Gas Still Sucks – Why Are We Still Paying $20 for a Swap in 2025?

Hazel

Hazel

Well-known member
Legit question — how is gas still this bad on ETH mainnet?
Yeah, L2s exist. Yeah, blob scaling rolled out. But try swapping a token during peak hours — $20+, easy.
Devs are building. EIPs keep dropping. But for everyday DeFi plays, it still feels broken.
Unless you’re on Base, Arbitrum, or some sketchy chain, it’s like being robbed on every transaction.
What’s your go-to low-fee chain rn? I’m rotating between zkSync and Blast.
 
I’m pretty new to crypto, so I’m still learning the ropes, but I totally feel you on this! Gas fees on ETH mainnet can be insane, especially when you just want to do a simple swap or transaction. I’ve tried some L2s like Arbitrum, but even then, it still seems like the fees add up. I’ve been hearing a lot about zkSync and Blast recently, so I might give those a shot. I guess it’s just a matter of figuring out which chains work best for what I’m trying to do without getting slammed by fees!
 
ETH mainnet, and it does feel like we’re long overdue for smoother UX across the board. Blob scaling (EIP-4844) was a step in the right direction, but yeah, the real cost relief seems mostly confined to L2s for now.

I’d say it’s less that Ethereum is broken and more that it's in a long-term evolution phase scaling isn't a switch, it's a stack. But that doesn’t make the $20 swaps any less frustrating in the moment.

Personally, I'm mostly sticking to Arbitrum and Base for now fast, cheap, and solid liquidity. I’ve dabbled in zkSync too (some good UX improvements there) but haven’t tried Blast yet. Curious to hear how it’s treating you.
 
The ongoing gas issues on Ethereum's mainnet are a result of the network’s limited scalability, even with improvements like Layer 2 solutions and the introduction of EIP-4844 (blob-carrying transactions). While these developments are important, they’re not a panacea for everyday users who still face high fees during peak usage. Ethereum's congestion problem remains a reality for DeFi users who haven’t fully migrated to Layer 2 networks or alternative chains like Base or Arbitrum.

If you're looking for an efficient, low-fee alternative, zkSync and Blast are solid choices for now. zkSync’s rollups and Blast’s decentralized architecture provide more reasonable costs without compromising on security. Until Ethereum’s mainnet sees substantial improvements, switching to Layer 2 solutions or exploring emerging chains will continue to be the most practical way to avoid sky-high fees.
 
You raise a valid point about the ongoing gas fee issue on Ethereum mainnet, despite the numerous upgrades and the introduction of Layer 2 solutions. While improvements like EIP-4844 (Blob Scaling) and other optimizations are certainly steps in the right direction, the reality remains that for everyday DeFi transactions during peak hours, fees can still be prohibitively high. Layer 2 platforms like Arbitrum and zkSync are providing much-needed relief, but the user experience on the mainnet continues to fall short for those not using these alternative chains. In my current strategy, I also lean on zkSync and Blast for their low-fee environments, though it's clear that Ethereum’s scalability challenges still need more work for widespread adoption and usability.
 
Gas on ETH mainnet is still a joke, especially during peak hours. EIPs and L2s are supposed to fix it, but it feels like a broken system for everyday DeFi. $20+ to swap a tokenRidiculous. I’m with you on zkSync and Blast for low fees right now way more usable. ETH needs to step it up, or people will keep moving off-chain.
 
L2s are helping, blobs are blobbin’, but swap during peak hours and it’s still $20+ to maybe get frontrun. It’s DeFi, not designer handbags — why’s it feel so premium? I’ve been bouncing between zkSync for the UX and Blast for the points addiction. Anything to dodge mainnet’s gas tax without ending up on a rug-ridden chain. 🏃💨
 
ETH’s persistent high gas fees highlight the classic tension between scalability and decentralization. While L2s and proto-danksharding (blob scaling) are steps forward, mainnet demand still outpaces throughput during peak activity. Blockspace remains scarce and valuable. Until L2 adoption is seamless and user migration accelerates, high fees will persist as a congestion pricing mechanism. Rotating to zkSync and Blast makes sense — lower friction, faster execution — but the long-term fix depends on broader L2 integration and sustained protocol-level innovation.
 
ETH mainnet gas is still brutal during peak hours, even with L2s and blob scaling live. The tech is improving, but user demand keeps outpacing capacity, especially when the memecoins start flying. L2s like Base and Arbitrum help a ton, but they’re not always integrated everywhere, and bridging adds friction. For quick, cheap DeFi moves, zkSync’s been smooth, and Blast has that added incentive loop. Mainnet’s still king for liquidity and security, but for now, rotating to low-fee chains feels like the only sane play.
 
Oh nooo, $20 gas fees How will you survive in this cruel world where Ethereum charges you the price of two Starbucks coffees to degen swap your 6th rug pull of the week.

Blob scaling came out and y’all thought Vitalik was gonna personally subsidize your trades. Newsflash: ETH mainnet is for whales, not weekend warriors swapping $12 of WAGMI But please, keep crying while bridging to zkSync for the culture and Blast because points.Just don’t forget to screenshot those $0.30 fees for your OnlyL2s clout posts.
 
Hazel said:
Legit question — how is gas still this bad on ETH mainnet?
Yeah, L2s exist. Yeah, blob scaling rolled out. But try swapping a token during peak hours — $20+, easy.
Devs are building. EIPs keep dropping. But for everyday DeFi plays, it still feels broken.
Unless you’re on Base, Arbitrum, or some sketchy chain, it’s like being robbed on every transaction.
What’s your go-to low-fee chain rn? I’m rotating between zkSync and Blast.
Click to expand...
ETH gas fees still hitting harder than my ex during bull market FOMO.
I’m mostly vibing on zkSync and Blast—cheaper swaps, fewer regrets, and only *mild* existential dread.
 
Hazel said:
Legit question — how is gas still this bad on ETH mainnet?
Yeah, L2s exist. Yeah, blob scaling rolled out. But try swapping a token during peak hours — $20+, easy.
Devs are building. EIPs keep dropping. But for everyday DeFi plays, it still feels broken.
Unless you’re on Base, Arbitrum, or some sketchy chain, it’s like being robbed on every transaction.
What’s your go-to low-fee chain rn? I’m rotating between zkSync and Blast.
Click to expand...
It remains absurd despite scaling promises—blobs dropped, but the user cost barely budged.
If everyday swaps still feel like a luxury tax, how can DeFi ever go mainstream?
 
Hazel said:
Legit question — how is gas still this bad on ETH mainnet?
Yeah, L2s exist. Yeah, blob scaling rolled out. But try swapping a token during peak hours — $20+, easy.
Devs are building. EIPs keep dropping. But for everyday DeFi plays, it still feels broken.
Unless you’re on Base, Arbitrum, or some sketchy chain, it’s like being robbed on every transaction.
What’s your go-to low-fee chain rn? I’m rotating between zkSync and Blast.
Click to expand...
ETH gas still feels like a toll booth run by extortionists—$20 to swap a token isn’t scaling, it’s punishment.
L2s help, but bouncing between chains just to avoid getting fleeced isn’t a fix—it’s a band-aid on broken UX.
 
Ah, the eternal gas saga! ETH is like that one friend who says they’ll totally change but still borrows $20 every time you meet. L2s are the new thing, but trying to swap a token during peak hours Might as well auction off your soul to cover the gas fees!


I’m with you, it’s like paying for a luxury vacation every time I send a token. The only place that feels like a break from the highway robbery is zkSync and Blast still, I might need a second mortgage soon to keep up.
 
ETH gas fees are still a major pain point, especially during peak hours. The improvements with L2s and things like blob scaling are definitely helpful, but when you’re just trying to do a simple swap or interact with a dApp, those $20+ fees can feel like a total rip-off. It’s crazy that with all the development, the ETH mainnet still feels stuck in this high-fee loop.

I’m with you on zkSync and Blast right now zkSync’s got that low-fee magic going on, and Blast is definitely offering some good options for cheaper transactions. But yeah, anything other than Base or Arbitrum still feels sketchy sometimes. For everyday DeFi, it’s a nightmare unless you’re on the right layer. Hoping the devs get it together sooner rather than later!
 
Totally get where you’re coming from the high gas fees on ETH mainnet can still feel like a punch, especially during peak activity. Even with the progress on EIP-4844 and the rise of L2s, the mainnet remains expensive for simple transactions, which isn’t great for casual users or smaller DeFi moves.

That said, I think it’s part of Ethereum’s growing pains decentralization and security at that scale do come at a cost. L2s are clearly the way forward for most use cases, though I agree not all are equal in terms of UX or trust.

Personally, I’ve been sticking to Base and occasionally Optimism —decent fees, solid ecosystem. zkSync and Blast are interesting choices too, especially with how fast things are evolving. Hopefully, with more adoption and optimization, we’ll see a better balance soon.
 
frustration, and you’re not alone. In the long term, though, this is all part of Ethereum’s maturation process. Scaling a decentralized, globally-used financial layer isn’t quick or easy. Proto-danksharding (EIP-4844) was just the first major step and while blobs help L2s, the mainnet is still going to feel the pain during congestion until more throughput improvements roll out.


What gives me confidence is the steady progress: devs are actually shipping, L2 adoption is rising, and economic activity is genuinely shifting to cheaper chains like Base and Arbitrum. zkSync and Blast are great rotations I’m also keeping an eye on Linea and Starknet as they mature.
 
Totally feel you on this! It’s wild that ETH gas is still this high, especially with all the developments. Like, $20+ for a token swap during peak hours Yikes! I mean, L2s and blob scaling are great, but why does it still feel like a headache when you're just trying to make a move.


But hey, I’m all about finding those gems that don’t break the bank. I’m vibing with zkSync for sure – it's been smooth sailing, and the fees are definitely more chill than ETH mainnet! Blast is a sleeper hit too – low fees, solid performance. I honestly think these Layer 2s are where it’s at, especially if you’re trying to avoid those obbery fees.
 
Totally feel you on the gas fees! It's definitely frustrating when you're trying to make a simple swap and get hit with those crazy transaction costs, especially during peak times. But it’s awesome to see how the Ethereum ecosystem is evolving. Layer 2 solutions like Arbitrum, zkSync, and Base are definitely moving things in the right direction, offering much better fees and faster transactions. It’s a step forward, even if we're not quite there yet for every user.


I think we’re going to see more improvements as more EIPs are rolled out and as the network gets more optimized with scaling tech. For now, I’m also rotating between zkSync and some other L2s they’ve been a lifesaver! The future looks bright, though, and I’m optimistic that Ethereum will continue to improve over time. Keep pushing forward, it's exciting to watch the innovation happening!
 
It’s honestly ridiculous. After all the promises — EIP-1559, The Merge, proto-danksharding — gas on Ethereum mainnet is still choking the average user. Like, how are we still paying premium fees for basic swaps in 2025? Feels like ETH is becoming a luxury chain — great for whales, brutal for everyone else.


Sure, L2s help, but now you’re stuck juggling bridges, RPC errors, weird bugs, and praying you’re not being rug-pulled on some shady sidechain. Even “legit” L2s like Arbitrum or Optimism aren’t immune to congestion spikes and weird downtime. It’s like trading affordability for reliability, and we’re still getting the short end of both.


Right now, I’m bouncing between zkSync (when it actually works) and Blast — though that feels like riding a rollercoaster with no seatbelt. The space needs a chain that’s cheap, stable, and actually user-first. Because if this is “scaled Ethereum,” then honestly… we’ve just scaled the pain.
 
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