Bitcoin Transactions Hit Highest Since 2024—But Fees Remain Low

bitcoinistPublished on 2026-04-08Last updated on 2026-04-08

Abstract

Bitcoin network activity has surged to its highest level since November 2024, with daily transactions reaching 615,000, according to on-chain data from CryptoQuant. The Network Activity Index, which tracks metrics like active addresses and transactions, has sharply rebounded above its 365-day moving average after a prolonged decline. Despite the increase in transactions, network fees remain low, suggesting the activity may not be driven entirely by organic user demand. Instead, it could be due to exchanges, custodians, and large holders conducting operational moves like UTXO management amid low fee conditions. Meanwhile, Bitcoin’s price briefly recovered above $70,000 before retracing to around $69,000.

On-chain data shows the Bitcoin network activity has seen a sudden rebound after months of staying down, with transactions hitting 615,000.

Bitcoin Transaction Count Has Reached The Highest Level Since November 2024

In a new thread on X, on-chain analytics firm CryptoQuant has discussed the revival that the Bitcoin network activity has witnessed recently. CryptoQuant has cited its “Network Activity Index” to showcase the rebound. This index combines the data related to different metrics like active addresses and transactions to provide an overview of the blockchain.

The index appears to have broken past its 365-day MA in recent days | Source: CryptoQuant on X

From the above chart, it’s visible that the Bitcoin Network Activity Index plunged below its 365-day moving average (MA) back in late 2024 and remained in a downtrend during 2025. The trajectory continued into the first quarter of 2026, but since the onset of the second quarter, fates appear to have flipped for the indicator.

Not only has the Network Activity Index managed to break past its 365-day MA, it has done so in a sharp manner, with its value shooting up. The reversal in the indicator has come alongside a sharp surge in the total number of transactions occurring on the Bitcoin network.

How the total number of transactions on the BTC network has changed over the last several years | Source: CryptoQuant on X

As displayed in the graph, the 7-day simple moving average (SMA) of the Bitcoin transaction count was muted earlier, but a recent sharp revival has meant that its value has reached a high of 615,000. This is the most amount of transfers on the BTC blockchain since November 2024, when the activity decline began.

Interestingly, while transactions have shot up, the total fees that Bitcoin miners are earning on the network have stayed at low levels.

The total fees on the BTC network has been low since the end of 2024 | Source: CryptoQuant on X

The transaction fees can correlate with the demand for using the network that exists among users. The BTC blockchain only has a limited capacity to handle transfers, so in periods of network congestion, the average fees can blow up as senders compete against each other to get transfers through first. In contrast, when there isn’t much demand for getting moves through quickly, the fees can stay at low levels.

The Network Activity Index suggests that the Bitcoin network has observed a spike in usage, but the fees staying low could imply that the source may not entirely be organic demand, but rather a result of exchanges, custodians, and large holders taking advantage of the current low fee competition environment to make operational moves like UTXO management and wallet reshuffling.

BTC Price

Bitcoin recovered above $70,000 on Monday, but the coin has since retraced back to $69,000.

The trend in the price of the coin over the last five days | Source: BTCUSDT on TradingView

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