Ethereum, now in its 10th year of operation, has demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability while maintaining its foundational values of decentralization and innovation. On July 30, 2025—marking a decade since its official launch—Ethereum continues to serve as a cornerstone for the next global financial system. Joe Lubin, co-founder of Consensys and Ethereum, recently highlighted this milestone by ringing the Nasdaq closing bell in New York for his latest venture, Sharplink Gaming (SBET). The event also served as a celebration of Ethereum’s enduring influence on blockchain technology [1].

Sharplink is one of several Ethereum treasury companies emerging as traditional corporations increasingly explore crypto assets. The firm’s strategy for managing ETH is being handled by a small team from Consensys, reflecting the growing institutional interest in Ethereum. This shift underscores Ethereum’s evolution from a speculative asset to a foundational infrastructure for global commerce and finance [1].

Ethereum’s origins trace back to 2013, when Vitalik Buterin proposed a blockchain that could run applications beyond financial transactions. The platform gained momentum through a 2014 crowdfunding campaign and officially launched on July 30, 2015. Over the past decade, Ethereum has navigated numerous challenges, including the 2016 DAO hack, regulatory hurdles, and network congestion. Despite these setbacks—and frequent predictions of its demise—Ethereum has consistently adapted and improved, proving its staying power [1].

Paul Brody, head of blockchain at EY, emphasized Ethereum’s role as foundational infrastructure for the future of commerce. “Ethereum is today already so much more than I ever thought it could be, and we’ve barely scratched the surface of all the use cases I have thought about,” he said [1]. The platform’s ability to evolve while staying true to its core values has been a key factor in its success, with developers and contributors playing a crucial role in its continued innovation [1].

Despite its achievements, Ethereum has not been without controversy. The platform has faced criticism over high gas fees, regulatory scrutiny, and internal disputes. Yet, through a series of forks and upgrades, including the transition to proof-of-stake and the development of Layer 2 scaling solutions, Ethereum has managed to overcome these challenges without compromising its decentralized principles [1]. As Joseph Delong, founder of Sushi and Kraken contributor, noted, “Ten years on, it has seen zero downtime, overcome insurmountable odds, and punctuated every moment with unimaginable victories” [1].

As Ethereum moves forward, the focus is shifting toward embedding compliance infrastructure directly into the technology stack. This trend is particularly relevant in the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector, where regulatory uncertainty remains a major challenge. Platforms like Predicate have partnered with TRM Labs to integrate real-time anti-money laundering (AML) and sanctions checks into smart contracts. This allows developers to enforce regulatory safeguards at the blockchain layer, ensuring market integrity while preserving user privacy [2].

These compliance mechanisms are being applied across key DeFi segments, including stablecoins, privacy protocols, and tokenized real-world assets (RWAs). Aleo, for instance, has implemented policy checks to prevent its network from being used for illicit activity. Plume, a blockchain supporting RWAs, automatically rejects high-risk deposits flagged by TRM’s tools. Similarly, Paxos has used programmable rules to restrict access to its yield-bearing stablecoin, USDL, based on geolocation and sanctions data [2].

The integration of policy infrastructure into DeFi represents a critical step toward responsible growth. By embedding compliance directly into the code, blockchain projects can align with real-world legal standards without compromising decentralization. This approach not only supports regulatory compliance but also fosters trust by enabling decentralized systems to express their values while maintaining operational integrity [2].

As the blockchain industry matures, the ability to scale compliance through programmable infrastructure is proving to be a viable solution for navigating the complex regulatory landscape. This shift from reactive measures to proactive, embedded compliance marks a significant evolution in how decentralized systems interact with traditional financial frameworks [2].

Sources: [1] [10 years on, Ethereum has rebuilt itself time and again…](https://www.theblock.co/post/364947/10-years-on-ethereum-has-rebuilt-itself-time-and-again-without-compromising-on-its-values-community-members-say) [2] [From Privacy to Policy: Building the Compliance Layer for DeFi with Nikhil Raghuveera](https://trmtalks.com/episode/14)