Measuring Cryptocurrency Use
When it comes to cryptocurrencies, their demand and price formation are influenced by their use. This can be measured using metrics such as network activity or daily address activity (DAA). A recent exploration of the Santiment crypto dashboard revealed the top five cryptocurrencies with the highest network activity.
The Leaders in Network Activity
Leading the pack is Bitcoin (BTC) with 911,120 Daily Active Addresses in a month, reflecting its position as the most valuable cryptocurrency with a market cap of $857.17 billion. Surprisingly, Litecoin (LTC) takes second place in terms of 30-day DAA, even though it ranks 18th in terms of market cap. While Litecoin only has 0.62% of Bitcoin’s capitalization ($5.34 billion), it boasts 70% of Bitcoin’s network activity (638,820).
Ethereum (ETH) follows closely behind with 428,330 Daily Active Addresses and is the second-largest cryptocurrency by market value. Polygon (MATIC) and Dogecoin (DOGE) secure the fourth and fifth positions with 217,190 and 137,770 DAA in the last 30 days, respectively.
Litecoin (LTC) Price Analysis and Network Activity
Among the top five cryptocurrencies based on network activity, Litecoin stands out due to its valuation asymmetry. This suggests that network activity may not be the primary driver of price appreciation for Litecoin, or it could present an opportunity for future pricing adjustments.
As of now, LTC is trading at $72.08 per coin, with a year-to-date increase of only 3%. However, lower network activity cryptocurrencies have experienced significant gains exceeding 100% in 2023.
It’s worth noting that Litecoin’s daily address activity tends to surge during Bitcoin transaction fee spikes. Currently, Bitcoin transactions are costing more than the global daily average income of $26 per individual. Despite this, Bitcoin remains at the forefront in terms of network activity, according to Sentiment.
Hot Take: The Role of Network Activity in Cryptocurrency Pricing
Network activity plays a crucial role in understanding the demand and value of cryptocurrencies. While Bitcoin leads the way with its massive network activity and market dominance, other cryptocurrencies like Litecoin demonstrate a disconnect between network activity and price appreciation.
This raises important questions about the factors driving cryptocurrency prices and whether network activity alone is enough to determine their value. As the crypto market evolves, it will be interesting to see how different metrics and fundamental aspects impact pricing and create opportunities for investors.