• Ethereum’s Q1 2025 DApps generated $1.01 billion in fees
• Ethereum whales dropped by 10%, and retail activity has been declining too

Ethereum’s [ETH] DApps raked in an impressive $1.01 billion in fees during Q1 2025, showcasing the strength of the network’s ecosystem. This, despite Ethereum’s own underwhelming performance over the same period.

However, there’s a subtle shift happening beneath the surface – The number of Ethereum whales has dropped by 10% since February, hinting at a potential change in investor sentiment.

Could the rise of DApps be masking deeper concerns about ETH’s long-term prospects?

A billion-dollar quarter, but ETH still lags behind

Despite Ethereum’s ecosystem raking in over $1 billion in application fees, ETH itself has been one of the worst-performing major assets in Q1 2025.

According to recent data, ETH dropped by a staggering 41.63% between January and April, underperforming both Bitcoin and the S&P 500.

This disconnect between network utility and token price hinted at a troubling divergence – DApps may be thriving, but ETH holders are feeling the heat.

While usage remains robust, the market appears unconvinced of ETH’s value as a capital asset. On the contrary, Bitcoin holds firmer ground, further intensifying the narrative that Ethereum may be losing its grip as the market’s second most trusted bet.

Ethereum – Whales retreat, retail weakens

Ethereum’s price woes seemed to be mirrored by a sharp retreat in both whale and retail network activity. Addresses holding over 10,000 ETH have dropped by nearly 10% since mid-February, falling from 999 to just 896 as of 04 April – A sign of deep-pocketed disinterest or rotation.

However, the exodus isn’t limited to institutions. Daily active addresses steadily declined throughout March and nosedived in early April, now hovering near 205,000.

The combination of fading whale confidence and dwindling grassroots usage alludes to a broader capitulation across Ethereum’s user base. This also paints a bleak on-chain picture heading into Q2.

Ethereum’s price outlook

Ethereum fell to $1,513 at press time, marking a 4.17% drop and extending its multi-week downtrend. The RSI plunged to 26.45, deep into oversold territory, indicating intense selling pressure. The MACD histogram flashed negative, with the Signal line far below zero – A classic confirmation of bearish momentum.

Notably, no bullish divergence seemed to be visible, suggesting there’s little sign of reversal. Unless ETH finds support above $1,480, the next psychological floor would lie near $1,300.