ETH Price and Transaction Fees Plummet: Why Ethereum is Struggling in 2025

ETH Price: 95% Revenue Drop Signals a Shift in Ethereum’s Ecosystem

ETH Price – Ethereum’s (ETH) quarterly transaction fee revenue has witnessed a sharp decline of approximately 95% from its all-time high in Q4 2021. This significant drop is primarily driven by a reduction in Layer 2 contributions and a decline in NFT activity.

Ethereum’s Revenue Decline Explained

Ethereum’s projected transaction fee revenue for Q1 2025 is expected to be around $217 million, which is a 95% decrease from its peak of $4.3 billion in Q4 2021. This surge in 2021, which marked a 1,777% increase year-over-year, was fueled by Ethereum’s growth in its DeFi ecosystem, NFT sales, and Layer 2 Total Value Locked (TVL). However, recent figures reflect a stark shift.

In 2025, Ethereum’s revenue saw a drastic dip, with January earning $150.8 million and February only $47.5 million. If the current trend persists, March could see similar low revenue figures. Notably, Ethereum’s Q4 2024 transaction fees totaled only $551.8 million, continuing the downward trend.

Shift to Layer 2 and Decreased NFT Activity

One of the significant factors behind this drop is the rise of Layer 2 solutions. These off-chain solutions process transactions while settling on Ethereum’s mainnet, reducing the associated transaction costs. Additionally, the activation of EIP-4844 further reduced Layer 2 fees, significantly lowering Ethereum’s mainnet fee revenue. A CoinShares report highlights that Layer 2-related fees dropped due to these cost-saving measures.

Another contributing factor is the decline in NFT activity. The NFT boom peaked in Q4 2021, with platforms like OpenSea recording billions of dollars in volume. However, the reduced interest has led to a significant drop in transaction volume and associated fees.

ETH Faces Largest Quarterly Loss Since 2018

Beyond transaction fees, Ethereum’s price also mirrors this downturn. After hitting an all-time high of $4,891 in November 2021, ETH has dropped by 58.8%. Q1 2025 marked ETH’s worst quarterly loss since 2018, with a -40% drop. Over the past month, ETH has fallen by 25.1%, now trading at $1,997.

Despite occasional price upticks, Ethereum’s performance remains under pressure as these broader market trends unfold.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Cryptocurrencies and stocks, particularly in micro-cap companies, are subject to significant volatility and risk. Please conduct thorough research before making any investment decisions.