Layer 2 crypto trading dominates as ETH to ETHBASE claims the top spot for the first time in weekly swap history.
The cryptocurrency market witnessed a significant milestone this week. For the first time in our weekly analysis, a Layer 2 pair has claimed the top position. As a result, ETH to ETHBASE now leads all trading activity at 6.97%, marking a historic moment for Base network adoption. Consequently, this shift signals growing trader confidence in Layer 2 solutions for cost-effective transactions.
Meanwhile, privacy coins continue their strong presence with XMR maintaining dominant positions as both the top source currency (13.71%) and top destination currency (13.26%). In contrast, the traditional leader USDT to TRX has settled into second place at 3.88%.
Key Takeaways This Week
- Layer 2 breakthrough: ETH to ETHBASE claims #1 spot with 6.97% of all swaps
- XMR dominance: Leading both source (13.71%) and destination (13.26%) rankings
- Privacy activity: 30.17% of all swaps involve privacy coins
- Base network: Layer 2 related swaps account for 12.36% of total activity
- BTC accumulation: 11.40% destination share shows continued buying pressure
What Are the Best Crypto Pairs for Layer 2 Crypto Trading?
The best crypto pairs this week reflect a strategic pivot toward Layer 2 efficiency and privacy protection. Specifically, ETH to ETHBASE leads at 6.97%, demonstrating that traders increasingly value Base network’s low fees and fast confirmations. Additionally, USDT to TRX holds strong at 3.88% for those seeking TRON’s established infrastructure. Furthermore, privacy-focused traders continue favoring BTC to XMR at 3.43%, while XMR to USDT at 2.58% indicates profit-taking from privacy positions.
Top 5 Best Crypto Pairs of the Week
1. ETH to ETHBASE – 6.97%
The historic leader this week. ETH to ETHBASE represents the growing adoption of Base, Coinbase’s Layer 2 network built on Optimism technology. As a result, traders are bridging Ethereum to Base for significantly lower transaction costs while maintaining Ethereum’s security guarantees. Moreover, this pair’s dominance signals a maturation of the Layer 2 ecosystem as users seek practical solutions to high mainnet gas fees.
2. USDT to TRX
The former champion remains highly relevant. Specifically, USDT to TRX continues attracting traders who need TRON for its near-zero transaction fees and 3-second confirmations. In particular, this pair serves essential functions: accessing TRC-20 ecosystem applications, reducing transfer costs, and positioning for TRON-based DeFi opportunities.
3. BTC to XMR
Privacy demand holds steady. Essentially, BTC to XMR allows Bitcoin holders to convert into Monero for enhanced transaction confidentiality. As blockchain analytics become more sophisticated, this pair therefore represents traders prioritizing financial privacy while maintaining exposure to cryptocurrency markets.
4. XMR to USDT
The reverse flow indicates healthy activity. In fact, XMR to USDT shows Monero holders converting to stablecoins-likely for profit-taking, portfolio rebalancing, or accessing exchanges that require stablecoin deposits. Consequently, this bidirectional flow between privacy and stability reflects a healthy, active trading ecosystem.
5. TON to BTC
Telegram’s blockchain connects to Bitcoin. Notably, TON to BTC demonstrates TON holders diversifying into Bitcoin for long-term value storage. Furthermore, this pair’s presence in the top five confirms TON’s growing liquidity and legitimacy as a major tradeable asset beyond the Telegram ecosystem.
Top Source Currencies (From)
Monero leads source currencies for another week, followed closely by Ethereum. Importantly, the high ETH outflow correlates directly with the ETH to ETHBASE dominance-traders are actively bridging to Layer 2. Meanwhile, stablecoins combined (USDT variants) represent 18.43% of all source activity, thus showing significant capital deployment into other assets.
Top Destination Currencies (To)
Monero claims the top destination spot, thereby confirming sustained privacy demand. Similarly, Bitcoin follows at 11.40%, indicating continued accumulation strategies. Additionally, Solana impressively captures 8.71% of inbound swaps-up from previous weeks-suggesting renewed interest in high-performance blockchain applications.
How to Find Best Rates for Layer 2 Crypto Trading
Compare Multiple Exchanges
Layer 2 pairs like ETH to ETHBASE can vary significantly across platforms. Therefore, use Swapzone to aggregate rates from 28+ exchanges instantly. Indeed, rate differences of 2-5% are common on newer pairs, making comparison essential.
Consider Total Costs
Beyond exchange rates, factor in network fees. For instance, Base transactions cost fractions of a cent compared to Ethereum mainnet’s variable gas. As a result, for the best crypto pairs involving Layer 2 crypto trading, the destination network savings often outweigh slightly better rates elsewhere.
Time Your Swaps
Layer 2 activity tends to spike during high mainnet congestion periods. Consequently, monitor Ethereum gas prices-when mainnet fees rise, more traders migrate to Layer 2, thereby affecting available liquidity and rates.
FAQ
Why Did ETH to ETHBASE Become the Top Crypto Pair?
Base network has reached a maturity point where traders trust it for serious capital. Specifically, the combination of Coinbase’s backing, Optimism’s proven technology, and dramatically lower fees created a perfect environment for growth. As a result, this week’s 6.97% dominance reflects traders actively moving assets to Base for DeFi participation, NFT trading, and cost-effective transactions that would be prohibitively expensive on mainnet.
Which Are the Best Crypto Pairs for Privacy This Week?
The best crypto pairs for privacy remain BTC to XMR (3.43%), XMR to BTC (1.97%), and LTC to XMR (2.02%). Together, privacy-related swaps account for 30.17% of all activity this week. Notably, Monero’s position as both the top source and destination currency confirms that privacy protection remains a fundamental priority for a significant portion of traders.
What Does XMR Dominance Mean for the Market?
XMR’s leading position in both directions (13.71% source, 13.26% destination) indicates a highly active privacy trading ecosystem. Unlike assets that show one-directional flow, Monero’s balanced activity suggests genuine utility rather than speculation. In other words, traders are both entering privacy positions and exiting them based on strategy-a sign of healthy market dynamics.
How to Find the Best Crypto Pairs for Your Strategy?
Finding the best crypto pairs depends on your goals. If you prioritize Layer 2 crypto trading efficiency, focus on ETH to ETHBASE and similar pairs. Alternatively, privacy-focused traders should consider XMR-related pairs. Meanwhile, USDT to TRX remains optimal for low-fee utility. Those seeking Bitcoin accumulation might prefer TON to BTC or XMR to BTC. Finally, use Swapzone to compare rates across 28+ exchanges and find the best deal for your specific pair.
Is Layer 2 Adoption Sustainable?
This week’s data strongly suggests yes. Currently, Layer 2 related swaps represent 12.36% of all trading activity-a substantial share that indicates real adoption rather than temporary experimentation. Moreover, as Ethereum mainnet fees remain volatile and Layer 2 infrastructure matures, expect continued growth in pairs like ETH to ETHBASE, ETH to ETHARBITRUM, and similar bridges.
Trade Smart with Real Data
This week’s swap data reveals a milestone moment: Layer 2 crypto trading has finally claimed the top position. Specifically, ETH to ETHBASE at 6.97% demonstrates that traders are embracing Base network for its practical advantages. Meanwhile, privacy activity remains robust at 30.17% of all swaps, with XMR leading both source and destination rankings.
The cryptocurrency market continues evolving toward efficiency. Indeed, Layer 2 solutions solve real problems-high fees and slow confirmations-while privacy coins address fundamental needs for financial confidentiality. Whether you’re bridging to Base for lower costs, converting to Monero for privacy, or accumulating Bitcoin for long-term storage, following actual swap data helps identify where liquidity flows.
Ready to make your next swap? Compare rates across 28+ exchanges and find the best deal for your trade.
Data based on real swap transactions across non-custodial cryptocurrency exchange platforms, December 15-21, 2025.
