Protocol Utility Growth

Definition ∞ Protocol utility growth describes the expansion of practical applications and functionalities offered by a blockchain protocol, leading to increased real-world usage and value creation. This growth is evidenced by a rise in active users, transaction volume, or the deployment of new decentralized applications and services built on the protocol. It signifies a maturation of the underlying technology beyond speculative asset holding. This indicates that the protocol is solving tangible problems and attracting genuine demand.
Context ∞ The current discussion around protocol utility growth focuses on the transition of blockchain networks from experimental stages to providing concrete solutions for various industries. News often highlights metrics like total value locked, daily active users, and developer activity as indicators of this growth. A critical future development involves protocols continuing to expand their use cases and attract a broader base of non-crypto native users, demonstrating sustainable long-term value and adoption.