The upcoming Ethereum Merge isn’t just a pivotal moment for Ethereum’s native token, ETH—it’s also creating ripple effects across the broader crypto ecosystem. As the network transitions from proof-of-work (PoW) to proof-of-stake (PoS) in what’s expected to be a landmark shift in September 2025, several cryptocurrencies are already showing stronger performance than ETH itself.
With the final public testnet, Goerli, successfully upgraded on August 11, confidence in a smooth and timely Merge has surged. ETH responded with a 5% rally, briefly touching $1,950—the highest level in over two months. But more notably, select altcoins tied to Ethereum’s evolution have outpaced ETH’s gains, posting triple-digit returns in recent weeks.
What makes these assets stand out? And why could they continue to outperform even after the Merge goes live?
Let’s explore three cryptocurrencies—LDO, ETC, and OP—that are not only benefiting from Ethereum’s transformation but may also hold strong momentum beyond it.
LDO: Leading the Staking Revolution
One of the most significant changes post-Merge is the replacement of miners with validators—users who stake 32 ETH to secure the network. This high barrier to entry creates demand for liquid staking solutions, and Lido DAO has emerged as the market leader.
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Lido allows users to stake any amount of ETH and receive stETH in return—a token that represents their staked position and accrues yield over time. This flexibility has driven massive adoption. Currently, Lido controls over 4.15 million ETH in staking value, far surpassing competitors like Coinbase, which manages around 1.55 million ETH on behalf of clients.
As Ethereum completes its transition to PoS, institutional and retail interest in staking is expected to grow. That positions Lido—and its governance token, LDO—for increased utility and demand.
Since July 14, when Ethereum first confirmed a potential September timeline for the Merge, LDO has surged over 200%. Its strong ecosystem backing, decentralized governance model, and dominant market share make it one of the top beneficiaries of the new staking economy.
With continued protocol improvements and potential fee-sharing upgrades on the horizon, LDO isn’t just riding the Merge wave—it may help define the future of decentralized finance (DeFi) on Ethereum.
ETC: The Miner’s New Haven
While many celebrate the end of mining on Ethereum, thousands of miners face an uncertain future. That’s where Ethereum Classic (ETC) comes into play.
As a direct continuation of the original Ethereum blockchain before the 2016 DAO hard fork, ETC retains the proof-of-work consensus mechanism. It shares much of Ethereum’s early architecture, making it a natural migration path for displaced miners.
In recent weeks, ETC has attracted growing attention—not just from nostalgic supporters but from pragmatic miners seeking viable alternatives. Hashrate shifts have already begun, with data showing increasing network activity and mining pool support flowing into ETC.
Like LDO, ETC has gained over 200% since mid-July, outpacing ETH during a critical buildup phase. This momentum reflects both speculative interest and real-world network effects driven by miner migration.
Although ETC operates independently of Ethereum’s roadmap, its technical compatibility makes it uniquely positioned to absorb excess mining capacity post-Merge. If energy-efficient mining regions continue adopting ETC at scale, its long-term viability could strengthen significantly.
For investors looking at indirect plays on Ethereum’s transition, ETC offers exposure to infrastructure-level shifts—without relying on staking or layer-2 narratives.
OP: Powering Ethereum’s Scalability Future
Ethereum’s vision after the Merge includes a “rollup-centric” future—where layer-2 scaling solutions handle most transactions, while the mainnet ensures security and finality. Among these solutions, Optimism (OP) stands out as a frontrunner.
Optimism uses optimistic rollup technology to bundle off-chain transactions and submit them efficiently to Ethereum. This reduces gas fees and increases throughput, making DeFi and Web3 applications more accessible.
Since the official Merge date announcement, OP’s governance token has risen nearly 250%, signaling strong market confidence in its role within Ethereum’s evolving stack.
The project also benefits from the OP Stack—a modular framework that enables other chains and rollups to launch using Optimism’s proven infrastructure. Projects like Base (by Coinbase) are already built on this foundation, expanding OP’s ecosystem influence.
As Ethereum scales post-Merge, demand for efficient, secure layer-2 protocols will only grow. With strong developer support, growing TVL (total value locked), and strategic partnerships, Optimism is well-positioned to capture significant market share.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the Ethereum Merge?
A: The Ethereum Merge refers to the network's transition from a proof-of-work (PoW) to a proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus mechanism. This upgrade aims to make Ethereum more energy-efficient, secure, and scalable.
Q: Why are some cryptos outperforming ETH before the Merge?
A: Certain tokens like LDO, ETC, and OP have direct economic or technical ties to Ethereum’s transformation. Investors anticipate increased demand for staking services, miner migration paths, and layer-2 scaling—driving early price appreciation.
Q: Is LDO a good investment after the Merge?
A: LDO could remain compelling post-Merge due to ongoing innovation in liquid staking derivatives (LSDs) and rising demand for staking access. However, regulatory scrutiny around staking tokens remains a risk factor.
Q: Will Ethereum Classic replace Ethereum?
A: No. Ethereum Classic is a separate blockchain with a smaller ecosystem and development pace. While it may benefit from miner inflows, it does not compete with Ethereum’s technological roadmap or adoption.
Q: How does Optimism reduce transaction costs?
A: Optimism processes transactions off-chain and submits compressed data batches to Ethereum mainnet. This minimizes congestion and lowers gas fees while maintaining Ethereum-level security.
Q: Can OP overtake ETH in value?
A: While OP serves a critical function in scaling Ethereum, it operates as a utility and governance token within a specific ecosystem layer. It is not expected to surpass ETH in market capitalization but can deliver strong relative returns.
Final Thoughts: Riding the Evolution Wave
The Ethereum Merge is more than just a technical upgrade—it's a catalyst reshaping investor behavior across multiple crypto sectors. While ETH remains central to this narrative, assets like LDO, ETC, and OP offer leveraged exposure to key themes: staking dominance, miner realignment, and network scalability.
These aren’t speculative side bets; they represent foundational shifts in how value flows through the Ethereum ecosystem. As adoption grows and infrastructure matures, their roles may become even more pronounced.
Whether you're focused on short-term momentum or long-term positioning, understanding these dynamics can help you navigate one of the most transformative periods in blockchain history.
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