Key takeaways
Blockchain expansion in 2025 depends on genuine usage and technological advancements, rather than speculation or hype.
Active users, tracked via wallet addresses, are the crucial metric.
DeFi, NFT ecosystems, and stablecoin adoption are attracting millions of new users.
Collaborations with major platforms and institutional investments through Bitcoin ETFs are speeding up adoption.
Networks continue to face inflated metrics, scalability challenges, regulatory scrutiny, and competition between L1 and L2 solutions.
The blockchain sector is rapidly evolving, with new networks emerging to contend with established giants. But do these platforms genuinely achieve widespread adoption?
By 2025, blockchain growth is spurred by real user engagement and technological innovation, moving beyond mere speculation. From foundational layer-1 blockchains to efficient layer-2 solutions, networks compete to draw millions of users with low-cost transactions, seamless integration with mainstream platforms, and flourishing decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible token (NFT) ecosystems.
This article ranks the top 10 fastest-growing blockchains based on their active user growth.
Criteria for ranking
Our selection of the top 10 fastest-growing blockchains of 2025 primarily considers active user counts. Each listing also identifies whether the network operates as layer 1 (L1) or layer 2 (L2), the metrics supporting its growth, the main catalysts behind its expansion, and the challenges it faces.
For those unfamiliar, L1 blockchains offer foundational infrastructure with native consensus mechanisms, while L2 solutions aim to enhance L1 scalability and reduce costs. For instance, Ethereum serves as an L1 blockchain, while Polygon functions as an L2.
The term “active users” denotes a unique wallet address that finalizes a transaction.
Fully diluted valuation (FDV) represents the theoretical total market value of a cryptocurrency, assuming all its tokens are circulating at the present price. This measure provides a broader perspective on a project’s potential value and helps assess whether a token is overvalued or undervalued in relation to its total potential supply.
Top 10 fastest-growing blockchains
1. Solana
Solana is a high-speed L1 blockchain utilizing a proof-of-history (PoH) consensus mechanism, tailored for scalable decentralized applications (DApps) and marketplaces.
Monthly active users: 57 million
FDV: $107.2 million
Token trading volume (30 days): $284.2 billion
Key drivers: Solana’s growth is propelled by DeFi and NFTs, a boom in high-frequency trading of memecoins, and the Firedancer validator client enhancing reliability and fostering institutional adoption.
Challenges: Previous network outages impact reliability; other concerns include critiques of centralization and competition from L2 solutions.
Did you know? Solana’s proof-of-history allows it to process thousands of transactions per second, facilitating DeFi, NFTs, and even memecoin trading at remarkable speed.
2. Near Protocol
Near Protocol is a layer-1 blockchain employing a thresholded proof-of-stake (TPoS) consensus, concentrating on scalability, developer-friendly tools, and the integration of AI-native features for decentralized applications.
Active addresses (monthly): 51.2 million
FDV: $3.1 million
Token trading volume (30 days): $7.8 million
Key drivers: AI integration for user-owned agents and intents, low transaction fees combined with carbon neutrality, and partnerships such as EigenLayer for rapid finality, plus ecosystem expansion in DeFi and gaming.
Challenges: Competition from quicker L1s and L2s, price volatility despite user growth, and potential vulnerabilities linked to sharding complexity.
Did you know? Near Protocol proudly claims carbon neutrality with low fees and has shown significant momentum even amid fierce competition from quicker networks.
3. BNB Chain
BNB Chain is a Binance-supported L1 blockchain that accommodates DeFi, NFTs, and DApps with Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatibility.
Active addresses (monthly): 46.4 million
FDV: $121.2 billion
Token trading volume (30 days): $56.1 billion
Key drivers: Reduced block time to 0.75 seconds and AI integrations promoting data ownership.
Challenges: Concerns of centralization stemming from Binance’s backing and rising regulatory scrutiny.
4. Base
Developed by Coinbase, Base is an Ethereum L2 blockchain utilizing optimistic rollups, concentrating on low-cost DeFi, consumer applications, and seamless integration.
Active addresses (monthly): 21.5 million
FDV: $2.92 billion
Key drivers: Ultra-low fees averaging $0.01, Coinbase’s expansive user base of over 100 million for onboarding, stablecoin flows, and collaborations for consumer DApps.
Challenges: Network congestion from heightened activity, reliance on Ethereum for security, and regulatory compliance as a nascent ecosystem.
5. Tron
Tron is a high-throughput L1 blockchain concentrating on decentralized content sharing, integrating with Telegram, while prioritizing low-cost stablecoin transactions.
Active addresses (monthly): 14.4 million
FDV: $33.5 billion
Token trading volume (30 days): $51.7 billion
Key drivers: Almost negligible transaction fees, AI and cross-chain integrations, and partnerships such as with Rumble Cloud.
Challenges: Regulatory scrutiny and risks of centralization.
6. Bitcoin
Bitcoin is the original decentralized cryptocurrency utilizing proof-of-work (PoW) consensus, serving as digital gold for value storage and transactions.
Active addresses (monthly): 10.8 million
FDV: $2.3 trillion
Token trading volume (30 days): $1.3 trillion
Key drivers: Institutional investments via exchange-traded funds (ETFs). As of Q4 2024, professional investors managing over $100 million are holding Bitcoin ETFs valued at $27.4 billion. Reduced supply due to halving events and growing adoption as a strategic reserve.
Challenges: High energy consumption and volatility influenced by macroeconomic factors.
7. Aptos
Aptos is an L1 blockchain developed by former Meta engineers using the Move language, focusing on scalability, DeFi, and developer growth for DApps.
Active addresses (monthly): 10 million
FDV: $5.3 billion
Token trading volume (30 days): $13 billion
Key drivers: Peak transaction speed of 19,200 TPS; Move language enabling secure contracts; collaborations such as Tether’s USDt (USDT) launch.
Challenges: Requires broader adoption and faces competition from established L1s.
8. Ethereum
Ethereum is a leading L1 blockchain for smart contracts, DeFi, and NFTs, boasting a vast developer ecosystem and utilizing a proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus.
Active addresses (monthly): 9.6 million
FDV: $522.7 billion
Token trading volume (30 days): $1.1 trillion
Key drivers: Pectra upgrade for improved user experience and scalability, ETF inflows, and institutional staking.
Challenges: Scalability challenges, higher fees compared to peers, and regulatory pressures.
9. Polygon
Polygon provides a multichain scaling solution for Ethereum using PoS, supporting DeFi, NFTs, and enterprise applications while ensuring EVM compatibility.
Active addresses (monthly): 7.2 million
FDV: $2.6 billion
Token trading volume (30 days): $4.2 billion
Key drivers: Upgrades like Heimdall v2 promoting interoperability and collaborations with Fortune 500 companies.
Challenges: Regulatory scrutiny under Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) and competition from other L2s.
Did you know? The Polygon upgrade Heimdall v2 has enhanced interoperability across chains, reinforcing Polygon’s position as a multichain scaling hub in the web3 space.
10. Arbitrum One
Arbitrum One is a prominent Ethereum L2 utilizing optimistic rollups for quicker, less expensive transactions while benefiting from Ethereum’s security.
Active addresses (monthly): 4 million
FDV: $5.1 billion
Token trading volume (30 days): $14.3 billion
Key drivers: Integrations like Robinhood for tokenized assets and improvements such as Stylus for lower fees.
Challenges: Reliance on the Ethereum mainnet, regulatory ambiguity, and competition from Optimism.
Trends driving blockchain growth
The narrative of blockchain in 2025 is one of momentum. New technologies and mainstream acceptance are propelling growth on both the foundational L1 level and the scaling L2 layer. The key trends include:
Stablecoin adoption enhancing transaction volumes: Stablecoins like USDT and USDC are notably increasing transaction activity, improving liquidity and user engagement across ecosystems.
Layer-2 solutions boosting scalability and minimizing costs: Solutions such as Arbitrum One and Base enhance Ethereum’s capability to handle transactions and lower fees to as little as $0.01 per transaction, making DApps more affordable and accessible.
DeFi and NFT ecosystems attracting new users: DeFi protocols and NFT marketplaces are enlisting millions of new users. Services like GMX on Arbitrum and Polygon’s NFT activity ($227 million in Q1 2025) provide innovative financial tools and digital collectibles.
Integration with mainstream platforms: Blockchains are expanding by integrating with major platforms. For instance, Base is directly integrated into Coinbase, unlocking access to over 100 million potential users.
Institutional interest and collaborations: The increasing institutional involvement lends legitimacy to blockchain. In 2024, Bitcoin ETFs attracted $36.4 billion in investments. Corporate partnerships with blockchain networks further bolster their credibility, as seen with Starbucks collaborating with Microsoft and the Azure blockchain network to create a traceability system.
User growth, challenges and the path forward
The swift growth of the top 10 blockchains by active users in 2025 emphasizes the increasing significance of decentralized technology. Networks like Solana and Arbitrum are championing this adoption with low-cost transactions, DeFi applications, and mainstream integrations.
Nonetheless, significant challenges persist:
Inflated metrics: Bot activities and inactive addresses may inflate true user growth figures.
Scalability versus decentralization: High-speed networks may sacrifice decentralization.
Regulatory uncertainty: Scrutiny of stablecoins and illicit activities poses risks to adoption.
Market competition: There is fierce competition between L1 chains and Ethereum’s L2 solutions.
In response, blockchains are innovating with enhanced bot detection, refined scaling solutions, regulatory adherence, and unique offerings such as AI and asset tokenization. These initiatives are essential for sustaining long-term growth and shaping the ecosystem’s future.
This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making decisions.
