Ethereum’s Price Is Flat — But the Network Is Telling a Very Different Story

Jim Haastrup
6 Min Read

Ethereum wallet creation surged to a record average of 327,000 new addresses per day with a peak of 394,000 in early January following December’s Fusaka upgrade that slashed transaction fees by over 80%, making the network accessible to smaller users. The network settled $8 trillion in stablecoin transfers late last year, demonstrating users are joining for real utility rather than speculation, with adoption outpacing price movement as ETH trades flat between $3,000-$3,300.

Key Insights

  • Ethereum wallet creation surged to an average of 327,000 new addresses per day, with a peak of nearly 394,000 in early January.
  • The Fusaka upgrade in December played a massive role by slashing transaction fees and making the network more accessible.
  • Stablecoin volume reached a staggering $8 trillion late last year, showing that users are joining for real utility rather than just gambling on prices.

Ethereum is entering a massive growth phase that the price charts might not show yet.  While the market stays quiet, the network is expanding, and new data shows that Ethereum wallet creation has reached levels never seen before in the history of the blockchain.

Record Ethereum Wallet Creation

The recent surge in user activity did not happen by accident. After developers released the Fusaka upgrade in December. This change completely overhauled how the network handles data.  It specifically targeted the high gas fees that used to keep smaller users away. And by making block space more efficient, the costs to use the network dropped by over 80%.

Lower fees changed the math for everyone, which means that users can now mint NFTs, trade on decentralized apps, or move funds without worrying about losing a large chunk of their money to fees. 

This appears to have turned Ethereum from a playground for the wealthy into a global tool for everyone. 

Stablecoins Transform the Network Into a Payment Hub

People are not just opening wallets to hold ETH. Instead, they are using the network for money. 

During the final months of last year, Ethereum settled $8 trillion in stablecoin transfers. This is a massive number that rivals traditional payment processors, and most of this volume came from USDT and USDC. 

This transition proves that the network is maturing and is no longer just a place for tech enthusiasts. 

Ethereum is now a reliable layer for global finance, and when businesses integrate stablecoin rails, they bring thousands of new users with them.  This explains the growth in new addresses to 327,000, because each of those new users needs an address. 

Adoption Outpaces Price Movement in the Current Market

The most interesting part of this story is the disconnect between usage and price. ETH has spent weeks bouncing between $3,000 and $3,300. 

Over the last few years, new wallets usually spiked only when the price was mooning. However, this time is different, and people are joining the network while the price stays flat. This indicates longer-term adoption.

Analysts often look for this kind of “quiet growth” as a sign of health. 

It means that people are here for the service, not just the hype. Institutional players are also staying busy with firms like Bitmine staking billions of dollars in ETH. 

They are betting on the long-term security of the network, and while the traders wait for a breakout, the actual foundation of the network is getting stronger every day.

How Ethereum Compares to Other Leading Blockchains

Ethereum is currently leading the pack in terms of pure growth, and other networks like BNB Smart Chain and Solana are also seeing a lot of action. 

BNB Smart Chain, for example, averages around 210,000 new addresses daily. Solana follows with about 190,000, and while those numbers are impressive, they still sit well below the 327,000 mark set by Ethereum.

Another interesting thing about this development is how the Fusaka upgrade introduced “fee delegation” standards. 

This allows app developers to pay for the user’s gas, which means that a new person can start using an Ethereum app without even knowing what gas is. This experience is a huge reason for this new record that Ethereum reached on January 11. 

In all, the friction in the blockchain space is disappearing, and the users are pouring in through the open door.

Disclaimer: This article is intended solely for informational purposes and should not be construed as financial advice. Investing in cryptocurrencies involves substantial risk, including the possible loss of your capital. Readers are encouraged to perform their own research and seek guidance from a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decisions. Voice of Crypto does not endorse or promote any specific cryptocurrency, investment product, or trading strategy mentioned in this article.

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Jim Haastrup is a blockchain and technical writer at Voice of Crypto, where he covers cryptocurrency, NFTs, DeFi, GameFi, and the Metaverse. Before joining Voice of Crypto in 2022, he spent over three years as a senior technical writer across multiple blockchain projects, including Hashtoken, Naxar, and Bino, where he specialized in whitepapers, technical documentation, and content strategy for decentralized finance applications. Jim began his career as a junior technical writer at RM in Canada before advancing to lead technical writing roles at Bulltoken, a cryptocurrency crowdfunding platform in Norway. Throughout his career, he has authored more than 800 articles and collaborated with development teams to translate complex blockchain protocols into accessible content for diverse audiences including developers, investors, and crypto enthusiasts. His work spans ICO/STO/IDO research and analysis, cryptocurrency market trend forecasting, and social media management for crypto brands. Jim has helped numerous startups build their online presence through strategic content marketing, technical whitepapers, and pitch deck development. Jim graduated from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Nigeria with a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical Engineering in 2021. Disclosure: No significant crypto holdings.