Is Blob Space Insufficient, and Is Ethereum L2 on the Verge of Collapsing?

1/25/2025, 10:50:36 PM
Intermediate
Ethereum
This article discusses the issue of insufficient Blob space faced by Ethereum L2. As L2 chains grow, multiple L2s compete for limited Blob storage, leading to soaring fees and increased user costs.

Editor’s Note: This article discusses the issue of insufficient Blob space faced by Ethereum L2. As L2 chains grow, multiple L2s compete for limited Blob storage, leading to soaring fees and increased user costs. Even with the Pectra upgrade increasing the number of Blobs to six, the issue can only be temporarily alleviated, not fundamentally solved. The solutions include short-term Pectra upgrades, medium-term PeerDAS implementation, and long-term DA scaling, but it remains uncertain whether these solutions can be delivered in time.

Below is the original content (reorganized for better readability and understanding):

Ethereum L2 is about to face a bottleneck. Currently, 55% of all Blob space has already been consumed by just two chains. At the current growth rate, we are only a few months away from a complete collapse.

Here’s what’s happening

First, let’s understand what’s collapsing: Blobs = Special storage for L2 Current Limit = 3 Blobs per block Reality = Dozens of L2s competing for these 3 slots. It’s like a highway with only 3 lanes, while 50 rapidly growing cities compete for these lanes.

Daily data clearly highlights a problem: Blob fee spikes:

• During transaction times

• During airdrops

• When new L2s initiate operations

Each peak = Higher user costs

Even the Pectra upgrade (which increases the Blob count to 6) won’t save us. At the current growth rate, we’ll reach maximum capacity by May 2025. And that’s assuming growth remains steady. (Narrator: Growth won’t stay steady—it’s accelerating.)

The Real Challenge

Content: L2s competing for limited Blob space

Method: Increased demand → Rising base fees

Reason: Every transaction requires Blob space

No L2 optimization can solve this fundamental bottleneck.

Core developers know this is the key issue. Vitalik Buterin said increasing the number of Blobs from 3 to 6 is more important than all other Pectra upgrades combined. But doubling the capacity will only extend our time by a few months, not years.

Solutions Under Research

Short-term: Double Blob space (Pectra)

Medium-term: PeerDAS implementation

Long-term: Advanced DA scaling

But will they arrive before we hit the bottleneck? This issue is affecting everyone:

• DEX trading costs are rising

• Perpetual protocols face soaring base fees

• Users are paying more in basic transaction fees

At polynomialFi, our base fees have increased by 300% in recent months.

A Ray of Hope?

The crisis has emerged because people are finally starting to use Ethereum L2. But if we don’t solve this quickly, users may turn elsewhere.

Summary

• Blob space is approaching its limit

• The next crisis will arrive within 6 months

• Scaling solutions are urgently needed

• Every L2 user is affected

If you want Ethereum to scale, this is the battle to focus on.

Original link

Welcome to join the Rhythm BlockBeats official community:

Telegram subscription group:https://t.me/theblockbeats

Telegram communication group:https://t.me/BlockBeats_App

Twitter official account:https://twitter.com/BlockBeatsAsia

Disclaimer:

  1. This article is reproduced from [BlockBeats]. The copyright belongs to the original author [gauthamzzz]. If you have any objection to the reprint, please contact Gate Learn team, the team will handle it as soon as possible according to relevant procedures.
  2. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article represent only the author’s personal views and do not constitute any investment advice.
  3. Other language versions of the article are translated by the Gate Learn team. Unless otherwise stated, the translated article may not be copied, distributed or plagiarized.

Share

Crypto Calendar

Project Updates
Etherex will launch the token REX on August 6.
REX
22.27%
2025-08-06
Rare Dev & Governance Day in Las Vegas
Cardano will host the Rare Dev & Governance Day in Las Vegas, from August 6 to 7, featuring workshops, hackathons and panel discussions focused on technical development and governance topics.
ADA
-3.44%
2025-08-06
Blockchain.Rio in Rio De Janeiro
Stellar will participate in the Blockchain.Rio conference, scheduled to be held in Rio de Janeiro, from August 5 to 7. The program will include keynotes and panel discussions featuring representatives of the Stellar ecosystem in collaboration with partners Cheesecake Labs and NearX.
XLM
-3.18%
2025-08-06
Webinar
Circle has announced a live Executive Insights webinar titled “The GENIUS Act Era Begins”, scheduled for August 7, 2025, at 14:00 UTC. The session will explore the implications of the newly passed GENIUS Act—the first federal regulatory framework for payment stablecoins in the United States. Circle’s Dante Disparte and Corey Then will lead the discussion on how the legislation impacts digital asset innovation, regulatory clarity, and the US’s leadership in global financial infrastructure.
USDC
-0.03%
2025-08-06
AMA on X
Ankr will host an AMA on X on August 7th at 16:00 UTC, focusing on DogeOS’s work in building the application layer for DOGE.
ANKR
-3.23%
2025-08-06

Related Articles

What Is Ethereum 2.0? Understanding The Merge
Intermediate

What Is Ethereum 2.0? Understanding The Merge

A change in one of the top cryptocurrencies that might impact the whole ecosystem
1/18/2023, 2:25:24 PM
Reflections on Ethereum Governance Following the 3074 Saga
Intermediate

Reflections on Ethereum Governance Following the 3074 Saga

The Ethereum EIP-3074/EIP-7702 incident reveals the complexity of its governance structure: in addition to the formal governance processes, the informal roadmaps proposed by researchers also have significant influence.
6/12/2024, 2:04:52 AM
An Introduction to ERC-20 Tokens
Beginner

An Introduction to ERC-20 Tokens

ERC-20 has emerged as the technical standard used for all smart contracts on the Ethereum Network.
1/12/2023, 2:48:54 PM
What is Neiro? All You Need to Know About NEIROETH in 2025
Intermediate

What is Neiro? All You Need to Know About NEIROETH in 2025

Neiro is a Shiba Inu Dog that inspired the launch of Neiro tokens across different blockchains. As of 2025, Neiro Ethereum (NEIROETH) has evolved into a leading meme coin with a $215 million market cap, 87,000+ holders, and listings on 12 major exchanges. The ecosystem now includes a DAO for community governance, an official merchandise store, and a mobile app. NEIROETH has implemented layer-2 solutions to enhance scalability and secured its position in the top 10 dog-themed meme coins by market capitalization, backed by a vibrant community and leading crypto influencers.
5/23/2025, 6:58:17 AM
Our Across Thesis
Intermediate

Our Across Thesis

This article analyzes the tremendous potential for the development of the Layer 2 (L2) market and the accompanying bridging needs among various L2 solutions. It delves into the current status, potential, and risks of the cross-chain protocol Across Protocol in this market.
1/5/2024, 1:34:41 AM
Jupiter in the Solana Ecosystem: Comprehensive Expansion from Swap Aggregation to Perpetual Contracts
Beginner

Jupiter in the Solana Ecosystem: Comprehensive Expansion from Swap Aggregation to Perpetual Contracts

Jupiter is a swap aggregator on the SOL ecosystem. This article introduces that the protocol includes DCA, cross-chain routing, Perp and other functions.
1/8/2024, 2:30:11 AM
Start Now
Sign up and get a
$100
Voucher!