Ethereum Active Addresses Surge in January 2026: Mainnet Flips Layer-2 Networks
In January 2026, Ethereum active addresses surpassed major layer-2 networks as lower fees revitalized on-chain activity on the mainnet.
Ethereum is reclaiming its crown. In January 2026, daily active addresses on the Ethereum mainnet climbed above major layer-2 (L2) networks. This shift marks a significant reversal as users who migrated to scaling solutions are flocking back to the primary chain.
Drivers Behind Ethereum Active Addresses Growth
The primary catalyst for this revival is a substantial reduction in gas fees. As lower costs made on-chain transactions more accessible, activity surged across the ecosystem. This resurgence has narrowed the gap between the mainnet and L2 competitors like Arbitrum and Optimism, which had previously dominated active address counts.
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