In Lesson 6, we explored how partnerships and backers strengthen a project’s foundation. Now, let’s dive into on-chain metrics, which provide a real-time view of a project’s activity and security.

What Are On-Chain Metrics?

On-chain metrics refer to data collected directly from a blockchain that provides insights into the project’s health, activity, and network security. These metrics help investors assess how actively a network is being used, how secure it is, and whether it has the potential to grow over time.

On-chain data allows investors to make data-driven decisions by analysing activity such as the number of active addresses, transaction volumes, and staking rates. These metrics offer an unbiased view of a project’s health and can be more reliable than relying solely on market sentiment or hype.

Key On-Chain Metrics to Track

  • Active Addresses: The number of unique addresses transacting on the network. More active addresses typically indicate higher user engagement.
  • Transaction Volume: The amount of value being transferred on the network. High transaction volume often suggests a growing ecosystem with increasing activity.
  • Network Security: This can be measured by the hash rate (for Proof-of-Work chains) or the amount of staked assets (for Proof-of-Stake networks). A higher hash rate or staked assets indicates greater network security.

Understanding these metrics helps investors get a real sense of a project’s user engagement and network adoption. Networks with consistently high activity levels are generally seen as more valuable, as they indicate widespread adoption and usage.

Analysing Network Security

The security of a blockchain is paramount to its survival. In Proof-of-Work (PoW) chains like Bitcoin, hash rate is a critical metric because it measures the computational power being used to secure the network. A higher hash rate means it is more difficult for bad actors to attack the network.

For Proof-of-Stake (PoS) chains, staked assets serve as a security measure. The more tokens that are staked, the harder it becomes to manipulate or attack the network, making staking participation a key metric for PoS networks like Ethereum or Solana.

2024 Example: $ETH On-Chain Activity and Security

In 2024, Ethereum ($ETH) continues to show strong on-chain activity with a high number of daily active addresses and transaction volume. The introduction of Layer 2 scaling solutions like Arbitrum and Optimism has led to even greater usage. Additionally, Ethereum’s staking participation increased significantly after the transition to Proof-of-Stake, making it one of the most secure networks in the crypto space.

These metrics highlight Ethereum’s position as a leader in the blockchain industry, with strong adoption, high security, and ongoing developer activity.

a stack of poker chips sitting on top of a green table
Photo by Michał Parzuchowski / Unsplash

Key Takeaways

  • Active addresses and transaction volumes are key indicators of user engagement and network growth.
  • Hash rate (PoW) and staked assets (PoS) are crucial for assessing a network’s security and resilience against attacks.
  • On-chain metrics provide unbiased data about a project’s health and future potential.

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