Polygon Outshines Ethereum in Key Network Metric

As an analyst with a background in blockchain technology and digital currencies, I find the recent shift in user preference towards layer-2 scaling solutions like Polygon over Ethereum quite intriguing. Having closely followed the evolution of both networks, I believe this trend is driven by several factors that make L2s increasingly appealing to users.


As a crypto investor, I’m excited about the dynamic evolution in the digital currency landscape, particularly within the Ethereum ecosystem. Recently, I’ve noticed remarkable growth among related protocols, with user counts surging significantly. Mihailo Bjelic, Polygon’s co-founder, recently announced an update that highlights Polygon’s impressive achievement – it has now surpassed Ethereum in monthly active user (MAU) count.

Ethereum versus layer-2 networks

Although Ethereum serves as the base for layer-2 scaling technologies, it is experiencing a decline in growth momentum when compared to these emerging protocols. According to Bjelic’s statistics, Polygon’s Monthly Active Users (MAUs) surpassed the eight million mark, while Ethereum’s remained under that threshold.

MAU (Monthly Active Users) on @0xPolygon surpassed Ethereum.

Probably nothing.

— Mihailo Bjelic (@MihailoBjelic) June 11, 2024

It’s reasonable for users to choose Polygon given the cost reduction brought about by the Dencun Upgrade. Ethereum is continually advancing, and its L2 (Layer 2) solutions like Polygon are providing more accessible entry points into Decentralized Finance (DeFi), making the ecosystem even more appealing.

In addition to Polygon, platforms such as Base and Optimism (OP) are leading the charge in significant network adjustments capable of accommodating a larger user base. These protocols offer improvements in areas like performance, scalability, and reduced gas fees, making them an attractive choice for those interested in experimenting with NFTs, gaming, and other emerging Web3 technologies.

Layer-2 ecosystem valuation slump

As a crypto investor, I’ve noticed that layer-2 protocols and their linked tokens have been performing exceptionally well in several key aspects compared to Ethereum. However, I can’t deny the fact that they’re closely tied to Ethereum’s price movements. Even though they show promise and progress in their unique offerings, they’re still subjected to Ethereum’s bearish trends.

Currently, Ethereum is being traded for $3,527.53. This represents a 4% decrease in value over the last 24 hours. In the aftermath of this decline, L2 tokens such as MATIC, Arbitrum (ARB), and Optimism have experienced drops of 1.74%, 2.44%, and 1.6%, respectively. Their current prices are $0.6360, $0.9354, and $2.124.

The Ethereum network is currently teetering on the brink of excitement, as the anticipated debut of the ETF backed by spot Ethereum approaches. If this ETF begins trading, it could potentially ignite a robust surge in value for Ethereum and related tokens.

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2024-06-11 16:24