MetaMask leads with 893.07 dev points, driving wallet evolution and stablecoin integration at the heart of Ethereum’s ecosystem.
Starknet jumps to second, reflecting strong progress in Layer 2 scaling and zk-rollup innovations for faster user experiences.
Chainlink remains a top-three player, maintaining crucial oracle infrastructure despite minor shifts in ranking.
The ever-evolving world of cryptocurrency, development activity serves as a crucial barometer for project health and future potential. According to Santiment’s latest data released on January 2026, Ethereum-associated projects are showcasing impressive coding vigor over the past 30 days. This leaderboard, tracking notable GitHub contributions while filtering out noise like forks and bots, reveals key players pushing the boundaries of blockchain innovation.
MetaMask Dominates With Wallet and Stablecoin Upgrades
Topping the chart is MetaMask with its mUSD stablecoin integration, clocking in at 893.07 development activity points. As a cornerstone wallet for millions, MetaMask’s consistent updates—focusing on user security, cross-chain compatibility, and DeFi accessibility—have propelled it to the forefront. This surge aligns with broader trends in Ethereum’s ecosystem, where wallets are evolving into full-fledged financial hubs. Investors should note its modest market cap of $23.89M, hinting at untapped growth amid stablecoin adoption.
Here are crypto's top coins that are partially or fully associated with the Ethereum-based ecosystem, by development activity. Directional indicators represent each project's ranking positioning since last month:
1) @metamask $mUSD
2) @starknet $STRK
3)… pic.twitter.com/3oq09Di4N0
— Santiment (@santimentfeed) January 5, 2026
Close behind is Starknet, securing second place with 264.97 points and a positive rank shift. As a Layer 2 zk-rollup solution, Starknet’s developers are laser-focused on scalability, reducing Ethereum’s congestion while enabling faster, cheaper transactions. Its token, STRK, saw a 0.2706% price uptick to $0.086819, reflecting community optimism. This activity boom could signal upcoming upgrades, positioning Starknet as a go-to for dApp builders in gaming and NFTs.
Ethereum Core Team Remains a Quiet Giant
Chainlink, the oracle giant, lands third with 179.13 points, down slightly from last month. Despite a -0.2698% price dip to $13.44, its $9.52B market cap underscores reliability in providing secure data feeds for smart contracts. Projects like Safe (fourth, 166.59 points) emphasize multi-sig security, while Decentraland (fifth, 93.1 points) drives metaverse advancements with virtual land and social features.
Even Ethereum itself ranks sixth at 92.27 points, with ETH trading at $3,349.78—a 0.2894% gain—demonstrating foundational strength. Lower ranks include Status (SNT), XinFin (XDC), Cartesi (CTSI), and Worldcoin (WLD), each contributing to niches like privacy, enterprise blockchain, and identity verification.
This data from Santiment highlights a vibrant Ethereum landscape, where high dev activity often precedes price rallies and ecosystem adoption. For traders, it’s a reminder: in Web3, code commits can be as telling as market charts. As 2026 unfolds, these leaders may dictate the next wave of blockchain evolution, offering savvy investors prime opportunities.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. CoinCryptoNewz is not responsible for any losses incurred. Readers should do their own research before making financial decisions.
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