- Solana attracted 7,625 new developers in 2024, surpassing Ethereum’s 6,456 for the first time.
- Ethereum remains the leader in total developer activity worldwide, spanning Asia, Europe, and North America.
- Global crypto developer numbers rose in Africa, South America, and Asia, with India leading onboarding.
Solana has emerged as the top ecosystem for attracting new developers in 2024, surpassing Ethereum for the first time in eight years. Electric Capital’s December 12 report shows that Solana onboarded 7,625 new developers this year, compared to Ethereum’s 6,456. Much of Solana’s growth was fueled by increased activity in Asia, which played a key role in reshaping developer engagement across blockchain ecosystems.
Solana’s Rising Developer Base
The Solana ecosystem has seen a remarkable 83% increase in developer activity since 2023, according to Electric Capital. The platform also outpaced Ethereum in network activity on key occasions this year, including March 18, when Solana-based memecoins drove higher activity, and October 28, when Solana generated more daily network fees over 24 hours than Ethereum.
Solana’s advancements come as part of broader global trends, with Electric Capital reporting that 39,148 new developers entered the crypto space in 2024. While this figure represents a 7% decline from last year, it highlights continued interest in blockchain development despite fluctuating market conditions.
Ethereum Retains Global Leadership
Despite being overtaken in new developer growth, Ethereum maintains its position as the leading blockchain ecosystem for total developer activity. Monthly active developers on Ethereum reached 6,244, a 17% decrease from last year, but it still leads in numbers across continents, including Africa, South America, and Asia.
The Ethereum ecosystem has also seen growth in its layer-2 networks, with a 64% increase in activity since 2021. EigenLayer, an Ethereum-based restaking protocol, was a standout performer in 2024, experiencing a 167% surge in developer involvement.
Globally, the crypto landscape continues to expand, with Electric Capital noting increasing developer engagement in emerging markets. India’s contributions were particularly notable, positioning the country as a leader in onboarding new developers.
As crypto ecosystems evolve, the shift in developer growth and global distribution underscores the changing dynamics of blockchain innovation, signaling ongoing transformation within the industry.
