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Dencun’s Forgotten Winners: 5 Tokens Benefiting More Than ETH Itself

Hook: “Everyone’s hyped about Ethereum after the Dencun upgrade—but what if the real winners are flying under the radar?”
Quick background on what Dencun is and why it matters (in beginner-friendly terms).
Brief hint: We’ll explore 5 tokens you probably didn’t expect to be crushing it right now.

What Is Dencun and Why Is Everyone Talking About It?

Explain in plain English: Ethereum’s big update = Dencun = major tech changes.
Break down proto-danksharding simply.
Why it reduces gas fees on Layer 2s (L2s).
Who benefits most? (Not just ETH!)

Why ETH Isn’t the Only One Winning Here

ETH is doing great, sure—but it’s not the only winner.
L2s are thriving thanks to lower fees.
This created momentum for other projects—some with bigger gains than ETH!

The 5 Tokens Benefiting More Than ETH After Dencun

1. Arbitrum (ARB) — L2’s Golden Child

How Arbitrum leverages Dencun’s data blob features.
Fee reduction + user migration = token spike.
Real-world use: ARB powering DeFi, gaming.

🔹 Pro Tip: Most users forget to bridge back to Ethereum—ARB lets you stay cheaper for longer.

2. Optimism (OP) — Not Just a Buzzword

Lower costs = more OP usage.
Builders are choosing Optimism for scalable apps.
Case example: Worldcoin and Base use Optimism stack.

🔹 Bonus tip: OP also powers Base L2, backed by Coinbase.

3. Polygon (MATIC) — Reinventing Itself for a Multi-Chain Future

While technically a sidechain, Polygon benefits from Ethereum scaling upgrades.
zkEVM + Dencun = synergy.
Lower fees = more devs choosing Polygon.

📊 2024 stat: Polygon zkEVM saw a 3x growth in active users post-Dencun.

4. Starknet (STRK) — Zero-Knowledge, Big Rewards

zk-rollup system gets cheaper after Dencun.
Dev interest surging, especially after STRK token airdrop.
Community momentum.

🔹 Hack: Many STRK holders are staking it for high yield—don’t miss that passive income opportunity.

5. Linea (No native token yet) — The Stealth Contender

L2 backed by Consensys, thriving after Dencun.
Still no native token—but heavy user growth = strong airdrop potential.

🎁 Alpha leak: Interact early with Linea bridges, DeFi platforms—they’re likely tracking activity for future drops.

How to Spot These “Side Winners” Early Next Time

Watch for projects with:
- L2 or zk tech focus
- High dev activity
- Low fees + fast transactions
Use platforms like DeFiLlama, L2Beat to monitor growth.
Be active: Many tokens reward early adopters.

FAQs

Q: What is proto-danksharding?
A: It’s a tech upgrade that makes Ethereum L2s way cheaper by compressing data better.

Q: Do I need ETH to use these other tokens?
A: You’ll usually need ETH to bridge, but once you’re in, most of them use their own tokens.

Q: Will these tokens outperform ETH long-term?
A: No one knows for sure—but short-term gains post-upgrade look strong for these.

Resources to Dive Deeper

Conclusion: Don’t Just Follow the Crowd—Follow the Tech

Ethereum’s upgrade helps everyone—but the biggest winners are often those building around ETH, not on top of it.
If you want in on the next big jump, start learning the L2 and zk landscape today.

💥 Ready to explore beyond ETH? Try bridging to one of these networks and see the speed and cost difference for yourself!

Disclaimer

We share experiences and research, but this is not financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrencies are volatile, and markets can change rapidly. Always consult a licensed financial advisor before making decisions. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or legal issues arising from your use of this information. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Do your research, assess your risk tolerance, and never invest more than you can afford to lose. By reading this, you agree that you alone bear responsibility for your choices.

Stay informed, stay safe.