Average transaction fees across major crypto sectors fell sharply, signaling reduced speculative trading and lower network demand.
Average crypto network fees declined 44.6% in 2026, with a median drop of 42.2%, reflecting a broad slowdown in user activity. The trend suggests a shift away from peak speculative conditions toward more sustainable usage levels.
Decentralized exchanges (DEX) saw the steepest decline, with fees falling 52.5% to $1.10B. Layer 1 networks dropped 26.2% to $1.60B, while derivatives, lending, and liquid staking fees declined 36.6%, 43.7%, and 42.2%, respectively. NFT marketplaces experienced the sharpest contraction, with fees plunging 82.5%.
The data highlights a cooling crypto market, with lower fee revenue across all major sectors. The decline aligns with reduced trading volumes and diminished speculative interest compared to prior years.