CoinTalk

The cryptocurrency market is moving fast. We have transitioned from the era of slow, expensive Layer 1 blockchains to the high-speed "express lanes" of Layer 2. Now, as we approach 2026, we are entering the era of Layer 3.

Layer 3 networks, or "App-Chains," are specialized blockchains dedicated to a single specific purpose—like a high-performance video game or a decentralized social network. They offer what previous generations could not: zero gas fees for users, instant speeds, and complete customization.

For investors, this represents a massive shift. Capital is beginning to flow into these specialized ecosystems. In this guide, we highlight the top Layer 3 projects and the infrastructure tokens that are best positioned to dominate this new sector in 2026.

1. Xai (XAI)

If you are betting on crypto gaming driving mass adoption, Xai is the project to watch. Built on top of Arbitrum, Xai was developed specifically to solve the biggest headache in blockchain gaming: the complexity.

What makes it unique?
Xai operates as a Layer 3 that "abstracts away" the blockchain. This means traditional gamers can play games, trade items, and earn rewards without ever needing to manage a complex crypto wallet or pay gas fees.

Why it is a top pick for 2026?
As more AAA-quality games launch on the blockchain, they need a home that can handle millions of transactions per second without clogging up. Xai is currently the frontrunner in this space, making it a high-potential play for the upcoming gaming cycle.

2. Degen (DEGEN)

Degen is one of the most fascinating stories in the crypto space. It started as a simple reward token for users of the "Farcaster" social media protocol but quickly evolved into its own Layer 3 blockchain built on Base.

What makes it unique?
Degen is the first "community-first" Layer 3. It is designed specifically for low-cost, high-frequency micro-transactions—like tipping a content creator a few cents. Because it is an L3, these transactions cost fractions of a penny.

Why it is a top pick for 2026:
The "SocialFi" (Social Finance) sector is predicted to grow massively. Degen has captured a loyal, cult-like following that rivals major memecoins, but it has the technical utility of a serious blockchain.

3. Arbitrum (ARB)

While Arbitrum is technically a Layer 2 scaling solution, it is the most critical infrastructure player for the Layer 3 revolution. Through its technology stack called Arbitrum Orbit, it allows developers to launch their own Layer 3 chains easily.

What makes it unique?
Think of Arbitrum as the landlord. When projects like Xai (and dozens of others) build their Layer 3 chains, they build them on top of Arbitrum. This secures their networks and drives value back to the Arbitrum ecosystem.

Why it is a top pick for 2026:
Investing in Arbitrum is the safer "infrastructure bet." Instead of trying to pick which specific Layer 3 game or app will win, you are betting on the platform that powers them all.

4. Optimism (OP)

Optimism has a grand vision called the Superchain. They are not just building a blockchain; they are building a network of interconnected Layer 2 and Layer 3 chains that can all talk to each other seamlessly.

What makes it unique?
The "OP Stack" is the software that powers this vision. It has been adopted by some of the biggest names in the world. For example, Coinbase used it to build their Base chain, and Sony is exploring it for their own blockchain initiatives.

Why it is a top pick for 2026:
As major corporations enter Web3, they are choosing the OP Stack to build their custom chains. This institutional adoption positions Optimism as a titan of Layer 3 infrastructure for years to come.

5. Orbs (ORBS)

Orbs sits in a unique position. It doesn't try to replace L1s or L2s; instead, it acts as a decentralized backend that enhances them. It is often referred to as "Layer 3" infrastructure because it handles complex logic that smart contracts on Ethereum can't handle efficiently.

What makes it unique?
Orbs focuses on making DeFi trading better. It powers advanced trading protocols, liquidity aggregators, and decentralized derivatives.

Why it is a top pick for 2026:
As Decentralized Finance (DeFi) tries to compete with traditional stock markets, it needs the advanced execution logic that Orbs provides. It is a vital piece of plumbing for the financial side of crypto.

How to Position Your Portfolio

The "Layer 3" narrative is all about specialization.

• For high growth potential, look at specific Layer 3 tokens like Xai (XAI) and Degen (DEGEN).
• For long-term stability, look at the foundational layers that host these chains, specifically Arbitrum (ARB) and Optimism (OP).

Shiba Inu Price Prediction 2025: Will SHIB Skyrocket or Sink?

Over the past few years, Shiba Inu (SHIB) has evolved from a playful internet meme into one of the most talked-about cryptocurrencies in the market. Once seen as  Dogecoin’s little brother,  SHIB now has its own blockchain ecosystem, an army of devoted supporters, and a global investor base. But as 2025 unfolds, the big question remains: Will SHIB explode to new highs or struggle under market pressure?

Whether you’re a seasoned trader in the U.S., a beginner in the U.K., or an investor in Australia buying with AUD, understanding the forces driving SHIB’s price could mean the difference between catching a profitable wave or being caught in a downturn.

What Is Shiba Inu (SHIB)?

Launched in August 2020 by the mysterious founder known as Ryoshi, Shiba Inu started as a lighthearted alternative to Dogecoin. However, unlike many meme coins that fade into obscurity, SHIB has built real infrastructure. It runs on the Ethereum blockchain and has developed ShibaSwap (a decentralized exchange), Shibarium (its own Layer-2 blockchain), and even a planned SHIB metaverse.

The community, famously called the Shib Army, has played a major role in keeping SHIB relevant. With over 589 trillion tokens in circulation and a price far below a penny, SHIB remains accessible to investors with even small budgets — whether they’re buying in USD, GBP, EUR, or other currencies.

Shiba Inu Price Prediction for 2025

The crypto market is famously unpredictable, and SHIB is no exception. Current expert analysis for 2025 points to a wide range of possible outcomes:

1- Bearish Scenario: If crypto sentiment turns negative or new regulations put pressure on altcoins, SHIB could drop to around $0.0000123.

2- Average Scenario: With moderate ecosystem growth and a healthy market, SHIB could average between $0.000020 and $0.00003033.

3- Bullish Scenario: If Shibarium adoption takes off and token burns continue at a high rate, SHIB could climb to $0.00004595.

This spread in predictions comes down to market volatility and SHIB’s dependence on factors like Bitcoin’s performance, investor hype, and development milestones. For example, a recent 13.8% drop reported by Shiba Inu Coindesk shows how quickly sentiment can shift — but SHIB’s technical indicators, such as tightening Bollinger Bands, hint at the potential for a sharp price breakout.

Key Factors That Could Drive SHIB in 2025

One of the biggest strengths of SHIB’s growth potential lies in Shibarium, its Layer-2 blockchain, which has already processed over 328 million transactions. This expansion increases SHIB’s utility beyond speculation, giving it a functional role in decentralized finance.

Another major catalyst is SHIB’s aggressive token burn strategy. In April 2025 alone, the burn rate jumped by 3,465%, removing millions of tokens from circulation and gradually increasing scarcity.

On the governance side, Shytoshi Kusama’s call for a community election to choose SHIB’s next leader reflects the project’s commitment to decentralization — a quality that often resonates with long-term crypto investors.

Lastly, macroeconomic and political trends could give SHIB an unexpected boost. A pro-crypto stance in the U.S., especially after the political shifts of 2025, might open doors for broader altcoin adoption.

Shiba Inu’s All-Time High

One of the most common questions from new investors is: What’s the highest price SHIB has ever reached?

The answer: SHIB hit an all-time high of $0.000088 in October 2021 during the last major crypto bull run. This surge was partly fueled by social media buzz and even indirect boosts from Elon Musk’s tweets about Dogecoin.

Today, SHIB trades at around $0.000013 (as of August 14, 2025), far below its peak. While some headlines speculate about SHIB reaching $0.01 or even $10, these targets are extremely unlikely without enormous token burns. For SHIB to hit $0.01, its market cap would need to approach $5.9 trillion — more than Bitcoin’s current valuation.

Where to Buy Shiba Inu (and Why BYDFi Stands Out)

SHIB is available on many major exchanges, but one platform that has been gaining global recognition for accessibility, security, and low fees is BYDFi.

Here’s why BYDFi is a strong choice for buying SHIB:

Beginner-Friendly: A simple, intuitive interface makes it easy for new investors to buy their first SHIB tokens.

Multiple Payment Options: Supports credit cards, bank transfers, and even crypto-to-crypto swaps, making it convenient for investors in the U.S., U.K., Australia, and beyond.

In the competitive landscape of Layer 1 blockchains, new projects must offer a significant technological advantage to stand out. The SUI network is one such project, designed from the ground up to provide massive scalability and low-latency transactions for the next generation of decentralized applications.

This guide will explain the SUI blockchain, its unique architecture that enables parallel transaction processing, and the function of the native SUI crypto token.

What is the SUI Blockchain?

SUI is a high-performance, permissionless Layer 1 blockchain. It was developed by Mysten Labs, a company founded by former senior executives from Meta's Novi Research team who worked on the Diem blockchain project. The primary goal of the SUI network is to create a highly scalable and developer-friendly platform for building Web3 applications, particularly in sectors like gaming, social media, and finance.

The Key Innovation: An Object-Centric Model

The core difference between SUI and many other blockchains is its data model. While traditional blockchains like Ethereum use an account-based model, the SUI blockchain uses an "object-centric" model.

In this system, a user's assets are stored as distinct "objects". Simple transactions, like sending an asset from one user to another, only affect a single object and do not need to be ordered against unrelated transactions. This allows the SUI network to process many of these simple transactions in parallel, dramatically increasing its speed and throughput compared to blockchains that must process every transaction sequentially.

The Move Programming Language

The SUI network is programmed using the Move language, which was also originally developed at Meta for the Diem project. Move is a smart contract language designed with a strong emphasis on security and the formal verification of digital assets. Its structure helps prevent common programming errors and vulnerabilities that can lead to exploits, making it an attractive language for developers building applications that handle high-value assets.

The Role of the SUI Crypto Token

The native SUI token is the core economic asset of the SUI network. It serves three primary purposes:

• Gas Fees: The SUI token is used to pay for the transaction fees required to execute operations and smart contracts on the network.
• Staking: SUI holders can stake their tokens with validators to participate in the network's Proof-of-Stake consensus mechanism. In return for helping to secure the network, stakers receive rewards.
• Governance: The token is used for on-chain voting, allowing holders to participate in the future direction and development of the SUI protocol.

The Investment Perspective

Investing in SUI crypto is a bet on its unique architecture providing a superior platform for developers building high-volume dApps. Its ability to process transactions in parallel is a significant technical advantage. The project's success will depend on its ability to attract a vibrant ecosystem of applications that can leverage this speed and scalability to create compelling user experiences.

A New Era of Digital Transactions

The Fed’s 2026 Dilemma: How Deep Divisions Could Ignite—or Freeze—the Crypto Market

This is arguably the most important benefit. In the traditional system, your money in a bank is not truly yours; it is a liability the bank owes you. The bank has the ultimate control to freeze, seize, or block your funds. With cryptocurrency, when you hold your assets in a personal wallet where you control the private keys, you have self-custody. This means you are the only person on earth who can access and move your funds. It is the financial equivalent of holding a gold bar in your hand versus storing it in someone else's vault.

Lowering Costs and Increasing Speed

The traditional financial system is filled with intermediaries—banks, payment processors, and clearinghouses—that all take a cut and slow things down. This is especially true for international payments, which can be expensive and take several business days to settle. Cryptocurrencies, built on a decentralized network, remove many of these middlemen. This allows for transactions to be sent directly from person to person, often with significantly lower fees and a settlement time of minutes, not days. The network operates 24/7, 365 days a year, with no "banking hours."

Unprecedented Transparency

Most cryptocurrencies operate on a public blockchain, which is a shared, immutable record of every transaction that has ever occurred. While your real-world identity is not tied to your wallet address, the flow of funds is completely transparent and auditable by anyone in the world. This is a dramatic shift from the traditional financial system, where transactions happen behind the closed doors of private institutions. This transparency builds a different kind of trust—trust in the verifiable record of the network itself.

Access for Everyone: Promoting Financial Inclusion

Globally, billions of people are "unbanked" or "underbanked," meaning they lack access to basic financial services. To open a bank account, you typically need a fixed address, a government ID, and a minimum deposit. To participate in the cryptocurrency economy, you only need one thing: an internet connection. Anyone, anywhere, can download a wallet and receive funds, giving them access to a global financial system without needing permission from a central authority.

A Potential Hedge Against Inflation

A key benefit of certain cryptocurrencies, most notably Bitcoin, is their fixed and predictable supply. There will only ever be 21 million Bitcoin created. This is in stark contrast to traditional fiat currencies, which central banks can print in unlimited quantities, potentially devaluing the currency and your savings through inflation. For this reason, many investors view Bitcoin as a form of "digital gold"—a scarce asset that can potentially act as a hedge against currency debasement.

A Balanced Perspective: Understanding the Risks

It is crucial to be a responsible investor and acknowledge that these benefits come with significant risks and responsibilities. The freedom of self-custody means you are solely responsible for your security. The markets are notoriously volatile, and the technology is still new and evolving.

It's likely that you've heard the word "brokerage account" used in financial forums,  by  your astute friends.  However, what is it?  And above all, should you own one?

If you're weary of your money sitting in a low-interest savings account, trying to grow wealth, or planning for retirement, knowing how to open a brokerage account can transform your financial situation.

The definition, operation, types, and potential tax implications of brokerage accounts—including the taxable brokerage account—will all be covered in this tutorial.  If you've been asking "what is a brokerage account?" you've come to the right place. such as "how to open a brokerage account.

What is a Brokerage Account?

One kind of investment account that can be opened with a brokerage business is a brokerage account. The brokerage company will carry out investment orders per your request, and you can deposit funds into the account.

When buying stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or exchange-traded funds online, a lot of investors use brokerage accounts.  Once such investments are acquired, they are also held in brokerage accounts, which enables investors to monitor the growth of their portfolio over time.

There are no restrictions on how much you can deposit or what you can do with the money in a brokerage account.   You will not receive the tax advantages of other investing accounts, such retirement accounts, in return for this flexibility.

Different Types of Brokerage Accounts:

Before you rush to open one, it’s important to know that not all brokerage accounts are created equal

1. Taxable Brokerage Account

This is the most common type.  It’s perfect for general investing without contribution limits. However, it's subject to brokerage account taxes, which include: Capital gains tax when you sell an investment at a profit, dividend tax if your investments pay income.

2. IRAs and Roth IRAs for retirement

These have greater restrictions on withdrawals but give tax benefits.

3. Self-Directed versus Managed Accounts

Self-directed: The funds and stocks are chosen by you.

How to Open a Brokerage Account ?

After choosing a broker, it usually takes less than fifteen minutes to open an account with the company. In order to verify your identity, you will be required to submit your name, address, Social Security number, identification, and other personal data during the application process.

Parents can open a brokerage account for their children, but in most places, you have to be at least 18 to start an account.  Many brokerage businesses do not need an upfront deposit, and opening a brokerage account should be free of charge.

However, in order to fund the account later when you're ready to buy investments, you will need to link a bank account once you've opened it. Keep in mind that any funds you move or investments you buy in the brokerage account belong to you, and you can sell them at any moment.

The broker only manages your account and serves as a go-between for you and the investments you wish to purchase. There is no annual cap on the amount of money you can deposit into a taxable brokerage account, and you can open many brokerage accounts based on your objectives.

Final Thoughts:

A brokerage account gives you the freedom and flexibility to build wealth on your terms.  From opening the account to understanding brokerage account taxes, knowing the ins and outs can help you make informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes.

A brokerage account is one of the most powerful tools available for building wealth. Whether you're saving for a home, planning for retirement, or simply want to grow your money more effectively, a brokerage account gives you the flexibility and freedom to invest on your own terms.

From choosing the right type of account to understanding tax implications, being informed will help you  make confident investment decisions.  If you're serious about taking control of your financial future, opening a brokerage account is a smart first step