Key Insights
The expansion of blockchain in 2025 depends on genuine usage and technological upgrades, rather than mere speculation.
Active users, as indicated by wallet addresses, serve as the primary metric.
The adoption of DeFi, NFT ecosystems, and stablecoins is attracting millions of new users.
Collaborations with major platforms and increased institutional investment via Bitcoin ETFs are accelerating adoption rates.
Networks continue to contend with inflated metrics, the challenge of scalability, regulatory scrutiny, and competition between L1 and L2 solutions.
The blockchain sector is rapidly evolving, with new networks emerging to challenge established leaders. But are these platforms genuinely seeing widespread adoption?
In 2025, the growth of blockchain has been fueled by authentic user engagement and cutting-edge technology, moving beyond mere speculation. From foundational layer-1 blockchains to effective layer-2 solutions, networks are competing to draw millions of users through affordable transactions, seamless integrations with mainstream platforms, and bustling decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible token (NFT) ecosystems.
This piece ranks the top 10 fastest-growing blockchains based on active user growth.
Ranking Criteria
Our ranking of the fastest-growing blockchains of 2025 focuses mainly on active user counts. Each entry outlines whether the network is a layer 1 (L1) or layer 2 (L2), the metrics backing its growth, the primary drivers behind its user base increase, and the challenges it faces.
For those unfamiliar, L1 blockchains offer foundational infrastructure with native consensus mechanisms, while L2 solutions aim to enhance the scalability of L1 blockchains and cut costs. For instance, Ethereum qualifies as an L1 blockchain, while Polygon is categorized as an L2.
The term “active users” pertains to a unique wallet address executing a transaction.
Fully diluted valuation (FDV) represents the hypothetical total market value of a cryptocurrency, assuming all its tokens are circulating at the current price. This metric 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 that employs 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
Primary drivers: Solana’s growth is propelled by DeFi and NFTs, a surge in high-frequency trading of memecoins, and the Firedancer validator client, enhancing reliability and institutional adoption.
Challenges: Previous network outages impact reliability, alongside concerns about centralization and competition from L2 solutions.
Did you know? Solana’s proof-of-history enables it to handle thousands of transactions per second, powering DeFi, NFTs, and memecoin trades at incredible speeds.
2. Near Protocol
Near Protocol is an L1 blockchain utilizing a thresholded proof-of-stake (TPoS) consensus, focusing on scalability and developer-friendly tools while integrating AI-native features for decentralized applications.
Active addresses (monthly): 51.2 million
FDV: $3.1 million
Token trading volume (30 days): $7.8 million
Primary drivers: AI integration for user-owned agents, low transaction fees with carbon neutrality, and partnerships like EigenLayer for rapid finality and ecosystem growth in DeFi and gaming.
Challenges: Competition from faster L1s and L2s, price volatility despite user growth, and potential vulnerabilities in sharding complexity.
Did you know? Near Protocol maintains carbon neutrality with low fees and has displayed strong momentum despite competitive pressures from faster chains.
3. BNB Chain
BNB Chain is a Binance-backed L1 blockchain that supports DeFi, NFTs, and DApps, featuring Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatibility.
Active addresses (monthly): 46.4 million
FDV: $121.2 billion
Token trading volume (30 days): $56.1 billion
Primary drivers: A reduced block time of 0.75 seconds and AI integrations for enhanced data ownership.
Challenges: Concerns about centralization due to Binance’s backing and regulatory scrutiny.
4. Base
Developed by Coinbase, Base is an Ethereum L2 blockchain leveraging optimistic rollups focused on affordable DeFi, consumer applications, and seamless integration.
Active addresses (monthly): 21.5 million
FDV: $2.92 billion
Primary drivers: Extremely low fees (averaging $0.01), Coinbase’s expansive user base of over 100 million for onboarding, stablecoin flows, and partnerships for consumer DApps.
Challenges: High activity leads to network congestion, dependency on Ethereum for security, and regulatory compliance as a newer ecosystem.
5. Tron
Tron is a high-throughput L1 blockchain prioritizing decentralized content sharing and integration with Telegram, focusing on low-cost stablecoin transactions.
Active addresses (monthly): 14.4 million
FDV: $33.5 billion
Token trading volume (30 days): $51.7 billion
Primary drivers: Minimal transaction fees, AI and cross-chain integrations, and partnerships like Rumble Cloud.
Challenges: Facing regulatory scrutiny and centralization risks.
6. Bitcoin
Bitcoin is the pioneering decentralized cryptocurrency that employs proof-of-work (PoW) consensus, often referred to as digital gold for value storage and payments.
Active addresses (monthly): 10.8 million
FDV: $2.3 trillion
Token trading volume (30 days): $1.3 trillion
Primary drivers: Institutional inflows via exchange-traded funds (ETFs)—professional investors managing over $100 million hold Bitcoin ETFs valued at $27.4 billion as of Q4 2024. A decrease in supply due to halving events and adoption as a strategic reserve contribute to its rise.
Challenges: High energy consumption and volatility associated with macroeconomic conditions.
7. Aptos
Aptos is an L1 blockchain created by former Meta engineers using the Move language, emphasizing scalability, DeFi, and developer engagement for DApps.
Active addresses (monthly): 10 million
FDV: $5.3 billion
Token trading volume (30 days): $13 billion
Primary drivers: A peak of 19,200 TPS; the Move language assures secure contracts; partnerships such as Tether’s USDt (USDT) launch.
Challenges: Requires broader adoption while facing competition from established L1s.
8. Ethereum
As a leading L1 blockchain for smart contracts, DeFi, and NFTs, Ethereum supports a vast developer ecosystem utilizing proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus.
Active addresses (monthly): 9.6 million
FDV: $522.7 billion
Token trading volume (30 days): $1.1 trillion
Primary drivers: The Pectra upgrade enhances user experience and scalability, alongside ETF inflows and institutional staking.
Challenges: Issues with scalability, higher fees compared to competitors, and regulatory scrutiny.
9. Polygon
Polygon provides a multichain scaling solution for Ethereum through PoS, facilitating DeFi, NFTs, and enterprise applications with EVM compatibility.
Active addresses (monthly): 7.2 million
FDV: $2.6 billion
Token trading volume (30 days): $4.2 billion
Primary drivers: Upgrades like Heimdall v2 for interoperability, along with partnerships with Fortune 500 companies.
Challenges: Regulatory scrutiny under the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulations and competition from other L2s.
Did you know? The Heimdall v2 upgrade on Polygon has enhanced interoperability across chains, solidifying its position as a multichain scaling hub within the web3 ecosystem.
10. Arbitrum One
Arbitrum One is a leading Ethereum L2 utilizing optimistic rollups to enable faster, cheaper transactions while retaining Ethereum’s security features.
Active addresses (monthly): 4 million
FDV: $5.1 billion
Token trading volume (30 days): $14.3 billion
Primary drivers: Integrations like Robinhood for tokenized assets and upgrades like Stylus to reduce fees.
Challenges: Dependent on the Ethereum mainnet, regulatory ambiguities, and competition from Optimism.
Trends Driving Blockchain Expansion
The narrative of blockchain in 2025 is one of rapid growth. New technologies and mainstream acceptance are fostering expansion at both the foundational L1 level and the scaling L2 layer. The major trends include:
Stablecoin adoption increasing transaction volumes: Stablecoins like USDT and USDC are significantly amplifying transaction activities, enhancing liquidity and user engagement across ecosystems.
Layer-2 solutions enhancing scalability and reducing costs: Solutions such as Arbitrum One and Base improve Ethereum’s capacity for transactions, lowering fees to as low as $0.01 per transaction, making DApps more affordable and accessible.
DeFi and NFT ecosystems drawing new users: DeFi protocols and NFT marketplaces are bringing millions of new users. Services like GMX on Arbitrum and Polygon have seen NFT volumes of $227 million in Q1 2025, offering innovative financial and digital collectible tools.
Integration with major platforms: Blockchains are expanding by integrating with significant platforms; for example, Base is incorporated into Coinbase, reaching over 100 million potential users.
Institutional interest and partnerships: Increased institutional involvement is legitimizing blockchain. In 2024, Bitcoin ETFs attracted $36.4 billion. Collaborations with corporate entities, like Starbucks partnering with Microsoft and the Azure blockchain network to create a traceability system, further enhance blockchain credibility.
User Growth, Challenges, and Future Directions
The swift growth among the top 10 blockchains by active users in 2025 reflects the increasing significance of decentralized technology. Platforms like Solana and Arbitrum are spearheading this growth with low-cost transactions, DeFi applications, and mainstream collaborations.
Nevertheless, several challenges persist:
Overstated metrics: Activity from bots and inactive addresses can inflate perceived user growth.
Scalability versus decentralization: Certain high-speed networks may compromise decentralization.
Regulatory uncertainty: Increased scrutiny of stablecoins and illegal activities pose adoption risks.
Competitive market landscape: There exists intense competition between L1 networks and Ethereum’s L2 solutions.
In response, blockchains are innovating with improved bot detection, enhanced scaling solutions, regulatory compliance tactics, and unique offerings such as AI and asset tokenization. These initiatives are essential for ensuring sustained growth and shaping the ecosystem’s future.
This article does not provide investment advice or recommendations. All investments and trading moves carry risks, and readers should perform their due diligence when making decisions.
