Definition ∞ Active user metrics measure the number of unique individuals regularly interacting with a blockchain protocol or digital application. These figures represent the sustained engagement and utilization of a system. Such metrics often include daily active users (DAU), weekly active users (WAU), and monthly active users (MAU), providing insight into network vitality. They serve as a key indicator of a project’s real-world adoption and utility beyond speculative trading.
Context ∞ The ongoing discussion surrounding active user metrics centers on their reliability as indicators of genuine network health versus potential manipulation. Analysts frequently scrutinize the methodologies used to count active users, seeking to differentiate between organic growth and bot activity. Future developments will likely involve more sophisticated on-chain analytics to provide verifiable and granular data on user engagement.