The Ultimate 2025 Layer 1 Blockchain Guide: 15 Projects Redefining Crypto Infrastructure

Understanding Layer 1: The Backbone of Blockchain

At its core, Layer 1 blockchains serve as the foundational networks where transactions get finalized and recorded permanently. Unlike their Layer 2 counterparts that stack on top of existing chains, these base-layer networks operate independently with their own consensus mechanisms and security protocols. Think of them as the digital equivalent of a bank’s core ledger system—they’re responsible for the heavy lifting of decentralization, security, and transaction settlement.

What makes Layer 1 particularly compelling? These networks offer genuine decentralization without relying on intermediaries, feature immutable transaction records, employ various consensus models (Proof of Work, Proof of Stake, or hybrid approaches), and provide the economic infrastructure through native tokens that fuel transactions and governance.

The Layer 1 Landscape in 2026: A Market Snapshot

The first-layer crypto ecosystem has undergone significant transformation. While some projects have experienced corrections from their 2024 peaks, the fundamental innovation continues unabated. Let’s examine which Layer 1 networks are positioning themselves as industry leaders.

1. Solana (SOL) – Speed Meets Scalability

Current Metrics:

• Price: $135.61
• Market Cap: $76.40B
• 1-Year Performance: -37.41%

Solana’s reputation for blazing-fast transactions remains its defining characteristic. The network’s Proof of History (PoH) consensus mechanism, combined with Proof of Stake, enables transaction processing at remarkable speeds with minimal fees. This architecture has attracted a thriving ecosystem of decentralized applications.

The SOL token fuels transaction execution and serves as the staking asset for network validators. Throughout 2023-2024, Solana solidified its position through significant infrastructure improvements. The introduction of Solana Improvement Documents (SIMDs) formalized the protocol enhancement process, while Firedancer—a validator upgrade—promises substantial performance gains.

Solana’s ecosystem expanded dramatically with diverse projects spanning memecoins, liquid staking protocols (Marinade Finance, Jito), DEXs (Raydium, Orca), gaming platforms, and NFT marketplaces. Strategic partnerships with Google Cloud and AWS enhanced network accessibility, while the Solana Mobile Saga device showcased ecosystem ambitions beyond traditional blockchain applications.

2. Ethereum (ETH) – The Smart Contract Pioneer

Current Metrics:

• Price: $3.17K
• Market Cap: $383.12B
• 1-Year Performance: -13.19%

Ethereum dominates the Layer 1 conversation with the largest developer community and most mature dApp ecosystem. Since Vitalik Buterin’s 2015 launch, the network has evolved from a cryptocurrency platform into the foundation for DeFi, NFTs, DAOs, and thousands of applications.

The ETH token powers transaction execution, smart contract deployment, and network security through staking. Ethereum’s transition to Proof of Stake (completed in 2022) addressed environmental concerns while maintaining security. The ongoing development of Layer 2 scaling solutions—particularly rollups like Arbitrum and Optimism—demonstrates how base-layer blockchains evolve to meet growing demand.

Recent innovations include enhanced data availability solutions, improved MEV (Maximal Extractable Value) management, and continued optimization of gas efficiency. These developments underscore Ethereum’s commitment to remaining the premier platform for complex decentralized applications.

3. BNB Chain (BNB) – Exchange-Backed Infrastructure

Current Metrics:

• Price: $903.70
• Market Cap: $124.47B
• 1-Year Performance: +26.66%

Launched by Binance in 2020, BNB Chain (formerly Binance Smart Chain) operates with a Proof of Staked Authority (PoSA) consensus that delivers faster, cheaper transactions than Ethereum while maintaining EVM compatibility. This dual advantage attracts developers seeking both performance and ecosystem familiarity.

The BNB token serves as the network’s fuel and governance asset, with utility extending across the Binance ecosystem. The 2023 rebranding to “BNB Chain” signaled organizational evolution beyond exchange infrastructure toward standalone blockchain prominence.

The network hosts over 1,300 active dApps across DeFi, NFTs, and gaming. Recent upgrades introduced improved staking mechanisms, enhanced cross-chain bridges for better interoperability, and strategic partnerships expanding ecosystem capabilities. Layer 2 integrations and potential sharding implementations promise further scalability enhancements in 2024-2025.

4. Avalanche (AVAX) – Consensus Innovation in Action

Current Metrics:

• Price: $14.26
• Market Cap: $6.13B
• 1-Year Performance: -66.56%

Avalanche distinguishes itself through a unique consensus mechanism blending Classical and Nakamoto approaches, enabling sub-second transaction finality. The network processes transactions in under two seconds—a capability that positions it favorably against competitors emphasizing speed.

The AVAX token facilitates transaction settlement, network security through staking, and participation in the consensus mechanism. In 2023, Avalanche’s C-Chain set records with 3.07 million total transactions, demonstrating significant adoption acceleration.

Inscription transactions (particularly ASC-20 tokens) temporarily dominated network activity, representing over 50% of transactions and generating substantial fee revenue. The network processed 40+ transactions per second during peak periods, with network events attracting institutional attention through partnerships with J.P. Morgan’s blockchain division.

5. Bitcoin (BTC) – The Immutable Standard

Current Metrics:

• Price: Approximately $40,000-$70,000 range (highly volatile)
• Market Cap: $1.2+ Trillion
• 1-Year Performance: Cyclical volatility

Bitcoin remains the foundational Layer 1 asset, pioneering decentralized digital currency in 2009. Its Proof of Work consensus ensures unprecedented security through computational difficulty, creating what proponents term “digital gold.”

The asset serves primarily as a store of value and medium of exchange, increasingly adopted by institutional investors and sovereign wealth funds. Bitcoin halving events—occurring approximately every four years—programmatically reduce mining rewards and create scarcity dynamics.

Recent ecosystem developments include Ordinals protocol enabling NFT minting directly on Bitcoin, Layer 2 solutions like Stacks facilitating smart contract functionality, and derivative protocols exploring tokenization possibilities. These innovations expand Bitcoin’s utility beyond simple transfers while preserving its core security properties.

6. Polkadot (DOT) – Interoperability Infrastructure

Current Metrics:

• Price: $2.12
• Market Cap: $3.51B
• 1-Year Performance: -72.38%

Polkadot’s unique value proposition centers on interconnectivity—enabling different blockchains to communicate and transfer value while maintaining individual sovereignty. The network’s multichain architecture connects specialized blockchains (parachains) through relay chain consensus.

The DOT token governs network decisions, secures the network through staking, and bonds parachains to the protocol. The 2023 ecosystem showed robust developer activity with 19,090 GitHub contributions in March alone, alongside parathreads reducing blockchain connection costs.

The Polkadot 2.0 roadmap promises enhanced scalability and governance mechanisms. Staking participation increased 49% through Nomination Pools, democratizing network security. Integration of major stablecoins and institutional custody services (Zodia Custody) signal enterprise adoption pathways.

7. Cosmos (ATOM) – Interchain Coordination Protocol

Current Metrics:

• Price: $2.28
• Market Cap: $1.11B
• 1-Year Performance: -68.69%

Cosmos operates as a decentralized network of independent blockchains coordinated through the Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol. This architecture allows sovereign chains to maintain independence while enabling seamless interaction.

The ATOM token secures the Cosmos Hub through staking and governs network decisions. The 2023-2024 period introduced Interchain Security protecting smaller blockchains, Interchain Accounts enhancing cross-chain interactions, and Liquid Staking expanding DeFi capabilities.

The ecosystem demonstrated scaling with 500,000 daily transactions and 20 million ATOM trading volume. The Interchain Foundation’s multi-million dollar allocation for stack development signals commitment to continued growth. Institutional interest, particularly following dYdX migration to Cosmos, suggests expanding capital inflows.

8. The Open Network (TON) – Telegram’s Blockchain Integration

Current Metrics:

• Price: $1.86
• Market Cap: $4.50B
• 1-Year Performance: -67.49%

Originating from Telegram’s founders, TON (The Open Network) evolved into a community-managed project after regulatory challenges with the SEC. The blockchain emphasizes scalability through multi-level sharding and user accessibility.

Toncoin (TON’s native token) facilitates transactions, governance participation, and network validation. A watershed moment occurred when Telegram announced 50% advertising revenue distribution to channel owners via TON blockchain, with Toncoin experiencing 40% value increases following announcements.

The ecosystem supports diverse dApps including social platforms, DeFi services, and NFT marketplaces. Potential Telegram IPO integration could significantly enhance token utility and market perception if blockchain functionalities become embedded in the messaging platform’s service offerings.

9. Kaspa (KAS) – Proof of Work Innovation

Current Metrics:

• Price: $0.05
• Market Cap: $1.35B
• 1-Year Performance: -60.08%

Kaspa introduces the GHOSTDAG consensus mechanism enabling rapid block processing while maintaining Proof of Work’s security properties. The network achieved 1,800% value appreciation in 2023, reflecting growing interest in alternative PoW designs.

The KAS token compensates miners and facilitates economic activity. Significant technical improvements included transitioning from GoLang to Rust programming languages to maximize hardware utilization, developing mobile wallet solutions, and increasing transaction throughput.

P2P communication improvements for archival nodes enable extended historical data access. These developments position Kaspa as an emerging contender for developers and communities seeking PoW alternatives to Bitcoin with enhanced functionality for smart contracts and decentralized applications.

10. Sei (SEI) – Specialized DeFi Infrastructure

Current Metrics:

• Price: $0.12
• Market Cap: $804.90M
• 1-Year Performance: -73.67%

Sei represents specialized Layer 1 design optimized specifically for decentralized finance. The network features native order book functionality and integrated matching engines, dramatically reducing latency for trading applications compared to generic blockchain platforms.

The SEI token powers transaction settlement, governance participation, and network operations. The Sei Ecosystem Fund grew to $120 million (incorporating $50 million from Foresight Ventures), supporting diverse Web3 projects across NFTs, gaming, and DeFi sectors.

Strategic Asia market penetration reflects the region’s sophisticated technology adoption and crypto familiarity. Partnerships like Graviton in India demonstrate targeted ecosystem expansion. Chain-level optimizations continue enhancing DEX and trading application performance, positioning Sei as an appealing development platform for financial protocols.

11. Internet Computer (ICP) – Serverless Web3 Computing

Current Metrics:

• Price: $3.21
• Market Cap: $1.75B
• 1-Year Performance: -73.88%

Internet Computer (developed by DFINITY Foundation) attempts revolutionary reimagining of internet infrastructure through decentralized, serverless cloud computing. The network enables entire software systems operating on-chain rather than traditional servers.

The ICP token powers transaction processing, smart contract execution, and protocol governance through the Network Nervous System (NNS). Recent ecosystem advancements included WebSocket integration enabling real-time interactive applications, stable memory expansion supporting complex applications, and direct Bitcoin network integration.

The Service Nervous System (SNS) enables permissionless token issuance for DAO governance, expanding participation possibilities. Community-driven projects including social media platforms and trading marketplaces demonstrate organic ecosystem growth. DFINITY grants continue stimulating innovation and development.

12. Aptos (APT) – Move Language Advantage

Current Metrics:

• Market Cap: $3.8B (approximate)
• 1-Year Performance: Significant decline from 2024 highs

Aptos emphasizes scalability, reliability, and usability through Move programming language adoption—designed specifically for secure smart contract development. The parallel execution engine dramatically improves transaction throughput and processing speed.

The APT token facilitates transaction settlement, governance participation, and network security through staking. The ecosystem attracted $400+ million in funding from prominent investors (Tiger Global, PayPal Ventures), establishing strong financial foundations.

Technological sophistication demonstrated TVL exceeding $85 million with transaction volumes frequently reaching hundreds of thousands. Strategic partnerships with Microsoft, NEOWIZ, MARBLEX, and Lotte Group expanded ecosystem across gaming and entertainment. Digital Asset Standards and indexer infrastructure continue improving developer experience and application capabilities.

13. Sui (SUI) – High Throughput Blockchain

Current Metrics:

• Market Cap: $1.54B (approximate)
• 1-Year Performance: Significant decline from 2024 launch excitement

Sui focuses on high transaction throughput and scalability with Move programming language emphasis and innovative consensus design. The network demonstrated impressive transaction processing capabilities post-mainnet launch.

The SUI token powers transaction fees, governance, and network operations. Strategic token reallocations directed 157 million SUI toward community initiatives and DeFi applications. Post-exchange listing, the network achieved 65.8 million daily transactions with TVL peaks of $188 million.

The zkLogin feature revolutionized dApp access through enhanced privacy mechanisms leveraging Web 2 social accounts. TurboStar program on Turbos DEX supported ecosystem project growth through fundraising facilitation and investor protection measures.

14. Kava (KAVA) – Cosmos-EVM Bridge

Current Metrics:

• Price: $0.08
• Market Cap: $90.45M
• 1-Year Performance: -84.83%

Kava innovatively combines Cosmos SDK’s scalability with EVM compatibility, enabling Ethereum applications to leverage Kava’s infrastructure. This “co-chain” architecture positions Kava as a DeFi innovation hub.

The KAVA token governs operations and stakes toward network security, fueling DeFi activities. The blockchain maintains Tendermint BFT consensus ensuring high security and attack resistance. USDX—a native USD-pegged stablecoin—facilitates decentralized lending without centralized oracle dependencies.

Recent Kava 14 upgrade introduced USDt minting capabilities on Cosmos with strategic partnerships enhancing liquidity across DeFi protocols. “Kava Tokenomics 2.0” transition to fixed token supply aims fostering increased adoption through programmatic scarcity. The community-owned Strategic Vault exceeding $300 million in assets demonstrates deepened decentralization commitment.

15. ZetaChain (ZETA) – Omnichain Settlement Layer

Current Metrics:

• Price: $0.08
• Market Cap: $92.41M
• 1-Year Performance: -87.36%

ZetaChain pursues revolutionary omnichain functionality—enabling interaction with any blockchain regardless of architecture or smart contract capabilities. This ambition addresses fragmentation limiting seamless asset transfers and cross-chain execution.

Despite 2023 launch recency, ZetaChain demonstrated rapid ecosystem growth with 1,000,000+ testnet active users across 100+ countries. The network processed 6.3 million cross-chain transactions and supported 200+ testnet dApp deployments.

Strategic partnerships with Chainlink and The Sandbox enhanced infrastructure credibility. Additional partnerships with Ankr Protocol, BYTE CITY, and Ultiverse expanded functionality into entertainment and gaming sectors. $27 million funding rounds supported continued interoperability development, positioning ZetaChain as an emerging omnichain contender.

Layer 1 vs. Layer 2: Complementary Evolution

The blockchain scalability challenge has spawned a complementary two-tier approach. While Layer 2 solutions (rollups, sidechains) address throughput constraints and reduce transaction costs, Layer 1 blockchains remain foundational—providing security guarantees, decentralization, and finality that Layer 2 solutions depend upon.

This symbiotic relationship drives innovation bidirectionally. Layer 1 improvements (sharding, consensus optimization) enhance Layer 2 performance. Simultaneously, successful Layer 2 implementations inform Layer 1 protocol enhancements. Mainstream adoption demands both security foundations and scalability solutions—requiring sophisticated dual-layer ecosystem development.

2026 Outlook: Layer 1 Network Development Trajectories

As blockchain technology matures, Layer 1 networks face intensifying specialization. Bitcoin remains the immutable standard for value storage. Ethereum maintains smart contract dominance through developer ecosystem size. Specialized networks like Sei optimize for DeFi, while interoperability protocols (Polkadot, Cosmos, ZetaChain) address cross-chain fragmentation.

Market corrections from 2024 peaks shouldn’t obscure fundamental progress. Technical innovations continue accelerating—consensus mechanism refinement, programming language improvements (Move), security enhancements, and ecosystem maturation. The layer 1 crypto list represents diverse approaches to the shared challenge of creating decentralized, secure, scalable value networks.

Institutional adoption pathways expand through custody solutions, regulatory clarity, and infrastructure maturation. Strategic partnerships with Web 2 giants (Microsoft, Google Cloud, Telegram) legitimate blockchain infrastructure while expanding use cases. Whether emphasizing security, speed, interoperability, or specialized applications, these Layer 1 networks collectively advance cryptocurrency’s evolution from speculative asset class toward foundational digital infrastructure.