Today marks 10 years since the Ethereum mainnet launched, an anniversary that reminds us just how much this ecosystem has shaped the blockchain space. If Bitcoin brought the concept of decentralized money, Ethereum introduced programmable money and smart contracts, laying the foundation for the dapp industry as we know it.
At DappRadar, we decided to celebrate Ethereum’s 10th anniversary by looking back at some key metrics across wallets, transactions, DeFi, NFTs, and gaming. Let’s dive into the numbers and explore Ethereum’s impact over the last decade.
1. Tracking 10 years of onchain engagement
Since integrating Ethereum into DappRadar nearly a decade ago, we’ve tracked over 234 million unique active wallets (UAW) interacting with dapps on the network. The majority of this activity has been driven by DeFi, followed by NFTs, gaming, and other categories.
Unique Active Wallets Distribution:
- DeFi: 74%
- NFTs: 10%
- Gaming: 3%
- Other: 13%
In terms of transaction, Ethereum processed over 452 million dapp-related transactions. Here too, DeFi takes the lead with 71%, while NFTs account for 18%, gaming dapps for 6%, and others for 5%.
Transaction Distribution:
- DeFi dapps: 71%
- NFT dapps: 18%
- Gaming dapps: 6%
- Others: 5%
When we zoom out and observe Ethereum’s onchain activity over the years, a few trends stand out. The peak of adoption occurred in 2021, coinciding with the height of the last bull run. That year recorded both the highest number of unique wallets and the most transactions on Ethereum.
Although activity cooled off in the following years, 2023 and 2024 saw consistent levels of engagement, particularly driven by renewed interest in NFTs, L2 ecosystems, and experimental DeFi protocols. 2025, while not yet concluded, appears on track to match or even surpass 2024, suggesting that the current market momentum might be sustainable.
Despite growing competition from faster and cheaper alternatives, Ethereum remains a cornerstone of Web3, especially in high-value sectors like DeFi and NFTs. These numbers confirm its role not just as the first smart contract platform, but as the engine that continues to drive innovation and usage across the dapp ecosystem.
2. Ethereum’s most used dapps
As part of the celebration, we looked at the top dapps by all-time UAW on Ethereum, and the data speaks volumes.
Out of the top 10 dapps:
- 8 are DeFi-focused
- 2 are NFT-related
This breakdown reinforces Ethereum’s strong alignment with DeFi, especially as many of these protocols remain active and relevant today.
We also analyzed the top DeFi dapps by all-time UAW:
These projects have withstood market cycles and regulatory hurdles, proving their resilience and ongoing importance in the ecosystem.
3. Ethereum’s NFT market in retrospect
Ethereum has led the NFT movement since day one. Over the past 10 years, we’ve tracked:
- $58 billion in NFT trading volume
- 49 million sales
- $1,185 average price per NFT
Clearly, Ethereum NFTs aren’t just plentiful, they’re premium assets. From iconic collectibles to high-profile art, Ethereum has been the go-to chain for top-tier NFT projects and serious collectors.
Leading NFT marketplaces on Ethereum
We also ranked the top NFT marketplaces on Ethereum by total trading volume.
One standout is Blur, which in just two years has carved out a massive share of the market, at times even surpassing OpenSea. This shift highlights how Ethereum remains dynamic, with new players still able to disrupt established norms.
Iconic NFT projects that shaped the culture
Finally, we looked at the collections that made Ethereum NFTs a household name. These are the blue-chip projects that captured mainstream attention and pushed NFT culture into the spotlight.
Together, these top 10 collections account for 37% of Ethereum’s total NFT trading volume. With sky-high prices and global visibility, they’ve helped define what NFTs represent, both as cultural assets and blockchain-native collectibles.
Closing words
Ethereum’s 10-year journey is more than just a milestone, it’s a testament to the platform’s foundational role in the evolution of Web3. From pioneering DeFi and NFTs to hosting dapps that shaped blockchain culture, Ethereum remains at the core of the industry.
And as we look ahead, one thing is certain: the next 10 years will be just as transformative.
