Ethereum is now handling more transactions than it has ever handled before, it is doing so at a fraction of what users were paying during previous market peaks.
This is an indication that there has been a shift in the use of the network, away from speculative use and into more real-world use. Data indicates that Ethereum’s scaling upgrades and Layer 2 rollouts are fundamentally changing its cost dynamics.
The daily transactions on the Ethereum network have risen to record highs, surpassing the highs reached during the market rally in 2021. The transactions now include decentralized finance, NFT platforms, stablecoins, and on-chain gaming. This implies that the transactions are no longer limited to a single area.
In contrast with past cycles, the growth of transactions is more uniform rather than clustered in events related to speculation. The network is supporting steady demand from users and applications operating at scale. The above trend indicates that ETH’s base layer is becoming more resistant to spikes in usage.
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Despite the record volumes, Ethereum fees are still significantly lower compared to their peaks in 2021. In the last bull run, fees rose very quickly as users rushed to fill blocks. Currently, the same level of demand is being cleared without any pressure on fees.
The data currently shows Ethereum processing approximately three times more transactions for a third of the price of its previous peaks. This is not a short-term reprieve, but rather a sign of real efficiency improvements. People are able to enjoy lower fees per transaction without compromising security.
Layer 2 networks are also playing an important role in ensuring that fees on Ethereum remain low. Rollups operate by processing off-chain transactions and then settling on ETH. This has ensured that Ethereum is able to scale horizontally while remaining decentralized.
As more applications move their activity to the Layer 2s, the base layer acts as a secure settlement hub. This split in functionality increases overall throughput without burdening ETH’s underlying infrastructure. A more scalable ecosystem emerges, one that can support widespread adoption.
There is a clear shift in the type of transaction demand on the Ethereum network, according to analysts. While in 2021, the surge in fees was largely driven by speculative trading and short-term mania, today’s transaction demand is more closely related to payment and settlement.
This change implies that Ethereum is increasingly used for actual economic activities. Transactions involving stablecoin transfer and decentralized applications make up a greater proportion of the transactions. These activities are more resilient and less subject to market cycles.
Although there has been a small increase in Ethereum’s fees in recent times, they are still very low when viewed from a historical context. However, the increase in fees is attributed to high demand rather than inefficiency. More importantly, the cost of a single transaction is still lower than that of other chains that are charging premium fees.
Compared to networks with less liquidity and adoption, Ethereum remains competitive. Despite increased activity, users are not seeing cost shock as in previous cycles, which implies that scaling improvements are working as expected.
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