Ethereum’s Burn Rate Drops to Historic Low as Activity Slows

Ethereum's Burn Rate Drops to Historic Low as Activity Slows

Ethereum’s burn rate plummeted to its lowest level since the launch of EIP-1559, highlighting weak demand for blockspace. With Layer-2 networks attracting more activity, Ethereum’s long-term supply dynamics are shifting, prompting concerns among investors.

The decline in Ethereum’s burn rate signals a fundamental shift in the network’s economic model. EIP-1559 was designed to reduce ETH’s supply by burning a portion of transaction fees, but with fewer transactions on the mainnet, the deflationary mechanism is weakening. Analysts now question whether Ethereum can maintain its value proposition as a deflationary asset while transitioning to a multi-layered ecosystem.

Ethereum’s Burn Rate Drops to a Historic Low

Ethereum’s burn rate has hit its lowest point since the launch of EIP-1559, a major upgrade aimed at reducing inflation by burning a portion of transaction fees. On March 23, only 50.03 ETH ($104,812) was burned, marking the weakest burn day in Ethereum’s history.

ETH burned since EIP-1559 implementation in March 2024. Source: The Block data (March 24, 2025)
ETH burned since EIP-1559’s implementation in March 2024. Source: The Block data (March 24, 2025)

This sharp decline signals a drop in network demand, as the Ethereum burn mechanism is directly tied to transaction activity. When gas fees are high, more ETH is burned, sometimes even turning Ethereum into a deflationary asset.

However, recent data from Ultrasound.money projects Ethereum’s supply to increase by 0.76% annually, indicating a shift back to inflationary issuance.

ETH supply evolution over the past 7 days. Source: Ultrasound.money (March 24, 2025)
ETH supply evolution over the past 7 days. Source: Ultrasound.money (March 24, 2025)

Ethereum Faces Competition from Layer-2 Networks

A major reason behind Ethereum’s declining burn rate is the rapid rise of Layer-2 scaling solutions like Arbitrum, Optimism, and Base. These networks offer cheaper and faster transactions, attracting users who would have otherwise interacted directly on Ethereum’s mainnet.

Layer-2 solutions still rely on Ethereum for security, but they divert transaction fees away from the base layer, reducing ETH burns. As a result, Ethereum’s core network sees fewer transactions, lower fees, and weaker deflationary pressure, making it less attractive as a long-term store of value.

ETH’s Price Outlook Weakens Amid Declining Usage

The combination of lower transaction volume reduced ETH burns, and Layer-2 competition has led analysts to rethink Ethereum’s future price potential. Standard Chartered recently slashed its ETH price target for 2025 from $10,000 to just $4,000, citing diminishing value capture on Ethereum’s mainnet.

Standard Chartered Lowers ETH Price Forecast from $10,000 by 2025 to Just $4,000
Standard Chartered Lowers ETH Price Forecast from $10,000 by 2025 to Just $4,000

While Ethereum remains the dominant smart contract platform, its economic model faces new pressures. If Layer-2s continue absorbing transaction activity, Ethereum’s deflationary narrative may weaken, potentially limiting its long-term upside.

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