Ethereum (ETH), Pepe Coin (PEPE), and Solana (SOL) Could Rally as New Project PlutoChain ($PLUTO) Gains Traction

Cryptocurrency markets are displaying a mixed trend on Monday, with Bitcoin (BTC) attempting to regain the crucial $100,000 resistance level once again.

If BTC manages to break through this resistance, it could trigger a domino effect, leading to a rally in several leading altcoins.

Among these altcoins, Ethereum (ETH) is preparing for a crucial Pectra upgrade, Solana (SOL) is working on new network updates, and a new project called PlutoChain could also generate substantial buzz in the coming weeks with its Layer-2 foundation and potential to expand BTC’s network capabilities.

Let’s check out the deets.

Ethereum (ETH) Upgrading Staking Program with the Pectra Update in 2025

After "The Merge," Ethereum (ETH) has been focusing on enhancing its scalability and transaction speeds through various updates, including rollups and sharding.

These efforts aim to increase the network's capacity to handle a higher volume of transactions, increasing broader global adoption. The next major upgrade for the network in 2025 is the Pectra update.

According to Etheraider, once Ethereum's price reaches the $8,000–$10,000 range, current price targets of $10,000 are expected to be revised higher.

Pepe Coin (PEPE) Sees Increased Whale Activity That Could Push the Price Further in the Upcoming Weeks

Pepe Coin (PEPE) price is currently valued at around $0.00001629, with a notable 16.02% increase from the previous day.

The Relative Strength Index (RSI) for PEPE currently sits at 64.66, signaling strong buying interest among traders. Its price is holding above both the 50-day and 200-day moving averages.

Recently, a whale reinvested $24.5M into PEPE, after making $11M in profits earlier, according to Lookonchain.

DEFI OMEGA, a crypto analyst, suggested that $PEPE is on the verge of a major breakout. They believe the meme coin has the potential to generate major returns in the near term.

Solana (SOL) Still Struggling with the $200 Target but a New Breakout Could Help It Push Forward

Solana (SOL) is currently trading at $203, struggling to regain momentum after a challenging week. The price failed to break through the $206 resistance and closed the week with a 7% loss.

The $205 support level is now critical—if SOL dips below it, the price could drop further to around $185, especially if market sentiment remains bearish.

On a positive note, Solana's expanding presence in the NFT and DeFi spaces continues to draw attention, which might lead to a recovery. The next key target is $210, and if SOL reaches it in January, it has a good chance of maintaining that level.

PlutoChain ($PLUTO) Could Transform Bitcoin with EVM Support, Smart Contracts, and DeFi Opportunities

Among the new projects that could gain steam in the upcoming weeks is PlutoChain ($PLUTO), a Layer-2 solution that might help solve some of Bitcoin’s biggest challenges.

Bitcoin users often face issues like slow transactions, high fees, and network congestion, but PlutoChain introduces a parallel network that could ease these problems.

By operating alongside Bitcoin’s main blockchain, PlutoChain may reduce traffic, lower costs, and improve scalability—all without requiring changes to Bitcoin’s core design.

Bitcoin’s standard 10-minute block time often leads to delays, but PlutoChain’s Layer-2 technology offers block times as short as two seconds. This improvement could significantly enhance how users interact with Bitcoin.

With added support for smart contracts, PlutoChain could open up new opportunities for developers and creators while maintaining Bitcoin’s trusted security.

Its EVM compatibility might bridge Ethereum-based projects with Bitcoin, enabling DeFi applications, NFTs, and AI-driven tools to thrive within the Bitcoin ecosystem.

The PlutoChain testnet processes up to 43,200 transactions daily without congestion, showing its readiness for real-world use.

To ensure security, the platform undergoes audits by SolidProof, QuillAudits, and Assure DeFi, along with regular code reviews and stress tests.

Community involvement is also central to PlutoChain, where users can share ideas, debate improvements, and vote on key changes through its Discord channel.

The Bottom Line

Ethereum, Pepe, and Solana are all waiting for the next big rally to try and break current resistance levels and test new milestones.

But PlutoChain could gain the most traction as a new Layer-2 project that could finally help Bitcoin activate its full potential and upgrade its functionalities.

The potential mainnet launch will happen in a few weeks and it might