What Is the Most Used Blockchain? Data Shows Solana Leading Over Ethereum in 2025

In the competitive landscape of blockchain networks, determining the “most used” chain involves analyzing key metrics like Total Value Locked (TVL), transaction volumes, user counts, fee revenues, and value transfers—areas where Solana has shown remarkable growth compared to Ethereum and its Layer-2 solutions.

On-chain data reveals Solana’s dominance across these indicators, reflecting its efficiency, low costs, and appeal for DeFi applications and high-frequency trading. This analysis, grounded in verifiable metrics from sources like Dune Analytics and DefiLlama, highlights why Solana stands out as the most used blockchain, offering insights for crypto enthusiasts exploring network activity, Ethereum L2s, and blockchain trends without endorsing any investments. Understanding these data points can help users evaluate chain utility in decentralized finance ecosystems.

What Is TVL and Why Solana’s Growth Matters in Blockchain Networks?

Total Value Locked (TVL) measures the capital committed to a blockchain’s smart contracts and DeFi protocols, serving as a proxy for network vitality and investor confidence in earning opportunities. Since early 2023, Solana’s TVL share of the total crypto market has exploded from under 1% (0.7%) to over 9.5% by late 2025, indicating a 10x surge driven by real capital inflows amid its high-performance architecture. In contrast, Ethereum Layer-2 networks like Arbitrum have seen stagnant TVL shares (3.5% to 3.09%), while Optimism and Polygon experienced declines or halving. This rapid TVL growth on Solana underscores its appeal for yield farming and tokenized assets, positioning it as the most used blockchain for value preservation in volatile markets. As blockchain trends evolve, Solana’s TVL trajectory signals stronger ecosystem stickiness compared to Ethereum L2s.

(Sources: DeFiLlama)

• 10x TVL Expansion: Solana’s market share rose from 0.7% to 9.5%, reflecting genuine capital allocation.
• Ethereum L2 Stagnation: Arbitrum held steady at ~3%, Optimism dropped from 1.8% to 0.3%.
• Polygon Decline: Share halved from 3.5% to 1.22%, highlighting competitive shifts.
• Capital Confidence: TVL growth indicates users view Solana as profitable and reliable for DeFi.
• Early Mover Impact: Ethereum’s overall share declined as Solana captured new inflows.

Solana’s Dominance in On-Chain Transaction Volumes

On-chain transaction volume tracks the number of interactions processed by a network, revealing its capacity for everyday use in trading, transfers, and DeFi activities. Over the past two years, Solana has handled 82% of all blockchain transactions, far outpacing Ethereum’s mainnet, which halved from 2.88% to 1.4% share. During the 2025 meme coin frenzy, Solana processed five times more daily transactions than Ethereum, demonstrating its scalability for high-frequency events without congestion. Critics often question if bots inflate these figures, but real gas fees paid per transaction affirm organic demand, cementing Solana as the most used blockchain for volume. This metric ties into broader crypto trends like meme trading and decentralized exchanges, where Solana’s low latency shines.

• 82% Global Share: Solana dominates total on-chain transactions since early 2023.
• 5x Ethereum Peak: Handled five times more daily tx during 2025 meme highs.
• Share Losses to L2s: Recent dips to Base and BSC, but Solana remains absolute leader.
• Bot-Resistant Insight: Fees paid indicate real economic activity, not just automation.
• Ethereum Decline: Mainnet share halved, shifting burden to L2s without overtaking Solana.

User Growth Metrics: Why Solana Leads in Active Addresses

User growth is gauged by the share of active addresses interacting with a chain, indicating accessibility and adoption for retail and institutional participants alike. Solana’s user base share has quintupled from 6% to 28% since 2023, capturing newcomers drawn to its low fees and speed for DeFi and NFT activities. Meanwhile, Ethereum’s mainnet user share plummeted 70% from 20% to 6%, with some migration to L2s like Base, but the biggest beneficiaries have been BSC and Solana. This surge positions Solana as the most used blockchain for daily users, reflecting its edge in onboarding via user-friendly wallets and apps. In 2025 blockchain trends, Solana’s growth highlights how performance trumps Ethereum L2s in attracting mass adoption.

(Sources: DeFiLlama)

• 5x User Surge: Solana’s share rose from 6% to 28%, flipping Ethereum’s dominance.
• Ethereum Drop: Mainnet users fell 70% from 20% to 6%.
• L2 Migration Limits: Base and others gained, but Solana and BSC took the lion’s share.
• Accessibility Factor: Low barriers draw retail for meme coins and DeFi.
• Network Effect: Higher users amplify liquidity in decentralized exchanges.

Fee Revenue Trends: Solana’s Explosive Growth in Network Income

Fee revenue represents the economic value users assign to a chain, as paid gas fees signal willingness to transact despite costs. Solana’s share of total blockchain fees skyrocketed from 0.17% in January 2023 to 22.4% by late 2025—a 123x increase—often matching Ethereum’s monthly totals at around 40% each. Ethereum’s overall share halved from 80% to 43%, with L2s showing seasonal spikes but lacking stickiness. Solana’s affordable fees combined with massive volume prove real demand, establishing it as the most used blockchain for revenue generation. This trend in 2025 underscores Solana’s efficiency in DeFi, where low costs enable high-frequency strategies without eroding profitability.

(Sources: DeFiLlama)

• 123x Fee Rise: From 0.17% to 22.4% share of global fees.
• Monthly Parity: Solana equals Ethereum at ~40% of total monthly income.
• Ethereum Halving: Share dropped from 80% to 43%.
• L2 Seasonality: Fees spike and fade on trending L2s like Base.
• Volume-Driven: Cheap fees + high tx = substantial real economic activity.

Value Transfer Volumes: Solana’s Role in On-Chain Capital Flows

Value transfer volumes measure the dollar amount of assets moved on-chain, indicating a network’s utility for large-scale payments and settlements beyond speculation. Solana consistently handles nearly 30% of global on-chain value transfers, on par with Ethereum’s mainnet, and peaked at 75% during 2025’s meme highs versus Ethereum’s 12%. In DEX aggregation, Solana processes twice Ethereum’s volume, though its share dipped from 70% to 54% as Ethereum costs fell. These figures debunk notions of Solana as purely meme-driven, affirming it as the most used blockchain for capital movement. Amid 2025 trends in tokenized assets, Solana’s volumes highlight its infrastructure strength for DeFi and cross-chain flows.

• 30% Global Share: Matches Ethereum mainnet in steady value transfers.
• 6x Peak Gap: 75% vs. 12% during 2025 meme surges.
• DEX Dominance: Twice Ethereum’s aggregated volume.
• Share Decline Insight: Ethereum’s falling costs shifted some institutional flows.
• Beyond Memes: Real value moves prove broad utility in decentralized finance.

In summary, data across TVL, transactions, users, fees, and value transfers positions Solana as the most used blockchain in 2025, outpacing Ethereum and its L2s in growth and activity metrics. This analysis reveals Solana’s strengths in scalability and user appeal, fostering a vibrant ecosystem for DeFi innovations. To explore further, review on-chain dashboards like DefiLlama for real-time stats, compare Ethereum L2s on Dune Analytics, or dive into blockchain trends reports—always approaching with an educational mindset and using secure wallets for any interactions.