By Tom Blitzer
Key Insights:
- Base and zkSync Era set TPS records, challenging Ethereum’s speed supremacy.
- Ethereum’s unmatched 30-day transaction volume overshadows L2 contenders.
- Despite speed feats, Base and zkSync Era hold less than 5% TVL market share.
Base and zkSync Era set new TPS benchmarks, yet Ethereum dominates in volume. The L2 competition reveals unexpected shifts in speed and market dominance.
Recently, Layer 2 solutions Base and zkSync Era have made headlines with their impressive transactions per second (TPS). Data from L2 Beats reveals that Base clocked a swift 12.93 TPS, marking a significant 50% increase in just a week. Close on its heels, zkSync Era registered 12.62 TPS in the past day. However, Ethereum, the industry stalwart, continues to overshadow in sheer volume, setting the stage for an intriguing competition.
A Look at Transaction Volumes
While Base and zkSync Era’s TPS figures are commendable, Ethereum remains unmatched in the 30-day transaction count. Ethereum’s robust 30.63 million transactions dwarf the 21.18 million and 30.17 million of Base and zkSync Era, respectively. Ethereum’s trading volume also stands at a whopping $382 million, eclipsing the combined volumes of both L2 solutions.
DefiLlama’s insights further paint a contrasting picture. Base’s trading volume remains steady at press time, hovering around $26.84 million.
Source: DefiLlama
In contrast, at press time, zkSync Era showcases a rising trajectory, with its volume surpassing $84 million. This disparity suggests that while both platforms boast speed, their market engagement varies considerably.
Source: DefiLlama
Market Share Dynamics
Speed is one facet of the equation. Market share offers another perspective. Despite their TPS feats, Base and zkSync Era’s grip on the Total Value Locked (TVL) in the Layer 2 arena is below 5%. L2 Beats data indicates zkSync Era’s TVL at roughly $415 million, translating to a 4.30% market share. Base trails slightly with a TVL of $382 million, or about 4% of the market. Meanwhile, Arbitrum leads the pack with a dominant 54% share, followed by Optimism’s respectable 26%.
These figures highlight a crucial narrative: transaction speed, while essential, isn’t the sole determinant of market leadership. Base and zkSync Era, despite their recent accolades, have a challenging journey ahead to rival stalwarts like Arbitrum and Optimism.
Base and zkSync Era have carved a niche with their transaction speeds, but Ethereum’s volume and market share dominance remain unchallenged. Their TPS achievements are noteworthy but sustained growth and broader market capture will be the ultimate litmus test. As the Layer 2 landscape unfolds, adaptability will be vital to meeting the dynamic demands of the crypto realm.