BNB Chain has emerged as the leading blockchain by active addresses in September. Data shows the chain recorded 52.5 million monthly active addresses, surpassing both NEAR Protocol’s 51.8M and Solana’s 45.8M. It marks the first time since August 2024 that Solana has been dethroned in this metric. The shift signals a major momentum swing in the battle for user activity across top Layer 1 and Layer 2 networks. BNB Chain is the top chain by active addresses in September With 52.5M, @BNBCHAIN surpassed @NEARProtocol (51.8M) and @solana (45.8M). It’s the 1st time since Aug 2024 that Solana was dethroned by this metric. BNB Chain's spike in activity is fueled by the hype around Aster. pic.twitter.com/LZ7bv99Ofg — CryptoRank.io (@CryptoRank_io) October 3, 2025 Aster Hype Fuels BNB Chain’s Surge The sudden spike in BNB Chain activity ties closely to the buzz surrounding Aster, a new project driving engagement across the ecosystem. On-chain data points to users flocking toward Aster-related activity, pushing BNB Chain into the spotlight. BNB Chain’s core Layer 1 logged a 22% month-on-month increase in active addresses. But that’s only part of the story. The chain’s Layer 2 solution, opBNB, built on Optimism’s tech stack, exploded with a 66.4% surge in active addresses. That dual growth has set BNB Chain apart from competitors. The surge isn’t just a one-off blip,it shows increasing demand from users who are actively transacting, not just holding tokens. I knew there was some activity on the Binance Chain, but I wasn’t expecting this level of traction. This map shows the evolution of active addresses over one month, essentially for September, and the numbers speak for themselves. The BNB Chain Layer 1 recorded a 22%… pic.twitter.com/FCcB3BIlEy — Darkfost (@Darkfost_Coc) October 3, 2025 Solana Slips After Holding the Crown For over a year, Solana maintained dominance as the chain with the highest active addresses, consistently outpacing rivals. Its low-cost transactions and thriving memecoin culture gave it strong grassroots traction. But the September data shows a clear shift. At 45.8M active addresses, Solana now trails behind both BNB Chain and NEAR. While still one of the most active ecosystems, its lead has narrowed. This dethroning in September is a reminder that even the most dominant networks can lose momentum when rivals capitalize on new trends. According to CoinMarketCap, SOL trades at $228.45, down 1.2% on the day but still up 10.4% in the past month, reflecting solid investor confidence despite activity shifts. NEAR Holds Strong at Second Right behind BNB Chain, NEAR Protocol posted 51.8M active addresses in September. That keeps it competitive, with only a narrow gap separating it from the top. NEAR’s ecosystem continues to benefit from its push into Web3 gaming and user-friendly dApps. Unlike Solana, NEAR hasn’t had to rely on memecoins to maintain its user activity. Instead, it’s building steady growth through core ecosystem plays. On CoinMarketCap, NEAR is priced at $2.94, up 8.6% over the past week, suggesting both retail and institutional traders are paying close attention to its progress. Ethereum and Base Trail Behind While BNB Chain, NEAR, and Solana battle for the top three spots, other ecosystems lag behind in activity. Ethereum, despite being the leading Layer 1 by total value locked and DeFi dominance, continues to lose ground in active address metrics due to higher gas fees. Similarly, Base, Coinbase’s Layer 2 network, is gaining traction but hasn’t yet matched the scale of BNB Chain or NEAR. The latest numbers put it well behind the leaders, even though it benefits from one of the largest centralized exchange ecosystems in the world. ETH currently trades at $4500, slightly up 0.8% in 24 hours, while BASE’s native activity token metrics remain outside the top traded assets on CoinMarketCap. The Significance of opBNB’s Growth What stands out most in September is the growth of opBNB. Built on Optimism’s OP Stack, the Layer 2 solution was designed to make transactions on BNB Chain cheaper and faster. With a 66.4% increase in active addresses, it’s clear users are adopting it at a rapid pace. This move mirrors the broader trend across the industry,where Layer 2 solutions are increasingly becoming the real battleground for user engagement. Just as Arbitrum and Optimism compete for Ethereum’s Layer 2 crown, opBNB is helping Binance’s ecosystem strengthen its footprint. BNB, the native token, trades at $1147.20, up 17.8% this week. The token’s price movement reflects renewed interest from traders betting that higher user activity will translate to long-term value capture. What This Means for the Market The fact that BNB Chain overtook Solana and NEAR in active addresses suggests a dynamic shift in user interest. Instead of one chain holding a dominant lead, we’re seeing a back-and-forth battle where hype cycles, new dApps, and Layer 2 innovation play major roles. For now, BNB Chain’s rise is powered by Aster and the rapid adoption of opBNB. But history shows that activity can shift just as fast,whether to Solana with memecoins, NEAR with gaming, or Ethereum with DeFi. What’s clear is that the market no longer belongs to one single chain. Users are moving between ecosystems depending on cost, speed, and opportunity. That keeps competition fierce and innovation constant. BNB Chain’s climb to the top in September is more than a vanity metric. With 52.5M active addresses, it proves users are actively engaging, not just passively holding tokens. The Layer 1’s 22% growth combined with opBNB’s 66.4% surge show Binance’s ecosystem is attracting real traction. Whether this momentum sustains or fades will depend on how long projects like Aster can capture attention and how effectively the ecosystem continues to expand. For now, BNB Chain leads the pack. But as Solana, NEAR, Ethereum, and Base fight back, the race for active users is far from over. Disclosure: This is not trading or investment advice. Always do your research before buying any cryptocurrency or investing in any services. Follow us on Twitter @nulltxnews to stay updated with the latest Crypto, NFT, AI, Cybersecurity, Distributed Computing, and Metaverse news !
