On‑chain development didn’t pause on January 24. While crypto markets were flat to slightly down, protocol teams rolled out major upgrades and new research that underscore how infrastructure continues to evolve, regardless of price action.
Tezos activates the Tallinn upgrade
The Tezos network activated its Tallinn protocol upgrade on January 24, requiring bakers and node operators to update to Octez v24. According to an AInvest article, the upgrade aims to enhance smart‑contract functionality and performance. The release is the latest step in Tezos’ self‑amending governance model and positions the chain as a scalable platform for enterprise applications. Institutional interest has also been rising: TenX Protocols acquired 5.54 million XTZ tokens to run validators and integrate the token into its payment infrastructure. These developments suggest that Tezos is building momentum heading into 2026.
MultiversX rolls out the Supernova upgrade
MultiversX (EGLD), formerly Elrond, executed its Supernova upgrade on January 24. The upgrade, approved with 99.64 % stakeholder support, decouples consensus from execution to enable sub‑second finality and support complex decentralised applications. Supernova introduces a tail‑inflation model in which 30 % of staked EGLD is redirected to productive yield strategies, creating a flywheel that links network value to ecosystem growth. Ecosystem initiatives such as Binance’s soft staking and xMoney’s MiCA‑compliant stablecoin aim to increase institutional adoption, suggesting that MultiversX is positioning itself as a high‑throughput chain for real‑world finance.
Chainlink brings real‑time equities on‑chain
On the oracle front, Chainlink announced a major infrastructure rollout dubbed the “$80 T update.” The update introduces real‑time U.S. stock and exchange‑traded fund (ETF) pricing to the Chainlink network, unlocking a massive universe of off‑chain financial data for DeFi applications. The integration will allow decentralised applications to access live equity prices for settlement, derivatives and synthetic assets, positioning Chainlink as a primary data layer for tokenised finance. Reserve balances on the network increased by 88,845.86 LINK in 24 hours, and open interest climbed to $233 million, signalling heightened institutional participation.
Other notable developments
- Quantum preparedness: Coinbase announced a Quantum Computing Advisory Board to study post‑quantum cryptographic risks and recommend security upgrades. The board will assess how blockchain systems can remain secure as quantum hardware develops.
- KuCoin World Laureates Summit: KuCoin hosted a summit in Dubai bringing together Nobel laureates, scientists and blockchain experts to explore AI‑blockchain integration. The event highlights the growing intersection of basic science and decentralised infrastructure and underscores the Middle East’s ambitions in blockchain adoption.
Market context and price snapshot
Crypto prices were relatively muted on January 24. Bitcoin traded in a tight range and closed near $89.39 K, down roughly 0.09 % from the previous day. Ethereum and Solana saw similar modest declines, while Monero and Binance Coin posted small gains. The bar chart below visualises approximate daily price changes for several majors.
Takeaway
January 24 shows that network advances continue irrespective of market sentiment. With Tezos upgrading smart‑contract functionality, MultiversX achieving sub‑second finality, Chainlink connecting DeFi to traditional equities, and researchers focusing on post‑quantum and AI integrations, crypto infrastructure is becoming more robust and versatile. The next bull cycle may well be driven by these under‑the‑hood improvements rather than short‑term price moves.
Let’s Connect:
Follow us on X: https://x.com/OnchainNewsBlog
Join our Telegram channel: https://t.me/onchainnewsblog
Subscribe to our newsletter: https://onchainnews.blog/newsletter-alpha/
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or trading advice. Onchain News does not provide recommendations to buy, sell, or hold any asset, and nothing here should be taken as a guarantee of future performance. Always conduct your own research and consult a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions. Cryptocurrency markets are volatile and you are responsible for your own risk.
Leave a Reply