News related to
research

The total Ethereum balance held across centralized exchanges has dropped to its lowest level in nine years, a trend that reflects broader shifts in the cryptocurrency ecosystem. According to data from blockchain analytics firm Glassnode, the decline is part of a wider move towards decentralised finance solutions and self-custody. The drop in ETH held on exchanges is viewed as a significant signal for the cryptocurrency market, highlighting a transformation in investor behaviour and the growing trust in blockchain-based alternatives.

The total amount of ETH on exchanges has seen a steady decline over the past few years. Figures from Glassnode show that as of late 2025, the figure stands at its lowest since 2016. This shift is attributed to multiple factors, ranging from the rise of Ethereum 2.0, a push for increased decentralisation, to increased concerns over the security and control of centralized platforms. Investors are increasingly opting to take control of their assets, preferring private wallets, staking services, and decentralised protocols over traditional exchanges.

Experts suggest the move could be indicative of a maturing market. “This trend shows a growing level of sophistication among investors,” said Dr. Linus Hoff, an economist at the Blockchain Research Institute. “Ethereum’s evolving infrastructure, such as the transition to proof-of-stake and increasing use of layer-2 scaling solutions, is leading to a more confident investor base.” The shift away from exchanges also speaks to broader concerns over centralised platforms following a series of high-profile exchange failures and regulatory scrutiny.

Ethereum’s shift to proof-of-stake, which completed its transition in 2022, has had a profound impact on the ETH market. The upgrade enables holders to stake their ETH, earning rewards for supporting the network’s security, rather than leaving their assets on exchanges. This has fostered a growing staking ecosystem where users are incentivised to lock their ETH into DeFi platforms or staking protocols, removing it from exchange balances.

The declining ETH supply on exchanges has consequences for market liquidity. Lower liquidity can sometimes lead to higher volatility, with fewer assets available for immediate sale or trade. However, it can also reduce downward pressure on ETH prices, as large sell-offs become more difficult due to a lower concentration of tokens on exchanges.

The movement of ETH away from exchanges coincides with growing concerns over security. Many investors, especially those who have witnessed the collapses of firms like FTX and Celsius, are moving their holdings to wallets and decentralized applications. As a result, decentralized finance protocols have witnessed rapid growth in adoption. According to data from DeFi Pulse, the total value locked in DeFi has increased by over 40% in the past 12 months, with Ethereum remaining the dominant blockchain.

The continued growth of Ethereum’s staking ecosystem has become a focal point of this shift. As Ethereum offers a higher annual percentage yield for staking ETH compared to other forms of investment, it presents an attractive option for long-term holders. Decentralized exchanges like Uniswap and Sushiswap have benefitted from the movement, with increasing volumes being traded on these platforms. Furthermore, institutional adoption of Ethereum as a staking asset is increasing, providing another layer of legitimacy to the DeFi ecosystem.

The broader implications of the trend also affect the governance of Ethereum itself. As more ETH moves off exchanges and into private wallets or staking protocols, the distribution of Ethereum across a wider range of holders could lead to more decentralised decision-making. This trend could reinforce Ethereum’s position as the go-to blockchain for decentralised applications and smart contracts, which are critical to its future development.

The United Arab Emirates’s cloud-seeding programme continues to play a pivotal role in enhancing water resources, generating between 168 million and 838 million cubic metres of extra rainfall annually, of which 84 million to 419 million cubic metres is usable water—significant volumes in a country where the total annual rainfall stands at approximately 6.7 billion cubic metres.

Efforts are particularly intensive in 2025, with 185 cloud-seeding missions already carried out to date, including 39 operations in July alone. These missions, executed using advanced tools such as hygroscopic flares, nanomaterials and electric-charge emitters, aim to raise rainfall by 10 to 25 per cent under favourable conditions.

The programme is backed by a technologically advanced infrastructure. The UAE employs a fleet of four dedicated aircraft, 12 trained pilots, and utilises more than 60 weather stations, an integrated radar network, and the Emirates Weather Enhancement Factory, which produces high-quality seeding flares. With over 900 flight hours each year, the initiative represents a significant operational commitment.

New investments have further enhanced the programme’s precision and effectiveness. The integration of artificial intelligence and machine-learning tools enables real-time analysis of meteorological data, optimising cloud-seeding timing and target areas. Additionally, nano-enhanced flares, with superior rain-inducing capabilities, are being developed and deployed.

Scientific assessment supports the programme’s efficacy. A statistical study comparing historical rainfall data found that cloud seeding has contributed to a 22.8 per cent average increase in annual surface rainfall over seeded zones between 2010 and 2019. Other estimates suggest enhancements of up to 30–35 per cent in clear atmospheres and 10–15 per cent in more humid environments.

On the cost front, cloud seeding remains economical. Harvestable water produced through cloud seeding costs just $0.01 to $0.04 per cubic metre, compared with approximately $0.31 per cubic metre from advanced desalination plants. This makes rain enhancement a compelling supplementary strategy in the face of rising demand and declining groundwater levels.

While cloud seeding bolsters water availability, it does not function in isolation. Broad concerns remain regarding drainage infrastructure, which has demonstrated limitations during extreme rainfall events. For instance, heavy storms in April 2024 overwhelmed urban systems—while some speculated about cloud-seeding’s role, authorities and experts concluded that infrastructure constraints and climate-change-driven weather intensity were the primary causes.

Nevertheless, those involved in the research highlight the programme’s strategic importance. Alya Al Mazroui, Director of the UAEREP, emphasises its growing global recognition and potential applicability in other water-scarce regions. The programme—which is administered under the Ministry of Presidential Affairs and backed by the National Centre of Meteorology—continues to drive innovation in rain enhancement science.

Singapore has firmly established itself at the forefront of global digital finance innovation, particularly in the realm of tokenized assets. The city-state’s embrace of blockchain technology is reshaping the investment landscape, enabling quicker, more accessible, and transparent transactions. As financial institutions, startups, and regulatory bodies collaborate, Singapore is positioning itself as a pivotal player in the tokenization of assets.

Tokenization, the process of converting assets into digital tokens on a blockchain, has garnered significant attention for its potential to revolutionize various sectors, from real estate to commodities. In Singapore, tokenized finance is progressing from pilot projects to full-scale adoption, driving the country’s financial ecosystem towards greater efficiency and market accessibility.

One of the main driving forces behind Singapore’s success in this area is its robust regulatory framework. The Monetary Authority of Singapore has been instrumental in fostering innovation by providing a clear set of rules that encourage experimentation while maintaining investor protection. This regulatory clarity has given businesses the confidence to explore tokenized finance solutions without fear of running afoul of the law.

The growth of blockchain technology in Singapore has been swift, particularly in sectors like real estate, where tokenized property shares allow for fractional ownership. Investors no longer need substantial capital to gain exposure to high-value properties. Instead, they can purchase smaller stakes in tokenized properties, broadening the pool of potential investors and promoting liquidity in traditionally illiquid markets.

Equally noteworthy is the role of Singapore’s thriving fintech sector. The city has seen a surge in startups developing blockchain-based solutions, ranging from platforms for trading tokenized securities to services that facilitate the creation and management of digital assets. This startup ecosystem is supported by venture capital, which has flooded the market with investment, accelerating the development of blockchain applications in finance.

Global players are also taking note of Singapore’s advancements in tokenization. International banks and financial institutions are increasingly setting up operations in the city, attracted by the favourable regulatory environment and the city’s growing reputation as a hub for blockchain and digital asset innovation. For instance, HSBC and Standard Chartered have partnered with local firms to explore tokenized securities and digital asset offerings, cementing Singapore’s status as a global leader in this space.

The introduction of projects like Project Ubin has been pivotal in demonstrating the benefits of blockchain technology within the financial services sector. Initiated by the MAS, Project Ubin explored the use of blockchain for the clearing and settlement of payments, offering proof of concept for tokenized digital currencies. This project not only advanced the understanding of blockchain within financial markets but also helped to strengthen Singapore’s position as a blockchain innovation leader.

The government’s commitment to blockchain and tokenization goes beyond regulation. Singapore has also established itself as a key player in blockchain research and development, with several academic institutions focusing on the technology’s financial applications. Collaborations between private companies and research bodies ensure that Singapore stays at the cutting edge of blockchain development.

Tokenization also promises to democratize finance, giving more people access to investment opportunities that were once restricted to the wealthy. By lowering the barriers to entry, tokenized assets open up new possibilities for retail investors, who can now invest in a wide range of tokenized products with much smaller capital commitments.

Despite these advancements, challenges remain. As tokenization grows, concerns about security, compliance, and the stability of the underlying blockchain systems need to be addressed. Singapore’s regulatory bodies are aware of these risks and continue to refine regulations to ensure that tokenized markets remain secure and trustworthy. The development of more sophisticated security protocols and smart contract auditing tools is expected to further strengthen the ecosystem.