Gas Fees

Definition ∞ Gas fees are the charges paid by users to execute transactions or smart contracts on a blockchain network, particularly Ethereum. These fees compensate network validators or miners for the computational effort required to process and secure transactions. Fluctuations in gas fees often reflect network congestion and demand for block space. Context ∞ The level of gas fees is a persistent topic in cryptocurrency news, especially concerning its impact on the usability and cost-effectiveness of decentralized applications. High gas fees can deter users and developers, leading to discussions about scalability solutions and alternative blockchain architectures. Monitoring gas fee trends provides critical insight into network demand and the economic pressures within blockchain ecosystems.