2026-01-18 06:28:25

Recently, there have been many interesting changes in the Ethereum ecosystem. The number of on-chain transactions and active addresses are hitting new highs one after another, yet Gas prices have dropped to a low of $0.03. Behind this contrast, a complete reshaping of the capital flow in the entire crypto market is actually underway.

Speaking of Gas fees, they used to be ridiculously expensive. Ordinary users wanting to participate in the Ethereum ecosystem were scared away, and small to medium projects were also kept out. Now, with Gas fees significantly reduced, the ecosystem’s door has been opened. This is great news for the long-dormant altcoin tracks — capital and users are expected to flow back, and the ecosystem’s vitality will be thoroughly activated.

However, this development is not very friendly to L2 projects. OP, ARB, ZK, STRK — these L2 projects were originally born because of Ethereum network congestion and high Gas fees. Now that Ethereum L1 has addressed speed and cost issues, the competitive advantage of L2 has been greatly weakened, and its necessity is under serious scrutiny.

Looking at other public chains, BSC and SOL have been very popular over the past two years, but the meme myth that can generate billion-level wealth effects still originated in the Ethereum ecosystem. SHIB in the 2021 bull market and PEPE in this cycle have created phenomenal wealth-creating legends on Ethereum, with influence far surpassing similar projects on BSC and SOL.

Overall, driven by technological breakthroughs, Ethereum is entering a critical period of a king’s return. In the short term, the ecosystem is likely to see many impressive projects emerge.

ETH-1,08%

OP3,1%

ARB1,01%

ZK3,95%

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PessimisticOracle

· 12h ago

Gas is so cheap now, are people still buying the dip on OP? LOL --- L2 is doomed, I've been saying this for a long time --- Wait, can those who hoarded shib now turn things around? --- Is ETH really about to take off? It feels like the people saying this are saying it every week --- Altcoins bouncing back? My trash coins are still falling --- The meme ecosystem of Solana is really just collecting dust; the contrast is too obvious --- With gas prices this low, should I enter the market or keep watching? --- L2 dying is deserved; it's just a transitional solution. With ETH like this, how can ARB survive? --- PEPE's recent surge is truly incredible, but should I buy in now or be the bagholder? --- Ethereum king's return? I've heard that too many times. If you believe it, you're really just being naive

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CommunityJanitor

· 18h ago

Gas fees are so cheap now, what are you waiting for to buy the dip in altcoins? OP and ARB are getting anxious, their survival space is really being squeezed. It feels like ETH is about to take off again; how did PEPE make money back then? Time to do it again. If L2 can't find a clear differentiation, it really is a bit risky. Wow, is Ethereum trying to crush all other blockchains? Gas is ridiculously low; regular users can finally enter the market. Oh my, I should have stocked up more on trash coins in the ETH ecosystem.

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PumpDetector

· 21h ago

ngl the L2 copium is real... OP and ARB holders in shambles rn. but wait, if gas stays this low we're gonna see absolute chaos in shitcoin season, not just the usual stuff. ethereum's basically become the casino floor again and i'm here for it.

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SigmaValidator

· 01-18 06:58

Lower gas fees are actually a trap; this is where the deepest tricks lie. OP and ARB, are you panicking? Now you've been proven wrong. PEPE's success can't be replicated at all; don't think the next meme will make you rich overnight. Just wait, after L1 slows down, altcoins will face another wave of death. Ethereum's winner-takes-all scenario is truly outrageous; other chains have no future.

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SignatureDenied

· 01-18 06:55

Gas has dropped to 0.03? Now L2 is really a bit embarrassing, I wish I hadn't bothered earlier. The story of OP and ARB is about to be rewritten, Ethereum has done the work itself. PEPE's wave was indeed awesome, other chains simply don't have that magic. Wait, will Gas continue to fall? I still want to buy the dip. Are altcoins still alive? Then I need to see what's new. L1 is recovering, L2 is cooling down, this logic is a bit absolute. Ethereum is about to start cutting the leeks again, come on. Will a new myth be born with low Gas fees? I'm a bit looking forward to it.

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WalletDetective

· 01-18 06:53

Gas drops to 0.03? That's really good news, finally able to play freely. L2s might feel a bit uncomfortable now, but on the other hand, OP and ARB should also think about how to differentiate themselves. That wave of PEPE was really fierce; Ethereum has this kind of magic.

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ForkTongue

· 01-18 06:50

$0.03 Gas fee, this is more like what Ethereum should be. The previous prices were really crazy. L2 is a bit awkward this time, which is why I’ve never dared to heavily invest in OP. The success of PEPE cannot be replicated at all. Don’t get caught being a victim of pump and dump. Gas becoming cheaper feels a bit unfamiliar; it seems like the mechanism needs to be re-understood. Ethereum has shown some signs of improvement this time, but how long it can last is uncertain. L1 and L2 are now so opposed, making ecosystem competition even more brutal. The vitality of the altcoin track is returning, but the risks are also doubling. Be selective.

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HashBandit

· 01-18 06:36

gas fees finally hitting rock bottom at 0.03? nah man, this is exactly when the rug pulls start... been through this cycle too many times back in my mining days

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