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ICP Network Expansion: Network Usage as a Key Signal for Web3 Investment Opportunities

ICP Network Expansion: Network Usage as a Key Signal for Web3 Investment Opportunities

Bitget-RWA2025/11/17 17:44
By:Bitget-RWA

- ICP Network's TVL surged to $237B by Q3 2025 despite 22.4% DApp usage decline, driven by institutional partnerships and AI-powered Caffeine platform. - Ethereum maintains 67.4% TVL dominance with 31,869 active developers, while Solana leverages 65,000 TPS capacity for high-performance applications. - ICP's Chain Fusion upgrades and cloud integrations position it as a hybrid blockchain solution, contrasting with Ethereum's organic growth and Solana's speed-focused model. - Growing TVL vs. declining DApp e

As the Web3 sector continues to transform rapidly, metrics related to network adoption have become essential for assessing the sustainability of layer-1 blockchains. The Protocol (ICP) Network—a blockchain built to support scalable decentralized applications (dApps) and connect with conventional cloud services—has recently showcased both adaptability and forward-thinking development. This review explores ICP’s adoption path, compares it to and , and considers its prospects as an early-stage investment within the DeFi and Web3 arenas.

ICP's Adoption Metrics: Resilience and Institutional Growth

Even though

in Q3 2025, the Network displayed notable economic strength. during this time, fueled by heightened NFT transactions and protocol enhancements such as Fission, Protium, and Chain Fusion. These upgrades improved scalability and , helping ICP serve as a connector between Web3 and established financial systems.

By November 2025, the network

and processed millions of smart contract transactions daily. , when daily trading volume soared to $1.14 billion—the highest since December 2023. This spike coincided with the introduction of the AI-driven Caffeine platform, which , highlighting the platform’s increasing appeal among institutional players.

ICP Network Expansion: Network Usage as a Key Signal for Web3 Investment Opportunities image 0

ICP Compared to Ethereum and Solana

Although

, Ethereum and Solana still lead in terms of developer engagement and dApp ecosystems. and maintained 31,869 active developers in 2025, remains at the forefront of DeFi, . Solana, on the other hand, uses its 65,000 TPS throughput and minimal fees to draw in high-speed applications such as gaming and micro-transactions, .

ICP’s expansion, however, follows a unique path. Unlike Ethereum’s community-driven growth or Solana’s emphasis on speed, ICP’s progress is largely propelled by institutional collaborations and broader economic factors.

have bolstered its infrastructure status, and the Neuron Fund (introduced in October 2023) has encouraged token staking for governance. These elements establish ICP as a hybrid blockchain, merging enterprise-level security with the scalability of cloud technology.

Key Innovations and Associated Risks

and showcase ICP’s commitment to on-chain AI and cross-chain compatibility, reflecting major industry directions. Nevertheless, and point to a gap between TVL and actual user involvement. This raises concerns about whether ICP’s expansion is rooted in real-world use or speculative investments.

By comparison, Ethereum’s robust developer community and Solana’s transaction capabilities offer more balanced ecosystems. For those considering investment, ICP presents a high-risk, high-reward scenario that depends on its capacity to transform institutional backing into lasting user growth.

Conclusion: High Potential with Significant Volatility

ICP Network’s adoption statistics—including its TVL, infrastructure improvements, and institutional alliances—indicate considerable growth prospects. However, its dependence on macroeconomic conditions and the current disparity between TVL and user activity suggest a need for caution. For investors aiming to tap into the next wave of Web3, ICP stands out as an intriguing yet volatile choice, particularly as the market seeks scalable and hybrid blockchain solutions.

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Disclaimer: The content of this article solely reflects the author's opinion and does not represent the platform in any capacity. This article is not intended to serve as a reference for making investment decisions.

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