Fundamental Deep Dive: ETH Consolidating as Digital Settlement Layer Amidst Supply Scarcity (Jan 2026)
This analysis positions Ethereum (ETH) as the crucial, foundational settlement layer for the digital economy in early 2026, driven by strong network effects and institutional adoption. Core drivers include a structural supply tightening from staking (near 30% locked) and low inflation (approx. 0.48% annualized), counterbalanced by surging utility in DeFi and the tokenization of Real-World Assets (RWAs).