Ethereum Fees Drop to Five-Year Low as Traders Pause Ahead of Pectra Upgrade

Ethereum fees have plunged to their lowest level since 2020 as user activity across the network slows. According to on-chain analytics platform Santiment, transaction fees now average just $0.168, a dramatic drop that reflects subdued trading volumes and cautious market sentiment following recent geopolitical developments and tariff announcements.

ETH Transaction Costs Drop as Network Activity Slows Down

In a recent blog post, Santiment’s marketing director Brian Quinlivan noted that fewer people are sending ETH or interacting with smart contracts, which has contributed to the decline in ETH transaction cost. Ethereum’s fee model, driven by demand, adjusts downward when activity drops, allowing users to pay minimal fees to process their transactions.

“When fewer people are transacting, like we see now, users don’t need to bid much. As a result, the average fee drops,” Quinlivan explained. This dynamic underscores how Ethereum’s fee structure is sensitive to market activity, operating on a basic supply and demand mechanism.

Ethereum Pectra Upgrade Targets Fee Reduction and Layer-2 Scaling

While Ethereum fees remain low due to reduced activity, developers are pushing ahead with upgrades aimed at improving scalability and lowering costs over the long term. The long-awaited Ethereum Pectra upgrade is now scheduled to go live on the mainnet on May 7, after delays during testnet activation phases.

The Pectra upgrade’s first phase will double Ethereum’s layer-2 blob capacity from three to six, allowing more data to be handled per block. This will significantly reduce network congestion and bring down ETH transaction cost further. Additionally, users will soon be able to pay fees using stablecoins like USDC and DAI—an innovation that enhances transaction flexibility and user experience.

Market Sentiment Low but Rebound Potential Remains

Despite the drop in activity and fees, Santiment believes there’s still strong development behind Ethereum. Quinlivan remarked that low retail sentiment could actually set the stage for a sharp price rebound, especially given Ethereum’s ongoing development efforts and upcoming network enhancements.

The second phase of the Ethereum Pectra upgrade—expected in late 2025 or early 2026—will introduce a new data structure that enhances storage efficiency and allows for more scalable validation by enabling nodes to verify data without storing everything. With the March 2024 Dencun upgrade, which slashed transaction fees for Ethereum rollups, Pectra could mark a turning point for network efficiency and affordability. These layered improvements are designed to restore Ethereum’s competitive edge in a rapidly evolving blockchain landscape.

Conclusion: Fees Down, Optimism Ahead for Ethereum

Ethereum fees have fallen to a five-year low, signaling a cooldown in on-chain activity as global uncertainty weighs on the market. Yet the upcoming Pectra upgrade offers a pathway to long-term cost reductions, scalability improvements, and broader adoption. As traders wait for clarity, Ethereum’s development continues to push forward, quietly setting the foundation for the next bull cycle.