TLDR
Ethereum mainnet fees are lower because demand for L1 blockspace has cooled as activity shifted to Layer 2s after recent scaling upgrades, easing congestion and the base fee.
- Fees hit a multi?year low, with mainnet fee revenue near a 7?year trough per on?chain data reports (7?year low).
- Upgrades and L2 growth moved transactions off L1, reducing pressure on base fees (upgrades shift activity to Layer 2).
- Recent changes that improve rollup efficiency reinforced the drop; fees fell about 62% over 30 days (fee drop and rollup efficiency).
Deep Dive
1. Multi?Year Lows
Mainnet fees are at the weakest levels in years, reflecting low congestion at the L1 base layer. Reports cite total mainnet fees falling below prior cycle averages on a 90?day basis, with fee revenue near a 7?year low as activity migrated off L1 and demand pressure eased (7?year low).
Cheaper L1 confirms less bidding for blockspace. Users face lower transaction costs, though miner/validator fee income also falls.
2. L2 Migration After Upgrades
The bigger driver is structural. Upgrades that expand data capacity and throughput helped rollups settle more efficiently, and users increasingly execute on L2s. Coverage points to stable ecosystem TVL alongside lower L1 fees, implying activity shifted rather than disappeared (upgrades shift activity to Layer 2). Cointelegraph also highlights rapid growth in L2 activity (for example, Base and Polygon) during the same window (fee drop and rollup efficiency).
More transactions occur on L2s while L1 increasingly settles and provides security. Expect persistently lower L1 fees when L2 usage stays high.
3. Protocol And Demand Mechanics
Ethereums base fee (EIP?1559) rises and falls with congestion. Reports note about a 62% base?layer fee drop over 30 days and mention recent changes aimed at improving rollup efficiency, reinforcing the downtrend (fee drop and rollup efficiency). Discussion around a potential on?chain gas futures market underscores the goal of making future fees more predictable during scaling, though it is not a current cause of lower fees (gas futures idea).
With lower immediate demand and better settlement paths for L2s, the base fee clears cheaper. Predictability tools could smooth volatility if adopted later.
Conclusion
Lower Ethereum mainnet fees reflect a structural shift: recent scaling changes plus strong L2 adoption reduced L1 congestion, so the base fee reset lower. If L2 usage remains elevated and future capacity improvements land, mainnet fees could stay subdued, with L1 acting more as settlement while L2s handle most user transactions.
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