Ethereum will soon undergo the **Pectra** upgrade, which will introduce several key improvements such as EIP-3074, EIP-7251, EIP-7002( focusing on optimizing batch transaction processing, staking efficiency, cross-chain interactions, and other areas. Taking into account market trends and potential update impacts, the following tokens and investment directions closely related to the Ethereum ecosystem are proposed:

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1. Ethereum )ETH( and its Layer2 tokens
- **ETH**: As a direct beneficiary of the upgrade, the price of Ethereum is expected to rise according to the forecasts of institutional investors )Bitwise predicts a possible exceeding of the $7,000 level(. The Pectra upgrade, through the optimization of the staking mechanism )such as EIP-7251 allowing a single node to stake a greater amount of Ethereum(, may attract more institutional participants, thereby increasing demand for Ethereum.
- **Layer2 Tokens**：
- **OP )Optimism(** and **ARB )Arbitrum(**: The Pectra update will further reduce the cost of L2 transactions, improve interoperability )for example, standardizing interchain ERC-7683( intentions, will contribute to the growth of the L2 ecosystem. The Grayscale report will also include OP in the list of key tokens in Q1 2025.
- **HYPE（Hyperliquid）**：A protocol for continuous contracts on the Arbitrum chain, which has recently significantly increased TVL, has been added to the Grayscale recommended list.
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2. Interchain Interaction Protocol**
- **LINK (Chainlink)**: as a leader in the oracle space, increasing demand for inter-chain data exchange will strengthen its position. Grayscale includes it in the key tokens in Q1 2025.
- **DOT )Polkadot(**: the main focus is on cross-chain interaction, after the upgrade the integration of the Ethereum ecosystem with multiple chains may stimulate demand for DOT.
- **Projects related to ERC-7683**: for example, **Across Protocol** )protocol across chains(, its tokens can benefit from a standardized cross-chain intent structure.
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3. The pledge and re-staking )Restaking(**
- **LDO (Lido)**: as a liquidity provision leader, EIP-7251 allows validators to integrate nodes, which can reduce Lido management costs and increase revenue efficiency.
- **JTO（Jito）**：Liquidity on the Solana platform to ensure, recommended for further display of the collateral extension direction.
- **EigenLayer Ecosystem**: even if tokens are not directly mentioned, the concept of important collateral )for example, through the joint protection EigenLayer( can contribute to the development of corresponding derivative protocols.
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4. DeFi and stablecoins**
- **AAVE**: Update batch transaction processing )EIP-3074( and gas sponsorship feature may lower the DeFi adoption threshold, benefiting lending protocols. AAVE is also included in Grayscale's list of key tokens.
- **ENA (Ethena)**: a protocol for a decentralized stablecoin, highlighted in the Grayscale report for its potential for its synthetic dollar USDe.
- **USDC/USDT**: Ethereum in the stablecoin cryptocurrency sphere occupies over 70% of the market share) will further strengthen its dominance under explicit regulation.
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5. Artificial intelligence and new directions **
- **TAO (Bittensor)**: decentralized artificial intelligence network, according to the gray market assessment, integrating artificial intelligence and Ethereum can generate new application scenarios.
- **VIRTUAL（Virtual Protocol）**：platform for creating artificial intelligent agents based on the underlying chain that has been added to the recommended list among serial investors.
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