Sept 5, 2025 — Global Crypto News — Several so-called zombie blockchains were once written off as “ghost chains” after the 2022 collapse of FTX and Alameda Research.
These include Solana, Algorand, Cardano, and BNB Chain. Today, they are staging a remarkable comeback.
These networks, which saw token prices crash by over 90% during the crypto winter, have survived thanks to active developer communities and a shift in the industry narrative.
Instead of being viewed purely as speculative “coins,” they are now positioned as middleware — secure, transparent infrastructure for tokenization, settlement, and decentralized applications.
What is a Zombie Blockchain?
A “zombie blockchain” refers to a network that continues to operate despite low user activity, minimal transaction demand, or a sharp drop in market relevance.
While many assumed these chains would fade away, their survival through downturns has strengthened their credibility.
Solana’s Lazarus Moment
Once dubbed the “Ethereum killer,” Solana suffered multiple outages and a 95% price drop by late 2022.
However, developers kept building, and today Solana is part of U.S. government discussions on a potential national crypto reserve.
It now hosts stablecoin pilots, high-speed decentralized exchanges, and consumer-facing apps reports Pymnts.com.
Algorand, Cardano, and BNB Chain Adapt
- Algorand has pivoted toward institutional-grade tokenization and compliance-heavy applications.
- Cardano continues to expand its smart contract ecosystem, focusing on real-world asset tokenization.
- BNB Chain, once tied closely to Binance, remains one of the most-used blockchains globally by transaction volume, powering gaming economies and low-fee token transfers.
Why the Revival Matters
The resurgence of these networks signals a maturing crypto industry. The focus is shifting from hype-driven price surges to enterprise-grade use cases like tokenized bonds, real estate, and commodities.
Forbes research published a list of 20 crypto billion-dollar zombies.
These are L1s with high valuation but "are unproven and have little utility other than for speculative crypto trading."
Notable mentions: $STX, $ICP, $FTM, $ADA, $EOS… pic.twitter.com/XDKOkrshfc
— Ignas | DeFi (@DefiIgnas) April 25, 2024
Surviving the bear market has given these chains a competitive edge in securing partnerships and large-scale pilots.
The return of zombie blockchains shows that in crypto, resilience can be as valuable as innovation.
