TLDR:

• Ethereum EIP-8025 allows validators to verify blocks using ZK proofs instead of re-executing transactions
• zkAttesters can sync in minutes without holding execution layer state or running full EL clients
• The 3-of-5 proof threshold preserves client diversity while enabling proof-based block validation
• ePBS extends proving window to 6-9 seconds, making real-time proof generation feasible for L1-zkEVM
  

Ethereum is implementing a major architectural change in block validation, transitioning from transaction re-execution to zero-knowledge proof verification.

The L1-zkEVM 2026 roadmap introduces EIP-8025, which enables validators to confirm blocks through cryptographic proofs rather than running full execution clients.

This optional framework allows zkAttesters to verify blocks without maintaining execution layer state. The first L1-zkEVM workshop is set for February 11, 2026, at 15:00 UTC, marking the formal start of this development phase.

Technical Framework for Proof-Based Validation

The new validation pipeline operates through several coordinated steps. Execution layer clients generate an ExecutionWitness containing all necessary data for block validation without full state storage.

A standardized guest program then processes this witness to validate state transitions. Subsequently, a zkVM executes the program while a prover creates proof of correct execution. Consensus layer clients verify these proofs instead of calling execution clients to repeat computations.

Ethereum Foundation member ladislaus.eth described the transformation in a post explaining how proof verification changes the validation paradigm. “Instead of repeating the computation, you verify a cryptographic proof that someone else did it correctly. One proof. Compact. Constant verification time regardless of what happened inside the block,” the post stated.

This approach contrasts sharply with current methods where every node re-executes every transaction independently.

EIP-8025 establishes the consensus layer mechanics enabling this transition. Proofs from different execution client implementations circulate through a dedicated peer-to-peer gossip network.

The specification modifies block processing to allow attesters to verify proofs rather than execute transactions directly.

A preliminary 3-of-5 threshold requires attesters to verify three out of five independent proofs before accepting a block’s execution as valid.

Benefits Across the Validator Ecosystem

Solo stakers and home validators receive the most direct operational improvements. The ladislaus.eth post noted that zkAttesters eliminate the need for full execution layer operation and state storage.

“A zkAttester does not need to hold EL state. It does not need to sync the full execution layer chain,” the explanation clarified. Syncing reduces to downloading proofs for recent blocks since the last finalization checkpoint.

The resource savings extend beyond basic operation. Current validators must run both consensus and execution clients, with the latter consuming significant storage, processing power, and bandwidth.

These requirements scale linearly with gas limit increases. Proof verification replaces this scaling burden with constant-time verification regardless of block activity levels.

Multiple stakeholders gain from this infrastructure shift. Execution client teams can develop implementations as proving targets within a standardized framework.

zkVM vendors including RISC Zero, openVM, and ZisK can build against clear interfaces while working on what could become the largest zero-knowledge application globally.

Layer-2 teams benefit from infrastructure convergence, as validator proof verification enables shared proving infrastructure for native rollups through an EXECUTE precompile.

Development Status and Dependencies

EIP-8025 has been integrated into the consensus-specs features branch for eventual inclusion consideration. The 2026 L1-zkEVM roadmap divides work across six sub-themes: execution witness and guest program standardization, zkVM-guest API standardization, consensus layer integration, prover infrastructure, benchmarking and metrics, and security with formal verification.

The system depends on ePBS (Enshrined Proposer-Builder Separation) targeted for the Glamsterdam hardfork. Without ePBS, the proving window spans only 1-2 seconds, creating unrealistic constraints for real-time proof generation.

ePBS extends this window to 6-9 seconds through block pipelining, making single-slot proving feasible for production use.

Proving infrastructure remains under active discussion. The design assumes a 1-of-N liveness model where one honest prover maintains chain operation.

The ladislaus.eth post emphasized that “proving should remain viable outside of data centre infrastructure,” addressing concerns about centralization. Several zkVM vendors already prove Ethereum blocks, demonstrating technical feasibility ahead of protocol integration.

The February 11 workshop will address the full scope of development themes as teams move toward implementation.

Markets have modernized in almost every way—except one. Trading infrastructure has gone digital, execution is instantaneous, and information moves globally in real time. Yet most traditional markets still shut down on nights, weekends, and holidays. 

This is where TradFi intersects with crypto-native infrastructure. Platforms like Phemex are narrowing that gap by listing TradFi futures—price-tracking contracts tied to assets such as gold and silver—on infrastructure built for continuous markets.

Spot trading vs futures contracts

Spot and futures markets work differently, and that difference explains why TradFi futures matter. Put simply, spot trading means you buy the asset itself at the current price, whereas a futures contract tracks price under contract terms rather than giving direct ownership.

In traditional spot trading, buying a share or commodity involves a complex chain of custody, legal ownership transfer, and T+2 settlement cycles. This infrastructure requires banks and clearinghouses to be open, which is why trading halts on weekends and holidays.

A futures contract is a derivative, an agreement based on the price of an asset, not the exchange of the asset itself. Because of this, there is no physical action or need for a transfer in the event of a closed exchange market.

When the market closes, only the conventional infrastructure ceases to function; assets retain their worth. Phemex fills this gap by delivering a marketplace where price discovery and risk management continue uninterrupted.

Macro News Don’t Wait for Monday

Traditional finance (TradFi) and cryptocurrency markets are increasingly moving in the same direction. As crypto trading has matured, digital asset prices have become more closely linked to macroeconomic indicators that have long driven equities and commodities.

Interest rate decisions by the U.S. Federal Reserve, inflation data, labor market reports, and geopolitical developments now influence both stock indices and major cryptocurrencies. This growing correlation has reshaped how traders think about risk, timing, and market access across asset classes.

The introduction of TradFi futures on crypto-native trading platforms allows traders to respond to macroeconomic developments in real time. Instead of waiting for traditional market hours, traders can hedge positions or manage volatility as events unfold—an approach that is increasingly central to modern risk management.

Whether it is hedging a position or capitalizing on volatility, the ability to execute trades based on real-time macro news is no longer a luxury,; it is a necessity for modern risk management.

Why TradFi Futures Matter for 24/7 Market Access

The 24/7 openness of markets, remaining functional even during holidays and non-working days, is not merely a new generation innovation; it represents the natural evolutionary progression of trading. In the traditional financial world, when the market is closed, uncertainty and suspense tend to take hold. 

If a major event occurs over the weekend, traditional investors face significant gap risk, where the price jumps or drops substantially between Friday’s close and Monday’s open.

Through TradFi futures trading found on Phemex, traders can manage their positions at any time, day or night. This eliminates the waiting game that often leaves investors vulnerable to global news cycles that do not stop for bank holidays.

Unified Trading Across Crypto and TradFi Futures on a Single Platform 

Phemex focuses on reducing the liquidity and access friction typical of traditional markets.

The platform offers USDT-settled derivatives linked to traditional assets such as gold, silver, and selected stocks, alongside crypto derivatives. This structure allows traders to access multiple asset classes from a single account, without opening separate brokerage relationships or navigating lengthy funding and settlement processes.

(USDT-settled derivatives mean that profits and losses are settled in USDT rather than through delivery of the underlying asset.)

Phemex operates a unified margin system, enabling the same USDT balance to be used across gold, silver, and crypto futures. Because these contracts track price rather than involve physical settlement, custody and operational complexity are reduced.

As with cryptocurrency perpetual contracts, TradFi futures can be traded with leverage, allowing traders to increase exposure and improve capital efficiency without committing the full notional amount typically required by traditional brokers. Historically, access to equities or commodities—whether via direct ownership, ETFs, or futures—often required substantial upfront capital and fragmented infrastructure.

As demand grows for continuous market access and more flexible risk management, crypto-native platforms are increasingly addressing these structural limitations. Phemex positions itself within this shift by offering infrastructure designed for continuous, multi-asset trading.

The Modern Market Is Open 24/7

Market evolution is no longer a question of if, but how. As crypto and traditional assets increasingly respond to the same macro forces, their separation at the infrastructure level has started to break down.

The objective isn’t to replicate stock exchanges on crypto platforms. It’s to build faster, more flexible systems that allow traders to access traditional asset exposure with the efficiency they expect from modern markets.

Phemex is approaching this by replacing ownership friction with futures-based access. By using price-tracking contracts rather than physical settlement, traditional assets can be traded alongside crypto within a unified, USDT-settled environment.

Moving into the second quarter of 2026, trading across asset classes from a single margin currency is no longer a differentiator; it’s becoming the baseline for how modern markets operate.

As part of the launch of its TradFi futures offering, Phemex has introduced a limited-time campaign aimed at familiarizing traders with the new product. The campaign includes a temporary zero-fee trading period, loss-protection incentives for first trades, trading leaderboards, and task-based rewards. The initiative is designed to support early adoption and allow traders to explore TradFi futures within a controlled, risk-aware framework.

The Monero price is down about 2% over the past 24 hours and nearly 31% over the past month. Since peaking near $799 in mid-January, XMR has already fallen more than 65%. A rebound followed the drop to $276, pushing the price back toward the $330 area. At first glance, this looked like stabilization after heavy selling.

But a closer look tells a different story.

Bear Flag and Moving Averages Show the Downtrend Is Still Intact

On the daily chart, Monero is trading inside a bear flag structure.

A bear flag forms when the price drops sharply and then moves sideways or slightly higher in a narrow range. This pattern usually represents a pause before another decline, not a trend reversal. In XMR’s case, the fall from $799 to $276 created the flagpole. The recent XMR price consolidation is forming a flag.

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As long as the price remains inside this range, the dominant trend stays bearish. A breakdown below the lower boundary would likely trigger another major leg lower.

Trend indicators are reinforcing this view.

Exponential moving averages, or EMAs, are weighted price averages that give more importance to recent data. They help identify whether momentum is strengthening or weakening. When shorter-term EMAs fall below longer-term EMAs, it signals deteriorating trend strength.

Right now, Monero’s 50-day EMA is moving toward the 100-day EMA. At the same time, the 20-day EMA is drifting toward the 200-day EMA.

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These developing bearish crossovers suggest that short-term momentum continues to weaken relative to the broader trend. If these looming crossovers confirm while the XMR price flirts with the lower trendline of the flag, the breakdown theory would likely get validated.

Spot Flows Show Rebounds Are Being Used to Exit, Not Accumulate?

Exchange flow data reveals how investors are behaving during this consolidation.

In early February, Monero briefly showed strong outflows (buying pressure). During the week ending February 2, net outflows reached about $7.1 million. This suggested that some buyers were stepping in after the crash.

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But this support faded quickly.

By the week ending February 9, flows flipped to net inflows of around $768,000. More XMR was moving back onto exchanges than leaving them. This shift happened while the price dipped to $276 and then rebounded to the $327 zone.

This tells an important story. As soon as the price bounced, selling possibly resumed. Instead of holding for a recovery, many investors possibly used the rebound to reduce exposure. Loss exits replaced by accumulation.

When outflows turn into inflows during consolidation, it usually signals distribution. Supply is returning to the market. Without steady spot demand, rallies struggle to survive. This also explains why recent recoveries have been shallow. Buyers are not strong enough to absorb the returning supply.

With spot demand fading, the burden shifts to derivatives traders. But derivatives data show growing caution.

Falling Open Interest and Weak Funding Limit the XMR Recovery Potential

Derivatives markets provide insight into trader confidence and leverage. Open interest measures the total value of active futures contracts. Rising open interest shows that traders are building positions. Falling open interest shows that traders are closing positions and stepping away.

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In mid-January, Monero’s open interest stood near $279 million. By February 10, it had dropped to around $110 million. This represents a decline of more than 60%.

Such a sharp drop indicates that leverage is leaving the market. Traders are reducing risk rather than preparing for a major rebound.

At the same time, funding rates remain mildly positive. Funding rates reflect the cost traders pay to hold futures positions. When funding is positive, long traders are dominant. When it is negative, short traders dominate.

XMR’s funding remains slightly positive, meaning most remaining traders still lean bullish. But without rising open interest, this bias lacks conviction.

This combination is weak. Fewer traders are participating, yet optimism has not fully reset. It also limits the chance of a short squeeze. A short squeeze requires heavy bearish positioning. Without that pressure, upside accelerations are unlikely.

With leverage shrinking and spot buyers hesitant, the price lacks fuel for sustained recovery.

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Why $150 Is Becoming Key Target for the Monero Price

With technical, spot, and derivatives signals aligned, downside levels become increasingly important.

The first major support sits near $314. This area aligns with recent lows and the lower boundary of the bear flag. A decisive break below it would likely confirm continuation lower.

If $314 fails, downside opens quickly.

The next major demand zone is near $150, according to a key Fibonacci retracement level. A move from current levels toward $150 would represent another drop of more than 50%, consistent with the size of the first decline.

Below $150, deeper levels such as $114 and $88 exist. But $150 stands out as the first major zone where long-term buyers may realistically reappear, thanks to its psychological significance. That is why it has become the primary downside reference point.

For now, Monero remains trapped between weak demand and persistent supply. The bear flag shows consolidation, not recovery. Spot flows show selling, not accumulation. Open interest shows retreat, not confidence. Funding shows optimism without commitment.

To weaken and invalidate the bearish pattern, the Monero price must close above $350 and $532, respectively, on a daily candle close.

Institutional crypto exchange provider LMAX Group has unveiled Omnia Exchange, designed to allow users to seamlessly convert FX, crypto, stablecoins and other digital assets in one platform, the company said on Tuesday.

Described as a “a unified multi-asset infrastructure layer,” Omnia allows users to trade any asset directly against any other 24/7, without restrictions on size or type, and to settle on traditional rails or instantly on the blockchain, according to a press release.

LMAX’s cryptocurrency-focused business has long been a major player when it comes to institutional crypto trading, reporting $8.2 trillion in institutional volume last year.

Whereas LMAX Digital is an institutional crypto execution venue and custodian, focused on crypto-FX pairs, Omnia aims to bring FX, crypto, stablecoins and other digital assets under one roof, allowing any asset to be traded directly against any other (not just crypto vs fiat), a spokesperson for LMAX said via email.

LMAX CEO David Mercer said Omnia “crosses the rubicon” between traditional markets and digital marketplaces.

“Omnia Exchange is the foundation for a new paradigm in capital markets delivering the ability for institutions to exchange any asset, anytime, anywhere,” Mercer said in a statement. “By opening access to wholesale FX and digital asset markets globally, we’re removing barriers, reducing friction and unlocking liquidity. Institutions can exchange value as simply as sending a message, creating hyper-efficient capital.”

A recent deal between LMAX Group and Ripple to integrate the latter’s RLUSD reflects broader momentum behind stablecoins as tools for institutional market access, not just crypto-native use.

Let’s have a look at some numbers and try to understand where is the XRP price headed this week.

XRP returns above $1.4, but can it hold there?

Ripple (XRP) Price Predictions: Analysis

Key support levels: $1.4, $1

Key resistance levels: $1.6

XRP Price Reclaims $1.4

After the massive drop last Thursday, XRP recovered somewhat and returned above the support at $1.4. If this key level holds, buyers could retest the $1.6 resistance level in the future. Any failure there could see the price resume its downtrend.

Sellers Dominate

A review of the volume shows that sellers have been dominating since late December on the weekly chart. Worst, the selling volume has accelerated in early February, showing no signs of a change. However, increased sales volume could be the first step towards finding a bottom.

Daily RSI Bounces from Oversold Area

During the crash last week, the daily RSI reached 17 points, falling deep into the oversold area. Since then, this indicator snapped back above 30. As long as the daily RSI is under 50, the bias leans bearish.

US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) extended a tentative rebound after attracting $371 million in net inflows last Friday, adding to signs that institutional demand may be stabilizing following weeks of sustained selling.

Spot Bitcoin (BTC) ETFs attracted a further $145 million in inflows on Monday as BTC hovered around $70,000, according to data from SoSoValue and CoinGecko.

The inflows have yet to offset last week’s $318 million of outflows and $1.9 billion in redemptions year-to-date, but the slowing pace of losses may point to a potential trend reversal for crypto investment products, according to CoinShares.

“Outflows slowed sharply to $187 million despite heavy price pressure, with the deceleration in flows historically signaling a potential inflection point,” CoinShares’ head of research, James Butterfill said in an update on Monday.

Early Bitcoin holders unfazed by institutional inflows, Bitwise says

Bitcoin’s growing institutional presence has not driven early investors out of the market, according to a senior executive at asset manager Bitwise, even as the ETF saw heavy outflows during the latest crypto sell-off that pushed BTC back toward October 2024 price levels.

Analysts at research firm Bernstein described the recent downturn as the “weakest bear case” in Bitcoin’s history, noting the absence of major industry failures typically associated with deeper crypto market stress.

Related: Only 10K Bitcoin at quantum risk and worth attacking, CoinShares claims

With no clear single catalyst behind the decline, some market watchers have linked the volatility to Bitcoin’s increasing institutionalization, including ETFs, and concerns that broader financialization could dilute the asset’s scarcity narrative.

Still, that shift has not meaningfully deterred early adopters, Bitwise chief investment officer Matt Hougan said in comments to Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas.

Hougan acknowledged that a “cypherpunk, libertarian OG core” of Bitcoin supporters may be uncomfortable with the growing influence of large asset managers such as BlackRock, but described that group as a “shrinking minority.”

Many early investors are instead taking partial profits after large gains rather than exiting the market altogether, he said, adding that most remain invested even as new institutional buyers enter the space.

“They invested a few thousand dollars and ended up with millions,” Hougan said, adding:

“The vast majority are still in it, and they’re being augmented by new institutional investors. I think the story that most of OG crypto is giving up on the space just doesn’t align with the people that we talk to with the investors that are working with Bitwise.”

In line with a rebound in Bitcoin ETFs, spot altcoin ETFs also posted gains on Monday, with Ether (ETH) and XRP (XRP) seeing inflows of $57 million and $6.3 million, respectively, according to SoSoValue data.

Magazine: Bitcoin difficulty plunges, Buterin sells off Ethereum: Hodler’s Digest, Feb. 1 – 7