Core’s latest upgrade boosts speed, security, and validator incentives
Core Blockchain Overview - October 23, 2025
Welcome to the Core Blockchain Overview, the Core community’s one-stop-shop for the latest on the network’s metrics, releases, insights, updates, ecosystem developments and more. All in one place.
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The Core blockchain by the numbers
Network’s daily transactions: 176.3K (-11.63%)
Total unique addresses: 68.3M (+1.4%)
ERC-20 daily tokens transferred: 18.4K (-1.6%)
Total CORE delegated: 240.6M (-0.74%)
Total BTC staked: 4,244 (-17.51%)
These metrics are accurate at the time of publication. The percentage change is over a 14-day period.
Inside the network
🔸What we’re watching: Core activated the Hermes Hardfork network upgrade on its testnet, bringing faster transaction finality, better validator operations, advanced developer tools, and commission support for both CORE token and bitcoin staking.
🔸Why it matters: As outlined in the developer notes, the upgrade enables key features like block confirmations in about 6 seconds, a maintenance mode that lets validators handle upgrades without penalties, and updated cryptographic precompiles so dApps can leverage zero-knowledge proofs.
Blockchain upgrades like these often help with chain maturity, as they help networks handle more user activity and stress load. Such improvements serve to attract new builders to the ecosystem, while incentivizing participation by allowing validators to earn a percentage on delegator rewards and letting third parties to integrate for shared earnings.
🔸The bigger picture: The upgrade comes as Core tries to appeal to a diverse number of sectors, from bitcoin staking and DeFi to social apps and gaming.
Sustained enhancements like this upgrade helps to attract developers, increase liquidity, foster innovation, and improve user adoption.
Ecosystem highlights
Core saw a 2,800% increase in the number of full-time developers on the blockchain compared to a year earlier, and the network’s active developers now stand at 357
Molten launched its MLTN token, alongside rewards for liquidity providers and community members
Watch this video of Core AI-powered smart contract verifier chatbot, which can inspect source code
Houdini collaborated with Core to launch a swap campaign with $10K in rewards
Check out the Core blog for more updates.
Delve into the Core community
B14g saw more than 23M CORE token staked in dualCORE, 340 new bitcoin staked, and more than 10K dual-stakers last week
Colend updated the borrowing limits on select assets to protect users against liquidation events
Unique active wallets on Pixudi rose 26.2% to 252.5k last week, and transactions increased by 27% in the to 254.2K same time period
Read about AKKA’s AI-powered trading layer, Taicho, designed for faster trade settlements
Join in the fun
Want to dive deeper into the Core blockchain?
Join the Core Ambassador program and help grow the ecosystem
Check out Core’s upgraded bridge to move assets from EVM chains to its blockchain
Participate in Molten’s trading competition for a chance at a $1M prize pool
Volta launched a trading challenge where users with the highest PnL get 100 CORE tokens
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This information is for entertainment purposes only. It should not be considered financial advice, nor should it be used to make investment decisions. Cryptocurrencies are high risk and you should consult a financial professional before making any financial decisions. Make sure you do your own research.