• Ethereum, being a large market cap, offers a low-risk, slow-growth opportunity.
• Solana, with its medium market cap, represents a medium-risk, medium-reward option.
• Sui, as a newer, smaller protocol, carries higher risk but also high-growth potential.

Bitcoin’s climb above $100,000 along with Trump’s upcoming inauguration about potential executive orders on cryptocurrency has investors keeping a close watch on market movements. Crypto analyst Nicholas Merten has highlighted three standout Layer-1 blockchains—Ethereum, Solana, and Sui—breaking down their price action, adoption trends, and performance metrics to gauge their impact in 2025.

Ethereum (ETH): Struggling to Outmaneuver Bitcoin

Ethereum continues to trail Bitcoin, with its value declining steadily since its 2021 peak against BTC. While its fundamentals remain solid—supported by stablecoin liquidity and DeFi adoption—Ethereum faces challenges from Layer-2 networks like Optimism and Arbitrum, which are drawing activity and app revenue away.

Merten characterized Ethereum as a slower-moving but reliable option for cautious investors. The analyst advised investors to wait for stronger trends before getting more involved with Ethereum.

Solana (SOL): All Eyes on Resistance Levels

According to the analyst, Solana has shown strong performance compared to Ethereum, maintaining a neutral price action with Bitcoin since 2021. Its growth is evident from key metrics like stablecoin liquidity, which has grown from the bear market lows, and app revenue, which has surged dramatically. 

In November, Solana hit a peak of $80 million in daily fees, and even during slower periods, it maintains strong daily revenue. This growth has led to Solana outpacing Ethereum in terms of price action. Merten said that if Solana can break certain resistance levels, it could further strengthen its position as a leading blockchain.

SUI: Exciting Yet Risky Investment

Sui, a fresh player in the blockchain space, has been making headlines, but it’s still in the early stages. While its technology looks promising, the actual adoption isn’t there yet. The metrics, like stablecoin liquidity and app usage, are growing but aren’t impressive enough to match the hype. Despite this, Sui has been outperforming Solana in terms of price, showing it’s capable of growth. Merten pointed it out as an exciting, yet risky investment for those willing to bet on its future.