Crypto Developer Activity Drops 75% as Talent Shifts to AI

Developer activity across major blockchain networks has declined significantly as talent increasingly moves toward artificial intelligence infrastructure. Weekly crypto code commits have dropped roughly 75% since early 2025, falling from about 850,000 to 210,000, while active developers decreased 56% to around 4,600, according to analytics platform Artemis.

Ethereum, Solana, and other major chains are all seeing declines. Ethereum’s weekly active developers fell 34% to 2,811, Solana dropped 40% to 942, and Coinbase-incubated Layer 2 Base fell 52% to 378. Newer chains like Aptos, BNB Chain, and Celo experienced even steeper drops, reflecting a broader contraction in blockchain contribution.

Artificial Intelligence Draws Developer Attention

In contrast, AI-related repositories on GitHub have surged. Repos using large language models grew 178% to 1.1 million, while generative AI projects now attract over 1 million monthly contributors. Tools like Jupyter Notebooks and Dockerfiles, widely used in machine learning, saw 75% and 120% growth respectively.

The shift is concentrated among part-time and newer crypto developers, while experienced contributors now account for roughly 70% of crypto commits. The trend suggests blockchain ecosystems are consolidating rather than collapsing, but AI’s rapid rise poses a long-term challenge for crypto development growth.

Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrency trading involves risk and may result in financial loss.