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![thekaspaonion Avatar](https://lunarcrush.com/gi/w:24/cr:twitter::1874382384461660160.png) The Kaspa Onion [@thekaspaonion](/creator/twitter/thekaspaonion) on x 1425 followers
Created: 2025-07-20 07:25:30 UTC

Bitcoin doesn’t have low fees because it scales.
It has low fees because people aren’t using it.

Why? Because even if Bitcoin had zero on-chain fees, there’s still friction outside of the protocol:

Exchange spreads

Conversion fees (Coinbase, Cash App, etc.)

Fiat on- and off-ramps

Custodial debit cards

Tax implications

Volatility risk

These external costs act as a natural throttle on Bitcoin’s usage.

So ironically, Bitcoin’s lack of usage has preserved the base chain.
But not because it’s efficient.
Because it’s hard to use.

---

Now flip the script:
When real demand does show up — like during a bull market — people bite the bullet, and the base chain congests instantly.

Fees spike.
Finality slows.
The system creaks.

This is what im realizing:
We only see the scalability problem when Bitcoin actually gets used.
So we lull ourselves into thinking the system is fine, because it sits idle most of the time.


XXX engagements

![Engagements Line Chart](https://lunarcrush.com/gi/w:600/p:tweet::1946833831681777829/c:line.svg)

**Related Topics**
[volatility](/topic/volatility)
[tax bracket](/topic/tax-bracket)
[fiat](/topic/fiat)
[protocol](/topic/protocol)
[onchain](/topic/onchain)
[kaspa](/topic/kaspa)
[coins layer 1](/topic/coins-layer-1)
[coins pow](/topic/coins-pow)

[Post Link](https://x.com/thekaspaonion/status/1946833831681777829)