Ethereum leads by revenue in the DApp sector
Ethereum tops DApp fee revenue with $1.02 billion in Q1 2025.
Ethereum cemented its leadership in the decentralized application (DApp) platform space in Q1 2025, generating $1.021 billion in DApp fee revenue, according to data from Token Terminal.
That figure positions Ethereum well ahead of its closest competitors and highlights the blockchain’s enduring dominance despite mounting competition from newer, cost-efficient networks, reports BeInCrypto.
In second place, Coinbase’s Layer-2 network Base brought in $193 million—less than one-fifth of Ethereum’s total but still reflecting a 45% growth from Q4 2024. BNB Chain followed with $170 million, while Ethereum-compatible Layer-2 network Arbitrum recorded $73.8 million. Avalanche C-Chain trailed in fifth with $27.68 million.
DApp fee revenue is often used as a barometer for blockchain activity and user engagement. On Ethereum, much of the revenue comes from decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols like Uniswap and Aave, as well as NFT marketplaces and blockchain games. Ethereum’s wide range of high-value applications continues to generate substantial transaction fees, underscoring its position as the foundational layer for Web3 innovation.
Ethereum’s advantage lies in maturity and resilience
Ethereum’s first-mover advantage in smart contracts, robust security model, and deep liquidity pools have helped it maintain a significant lead over rival platforms. The network currently hosts over 4,983 active DApps, according to DappRadar, just slightly behind BNB Chain in raw numbers but still leading in user value and fee generation.
Network upgrades such as the Dencun hard fork in 2024 also contributed to Ethereum’s momentum by reducing Layer-2 transaction costs and improving scalability. Meanwhile, Ethereum continues to dominate DeFi, with a Total Value Locked (TVL) of $46 billion—more than 50% of the global DeFi market, per DeFiLlama.
Despite Ethereum’s lead, competitors are advancing. Base’s rising fee revenue signals growing adoption within Coinbase’s ecosystem. BNB Chain remains popular for retail users due to its low fees, while Arbitrum and Avalanche continue expanding in DeFi and NFTs.
Still, Ethereum’s blend of technical maturity, developer activity, and high-value applications ensures it remains the gold standard for decentralized platforms—for now.
Recently we wrote, that Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has unveiled a new roadmap aimed at enhancing user privacy on the Ethereum blockchain.
