Hey there, crypto enthusiasts! If you’ve been keeping an eye on the blockchain space, you’ve probably heard about modular blockchains and how they’re changing the game. At the heart of this revolution is something called data availability (DA)​, which ensures that rollups—those clever scaling solutions—can store and access their data securely. Today, we’re diving into a fascinating thread from Blockworks Research that breaks down the top six public DA networks vying for attention in 2025: Ethereum, EigenDA, Celestia, Avail, NEAR, and Espresso. Let’s unpack this step by step!

What’s Data Availability All About?

Think of data availability as the backbone of modular blockchains. It’s the system that makes sure all transaction data is out there for anyone to verify, keeping things trustless and secure. Rollups rely on DA to publish their data and retrieve it later, which is crucial for scaling without compromising decentralization. The Blockworks Research thread highlights how each network brings a unique mix of security, cost, and throughput to the table.

The Big Players in 2025

Let’s take a closer look at these six networks based on the insights shared:

• Ethereum: The OG of DA, Ethereum leads with a whopping $36.2B secured across over 50 rollups like Arbitrum and Optimism. It’s a public blockchain with an enshrined bridge, offering top-notch security. However, it faces challenges with high costs and limited throughput. Good news? Proto-danksharding (via EIP-4844) is set to ease these bottlenecks in 2024, making it even more efficient.

• EigenDA: Powered by EigenLayer’s restaking magic, EigenDA has quickly risen to secure $1.81B. It trades a bit of security for cost efficiency and boasts high throughput (~15 MiB/s). Projects like Mantle and Celo are jumping on board, especially those prioritizing volume over absolute security.

• Celestia: As the first modular DA blockchain, Celestia shines with $615.93M secured and a focus on Data Availability Sampling (DAS). It can handle up to ~115 GiB/day theoretically, though only about 3% is used so far. It’s a favorite for sovereign rollups needing scalability on a budget.

• Avail: Backed by Polygon, Avail secures $111.15M and is gaining traction with apps like Lens Protocol and Sophon’s gaming rollup. It’s super cheap—90% less than Ethereum—and offers upgradable throughput with potential 128 MB blocks, perfect for app-specific chains.

• NEAR DA: NEAR Protocol is stepping up with extreme scalability (~32 MB/s) and fees 30x cheaper than Celestia. With $23.53M secured, it’s early but promising, especially for high-volume use cases like gaming and social apps.

• Espresso DA: Still in beta with no live rollups yet, Espresso uses HotShot consensus for high-speed DA. It’s currently permissioned but aims for decentralization. It’s targeting low-latency, high-throughput use cases, balancing performance and future decentralization.

Why It Matters for Meme Tokens and Beyond

At Meme Insider, we’re all about keeping you in the loop on blockchain tech that could impact meme tokens and the wider crypto ecosystem. DA networks are a big deal because they enable faster, cheaper transactions—perfect for the wild world of meme coins where speed and cost can make or break a trend. As these networks evolve, they could unlock new possibilities for meme token projects to scale and innovate.

The DA Wars Are Heating Up

The Blockworks Research thread calls it the “DA wars,” and it’s easy to see why. With Ethereum’s deep security, EigenDA’s restaked lanes, Celestia and Avail’s affordable blobspace, NEAR’s hyperscale, and Espresso’s low-latency promise, builders have plenty of options. Each network’s unique strengths cater to different needs, from high-security rollups to budget-friendly app chains.

What’s Next?

As we move through 2025, it’ll be exciting to see which DA network comes out on top. Will Ethereum’s upgrades solidify its dominance? Can EigenDA or NEAR steal the spotlight with their efficiency? Or will a dark horse like Espresso surprise us all? Keep an eye on Meme Insider for the latest updates and how these developments might influence the meme token space!

Got questions about DA or modular blockchains? Drop a comment below—we’d love to chat! And if you’re a blockchain practitioner looking to level up, our knowledge base is packed with insights to help you stay ahead of the curve.