Evaluating the health and success of a blockchain ecosystem requires a multi-faceted perspective. Relying on a single metric, such as transaction count or Total Value Locked (TVL), can paint an incomplete and sometimes misleading picture. In this week’s comprehensive analysis, we examine four key metrics: Weekly Transactions, TVL, Weekly Active Addresses, and Growth Rate to determine which networks are leading in each domain and to chart the true map of power in this competitive industry.
1. The Unrivaled King of Speed and Activity: Solana’s Dominance in Transaction Volume
When it comes to raw processing power and sheer volume of on-chain activity, one name stands far above the rest: Solana.
- •By recording 503.6 million weekly transactions, Solana not only ranks first but has registered more than four times the activity of its closest competitor, BNB Chain (with 113.3 million transactions).
- •Networks like Base (79.2 million) and Tron (65.7 million) follow strongly, indicating their own active and high-utility ecosystems.
2. The Financial Center of Gravity: Ethereum’s Unshakeable Leadership in TVL
Total Value Locked (TVL) remains the most reliable indicator of investor confidence and the maturity of a network’s DeFi ecosystem. In this arena, Ethereum maintains its undisputed reign.
- •With $94.6 billion in TVL, Ethereum single-handedly holds the majority of the capital in the entire DeFi market.
- •Solana holds the second position with $12.52 billion, while BNB is in third with $9.27 billion, both trailing the leader by a significant margin. These figures show that despite the rise of faster competitors, Ethereum continues to be recognized as the most secure and trustworthy platform for major financial protocols.
3. The Champion of User Acquisition: The Big Surprise from Near Protocol
Perhaps the most surprising finding in this week’s data is the performance of Near Protocol in the “Weekly Active Addresses” metric. While one might expect transaction leaders to also lead in user engagement, Near tells a different story.
- •With 15.9 million weekly active addresses, Near has taken a commanding lead in this category.
- •Solana (10.2 million) and BNB (9.8 million) follow in second and third place.
This statistic indicates that Near has been exceptionally successful in attracting and engaging a broad user base. This success could be driven by popular dApps in SocialFi, gaming, or other applications focused on a smooth user experience and low costs.
4. The Growth Engine is On: Avalanche’s Impressive Surge
The weekly growth rate of transactions is a key indicator for identifying emerging trends and networks that are currently attracting new activity. This week, Avalanche (Avalanche_C) was the undeniable star of this segment.
- •Avalanche showcased incredible momentum by posting a weekly growth of +32.1%, proving it has successfully captured the attention of new developers and users.
- •In contrast, some of the larger networks, such as Solana (-4.6%) and Base (-5.6%), experienced negative growth. This could signal a period of consolidation or a temporary user cooldown after a phase of high activity.
Conclusion: To Each Champion, a Realm
A comprehensive analysis of this week’s data reveals that there is no single “winner” in the blockchain race. Instead, we are witnessing the emergence of specialized leaders in different domains:
- •Solana: The undisputed champion of transaction volume and speed.
- •Ethereum: The center of gravity for capital and trust (TVL).
- •Near Protocol: The frontrunner in user acquisition and engagement.
- •Avalanche: The leader in short-term growth and momentum.
- •BNB Chain: A powerful all-around contender that ranks among the top performers across all key metrics.
For investors and users, understanding these distinctions is crucial. The best blockchain depends on your objective: Are you seeking raw speed, security of capital, a massive user base, or growth potential? The map of power is clearly drawn, and each network has carved out its own territory.