The Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) ecosystem continues to expand at a rapid pace, with Layer 2 solutions and alternative EVM-compatible chains capturing increasing user attention. Recent on-chain data from analytics platform Nansen reveals significant shifts in user activity across major networks over the past week. With active addresses serving as a key indicator of real-world engagement, these insights offer a clear snapshot of where momentum is building in the decentralized web.
At the forefront of this surge are Base and Sei Network, both of which posted explosive growth in weekly active addresses. Meanwhile, established players like Ethereum, BNB Chain, and Avalanche maintained strong performance, reflecting a maturing multi-chain landscape where innovation, speed, and ecosystem incentives drive user adoption.
Top EVM Chains by Active Addresses (Past 7 Days)
Here’s a breakdown of the most active EVM-compatible blockchains based on the number of unique active addresses over the last week:
- Base – 9.78 million active addresses (+42% growth)
- BNB Chain – 7.88 million (+4.8%)
- Ethereum – 2.18 million (+9.2%)
- Polygon – 2.08 million (+2.5%)
- Sei v2 – 1.46 million (+64% growth)
- Arbitrum – 1.03 million (+5.9%)
- Avalanche – 1.01 million (+27%)
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These figures highlight not just raw user volume but also week-over-week momentum—offering valuable signals for developers, investors, and protocols evaluating where to deploy capital and build next-generation applications.
Base Emerges as the Most Active EVM Chain
Base, the Layer 2 network developed by Coinbase, has surged to the top of the rankings with over 9.7 million active addresses—a 42% increase in just seven days. This remarkable growth positions Base as the most actively used EVM chain in the current cycle.
The surge is largely attributed to rising activity in decentralized finance (DeFi) and blockchain gaming sectors on the network. Projects like Aerodrome Finance, Friend.tech, and Galxe have driven significant user acquisition through incentive programs, airdrops, and social token experiments. Additionally, Coinbase's integration of Base into its wallet and exchange platforms has lowered entry barriers for retail users, accelerating mainstream adoption.
Base’s alignment with Ethereum’s security model while offering lower transaction fees makes it an attractive environment for both builders and users—a combination that’s proving difficult for competitors to match.
Sei Network v2 Shows Highest Growth Rate
While Base leads in absolute numbers, Sei Network v2 claims the crown for fastest growth, recording a staggering 64% increase in active addresses. As a performance-optimized EVM chain designed for high-speed transactions and low-latency trading, Sei is gaining traction among decentralized exchange (DEX) developers and traders.
The upgrade to Sei v2 introduced full EVM compatibility, enabling Ethereum-native projects to migrate seamlessly. This strategic move has attracted a wave of new protocols and liquidity providers. Notable launches on Sei include Kujira, Neptune Mutual, and several orderbook-based DEXs that leverage its parallelized consensus engine.
This explosive growth signals strong product-market fit for chains focused on specific use cases—particularly those catering to high-frequency financial applications.
Ethereum Maintains Foundational Strength
Despite being outpaced in growth rate by newer chains, Ethereum remains the cornerstone of the EVM ecosystem with 2.18 million active addresses and a healthy 9.2% weekly increase. Its sustained relevance underscores the network’s unmatched security, decentralization, and developer maturity.
While high gas fees during peak times can deter casual users, Ethereum continues to serve as the primary settlement layer for high-value transactions and institutional-grade DeFi protocols. The success of recent protocol upgrades—such as Proto-Danksharding—has improved scalability expectations, reinforcing long-term confidence in the network.
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Avalanche and BNB Chain Show Resilient Engagement
Avalanche recorded a notable 27% increase in active addresses, driven by a resurgence in token launches, yield farming initiatives, and experimental DeFi protocols on its C-Chain. The Avalanche Multiverse program, which allocates millions in incentives to attract new projects, appears to be paying dividends in user acquisition.
Meanwhile, BNB Chain, though growing at a more modest 4.8%, maintains the second-highest address count at 7.88 million. Its deep integration with Binance’s global user base ensures continued relevance, particularly in emerging markets where low-cost transactions are essential.
Polygon’s 2.5% growth reflects steady but unspectacular momentum, suggesting the network may need fresh catalysts—such as zkEVM adoption or gaming partnerships—to reignite rapid expansion.
The Rise of Multi-Chain User Behavior
One of the most significant takeaways from this data is the normalization of multi-chain activity. Users are no longer confined to a single network; instead, they fluidly move across chains based on application availability, gas costs, and incentive programs.
This behavior is supported by improved cross-chain infrastructure—bridges, aggregators like LI.FI and Socket, and wallet interoperability—making it easier than ever to interact with multiple ecosystems seamlessly.
For developers and protocol teams, this means building with a multi-chain mindset is no longer optional—it's essential for capturing and retaining users.
Core Keywords
- EVM chains
- Active addresses
- Base blockchain
- Sei Network
- Ethereum Layer 2
- Blockchain user growth
- Multi-chain ecosystem
- On-chain analytics
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What defines an 'active address' in blockchain analytics?
A: An active address typically refers to a wallet that has initiated at least one transaction (sending, swapping, or interacting with a smart contract) on a given network within a specific time frame—in this case, the past seven days.
Q: Why is Base seeing such rapid growth?
A: Base benefits from strong backing by Coinbase, seamless integration with its exchange and wallet services, aggressive incentive campaigns from native projects, and growing interest in social finance (SocialFi) and gaming applications built on its network.
Q: How does Sei Network achieve faster transaction speeds?
A: Sei v2 uses a parallelized consensus engine that processes transactions ordered by asset pair, reducing latency for trading-heavy applications like DEXs. It also features built-in order matching logic and optimized data propagation for high throughput.
Q: Is Ethereum losing users to Layer 2 chains?
A: Not necessarily losing—but evolving. While L2s like Base and Arbitrum handle more retail-scale transactions due to lower fees, Ethereum remains the secure settlement layer for high-value activity. The ecosystem is expanding rather than fragmenting.
Q: Can BNB Chain maintain its position amid rising competition?
A: Yes, due to its massive existing user base via Binance, low fees, and ongoing investment in GameFi and RWA (real-world assets) projects. However, continued innovation will be key to staying competitive.
Q: What tools can I use to track active addresses across chains?
A: Platforms like Nansen, Dune Analytics, Artemis (by Chainalysis), and Token Terminal offer detailed on-chain dashboards for monitoring user activity across EVM-compatible networks.
Final Thoughts
The latest wave of user growth across EVM chains reflects a dynamic and increasingly diversified ecosystem. Base and Sei are setting the pace in terms of innovation and engagement, while Ethereum continues to anchor trust and security. As multi-chain behavior becomes standard, success will belong to those networks that combine technical excellence with compelling user incentives.
Developers, investors, and crypto enthusiasts should closely monitor these trends—not just for short-term opportunities but to understand the long-term trajectory of decentralized technology adoption.