What Is a Layer 1 Blockchain? Technical Principles, Latest Updates, and an Investment Reference Guide

What is a Layer 1 public blockchain?

“Layer 1 public chain” refers to the first layer of the blockchain architecture, responsible for fully processing and finalizing transactions without relying on the scaling protocols of other chains. Layer 1 provides security, decentralization, and basic computational power, serving as the foundation for the operation of the entire ecosystem.

Layer 1 and Layer 2 are closely related, but they have different positions: Layer 1 is the base protocol layer, while Layer 2 is a scaling protocol based on Layer 1, mainly addressing performance and scalability issues.

Detailed Explanation of Layer 1 Technical Components

Layer 1 blockchain architecture includes the following key components:

• Consensus mechanisms – such as PoW, PoS, etc., used to validate transactions and maintain ledger consistency.
• Node Network - Distributed nodes jointly participate in transaction verification and block propagation.
• Smart contract platform - Many Layer 1s support dApps and automated application deployment.
• Native Token - Used for paying fees, network incentives, and governance participation.

These components work together to ensure network security, transaction finality, and ecological vitality. At the same time, the design of Layer 1 also drives the direction and innovation of the entire blockchain industry.

Latest news: Stable mainnet TGE and industry innovation

In December 2025, a Layer 1 public chain named Stable officially launched its mainnet, closely integrated with the backing of Bitfinex and Tether, focusing on the stablecoin infrastructure market. Reports suggest that the market holds positive expectations for its launch, including a potential FDV market bet exceeding $2 billion in the short term.

In addition, several tech giants and institutions are also making moves in the Layer 1 infrastructure space, such as Google advancing the Universal Ledger (GCUL) project, which aims to optimize compliant payments and global settlement applications, potentially bringing new growth points to the blockchain sector.

These dynamics mean that Layer 1 public chains are no longer limited to traditional crypto assets but are penetrating into a larger scale financial and payment ecosystem.

Key Layer 1 Project Ecosystem Observation

The current Layer 1 public chain ecosystem is thriving and diverse:

• Ethereum (ETH) – has the most mature smart contracts and DeFi ecosystem.
• Solana (SOL) – known for its high TPS and low cost.
• BNB Chain – closely integrated with the exchange ecosystem.
• Sui & Aptos – The new generation of high-performance blockchain.

In addition, some potential L1 coins that the market has been paying attention to for years have gained community interest due to their technological advantages and ecosystem development.

Investment Perspective: Risk and Price Performance

In 2025, Layer 1 tokens experienced significant price fluctuations. Amid the overall market pressure, major L1 assets such as Ethereum and Solana saw substantial pullbacks, while some assets like BNB and TRX achieved positive returns.

In addition, the sharp short-term decline in the price of individual new tokens such as $LAYER reflects the liquidity and sentiment shocks that risk assets may experience under extreme conditions.

For investors, the value of Layer 1 public chains comes not only from price performance but also from fundamental indicators such as ecosystem activities, real applications, and network revenue. Therefore, when considering entry, it is necessary to evaluate risks and opportunities from multiple dimensions.

Future Trends and Summary

The future direction of Layer 1 public chains will focus on improvements in scalability, cross-chain interoperability, and the deepening of industry applications. As more institutions and developers enter the field, along with the layout of new technologies and compliance infrastructure, the role of Layer 1 is expected to continue to expand.