Ethereum (ETH-USD) has surged into the spotlight once again. This time, not just for its price spike but also for its diving gas fees, which made it the star performer this past week. With a strong 6% increase, Ethereum’s return to over $3,300 is turning heads. Yet, it’s the drop in its transaction costs that’s stirring the pot in the crypto community.
Don't Miss our Black Friday Offers:
- Unlock your investing potential with TipRanks Premium - Now At 40% OFF!
- Make smarter investments with weekly expert stock picks from the Smart Investor Newsletter
On-chain analytics firm Santiment shared some intriguing data: Ethereum’s gas fees have plummeted to a six-month low. The average fee now sits at a comfortable $1.12, marking the lowest daily average since the breezy days of mid-October 2023.
Ethereum’s Technical Tailwind
This fee reduction aligns with the recent Duncan upgrade, which was designed to streamline transactions. However, whether the drop in fees is related to Duncan or a significant decrease in traded volume is unknown. It’s clear that a quieter crypto market overall has also played a part, easing the on-chain congestion that often drives fees skyward. This dip follows a peak in transaction costs in March, when fees soared to an eye-watering $15.21 amid a frenzy of market activity.
Santiment analysts suggest that the ebb and flow of Ethereum’s transaction fees mirror sentiment cycles in the crypto sphere—soaring during bullish phases and retreating when the market cools off. The current low-fee environment might just be the catalyst needed to jolt Ethereum out of its sluggish phase and steer it back onto an upward trajectory.
Regulatory Rumbles and ETF Enthusiasm
On the regulatory front, Consensys is making wavess by challenging the SEC’s attempts to label Ethereum as a security. Their argument? Such a move would not only stifle innovation but also disadvantage developers, investors, and major institutions relying on Ethereum’s decentralized nature.
There is a glimmer of hope on the ETF front. Franklin Templeton has made a notable play by listing its spot Ethereum ETF on the DTCC’s ledger. This move has rejuvenated hopes that the SEC might green-light an Ethereum ETF come May.
Don’t let crypto give you a run for your money. Track coin prices here
