What is happening now
In January 2026, Ethereum's mainnet has reported a new peak in daily active user addresses, surpassing all secondary networks combined. This surge reflects increased adoption and activity within the Ethereum ecosystem, with more wallets interacting daily than ever before. Meanwhile, Ethereum network fees have remained stable, encouraging continued onchain transactions without the high cost barriers seen in prior years.
Why it matters
This growth in daily users highlights Ethereum's resilience and ongoing relevance in the crypto space. Stable transaction fees help maintain accessibility for both new and experienced users, facilitating a variety of activities such as transfers, smart contract interactions, and decentralized application use. The increasing user base could attract more developers and projects, further strengthening Ethereum's position as a leading blockchain platform.
Key risks
Despite positive onchain metrics, Ethereum users should be aware of risks such as potential network congestion from sudden spikes in activity, which could lead to temporary fee increases. Additionally, external regulatory changes or security vulnerabilities in smart contracts might impact user trust and network growth. Market volatility also remains an overarching risk for all crypto assets, including ETH.
What to watch next
Observers should monitor Ethereum's network upgrades planned for early 2026 that aim to improve scalability and security, potentially further boosting user experience. Keeping track of developer announcements and ecosystem projects launching on Ethereum will provide insight into future activity trends. Market reactions to global economic factors may also influence Ethereum's usage and price in the coming weeks.
Quick FAQ
- Q: What does daily active addresses mean?A: It indicates the number of unique Ethereum wallet addresses performing transactions each day, showing network usage.
- Q: Are transaction fees currently high on Ethereum?A: No, fees have remained relatively stable in January 2026, making it affordable to use.
- Q: Does increased activity mean Ethereum price will rise?A: While higher usage can be positive, price depends on many factors and is not guaranteed to rise solely based on user counts.