Key takeout
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The growth of blockchain in 2025 depends on actual use and technology upgrades, not speculation or hype.
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The key metric is the active user measured by the wallet address.
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The adoption of Defi, NFT Ecosystems and Stablecoin has driven millions of new users.
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Partnerships with major platforms and institutional influx via Bitcoin ETFs have accelerated adoption.
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Networks still face inflated metrics, scalability trade-offs, regulatory pressures and L1-L2 competition.
The blockchain industry is growing rapidly, with new networks emerging as they compete with existing leaders. But are these platforms really widely used?
In 2025, the growth of blockchain was driven not only by speculation, but also by real user engagement and innovative technology. From foundational layer-1 blockchain to efficient layer-2 solutions, networks compete to attract millions of users through low-cost transactions, seamless integration with mainstream platforms, thriving distributed finance (DEFI) and inappropriate token (NFT) ecosystems.
This article ranks among the top 10 fastest growing blockchains based on the growth of active users.
Ranking criteria
The top ten fastest growing blockchain rankings for 2025 are primarily based on active user numbers. Each entry also highlights whether the network is Layer 1 (L1) or Layer 2 (L2), the metrics that support its rise, the key drivers behind its growth, and whether it is a challenge facing it.
For beginners, the L1 blockchain offers a basic infrastructure with native consensus mechanisms, while the L2 solution is designed to increase the scalability and reduce costs of the L1 blockchain. For example, Ethereum is an L1 blockchain, while polygon is an L2.
The term “active user” refers to a unique wallet address where a transaction is completed.
A full dilution rating (FDV) is the theoretical total market value of a cryptocurrency, assuming that all tokens are in circulation at current prices. This metric provides a wider view of the potential value of the project. It also helps you determine whether tokens are overestimated or underestimated compared to total potential supply.
Top 10 Fastest Growing Blockchains
1. Solana
Solana is a high-speed L1 blockchain designed for scalable, distributed applications (DAPPS) and markets.
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Monthly Active Users: 57 million
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FDV: $107.2 million
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Token trading volume (30 days): 28.42 billion dollars
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Key Driver: Solana’s growth was driven by Defi and NFT, a surge in Memecoin’s high-frequency trading.
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assignment: Past network outages affect reliability. Other challenges include criticism of the degree of centralization with L2 solutions and competition.
Did you know? Proof of Solana’s history means that by processing thousands of transactions per second, they can trade at Defi, NFTS, and even lightning speeds.
2. Nearby protocols
A nearby protocol is a Layer-1 blockchain using Proof of Thresholds (TPOS) consensus. It focuses on scalability, developer-friendly tools and integration of AI-Native capabilities for distributed applications.
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Active address (monthly): 51.2 million
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FDV: $3.1 million
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Token trading volume (30 days): $7.8 million
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Key Driver: Partnerships like Eienlayer for AI integration of user-owned agents and intentions, low transaction fees with carbon neutrality, Defi and fast finality and ecosystem expansion in games.
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assignment: Despite faster competition with L1 and L2, user growth, price volatility despite potential vulnerabilities in shard complexity.
Did you know? The nearby protocol boasts low cost carbon neutrality. Despite competition with faster chains, it shows strong momentum.
3. BNB Chain
BNB Chain is a Binance-assisted L1 blockchain that supports Defi, NFT and Dapps with Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatibility.
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Active address (monthly): 46.4 million
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FDV: $121.2 billion
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Token trading volume (30 days): $56.1 billion
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Key Driver: Reduces block time to 0.75 seconds and AI integration for data ownership.
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assignment: Concerns about centralization are concerns supported by Binance and regulatory scrutiny.
4. base
Coinbase has developed Base, an Ethereum L2 blockchain using optimistic rollups, focusing on low-cost Defi, consumer apps and seamless integration.
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Active address (monthly): 21.5 million
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FDV: $2.92 billion
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Key Driver: Ultra low fees (average $0.01), Coinbase’s over 100 million user base for onboarding, Stablecoin Flows, and Partnerships for Consumer Dapps.
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assignment: Network congestion from high activity, reliance on Ethereum for security, and regulatory compliance as a new ecosystem.
5. Tron
Tron is a high-throughput L1 blockchain focused on decentralized content sharing and integration with Telegram, highlighting low-cost Stablecoin transactions.
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Active address (monthly): 14.4 million
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FDV: $33.5 billion
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Token trading volume (30 days): $51.7 billion
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Key Driver: Negative transaction fees, AI and cross-chain integration and partnerships like Rumble Cloud.
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assignment: Regulation scrutiny, concentration risk.
6. Bitcoin
Bitcoin is the original decentralized cryptocurrency using Proof of Work (POW) consensus. It serves as digital gold for valuable storage and payments.
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Active address (monthly): 10.8 million
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FDV: 2.3 trillion dollars
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Token trading volume (30 days): 1.3 trillion dollars
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Key Driver: Institutional inflows through funds (ETFs) traded on exchanges. (As of the fourth quarter of 2024, professional investors with over $100 million of managers holding $27.4 billion worth of Bitcoin ETFs.) Harving events and adoption as a strategic preparation led to a decline in supply.
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assignment: High energy consumption; volatility from macroeconomic factors.
7. Aptos
Aptos is an L1 blockchain by former meta-engineers using Move Language, highlighting the scalability of DAPP, Defi and developer growth.
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Active address (monthly): 10 million
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FDV: $5.3 billion
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Token trading volume (30 days): $13 billion
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Key Driver: Peak 19,200 TPS; Move language for a secure contract. Partnerships such as the launch of Tether’s USDT (USDT)
assignment: There is a need for wider recruitment and competition with established L1s.
8. Ethereum
Ethereum is a smart contract, Defi, and NFT L1 blockchain with a vast developer ecosystem using Proof-of-Stake (POS) consensus.
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Active address (monthly): 9.6 million
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FDV: $52.27 billion
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Token trading volume (30 days): 1.1 trillion dollars
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Key Driver: Better UX and scalability, ETF influx, Pectra upgrades for institutional staking.
assignment: Scalability issues, higher fees than rivals and regulatory pressures.
9. polygon
Polygon offers multi-chine scaling solutions for Ethereum using POS that supports Defi, NFT, and enterprise apps with EVM compatibility.
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Active address (monthly): 7.2 million
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FDV: $2.6 billion
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Token trading volume (30 days): $4.2 billion
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Key Driver: Upgrades such as the Heimdall V2 for interoperability and partnership with Fortune 500 companies.
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assignment: Crypto Asset (MICA) market regulation scrutiny and competition with other L2s.
Did you know? Polygon Upgrade Heimdall V2 enhances interoperability between chains and solidifies the role of polygons as a multichine scaling hub in the Web3 world.
10. ArbitrumOne
Arbitrum One is the main Ethereum L2, using optimistic rollups for faster, cheaper transactions while inheriting Ethereum security.
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Active address (monthly): 4 million
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FDV: $5.1 billion
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Token trading volume (30 days): $14.3 billion
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Key Driver: Integration of tokenized assets such as Robinhood and upgrades such as low-cost stylus.
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assignment: Competition from reliance on the Ethereum mainnet, regulatory uncertainty and optimism.
Trends to promote blockchain growth
The 2025 blockchain story is one of the acceleration. New technology and mainstream acceptance drives growth at both the basic L1 level and the scaling L2 level. Some of the most noticeable trends include:
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Stablecoin Adoption Boosting Transaction Volume: Stablecoins like USDT and USDC (USDC) have significantly increased transaction activity. This increases liquidity and user engagement across the ecosystem.
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Layer-2 Solution Scalability and Reduced Costs: Scaling solutions such as Arbitrum One and bases improve Ethereum’s ability to reduce transactions and fees to just $0.01 per transaction. This makes Dapps more affordable and accessible.
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The Defi and the NFT ecosystem attract new users. The Defi protocol and the NFT marketplace bring millions of new users. Services such as Arbitrum’s GMX and Polygon’s NFT Volume ($227 million in Q1 2025) provide innovative tools for financial and digital collectibles.
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Integration with mainstream platforms: Blockchain is growing by integrating with major platforms. For example, the base is built into Coinbase, allowing access to more than 100 million potential users.
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Institutional interests and partnerships: The growing institutional involvement is making blockchain more legal. Bitcoin ETF received $36.4 billion in 2024. Corporate partnerships with the blockchain network also helped to increase the reliability of the blockchain. For example, Starbucks is partnering with Microsoft and Blockchain Network Azure to create traceability systems.
User growth, challenges and path forward
The rapid growth of the top 10 blockchains with active users in 2025 highlights the growing role of decentralized technology. Networks such as Solana and Arbitrum are leading this adoption in low-cost transactions, Defi applications and mainstream integration.
However, important issues remain.
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Inflated Metrics: Bot activity and inactive addresses can exaggerate the growth of true users.
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Scalability and decentralization: Some high-speed networks compromise on decentralization.
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Regulation uncertainty: Scrutiny of stupid and illegal activities creates the risk of adoption.
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Market competition: There is a fierce rivalry between the L1 chain and Ethereum’s L2 solution.
In response, blockchain is being innovated with unique products such as improved bot detection, improved scaling solutions, regulatory compliance, and AI and asset tokenization. These efforts are important to sustain long-term growth and shape the future of our ecosystems.
This article does not include investment advice or recommendations. All investment and trading movements include risk and readers must do their own research when making decisions.