|

Ethereum’s Vitalik Buterin believes $0.05 transactions fees are closer than ever

  • Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin believes only $0.05 or lower transaction fees are acceptable in crypto.
  • The only layer-2 platform that meets Buterin’s transaction fees preference is Metis Network. 
  • Analysts believe ETH price could rebound by 40%, revealing a bullish outlook on the altcoin. 

Despite Ethereum layer-1 transaction fees dropping to $3.26 per transaction, Vitalik Buterin believes the desired fee is $0.05 or cheaper to become acceptable. 

Buterin wants Ethereum fees below $0.05 

Transaction fees on Ethereum layer-1 have plummeted to $3.26. Still, co-founder Vitalik Buterin wants to see fees below $0.05 for ETH to achieve mainstream adoption and become the world’s computer.

Buterin told Ryan Sean Adams, the host of the Bankless Podcast, that Ether’s transaction fees don’t meet his desired target. The Ethereum co-founder believes all transactions need to be under $0.05 to be truly acceptable. 

The only layer-2 solution that meets Buterin’s requirement is Metis Network. The decentralized economy platform’s fee is $0.02, but a token swap costs $0.14. Competitors like Loopring charge $0.12 per transaction, while Aztec Network, an open-source layer-2 protocol, charges $1.98. 

Interestingly, the minting of NFTs on the Ethereum blockchain has increased activity on the network and resulted in higher transaction fees. The cost of Yuga Lab’s NFT transactions could hit as high as $14,000 per mint. 

Buterin’s vision for the Ethereum network is affordable fees and higher utility, as he describes ETH as “the internet of money.” 

Buterin was quoted:

Needs to get under $0.05 to be truly acceptable imo. But we’re definitely making great progress, and even proto-danksharding may be enough to get us there for a while!

The Ethereum co-founder set this target in 2017 when he mentioned that low transaction costs (below $0.05 per transaction) are the motivation behind the development for scaling the network. It continues to remain the goal for the Ethereum network, and Buterin stands behind it.

He recently proposed an upgrade to increase downward pressure on ETH transaction fees, EIP-4844. This EIP incorporates the critical elements of danksharding, simplifying previous sharding designs and can be implemented without the initiation of previous sharding upgrades. 

The Ethereum network could scale significantly in a short period of time. This would reduce congestion and lower gas fees. A reduction in gas fees could lure developers and traders to the Ethereum network and increase demand for ETH, fueling a bullish sentiment among holders. 

FXStreet analyst have evaluated the Ethereum price trend and noted that it is converging in an ascending parallel channel. It is expected the Ethereum price will enter a 40% upswing following the recent retest of the lower end of the demand zone at $2,800. 

Author

Ekta Mourya

Ekta Mourya

FXStreet

Ekta Mourya has extensive experience in fundamental and on-chain analysis, particularly focused on impact of macroeconomics and central bank policies on cryptocurrencies.

More from Ekta Mourya
Share:

Editor's Picks

Cardano Price Analysis: Approaches key trendline amid bearish sentiment

Cardano (ADA) price is approaching its descending trendline around $0.28 at the time of writing, set to shape the next directional move. The derivatives metrics paint a bearish picture, with ADA’s Open Interest continuing to fall and short bets rising among traders.

Top Crypto Gainers: Decred, Zcash, and Dogecoin lead recovery as Bitcoin crosses $72,000

Bitcoin trades above $72,500 at press time on Thursday, holding its 6% gain from the previous day, contributing to a broader market recovery. The total cryptocurrency market capitalization stands at over $2.43 trillion as the broader market sentiment improves significantly.

Trump presses Congress on CLARITY bill after meeting with Coinbase CEO

US President Donald Trump is urging legislators to pass the CLARITY Act after allegedly meeting with Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong amid growing dispute over stablecoin yields.

Ethereum Price Forecast: ETH jumps alongside a spike in open interest, realized price could limit upside

Ethereum (ETH) has jumped above $2,100 on Wednesday, following a general recovery across the crypto market. The move was accompanied by a spike in Ethereum's open interest, which has increased to 13.43M ETH — its highest level since January 31. The top altcoin's OI has been rising since February 19, adding 1.2M ETH over the past two weeks. 

Bitcoin Price Annual Forecast: BTC holds long-term bullish structure heading into 2026

Bitcoin (BTC) is wrapping up 2025 as one of its most eventful years, defined by unprecedented institutional participation, major regulatory developments, and extreme price volatility.

Bitcoin: Another month of losses, and it’s been five

Bitcoin (BTC) price is stabilizing around $68,000 at the time of writing on Friday, but the Crypto King is poised to close February on a fragile footing, marking its fifth consecutive month of losses since October and a rare start to the year with back-to-back monthly corrections.