Bitcoin and Ethereum Gain as Stellar and Hedera Roll Out Key Upgrades in 2026

What Shipped

As of January 15, 2026, the cryptocurrency market shows an interesting mix of gains and losses among some of the most talked-about blockchain projects. Bitcoin, the original and largest cryptocurrency, is trading above $97,000 with a healthy 24-hour price increase of about 2.08%. Ethereum, known for its smart contract capabilities, also experienced a positive move, rising just over 1.16% to $3,365.70.

On the other hand, several other projects, including Flare Networks, Hedera Hashgraph, Ripple, Stellar, and XDC Network, have seen their prices dip in the last day. For example, Stellar’s price fell nearly 4.7% to about 23 cents, while Hedera Hashgraph dropped around 2.68% to just under 12.2 cents. These shifts reflect ongoing market dynamics and specific developments within each ecosystem.

Alongside price movements, there have been notable updates and releases from some of these projects. Stellar recently published a series of insightful blog posts, including a year-in-review for 2025, a feature on redefining everyday payments, and an introduction to zero-knowledge proofs, a technology that enhances privacy and security. Hedera announced the implementation of HIP-1249, an upgrade to their smart contract platform that introduces precise throttling, helping improve network performance and reliability. They also shared highlights from their Q4 2025 events and announced winners of their Hello Future Ascension Hackathon, showcasing innovation within their community.

Why It Matters

Understanding these updates is important because they highlight how blockchain projects evolve beyond just price changes. For example, Stellar’s focus on “redefining everyday payments” signals efforts to make using cryptocurrency as easy and practical as cash or credit cards. This can help adoption by everyday users who want fast, low-cost transactions without technical hurdles.

Hedera’s smart contract improvements with precise throttling mean the network can handle more transactions smoothly without slowing down or failing. For developers and businesses building on Hedera, this translates to better user experiences and more reliable applications. These technical upgrades often precede wider use cases and can attract new projects and investors.

Meanwhile, Bitcoin’s steady price rise and positive market sentiment, boosted by lower volatility in the U.S. bond market, create a favorable environment for investors. Bitcoin ETFs (exchange-traded funds) are seeing significant inflows, with $830 million added recently, showing growing institutional interest. This combination of factors helps reinforce Bitcoin’s role as a store of value and a key player in the broader financial system.

Builders’ Corner

Developers and innovators within these ecosystems are busy creating tools and applications that push blockchain technology forward. Here are some highlights:

• Stellar’s Zero-Knowledge Proofs: Stellar recently shared five real-world use cases where zero-knowledge proofs can protect user privacy while validating transactions. This technology allows someone to prove they have the right information without revealing the information itself, a big step for secure and private blockchain applications.
• Hedera’s HIP-1249 Upgrade: This new smart contract feature introduces “precise throttling,” which helps manage network traffic efficiently. Think of it like traffic lights for data, ensuring no one transaction blocks others and the system stays responsive.
• Hackathon Winners: Hedera announced winners of their Hello Future Ascension Hackathon, highlighting new projects and creative solutions built on their platform. Hackathons are key events where developers explore new ideas and test the limits of blockchain technology.
• Ripple and Stellar Ecosystems: Both Ripple and Stellar continue to focus on payment solutions that can work across borders quickly and cheaply, aiming to serve banks, businesses, and individuals who need fast and affordable money transfers.

Quick Prices

What to Watch

Looking ahead, there are several things to keep an eye on in the blockchain space:

• Bitcoin Market Sentiment: After a period of uncertainty, market sentiment for Bitcoin has turned positive, often referred to as “greed” in trading terms. This could lead to more buying activity, pushing prices higher. Watch for how this trend develops.
• Institutional Interest: The recent inflow of $830 million into Bitcoin ETFs suggests growing confidence from big investors. If this continues, it could bring more stability and legitimacy to the crypto market.
• Stellar’s Payment Innovations: Stellar’s push to make everyday payments easier and more accessible is worth following. If successful, it could bring blockchain technology into mainstream use for things like retail purchases and international remittances.
• Hedera’s Network Upgrades: Keep an eye on how the new smart contract throttling feature impacts the user experience and developer adoption. Technical improvements often lead to more projects and partnerships.
• Regulatory Developments: As blockchain and cryptocurrencies become more integrated with traditional finance, regulatory clarity will play a big role in shaping the market’s future. Stay informed about any new rules or guidelines.

TL;DR: Bitcoin and Ethereum are seeing positive price momentum, reflecting growing investor confidence and institutional interest. Meanwhile, projects like Stellar and Hedera are focusing on technical upgrades and real-world applications, aiming to make blockchain technology more practical and user-friendly. Despite some price dips in other tokens, the overall ecosystem is advancing with new innovations and promising developments to watch in 2026.