January marked a strong start to 2026, with important infrastructure improvements, new partnerships, and community conversations across Ontology Network and ONTO Wallet. Below is a structured overview of what happened and why it mattered.

  Ontology Network Updates

January focused on network optimization, thought leadership, and strengthening the foundation for enterprise adoption.

A key milestone this month was the 80% reduction in MainNet gas prices, implemented on January 22 following community governance approval. This reduction significantly lowers transaction costs across the network, improving accessibility for developers and users alike.

On the thought leadership front, Ontology published articles exploring Web3 distribution evolution with a focus on trust and discovery, as well as insights on CeDeFi as a bridge between liquidity and self-custody. These pieces reinforce Ontology’s position as a thought leader in decentralized infrastructure. For broader context on these themes, a16z crypto explores how portable reputation is reshaping on-chain identity.

Additional highlights included:

2025 ecosystem expansion highlights showcasing growth across identity and DeFi verticals
Ongoing community governance participation in network parameter decisions
Continued infrastructure reliability and node performance monitoring

  Community Spaces in January

Web3 Unlocks Live Space exploring opportunities with ecosystem partners
These conversations provided insight into both technical developments and broader ecosystem direction.

  ONTO Wallet Highlights

January was an active month for ONTO Wallet, with new partnership integrations and trading campaigns driving user engagement.

The previously announced partnership with Changelly officially went live this month, expanding in-wallet exchange options for users. To celebrate the integration, ONTO launched a trading competition with a total prize pool of 5,400 USDT.

ONTO continued its focus on helping users navigate Web3 with confidence, maintaining its position as a trusted discovery wallet designed for clarity and security. As blockchain identity tools enter everyday life, self-custody wallets like ONTO play an increasingly central role.

  Network Activity Snapshot

As of January, the Ontology network has processed:
20,162,892 total transactions

This milestone reflects continued on-chain usage across the ecosystem.

  Looking Ahead

With gas costs significantly reduced and new partnerships in place, Ontology is well-positioned for continued growth in 2026. Industry analysts identify digital identity, regulation, and government adoption as pivotal Web3 trends this year, areas where Ontology’s infrastructure continues to deliver. The network remains focused on infrastructure reliability, ecosystem expansion, and community-driven governance.
Thank you for being part of the Ontology ecosystem. We look forward to sharing more updates in February.

Why This Matters

Transaction costs are one of the most significant barriers to blockchain adoption. For enterprises evaluating decentralized solutions, predictable and reasonable operational costs are essential for sustainable integration. For developers building the next generation of apps, lower gas prices mean more room to innovate and experiment.

Enhanced Accessibility: Lower transaction costs remove friction for new users and enterprises entering the ecosystem.

Developer Empowerment: Builders can deploy and test applications more cost-effectively, encouraging faster iteration.

Competitive Positioning: Ontology remains aligned with industry standards, offering compelling economics compared to other Layer 1 solutions.

Ecosystem Growth: Emerging apps benefit from a more cost-efficient environment, strengthening the overall Ontology ecosystem.

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