- Ethereum dominates in dev count.
- Developer numbers still haven’t recovered since 2022.
- Multi-chain developers are on the rise.
Ethereum, the biggest smart contract network, continues to dominate with its vast ecosystem. This fact is reflected in developer numbers, crucial to bringing innovation to the network.
Still, blockchain developer numbers still haven’t recovered from the 2022 peak, mirroring a major downturn in the crypto market.
Ethereum Dominates by Developer Count
Ethereum remains the dominant player when it comes to blockchain developers. According to the Electric Capital Developer Report, as of July 2024, Ethereum has 8,865 active developers, including 2,788 full-time. This is despite an 18% drop over the past year and 31% over two years.
Base was second, growing its developer count by 52% in the past year to 3,991, including 889 full-time contributors. Polkadot and Polygon also stand out, with 2,414 and 2,877 developers, respectively, though both have seen declines. Polkadot’s count decreased by 13% over the past year, while Polygon experienced a 33% drop.
Solana, with 2,856 developers, remains significant in high-throughput applications like DeFi and NFTs. Although it saw a 14% growth over the past year, it has experienced a 24% decline over two years.
Developer Counts Remain Below 2022 Peak
The total number of monthly active developers stands at 26,037, a 10% decrease over the past year and a 23% drop over two years. However, a 32% increase over three years indicates resilience.
The report categorizes developers into full-time, part-time, and one-time contributors. Full-time developers, numbering 7,661, saw an 11% drop over the past year. Part-time developers, the largest group at 14,260, decreased by 12%. One-time contributors, now at 4,116, reduced by 4%. This overall decline reflects the broader market downturn post-March 2022 peak.
Multi-Chain Developers Increase, Pointing to Operability
The report highlights a significant trend: the distribution of developers across single-chain and multi-chain projects. Single-chain developers, who focus on individual blockchain platforms, number 19,585 but have seen a 6% decline over the past year and a 21% drop over two years.
In contrast, multi-chain developers—those working across multiple blockchain ecosystems—number 6,452. Despite a 21% decline over the past year, multi-chain development has grown by 49% over the last three years. This indicates a growing focus on interoperability and cross-chain applications.
On the Flipside
- Developer counts are just one metric for gauging blockchain’s potential. The underlying tech is also important for attracting users.
- Recently, the Ethereum Foundation and Vitalik Buterin came under criticism over the perceived lack of commitment to DeFi.
Why This Matters
Developer engagement is a key indicator of a platform’s health and potential for innovation. This is key for Ethereum to maintain its dominance in the future.
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