Crypto’s ‘Middle Child’ Ethereum Flounders as Rivals Gain Ground

Nov. 29, 2024, 1:00 PM UTC

Ethereum faces pressing questions over its direction as a rejigged user experience saps activity and fees, stoking uncertainty about whether the blockchain will continue to underpin commerce in crypto.

Critics point to a growing reliance on so-called Layer-2 blockchains, built on top of Ethereum to improve otherwise clunky and costly transactions. Layer-2 operators like Arbitrum and Optimism have reaped the rewards. Since March, Layer-2 transactions are up 430%, while fees collected by Ethereum have fallen 87% in the same period, data compiled by Bloomberg show.

The performance of Ethereum’s token, Ether, underscores the muddy outlook. It’s up about 75% in ...

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