A dramatic decline in the Bitcoin (BTC) network has sparked a new discussion in the crypto world. The daily transaction count has fallen below 350,000, reaching its lowest level in 1.5 years. As investor interest shifts to alternative blockchain networks supporting Ethereum-style applications, Bitcoin's popular protocols Runes and Ordinals are also falling out of favor.
Sharp Decline from the Peak of 2024
The year 2024 was a turning point for Bitcoin-based protocols. Innovative applications like Runes and Ordinals had pushed the daily transaction count above 700,000 with the frenzy of NFT-like records and token creation. However, recent data shows that this interest is rapidly waning. While the weekly transaction average briefly fell to 316,000, it is currently hovering around 350,000 with a slight recovery. Analysts indicate that this decline is due to a decrease in speculative activity.
Low Fee Transactions on the Agenda
This decline in transaction volume has also sparked an interesting technical discussion within the Bitcoin network. Low intensity has kept transaction fees below $1.50 throughout 2025. Some users have begun to experiment with ultra-low-fee transactions below the 1 satoshi/vB standard that Bitcoin Core rejects by default. In response to this demand, the MARA mining pool has started to approve these transactions using a special method called 'Slipstream.'
However, this move has divided the Bitcoin community. One group argues that the approval of low-fee transactions aligns with Bitcoin’s principle of censorship resistance, while the other group suggests that such transactions could leave the network vulnerable to spam attacks. The debate has raised new questions about Bitcoin’s core principles and the future of the network.
Is Bitcoin Returning to Its Traditional Role?
Low transaction fees and decreasing volume indicate that Bitcoin is beginning to position itself more as a traditional store of value rather than a speculative asset. On the other hand, the prominence of Ethereum and other layer-1 blockchains with smart contracts and DeFi applications further highlights this stagnation in the Bitcoin network.
What does this change in the crypto market mean for the future of Bitcoin? Is the network finding a new balance with low transaction volume, or is it losing ground against alternative chains? You can join the discussion by sharing your views on X or following up-to-date analyses for more information.