Back on March 13th, Ethereum Improvement Proposal 4844 was implemented, increasing the scalability of L2s, while lowering fees for users.
Capacity expansion and lowered cost is obviously a positive thing for the Ethereum ecosystem, long term - but it comes with some teething issues
By increasing the supply of Ethereum’s main product (blockspace – aka: transaction capacity), L2’s can now offer near-zero transaction fees to their users, and increase their margins…by like, A LOT.
It’s pretty much a big flashing billboard, saying “COME BUILD ON ETHEREUM!
The rent paid by L2s to settle on Ethereum has dropped drastically – and in order for this fee revenue to recover, the Ethereum ecosystem needs to significantly grow its user base, which is exactly what’s happening.
L2 transactions were up 63% in Q2, while active users pumped 81%
Like the internet before it, Ethereum is having its broadband moment, the expanded capacity is laid (aka: cheap blockspace supply) now the demand just needs to catch up with supply, and drive Ethereum’s revenue back up.
It took years for the internet’s broadband capabilities to be fully leveraged – Youtube couldn't have existed when the internet was on dial up But once capacity opened up, the possibilities were endless.
Ethereum is having a similar moment sure, its revenue is down, but so long as the Eth ecosystem as a whole continues to grow, the ecosystem is alive, kicking, and brimming with opportunities