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

[James Henry]

It’s a valid concern—Ethereum’s gas fees, despite the progress with Layer 2 solutions and scalability upgrades like blob scaling, are still a major bottleneck for regular users. The ETH mainnet was never designed with the massive demand and decentralized applications (dApps) we see today in mind, and while updates like EIPs and Ethereum 2.0 are steps in the right direction, the reality is that gas fees remain prohibitively high, especially during peak network activity.


Layer 2 solutions, like Arbitrum and Optimism, have been implemented to alleviate this by processing transactions off-chain and submitting them to the Ethereum mainnet in bulk. These can drastically reduce fees, but they also introduce a level of complexity that not all users are ready to embrace. On top of that, not all decentralized applications (dApps) have fully integrated with L2s yet, limiting their usefulness for day-to-day DeFi transactions.


zkSync is a solid Layer 2 solution based on zero-knowledge rollups, which promises lower fees and faster transactions while maintaining Ethereum’s security guarantees. Its focus on scaling without compromising decentralization is a strong point, but it's still growing, and full ecosystem support is still building.


As for Blast, it’s a newer contender that also aims to provide lower fees and quicker transactions, but it’s important to keep in mind the risks associated with using less-established chains. While they may offer attractive fees, they might not yet have the same security, liquidity, or developer backing as larger networks.


If you’re prioritizing low fees and speed, Layer 2s like zkSync or Arbitrum are solid choices, but for many, the Ethereum mainnet still remains a necessary evil due to its sheer network dominance and the broad array of dApps and assets it supports. It’s a matter of balancing the trade-offs between transaction costs, security, and the level of decentralization you’re willing to accept.

 

[peterjohn]

The high gas fees on Ethereum’s mainnet continue to be a significant barrier, especially for smaller or everyday transactions. While Ethereum’s Layer 2 solutions and the recent advancements in scalability (such as blob scaling) are promising, they have not yet alleviated the congestion and high costs associated with peak times. The complexity of the network and its increasing demand are still outpacing the scalability solutions.


The reality is that until Ethereum’s mainnet achieves full scalability, Layer 2 solutions like Arbitrum, zkSync, and others are the most practical alternatives for low-fee transactions. These chains provide the necessary infrastructure to handle DeFi applications without the high costs, allowing users to continue participating in the ecosystem without constantly worrying about transaction fees.


Ethereum’s core developers are clearly focused on improving scalability, but the progress feels incremental compared to the immediate relief provided by these Layer 2 options. In the meantime, zkSync and other efficient, low-cost chains are becoming essential for anyone serious about DeFi.

 

[Aesthatic girl]

ETH mainnet’s high gas fees are still a major pain point, even with L2s and scaling efforts in place. While zkSync and Blast are solid low-fee alternatives, the real solution lies in further L2 adoption and more efficient rollups. For now, I'm also exploring Optimism and StarkNet for efficient DeFi.

 

[SUNSHINE]

ETH’s gas fees remain a major hurdle, despite L2s and scaling solutions. For everyday DeFi, relying on zkSync and Blast is a smart move—lower fees and faster transactions make a noticeable difference. As ETH mainnet continues to struggle, these alternatives offer a more efficient and cost-effective experience for users.

 

[Snowy]

ETH mainnet’s gas fees remain a bottleneck despite scaling upgrades like blob storage. L2 solutions such as zkSync and Arbitrum offer effective alternatives, but widespread adoption is key for real change. For now, zkSync and Blast offer the best low-fee options for everyday DeFi—paving the way for better scalability and usability.

 

[Lotus]

ETH mainnet feels like paying VIP prices just to open the door — even L2s start stacking up.
zkSync and Blast could help, but finding that sweet spot between cost and convenience is still a maze.

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!