Ethereum Layer2 Transaction Volume Surpasses Mainnet for First Time: Ecosystem Migration Accelerates, Mainnet Fees Under Pressure

Ethereum Layer2 Transaction Volume Surpasses Mainnet for First Time, Ecosystem Migration Accelerates

According to comprehensive statistics from multiple on-chain data platforms, in the first quarter of 2025, the average daily transaction volume of Ethereum Layer2 networks (including Arbitrum, Optimism, Base, etc.) exceeded that of the Ethereum mainnet for the first time, accounting for over 50% of the total. This milestone marks a new phase in Ethereum's scaling roadmap, as users and capital accelerate their migration from the mainnet to Layer2.

I. The Turning Point Behind the Data

According to data tracked by L2Beat and Dune Analytics, in mid-March, the combined daily transaction volume of the three major L2 networks—Arbitrum, Optimism, and Base—reached approximately 8 million transactions, while the Ethereum mainnet recorded about 7 million daily transactions during the same period. This is the first time L2 transaction volume has surpassed the mainnet in total since the large-scale launch of L2 networks. Although specific figures vary slightly due to different statistical methods, multiple data sources confirm this trend.

In terms of transaction value, the transfer amounts processed by L2 networks have also approached mainnet levels. According to CoinGecko statistics, Arbitrum alone saw its average daily transaction value exceed $5 billion in February 2025, nearly one-third of the Ethereum mainnet's daily average.

II. Three Key Drivers of Accelerated Migration

The surpassing of mainnet transaction volume by Layer2 is no coincidence, but the result of multiple factors working together.

1. Expanding Cost Advantage. After several upgrades in 2024, Ethereum mainnet's gas fees have decreased, but they can still spike to several dollars per transaction during network congestion. In contrast, gas fees on Arbitrum and Optimism are typically below $0.1, and Base network fees can be as low as $0.01. For high-frequency trading, DeFi interactions, and NFT minting, L2's cost advantage is decisively attractive.

2. Comprehensive Ecosystem Migration. Leading DeFi protocols such as Uniswap, Aave, and Curve have been fully deployed across multiple L2 networks. According to DefiLlama data, as of March 2025, the total value locked (TVL) on Arbitrum exceeded $12 billion, Optimism surpassed $8 billion, and Base broke $5 billion. To benefit from lower slippage and faster confirmation times, a large number of users have become accustomed to trading directly on L2.

3. Maturation of Cross-Chain Bridges and Account Abstraction Technology. Daily transaction volumes on cross-chain bridges (e.g., Across, Stargate) hit new highs in Q1 2025, significantly reducing the cost and time for users to transfer funds from the mainnet to L2. Meanwhile, the widespread adoption of the ERC-4337 account abstraction standard has made the wallet experience on L2 more akin to traditional internet applications, further lowering the barrier for new users.

III. Impact on the Ethereum Mainnet

The migration of transaction volume has had a notable impact on the Ethereum mainnet. On one hand, mainnet gas fees fell to near two-year lows in February 2025, with average transaction costs dropping below $0.5. While this is beneficial for ordinary users, it also reduces the amount of ETH burned on the network, thereby affecting expectations of ETH's supply deflation.

On the other hand, the income structure for validators on the mainnet is shifting. According to Etherscan data, the proportion of validators' income from transaction fees has decreased from about 15% in 2024 to less than 10% in March 2025, while the share from MEV (Maximal Extractable Value) and staking rewards has correspondingly increased. This has prompted some validators to consider transitioning to the role of L2 sequencers for higher returns.

IV. The Future Upgrade Debate

Layer2 transaction volume surpassing the mainnet provides a new context for discussions on Ethereum's long-term upgrade roadmap. The Ethereum Foundation's previously proposed "Danksharding" and Proto-Danksharding (EIP-4844) upgrades aim to further reduce data availability costs for L2. If L2 transaction volume continues to grow, the urgency of these upgrades will significantly increase.

However, some developers worry that over-reliance on L2 could lead to a "hollowing out" of the mainnet, where it serves only as a settlement and data availability layer while most user activity shifts to L2. This could weaken the mainnet's network effects and decentralization. Therefore, the community is debating whether future upgrades should introduce more native scaling solutions for the mainnet, such as native ZK-Rollup integration or improved versions of sharding.

V. Competitive Landscape and Outlook

Within the L2 track, competition is also intensifying. Arbitrum, with its first-mover advantage and vast ecosystem, currently holds about 40% of L2 transaction volume share; Optimism, through its modular OP Stack architecture, has attracted chains like Base and Zora to join its superchain ecosystem; while the ZK-Rollup camp, including zkSync and StarkNet, continues to focus on privacy and security. According to a Messari report, the overall transaction volume of L2 networks in 2025 is expected to reach 2-3 times that of the mainnet.

For users, the proliferation of L2 means lower transaction costs and faster confirmation times, but it also brings cross-chain security risks, liquidity fragmentation, and uncertainty around new token economic models. How to efficiently and securely transfer assets between different L2 networks remains a key concern.

Risk Warning

The above content is for reference only and does not constitute investment advice. The cryptocurrency market is highly volatile, and Layer2 technology is still in a rapid development phase. Related networks may face risks such as security vulnerabilities, governance disagreements, or regulatory policy changes. Investors should make independent decisions based on their own risk tolerance.