Vitalik Finally Says ETH Matters. Zak Cole: ‘Should Have Said That 5 Years Ago’
Speakers
Zak Cole
— Managing Partner of Number Group and President of the Ethereum Community Foundation
Laura Shin
— Host, Unchained
Summary
Vitalik Buterin posted that ETH is the most high-value product of Ethereum. Zak Cole and Greg Markou discuss that this acknowledgment is long overdue and that ETH's cryptoeconomics are under threat from competitors like Solana, Tron, and Hyperliquid. The panel debates whether the Ethereum Foundation is oblivious to competition and whether ETH can still win.
- Vitalik Buterin stated ETH is the most high-value product of the Ethereum blockchain.
- Zak Cole says this statement should have been made five years ago.
- Laura Shin argues that ETH's cryptoeconomics are broken and the EF is not focused on them.
- Zak Cole believes Ethereum is still doing well despite competition.
- Greg Markou says the EF is likely aware of competition but does not care about other chains.
- A new EIP proposes to cut ETH issuance in half, sparking debate.
- Competitors like Solana, Tron, and Hyperliquid are gaining revenue share.
- The broader crypto market is under pressure from AI attracting talent and attention.
Trade Ideas
ETH is still doing well.
Despite competition from Solana, Tron, and Hyperliquid, Ethereum is still performing well and is the dominant network. The broader crypto market is down due to AI taking attention, not because Ethereum is fundamentally weak. ETH remains a strong asset.
Up Next
This Unchained (Chopping Block) video, published May 28, 2026, features Zak Cole discussing ETH. 1 trade idea extracted by AI with direction and confidence scoring.