On-Chain Fees

Definition ∞ On-Chain Fees are monetary charges paid by users to execute transactions or interact with smart contracts directly on a blockchain network. These fees compensate validators or miners for processing and recording transactions, securing the network, and covering computational resources. The amount of the fee typically varies based on network congestion and the complexity of the operation. They are a fundamental economic mechanism for resource allocation and spam prevention.
Context ∞ Crypto news frequently discusses fluctuations in on-chain fees, especially during periods of high network activity or significant upgrades. Debates often revolve around fee market designs, such as EIP-1559 on Ethereum, and their impact on user experience and network accessibility. The pursuit of layer-2 scaling solutions is largely driven by the desire to reduce on-chain fees and make blockchain interactions more affordable for a wider user base.