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Amid intensifying competition between layer-one protocols to define the future of the digital economy, financial expert Raoul Pal has identified three key networks as future leaders. The Real Vision founder argues that Ethereum, Solana, and Sui will serve as the dominant digital infrastructure over the next decade. According to reports, Pal believes these blockchains will survive and capture the global market, while dismissing the long-term dominance of XRP.
These predictions are based on the "network effect" theory, which mirrors the evolution of operating systems and cloud computing where 3 to 5 major players eventually capture the entire market. Looking at peer performance, Solana has seen significant market cap growth over the past year, outperforming many rivals per market data, while Ethereum maintains its lead as the largest smart contract platform with Total Value Locked (TVL) exceeding $60 billion in May 2026 according to DefiLlama data. Conversely, XRP continues to face regulatory and competitive pressures that have impacted its appeal as a core infrastructure compared to newer networks.
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Sign InInvestors should monitor liquidity levels and on-chain activity on these networks, as ETH and SOL are currently trading within sideways ranges awaiting new catalysts (close June 11, 2026). On the macroeconomic front, traders are watching the impact of US inflation and employment data on crypto risk appetite, especially following Initial Jobless Claims of 225k on June 4, 2026. Upcoming technical upgrades for Solana and Sui will serve as critical tests of their ability to capture further market share from Ethereum.