Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin and developer Anders Elowsson have introduced EIP‑7999, a proposal to streamline Ethereum transaction fees. This structure would let users set one single maximum fee for a transaction instead of filling in separate fees for gas, data usage, and priority.
The proposal is still being reviewed. If passed, the single-fee model could lower barriers for new users and improve fee predictability for all. It may also help Ethereum maintain its lead over other blockchains, offering simpler transactions while keeping security and decentralization.
Ethereum users have a history of dealing with high and unpredictable fees over the years. In 2017, the network congestion caused fees to rise strikingly as more people started using Ethereum. Moreover, heavy use from dApps and NFTs pushed average costs to over $50 per transaction in 2021.
Past Upgrades on Ethereum Fees
In March 2024, Ethereum network implemented the Dencun upgrade. It included nine changes designed to reduce costs and improve speed. After Dencun, average gas fees for routine transfers dropped from about $86 to $0.39, a fall of more than 95%, according to Etherscan data.
Despite lower fees, Ethereum still took in $2.48 billion in fee revenue in 2024. At the same time, rivals gained ground, Tron doubled its own fee income to $2.15 billion, while Solana’s surged to $750 million. Over the past year, Ethereum earned about $757 million in net fee income, per Token Terminal.
Rather than asking users to estimate separate costs, EIP‑7999 would let them enter one maximum fee number that covers all transaction parts. This move could reduce failed payments, limit confusion, and avoid locking funds in unspent tips or data fees. It would help make Ethereum easier to use.
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