On-Chain Demand

Definition ∞ On-Chain Demand signifies the level of genuine interest and active participation in a specific digital asset or blockchain protocol, as directly observable through blockchain transaction data. This metric quantifies the utilization of a network for its intended purposes, such as making payments, interacting with decentralized applications, or securing assets. It is a key indicator of organic adoption and fundamental utility, distinct from speculative trading volume.
Context ∞ Analysts frequently scrutinize On-Chain Demand metrics to gauge the health and growth of blockchain ecosystems, particularly for assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum. News often highlights periods of increased transaction counts, active addresses, and decentralized application usage as evidence of rising demand. The focus is on distinguishing true network utility from artificial inflation of activity, with ongoing debates about the most reliable indicators of sustained user engagement.