What Shipped
As of January 11, 2026, the cryptocurrency market shows interesting movements among several key players including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Stellar, Hedera Hashgraph, Flare Network, and XDC Network. Bitcoin, the most well-known cryptocurrency, is trading at about $90,618 with a slight dip of just under 1% in the last 24 hours. Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency known for its smart contract capabilities, has seen a modest increase of nearly 0.3%, now priced at around $3,100.
Among the emerging networks, Flare Network and Stellar are gaining momentum, with Flare up by about 0.34% to $0.011 and Stellar rising by 0.21% to roughly $0.228. Meanwhile, Hedera Hashgraph has experienced a more noticeable decline of about 1.38%, trading at $0.118. Ripple and XDC Network also saw minor decreases, with Ripple at $2.09 and XDC at $0.048.
On the development front, Stellar has shared several exciting updates through its official blog, highlighting its ecosystem growth in 2025, advancements in composability (which means making different blockchain applications work smoothly together), and innovative projects like tokenizing real estate with RedSwan. Hedera Hashgraph recently featured their quarterly event highlights and announced new developer tools like a Python Software Development Kit (SDK) for easier building on their platform.
In broader blockchain news, Chainlink, a decentralized oracle network that connects smart contracts to real-world data, reported strong dominance in on-chain finance throughout 2025. Robinhood, the popular trading app, also explained its move to build an Ethereum Layer-2 solution, aiming to combine Ethereum’s security with faster transaction speeds.
Why It Matters
Understanding these updates is important because they reflect the ongoing evolution of blockchain technology and its increasing integration into everyday finance and business. For example:
- Stellar’s progress in composability and tokenization shows how blockchain can make complex financial products like real estate more accessible and tradable, potentially lowering barriers for investors.
- Hedera’s new tools simplify development, encouraging more creators to build useful applications on their fast and secure network.
- Ethereum Layer-2 solutions like the one Robinhood is working on address common concerns such as high fees and slow transactions, making blockchain technology more user-friendly.
- Chainlink’s role highlights how smart contracts get trustworthy, real-world information, which is crucial for expanding blockchain use beyond simple payments.
Overall, these developments signal a maturing blockchain ecosystem, where diverse networks and technologies complement each other to create more efficient, secure, and practical solutions.
Builders’ Corner
If you’re curious about how these networks are being built and improved, here are some approachable highlights:
- Stellar’s Composability: This refers to the ability of different blockchain applications to seamlessly interact with each other. For instance, a payment app on Stellar can easily connect with a decentralized exchange, allowing users to swap tokens without leaving the app.
- Tokenizing Real Estate: RedSwan’s project on Stellar allows ownership of property to be represented digitally as tokens. This means you could buy and sell shares of a building quickly and securely, just like trading stocks.
- Hedera’s Python SDK: Software Development Kits (SDKs) are tools that help programmers create applications more easily. By introducing a Python SDK, Hedera makes it simpler for developers familiar with Python—a popular programming language—to build on their platform.
- Ethereum Layer-2: These are secondary frameworks built on top of Ethereum to improve speed and reduce costs. Robinhood’s Layer-2 aims to maintain Ethereum’s security while enabling faster trading experiences.
For new developers or enthusiasts, these examples show how blockchain is not just about cryptocurrencies but also about creating new infrastructures that support a wide range of applications.
Quick Prices
- Bitcoin (BTC): $90,618 (-0.92% last 24h)
- Ethereum (ETH): $3,100.51 (+0.29%)
- Flare Network (FLR): $0.01124 (+0.34%)
- Hedera Hashgraph (HBAR): $0.118 (-1.38%)
- Ripple (XRP): $2.09 (-0.22%)
- Stellar (XLM): $0.228 (+0.21%)
- XDC Network (XDC): $0.048 (-0.16%)
What to Watch
Looking ahead, here are some key areas to keep an eye on:
- Stellar’s Ecosystem Growth: Follow how their efforts in composability and tokenization develop. These could open up new investment opportunities and use cases.
- Hedera’s Developer Tools: As their Python SDK and other tools mature, expect more innovative applications and partnerships to emerge.
- Ethereum Layer-2 Adoption: Robinhood’s Layer-2 project is a great example of how major platforms are working to improve blockchain usability, which could influence broader market trends.
- Regulatory Developments: Recent news about the US Senate considering market structure votes and Tennessee halting certain crypto sports betting contracts show that regulation remains a critical factor for the industry’s future.
- Chainlink’s Expansion: As on-chain finance grows, Chainlink’s oracles will be essential for connecting blockchains with real-world data, so watch their partnerships and technology advances.
Staying informed about these areas can help you understand how blockchain technology continues to evolve and how it might impact your investments or interests.
TL;DR: Bitcoin holds steady near $90,600 with minor losses, while Ethereum and emerging networks like Stellar and Flare show modest gains. Stellar’s ecosystem shines with new projects on tokenizing assets and improving application interoperability. Hedera Hashgraph launches developer-friendly tools to foster growth. Ethereum Layer-2 solutions, like Robinhood’s, aim to boost speed and security for users. Regulatory changes and Chainlink’s expanding role in on-chain finance are important trends to watch. Blockchain technology continues to mature, offering exciting opportunities for investors and developers alike.
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