Author: Dilip Kumar Patairya Source: Cointelegraph Translation: Shan Ou Ba, Golden Finance
The top blockchains in 2025 range in active user numbers from DeFi stars to gaming chains. Despite significant growth, these blockchains face fierce competition.
Blockchain growth in 2025 depends on actual usage and technological upgrades, not speculation or hype.
Active users, measured by wallet addresses, are a key metric. DeFi, the NFT ecosystem, and the adoption of stablecoins are attracting millions of new users. Partnerships with mainstream platforms and institutional inflows through Bitcoin ETFs are accelerating adoption. Networks still face challenges such as inflated metrics, scalability trade-offs, regulatory pressure, and L1-L2 competition. The blockchain industry is rapidly evolving, with new networks constantly emerging to compete with established leaders. But are these platforms truly gaining widespread use? In 2025, blockchain growth will be driven by real user engagement and innovative technology, not just speculation. From foundational Layer 1 (L1) blockchains to efficient Layer 2 (L2) solutions, networks are vying to attract millions of users through low-cost transactions, seamless integration with major platforms, and thriving decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible token (NFT) ecosystems. This article ranks the top 10 fastest-growing blockchains expected to reach 2025 based on growth in active users. Our ranking of the top 10 fastest-growing blockchains expected to reach 2025 is primarily based on the number of active users. Each entry also highlights whether the network is Layer 1 (L1) or Layer 2 (L2), the metrics supporting its rise, the key drivers behind its growth, and the challenges it faces. For starters, L1 blockchains provide infrastructure with native consensus mechanisms, while L2 solutions aim to enhance the scalability and reduce costs of L1 blockchains. For example, Ethereum is an L1 blockchain, while Polygon is an L2. "Active users" refer to unique wallet addresses that have completed a transaction. Fully diluted valuation (FDV) is the theoretical total market capitalization of a cryptocurrency, assuming all tokens are in circulation at current prices. This metric provides a broader perspective on a project's potential value. It also helps determine whether a token is overvalued or undervalued relative to its total potential supply.
Solana is a high-speed L1 blockchain that uses a Proof-of-History (PoH) consensus mechanism and is designed 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 driven by a surge in high-frequency trading in DeFi, NFTs, and meme coins, improved reliability from the Firedancer validator client, and increased institutional adoption. Challenges: Past network outages have impacted reliability. Other challenges include criticism of centralization and competition from L2 solutions. Did you know? Solana's Proof of History enables it to process thousands of transactions per second, powering DeFi, NFTs, and even meme coin transactions at lightning speeds.
Did you know? Solana's Proof of History enables it to process thousands of transactions per second, powering DeFi, NFTs, and even meme coin transactions at lightning speeds.
Near Protocol is an L1 blockchain using Threshold Proof of Stake (TPoS) consensus. It focuses on scalability, developer-friendly tooling, and integrating AI-native features for decentralized applications.
Monthly Active Addresses: 51.2M
FDV: $3.1M
Token Transaction Volume (30 days): $7.8M
Key Drivers: Integrating AI for user-owned agents and intent, low transaction fees and carbon neutrality, partnerships with EigenLayer and others for fast finality, and ecosystem expansion in DeFi and gaming.
Challenges: Competition from faster L1s and L2s, price volatility despite user growth, and potential vulnerabilities in the complexity of sharding. Did you know? Near Protocol boasts carbon neutrality and low fees. Despite facing competition from faster chains, it continues to show strong momentum.
Did you know? Near Protocol boasts carbon neutrality and low fees. Despite facing competition from faster chains, it continues to show strong momentum.
BNB Chain is a Binance-backed L1 blockchain that supports DeFi, NFTs, and DApps through Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatibility.
Monthly Active Addresses: 46.4M
FDV: $121.2B
Token Trading Volume (30 days): $56.1B
Key Drivers: Block time reduced to 0.75 seconds, integration of AI for data ownership.
Challenges: Centralization concerns due to Binance’s support, regulatory scrutiny.
Base is an Ethereum L2 blockchain developed by Coinbase, using Optimistic Rollups, focusing on low-cost DeFi, consumer applications and seamless integration.
Monthly Active Addresses: 21.5M
FDV: $2.92B
Key Drivers: Ultra-low fees (average $0.01), Coinbase's user base of over 100 million to attract new users, stablecoin liquidity, and partnerships with consumer-oriented DApps.
Challenges: Network congestion caused by high activity, reliance on Ethereum's security, and regulatory compliance issues faced by an emerging ecosystem.
Tron is a high-throughput L1 blockchain focused on decentralized content sharing and integrated with Telegram, emphasizing low-cost stablecoin transactions.
Monthly Active Addresses: 14.4M
FDV: $33.5 billion
Token Trading Volume (30 days): $51.7 billion
Key Drivers: Negligible transaction fees, AI and cross-chain integration, and cooperation with Rumble Cloud, etc.
Challenges: Regulatory scrutiny, centralization risk.
6. Bitcoin
Bitcoin is the original decentralized cryptocurrency that uses Proof-of-Work (PoW) consensus. It serves as digital gold and is used for both value storage and payments.
Monthly Active Addresses: 10.8M
FDV: $2.3 trillion
Token Trading Volume (30 days): $1.3 trillion
Key Drivers: Institutional inflows via exchange-traded funds (ETFs). (As of Q4 2024, professional investors managing over $100 million held $27.4 billion worth of Bitcoin ETFs.) Supply reduction due to the halving event and adoption as a strategic reserve.
Challenges: High energy consumption; volatility influenced by macroeconomic factors.
Aptos is an L1 blockchain developed by former Meta engineers using the Move language, emphasizing scalability, DeFi, and developer growth to support DApps.
Monthly active addresses: 10 million
FDV: $5.3 billion
Token trading volume (30 days): $13 billion
Key drivers: Peak 19,200 TPS; Move language for secure contracts; partnerships such as launching USDt with Tether.
Challenges: Need for broader adoption and competition from established L1s.
Ethereum is the leading smart contract, DeFi and NFT L1 blockchain with a large developer ecosystem and uses Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus.
Monthly Active Addresses: 9.6M
FDV: $522.7B
Token Trading Volume (30 days): $1.1T
Key Drivers: Pectra upgrades to improve user experience and scalability, ETF inflows, and institutional staking.
Challenges: Scalability issues, higher fees than competitors, and regulatory pressure.
Polygon provides a multi-chain scaling solution for Ethereum using PoS, supporting DeFi, NFT and enterprise applications through EVM compatibility.
Monthly Active Addresses: 7.2M
FDV: $2.6B
Token Trading Volume (30 days): $4.2B
Key Drivers: Upgrades like Heimdall v2 for interoperability, and partnerships with Fortune 500 companies.
Challenges: Regulatory scrutiny under the Market for Crypto Assets (MiCA), and competition from other L2s. Did you know? Polygon’s Heimdall v2 upgrade enhances interoperability between chains and solidifies Polygon’s role as a multi-chain scaling hub in the web3 world.
Did you know? Polygon’s Heimdall v2 upgrade enhances interoperability between chains and solidifies Polygon’s role as a multi-chain scaling hub in the web3 world.
Arbitrum One is a leading Ethereum L2 that uses Optimistic Rollups for faster and cheaper transactions while inheriting Ethereum’s security.
Monthly Active Addresses: 4 million
FDV: $5.1 billion
Token Trading Volume (30 days): $14.3 billion
Key Drivers: Integrations with the likes of Robinhood to enable tokenized assets, and upgrades like Stylus to reduce fees.
Challenges: Dependence on the Ethereum mainnet, regulatory uncertainty, and competition from Optimism.
The blockchain story in 2025 is one of acceleration. New technologies and mainstream adoption are driving growth in both the foundational Layer 1 and the scaling Layer 2. Common notable trends include:
Stablecoin Adoption Driving Transaction Volume Growth: Stablecoins such as USDT and USDC are seeing significant growth in trading activity. This enhances liquidity and user engagement across the ecosystem. Layer-2 Solutions Enhance Scalability and Reduce Costs: Scaling solutions like Arbitrum One and Base increase Ethereum's transaction processing capacity and reduce fees to as low as $0.01 per transaction. This makes DApps more affordable and accessible. DeFi and NFT Ecosystems Attract New Users: DeFi protocols and NFT marketplaces are attracting millions of new users. Services like GMX on Arbitrum and Polygon, which saw $227 million in NFT trading volume in Q1 2025, provide innovative tools for finance and digital collectibles. Integration with Mainstream Platforms: Blockchain is growing through integration with major platforms. For example, Base is built into Coinbase, giving it access to over 100 million potential users.
Institutional Interest and Partnerships: Growing institutional participation is lending blockchain greater legitimacy. In 2024, Bitcoin ETFs saw $36.4 billion in inflows. Enterprise partnerships with blockchain networks also help bolster blockchain's credibility. For example, Starbucks partnered with Microsoft and its blockchain network, Azure, to create a traceability system.
The rapid growth in active users for the top ten blockchains in 2025 highlights the expanding role of decentralized technologies. Networks like Solana and Arbitrum are leading this adoption through low-cost transactions, DeFi applications, and mainstream integration. However, key challenges remain:
Inflated metrics: Bot activity and inactive addresses can overstate true user growth.
Scalability vs. decentralization: Some high-speed networks have compromised decentralization.
Regulatory uncertainty: Scrutiny of stablecoins and illicit activity poses adoption risks.
Market competition: There is intense competition between L1 chains and Ethereum’s L2 solutions.
In response, blockchains are innovating with better bot detection, improved scaling solutions, regulatory compliance, and unique offerings like AI and asset tokenization. These efforts are critical to maintaining long-term growth and shaping the future of the ecosystem.
Roman Sterlingov, founder of the Bitcoin Fog crypto mixer, was sentenced to 12.5 years in prison for laundering over $400 million linked to illegal activities. He was also ordered to forfeit $395.5 million and his share in a Bitcoin wallet holding 1,345 BTC, worth over $103 million.
WeatherlyByteDance is expanding its AI efforts with Doubao, a chatbot now capable of generating realistic videos from text and images. This move strengthens ByteDance's position in China's fast-growing AI market, though it faces tough competition from rivals like Kuaishou.
WeatherlyA South Korean court upheld a bank’s decision to fire an employee for “habitual” crypto gaming and improper private money lending to clients, uncovered in an internal audit. The employee appealed, claiming the dismissal was unjust.
KikyoFour foreign nationals were arrested in Thailand for a robbery on 8 November, where they forced a Ukrainian tourist, Viacheslav Leibov, to transfer 250,000 USD in cryptocurrency. The suspects, who had prior connections to the victim, were charged with armed robbery, unlawful detention, and coercion.
WeatherlyDespite over 50% drop in TON’s TVL since July, Bitget Wallet and Foresight Ventures are reinforcing support for Telegram’s Mini App ecosystem with a $20 million grant to boost growth and innovation.
CatherineAlameda Research has filed a lawsuit against Waves founder Aleksandr Ivanov, seeking to recover $90 million allegedly lost in fraudulent transactions involving the Waves token and Vires.Finance. The lawsuit claims Ivanov inflated the value of WAVES while siphoning funds from Vires, and later failed to cooperate in attempts to recover the assets.
AnaisThe Vatican has unveiled an AI-driven digital twin of St. Peter's Basilica, developed with Microsoft and Iconem to enhance visitor management and preservation. Pope Francis supports AI’s potential but emphasizes ethical, responsible use as a bridge to the future.
CatherineThe FTX bankruptcy estate claims SBF’s $1.76 billion repurchase deal with Binance in July 2021 was a fraudulent transfer due to FTX’s insolvency. The lawsuit seeks to recover billions for FTX creditors, alleging the transaction was fraudulent.
KikyoTether’s WDK toolkit offers an open-source, self-custodial solution for creating BTC and USDT wallets for both humans and AI. Scalable and modular, it supports platforms from mobile to robotics, with future updates bringing UI templates and multi-blockchain support for Tether-backed stablecoins.
CatherineIn Thailand, armed robbers forced a Ukrainian man to transfer $250,000 in USDT under threat. They restrained him and warned against reporting the crime before fleeing. Thai police soon arrested four suspects, including a regular USDT buyer from the victim.
Kikyo