Ethereum Fees Plummet While Bitcoin DeFi Skyrockets 1,700% in Value

Ethereum Transaction Fees Hit Historic Lows

According to The Block, Ethereum transaction fees have dropped to multi-year lows, with the seven-day moving average generating less than $500,000 daily. This is a significant decrease compared to the 12-month peak of $30 million observed in March 2024. Despite this decline, daily transaction volumes have remained stable at approximately 1.2 million transactions per day.

The reduction in fees is attributed to the implementation of EIP-4844 (Proto-Danksharding) and the growing adoption of Layer 2 solutions. These advancements have made Ethereum more accessible for smaller transactions and DeFi operations. However, the lower fees have raised concerns about the long-term economic security for validators, as the network increasingly relies on ETH issuance rather than transaction fees for incentives.

“Ethereum’s fee collapse is a double-edged sword, improving accessibility for users but challenging validators’ economic security,” The Block reported.

While Ethereum continues to host the majority of stablecoin activity and emerging real-world asset protocols, its price performance has underperformed Bitcoin in 2025, challenging the narrative that network usage directly correlates with token value.

Transaction fees: Less than $500,000 daily
Daily transactions: Approximately 1.2 million
Peak fee revenue: $30 million in March 2024

The Future of DeFi: Bitcoin Takes the Lead

Cointelegraph highlights a shift in the decentralized finance (DeFi) landscape, with Bitcoin emerging as a strong contender. Ethereum’s DeFi ecosystem has faced challenges, including fragmented liquidity due to Layer 2 solutions and a lack of long-term sustainability. Solana, another alternative, has been criticized for its memecoin-driven ecosystem, which has attracted speculative activity rather than sustainable growth.

Bitcoin DeFi, however, is thriving. Total value locked (TVL) in Bitcoin DeFi surged from $300 million in early 2024 to $5.4 billion by February 2025, a 1,700% increase. Protocols like Babylon and Lombard are leading the charge, with innovative financial models such as dual staking and tokenized hashrate lending expanding Bitcoin’s utility.

“Bitcoin is no longer just digital gold; it’s becoming the foundation for the next phase of decentralized finance,” said Matt Mudano, CEO of Arch Labs.

With a market cap of $1.7 trillion and strong institutional interest, Bitcoin is poised to redefine DeFi, aligning with Satoshi Nakamoto’s original vision of a decentralized financial system.

Bitcoin DeFi TVL: $5.4 billion
Growth: 1,700% since early 2024
Key protocols: Babylon ($4.68 billion TVL), Lombard ($1.59 billion TVL)

Corporate Espionage Paid in Ethereum

Decrypt reports a corporate espionage case involving Keith O’Brien, a former employee of Rippling, who admitted to spying for competitor Deel. O’Brien was allegedly paid $5,000 in Ethereum per month between September 2024 and March 2025. He provided Deel with sensitive corporate information, including customer insights and strategic plans, via Telegram.

The scheme unraveled when Rippling served O’Brien with a court order to inspect his devices. O’Brien later confessed, stating, “I realized that I was harming myself and my family to protect Deel.” The case has sparked discussions about the misuse of cryptocurrency for illicit activities, as Deel reportedly chose Ethereum payments to avoid leaving a trace.

Payment: $5,000 in Ethereum per month
Duration: September 2024 to March 2025
Key platforms accessed: Slack, Salesforce, Google Drive

Ethereum Whales Accumulate Amid Price Dip

Crypto News reveals that Ethereum whales are taking advantage of the current price dip, with ETH dominance falling to 8%. Large transactions have surged, with over $40 million worth of ETH purchased in the past 24 hours. One whale alone has accumulated 33,441 ETH since March 26, 2025, at an average price of $1,959 per coin.

Despite Ethereum’s price dropping 46% over the past year, analysts suggest that its market cap dominance could rebound, historically bouncing back from similar levels. The increased activity among whales indicates confidence in Ethereum’s long-term potential.

ETH dominance: 8%
Whale purchases: 33,441 ETH ($65.5 million)
Average purchase price: $1,959 per ETH

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