Deep Dive
1. Solana Self-Custody Integration (Q4 2025)
Overview: BAT transitioned its reward payouts to user-controlled Solana wallets, replacing custodial systems. This reduces reliance on intermediaries and aligns with decentralized principles.
The integration required updates to BAT’s reward distribution smart contracts to interface with Solana’s blockchain. Users now receive BAT directly into non-custodial wallets, enhancing security and ownership.
What this means: This is bullish for BAT because it reduces counterparty risk and empowers users, potentially increasing adoption of Brave’s rewards system. However, technical complexity could delay payouts during initial rollout.
(Source)
2. Ethereum Fusaka Upgrade Compatibility (December 2025)
Overview: BAT developers optimized ERC-20 contracts to leverage Ethereum’s Fusaka upgrade, targeting lower gas fees and faster transaction finality.
The changes focus on batch processing ad-related microtransactions and improving interoperability with L2 solutions. This addresses Brave’s growing user base (101M+ monthly active users) needing cost-efficient BAT transfers.
What this means: This is neutral for BAT in the short term, as benefits depend on Ethereum’s upgrade success. If effective, it could reduce operational costs for Brave’s ad ecosystem by ~15–20%.
(Source)
Conclusion
BAT’s recent code changes prioritize user sovereignty (via Solana) and Ethereum scalability – critical for sustaining Brave’s ad-rewards model amid exponential user growth. While these updates strengthen fundamentals, adoption metrics and Ethereum’s upgrade performance will determine their real-world impact.
What developer activity signals might confirm BAT’s readiness for next-gen ad-tech demands?