JTO): Liquid Staking MEV & Institutional Interest
Jito stands at $2.19, down 2% in 24 hours but up roughly 9% across the week. As a Solana liquid staking derivative, Jito offers users MEV‑enhanced staking through its JitoSOL model . Recent data shows active institutional players boosting treasury allocations, while on‑chain reward mechanisms continue to compound value. With the price comfortably above support and decent volume, investor outlook is moderately bullish. Continued MEV yield innovation and uptake among Solana users will be key to JTO’s ongoing momentum.
Solana (SOL): ETF Filing and Ecosystem Momentum Propel Growth
Solana is trading at $150.50, showing no change in the past 24 hours and an impressive +11.5% week-over-week gain. The standout news this week is the filing for a Solana staking ETF by REX Shares and Osprey, now reportedly under SEC review, which sparked a bullish technical breakout through the mid-$140s resistance. This ETF buzz is reinforced by analysts predicting a run toward $168–$180, with some even aiming for the $200 mark if institutional interest accelerates. Meanwhile, on-chain metrics are equally promising: Solana recently reclaimed its position as the second-largest chain by DEX volume, overtaking Ethereum, and continues to process over 2,600 transactions per second, highlighting its throughput advantage. Developers are also gearing up as Q3 approaches, with the network extensions architecture set to launch, effectively scaling the mainnet without rollups. Altogether, Solana’s current setup marries structural ecosystem strength with major catalysts、both technical and regulatory—positioning it for a potentially significant run in the near term.
