In a discussion about the future of Ethereum, Jamie Elkaleh, CMO of Bitget Wallet, raises critical questions about the accessibility and usability of the asset.
Ethereum's Transition to a Financial Asset
Jamie Elkaleh notes that Ethereum has evolved from a smart contract pioneer to a trillion-dollar financial asset. However, most users do not interact with Ethereum as infrastructure, but as a speculative asset on trading screens. With billions flowing into ETFs, Ethereum risks being seen as 'digital gold' — valuable, but detached from everyday life.
The Impact of Wallets on Web3
Wallets, originally used just for storing keys, are transforming into hubs for Web3 activity, enabling payments, dApp access, staking, and more. Innovations such as gasless transactions and contract-based wallets are gradually breaking down technical barriers, particularly in emerging markets where wallets often serve as banking alternatives.
Outlook for Ethereum's Future
Elkaleh outlines two potential futures for Ethereum over the next decade: either as a financial asset locked in staking contracts and ETF vaults, or as a usable layer of open infrastructure powering everyday digital economies. Both outcomes are significant, but only the latter fulfills Ethereum's original promise of open, programmable finance.
Jamie Elkaleh's discussion emphasizes that the future of Ethereum depends not only on financial institutions but also on the ease of using its infrastructure through wallets.
