Ethereum mainnet has recently experienced a surge in activity, with the number of daily active addresses surpassing the combined activity of all layer-2 (L2) scaling solutions. This resurgence highlights Ethereum's enduring importance as a core blockchain infrastructure, despite the increasing adoption of L2s designed to improve scalability and reduce transaction costs.
What are Layer-2 Solutions?
Layer-2 solutions are protocols built on top of an existing Layer-1 blockchain (like Ethereum) to enhance performance and reduce costs. They work by handling transactions off-chain, then bundling them together for settlement on the main chain. Common types of L2 solutions include optimistic rollups and zero-knowledge rollups. Examples of popular Ethereum L2s include Arbitrum, Optimism, Polygon zkSync.
Record-Breaking Activity on Ethereum Mainnet
On January 14, 2026, the Ethereum mainnet achieved an all-time high of 2,595,176 daily transactions, according to data from Etherscan. The number of new addresses added to the network on the same day also reached a remarkable 481,481. This increase signals not only greater activity from existing users but also the strong entrance of new participants into the Ethereum ecosystem.
Factors Driving Mainnet Activity
Several factors contribute to the high transaction volume on the Ethereum mainnet:
- Growth in DeFi Applications: Decentralized Finance (DeFi) continues to be a major driver of activity on Ethereum.
- NFT Transactions: The trading and use of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) contribute significantly to network traffic.
- On-Chain Gaming: Blockchain-based games are increasingly utilizing Ethereum for in-game assets and transactions.
- Enterprise Use Cases: Businesses are exploring and implementing Ethereum-based solutions for various applications.
Ethereum's Continued Importance
The record-breaking transaction volume on the mainnet, despite the growing popularity of L2 solutions, demonstrates Ethereum's continued importance as a core infrastructure. Experts view this as a significant indicator of the network's increasing adoption rate and the maturation of its ecosystem. Ethereum's developers are also continuously working on scalability and efficiency-focused updates, further contributing to the network's appeal. The recent Fusaka upgrade, deployed in December 2025, expanded data capacity and increased blob limits, which spurred a surge in network activity.
Impact and Considerations
Market analysts suggest that this increase in transaction volume could support Ethereum's network revenue and validator earnings in the long term. However, the impact of increased usage on gas fees is also being closely monitored. While recent network upgrades have helped to reduce fees, sustained high activity could potentially lead to increased transaction costs. JPMorgan has expressed some doubts about whether the surge in Ethereum's activity post-Fusaka upgrade can be sustained.
Active Addresses as a Key Metric
The number of active addresses serves as a key indicator of user activity and engagement on a blockchain network. It measures the unique addresses that initiated at least one transaction within a specific period. An increase in active addresses suggests a rise in network demand and ecosystem activity, while a decrease may indicate reduced on-chain interactions.
Looking Ahead
Ethereum is solidifying its position as a central blockchain platform for both individual and institutional users. While L2 solutions offer valuable scalability benefits, the Ethereum mainnet remains a vital hub for a wide range of activities, and network activity is expected to remain high in the coming period.
