15 Layer 1 Blockchains Dominating the 2024-2025 Crypto Landscape

The world of blockchain is rapidly maturing, and Layer 1 blockchains remain the fundamental infrastructure powering the entire digital asset ecosystem. As we head deeper into 2024-2025, understanding which base layer networks merit your attention becomes crucial for anyone navigating the crypto space.

Why Layer 1 Blockchains Matter More Than Ever

At their core, Layer 1 blockchains function as independent, decentralized networks where transactions achieve final settlement without external dependencies. Unlike Layer 2 solutions that piggyback on existing chains for scalability, Layer 1 protocols maintain complete sovereignty through their own consensus mechanisms and security architectures.

The appeal is multifaceted. These base networks deliver immutability, transparency, and decentralization that no intermediary can compromise. Every transaction is permanent and verifiable—no single entity controls the network. They operate native token economies, where cryptocurrency fuels transaction processing, validator rewards, and governance participation. For developers, Layer 1 blockchains provide the unrestricted foundation to build decentralized applications (dApps) without architectural constraints imposed by higher layers.

The Layer 1 vs. Layer 2 Dynamic

A critical conversation in blockchain infrastructure centers on how Layer 1 and Layer 2 solutions complement each other. Layer 2 networks excel at solving scalability bottlenecks—they process transactions faster and cheaper by building atop Layer 1 security. However, this relationship remains inherently asymmetrical. Layer 2 systems depend entirely on Layer 1 for final transaction settlement and cryptographic security. Layer 1 blockchains cannot be fully replaced; they can only be enhanced.

As both layers evolve, improvements in Layer 1—such as sharding or consensus refinements—automatically strengthen Layer 2 capabilities. This symbiotic dynamic means Layer 1 innovation remains the wellspring driving the entire ecosystem forward.

Selection Criteria: What Makes a Layer 1 Worth Watching

This analysis focuses on 15 Layer 1 projects selected based on rigorous metrics:

• Market capitalization and trading volume
• Total Value Locked (TVL) in deployed protocols
• Transaction throughput and network security
• Developer activity and ecosystem maturation
• Recent technological advancements and adoption signals
• Market performance across volatile 2023-2024 conditions

The 15 Essential Layer 1 Blockchains

1. Solana (SOL) — High-Velocity Settlement

Key Metrics:

• TVL: $3.46 billion
• Market Cap: $69.54 billion
• 1-Year Performance: -37.45%

Solana’s reputation rests on delivering extreme transaction throughput at minimal cost. Its proprietary Proof of History (PoH) consensus, layered with Proof of Stake (PoS), creates a permissioned validator set capable of near-instant finality—a technical achievement few competitors match.

The SOL token powers transaction settlement and validator staking, aligning economic incentives across the network. By end-2023, Solana had climbed to fifth-largest cryptocurrency by market valuation, surpassing XRP and capturing institutional attention.

The ecosystem flourished through 2023-2024 with several catalysts:

• Firedancer validator upgrade targeting substantial speed improvements
• Network expansion beyond 2,000 nodes with enhanced validator distribution
• Helium protocol integration demonstrating Layer 1 composability
• Mobile integration through Solana Saga smartphone and Helium Mobile partnership
• DeFi dominance through protocols like Marinade Finance, Jito, and Jupiter
• Memecoin phenomenon (BONK airdrops) driving retail engagement

Jupiter’s routing engine and token launch exemplified how mature DeFi infrastructure attracts TVL migration. Google Cloud and AWS partnerships signaled enterprise confidence in network stability.

2. Avalanche (AVAX) — Sub-Second Finality Pioneer

Key Metrics:

• TVL: $1.5 billion
• Market Cap: $13.4 billion
• 1-Year Performance: 83%

Avalanche distinguishes itself through elegant engineering: sub-two-second transaction finality achieved via a hybrid consensus blending Classical and Nakamoto consensus principles. This architecture delivers security comparable to proof-of-work chains while maintaining high throughput.

The AVAX token functions across multiple layers—settlement, staking, and intra-subnet transactions—creating dense utility.

2023 delivered remarkable growth metrics. The C-Chain processed 3.07 million transactions cumulatively, with daily peaks reaching 2.3 million transactions (versus 450K historical average). Inscription-related activity dominated, accounting for 50%+ of network volume and generating $13.8M in fees within five days alone. This explosive growth demonstrated both network capacity and market demand for on-chain asset primitives.

Strategic partnerships with J.P. Morgan’s Onyx blockchain validated enterprise adoption. The combination of throughput and finality makes Avalanche particularly attractive for institutional DeFi applications.

3. Kaspa (KAS) — DAG-Based Innovation

Key Metrics:

• TVL: Data unavailable
• Market Cap: $1.21 billion
• 1-Year Performance: -62.17%

Kaspa pursues a fundamentally different architectural path using GHOSTDAG (Directed Acyclic Graph) consensus, departing from traditional blockchain’s linear block structure. This enables parallel block creation and near-instant confirmation.

The KAS token compensates miners and facilitates transactions within this novel model.

Throughout 2023, Kaspa advanced through several technical milestones:

• Migration from GoLang to Rust, unlocking modern hardware acceleration
• Dag Knight consensus refinement improving transaction speeds
• High-performance mobile wallet deployment
• Capability to process hundreds of blocks and thousands of transactions per second
• Strategic positioning as a Layer 1 proof-of-work alternative

The 1,800%+ value surge in 2023 reflected market recognition of Kaspa’s technical differentiation, though 2024-2025 volatility has tempered this enthusiasm.

4. Bitcoin (BTC) — The Original Layer 1

Key Metrics:

• TVL: $1.1 billion
• Market Cap: $1,769.21 trillion
• 1-Year Performance: -10.83%

Bitcoin remains unmatched in network security heritage and adoption reach. Introduced in 2009 by the pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto, it pioneered decentralized consensus and established cryptocurrencies as a distinct asset class.

The BTC token serves dual purposes: medium of exchange and store of value (colloquially “digital gold”), underpinned by a fixed 21-million coin cap ensuring scarcity.

Bitcoin’s 2023 evolution extended beyond price appreciation:

• Ordinals Protocol Launch: Enabled direct NFT minting on Bitcoin, spawning ORDI, SATS, RATS, DOVI, and hundreds of derivative projects
• Layer 2 Proliferation: Stacks and competing sidechains addressed smart contract limitations, enabling DeFi applications atop Bitcoin’s security
• Derivative Protocols: Atomicals and ARC20 tokens leveraged satoshis as fractional units
• Taproot Assets Protocol: Enabled complex asset issuance using UTXO scripts

These developments positioned Bitcoin not merely as a payments network but as an extensible settlement layer capable of supporting sophisticated financial primitives.

5. The Open Network (TON) — Telegram’s Native Blockchain

Key Metrics:

• TVL: $145 million
• Market Cap: $3.74 billion
• 1-Year Performance: -74.30%

TON traces its origins to Telegram founders Nikolai and Pavel Durov, representing an ambitious attempt to embed blockchain infrastructure within a messaging application. After regulatory pressure from U.S. authorities, Telegram transferred stewardship to the TON Foundation and independent developer communities (branded NewTON).

Toncoin, TON’s native asset, facilitates transactions, governance, and participation in network validation.

The ecosystem matured significantly with multi-level sharding architecture supporting high transaction volumes across decentralized applications spanning social platforms, DeFi, and NFT marketplaces.

A pivotal 2024 development: Telegram announced revenue-sharing with content creators, routing 50% of advertising income through TON blockchain infrastructure paid in Toncoin. This announcement alone triggered 40% price appreciation, providing tangible utility linkage to a mainstream application with hundreds of millions of active users.

Speculation around Telegram’s potential IPO adds another dimension—successful public markets listing could substantially amplify Toncoin’s legitimacy and liquidity.

6. Internet Computer (ICP) — Decentralized Cloud Computing

Key Metrics:

• TVL: $88 million
• Market Cap: $1.65 billion
• 1-Year Performance: -72.89%

Internet Computer, developed by the DFINITY Foundation, reimagines blockchain’s role beyond transaction settlement. Rather than executing simple state transitions, ICP enables hosting entire software systems and smart contract frameworks on-chain—essentially providing decentralized cloud infrastructure.

The ICP token compensates network participants, processes transactions, and enables governance through the Network Nervous System (NNS).

2023-2024 enhancements substantially broadened ICP’s capabilities:

• Websocket integration enabling real-time interactive applications
• Expanded stable memory supporting complex computational workloads
• HTTPS outcalls permitting canisters to interact with traditional web services
• Direct Bitcoin network integration for trustless cross-chain transactions
• Permissionless DAO token issuance via Service Nervous System (SNS)

These developments attracted a wave of community-driven projects spanning social media platforms, trading interfaces, and content systems—validation that sufficient infrastructure maturity exists for meaningful dApp development.

7. Sei (SEI) — Purpose-Built for Trading

Key Metrics:

• TVL: $27 million
• Market Cap: $1.37 billion
• 1-Year Performance: 6,000% (original period) / Currently volatile

Sei occupies a specialized niche: Layer 1 blockchain explicitly optimized for decentralized exchange functionality. Rather than pursuing generalist throughput, Sei engineers its consensus to minimize latency in order book interactions—the critical bottleneck for professional traders.

Native matching engines and order book optimization represent Sei’s structural advantages over generic blockchains retrofitted for trading.

The SEI token governs network parameters and participates in staking.

Ecosystem development accelerated through 2023-2024:

• $120M Ecosystem Fund capitalization funded by Foresight Ventures and additional investors
• Strategic geographic expansion targeting Asian markets with demonstrated crypto adoption
• Graviton partnership extending reach into Indian developer communities
• Chain-level optimizations demonstrating measurable latency reduction for DEX operations

The explicit focus on trading infrastructure differentiates Sei from horizontally-oriented competitors.

8. Sui (SUI) — Move Language Innovation

Key Metrics:

• TVL: $557 million
• Market Cap: $5.26 billion
• 1-Year Performance: -68.73%

Sui emphasizes developer experience and capital efficiency through distinctive architectural choices: the Move programming language and object-centric data model rather than account-based storage.

Move’s syntax enforces security properties often overlooked in other smart contract languages, potentially reducing class of exploits plaguing DeFi systems. SUI tokens cover transaction fees and participate in governance.

Post-mainnet launch (2023), Sui demonstrated competitive performance:

• 65.8 million daily transactions (network peak), surpassing numerous established Layer 1s
• TVL reaching $188M at peak (though subsequently declining)
• zkLogin mechanism enabling privacy-preserving dApp access through Web2 social authentication
• TurboStar program on Turbos DEX accelerating ecosystem project fundraising

These metrics validate that sufficient infrastructure and developer interest exist, though market conditions have tempered TVL growth.

9. Aptos (APT) — Move Language Pioneer

Key Metrics:

• TVL: $342 million
• Market Cap: $1.27 billion
• 1-Year Performance: -82.31%

Aptos similarly champions Move language development but emphasizes parallel transaction execution—a technical approach enabling transactions to execute concurrently rather than sequentially, theoretically improving throughput.

Capitalization from Tiger Global, PayPal Ventures, and similar institutions underscored investor confidence in the parallel execution thesis. The APT token handles transaction fees and governance participation.

2023 ecosystem development included:

• Sushi integration expanding DeFi protocol coverage
• Coinbase Pay integration within Petra wallet
• Gaming and entertainment partnerships with Microsoft, NEOWIZ, MARBLEX, Lotte Group
• Digital Asset Standard for real-world use cases
• MSafe multi-signature infrastructure

These developments positioned Aptos as an entertainment-adjacent platform, though sustained user growth remains inconsistent.

10. Polkadot (DOT) — Interoperability Architecture

Key Metrics:

• TVL: $230 million
• Market Cap: $2.81 billion
• 1-Year Performance: -77.23%

Polkadot’s architecture fundamentally differs from monolithic Layer 1 approaches. Rather than a single shared state machine, Polkadot coordinates a network of specialized blockchains (parachains) while pooling shared security through the relay chain. The Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol enables message passing between parachains without trusted intermediaries.

DOT tokens facilitate parachain bonding, staking, and governance participation.

Throughout 2023-2024:

• 19,090 developer contributions recorded on GitHub (March 2023), reflecting sustained engineering investment
• Parathreads introduction providing cost-efficient blockchain connectivity
• Polkadot 2.0 announcement promising governance and scalability upgrades
• Staking participation surge (49%) following Nomination Pools deployment
• Circle USDC integration and Rocco testnet optimization
• Five new parachains launching, expanding network utility

The interoperability-first thesis differentiates Polkadot from single-chain competitors.

11. Cosmos (ATOM) — IBC Protocol Leader

Key Metrics:

• TVL: $1.25 million (Cosmos Hub)
• Market Cap: $981.87 million
• 1-Year Performance: -70.82%

Cosmos pioneers the Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol, enabling independent blockchains to transact trustlessly. ATOM, the Cosmos Hub’s native token, secures the hub through proof-of-stake staking and enables governance over protocol upgrades.

Cosmos Hub development in 2023-2024 included:

• Interchain Security implementation protecting smaller blockchains within the ecosystem
• Theta upgrade enabling Interchain Accounts for cross-chain smart contract calls
• Rho upgrade introducing Liquid Staking and NFT modules
• Cosmos Hub 2.0 white paper outlining strategic repositioning
• Interchain Foundation $26.4M allocation for 2024 stack development
• dYdX migration and Noble USDC integration signaling increasing institutional utility

The ecosystem’s modularity enables specialized blockchains optimized for specific purposes (e.g., dYdX for derivatives) while maintaining unified security assumptions.

12. Ethereum (ETH) — Dominant Developer Ecosystem

Key Metrics:

• TVL: $49 billion
• Market Cap: $357.89 billion
• 1-Year Performance: -15.11%

Ethereum established the smart contract paradigm and maintains the largest developer community with 3,000+ actively deployed dApps spanning DeFi, NFTs, gaming, and governance systems. The network’s ecosystem depth remains unmatched.

Launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin and colleagues, Ethereum transcended its initial digital currency role to become the primary infrastructure for decentralized finance and Web3 applications.

The ETH token covers transaction fees and validator staking within the proof-of-stake consensus (Ethereum 2.0 transition completed 2022).

2023-2024 progress prioritized scaling:

• Layer 2 rollup enhancements (Arbitrum, Optimism, Base) continuing to absorb transaction volume
• Dencun upgrade improving blob transaction efficiency, directly benefiting Layer 2 throughput
• Shapella upgrade enabling staking withdrawal, improving validator liquidity
• Continued development toward full Ethereum 2.0 realization targeting 2024-2025

Future direction emphasizes scalability through Layer 2 proliferation and energy efficiency gains from proof-of-stake operations.

13. BNB Chain (BNB) — CEX-Integrated Infrastructure

Key Metrics:

• TVL: $5.2 billion
• Market Cap: $115.60 billion
• 1-Year Performance: +19.53%

BNB Chain, formerly Binance Smart Chain, originated as Binance exchange infrastructure but evolved into independent Layer 1 serving 1,300+ active dApps. The dual-chain architecture (Binance Chain + BNB Chain) enables seamless asset bridging and supports diverse application categories: DeFi, NFTs, and gaming.

The BNB token serves as platform fuel with widespread adoption across the Binance ecosystem and beyond.

Comparative advantages versus Ethereum:

• Lower transaction costs through proof-of-stake authority (PoSA) consensus
• EVM compatibility attracting Ethereum-experienced developers
• Robust cross-chain infrastructure
• Explicit DeFi and gaming focus

2023-2024 developments:

• Formal BNB Chain rebranding signaling vision beyond exchange dependency
• Dedicated proof-of-stake chain for staking and governance
• Cross-chain bridge expansion improving interoperability with other ecosystems
• 2024 anticipated scalability upgrades through Layer 2 integrations

14. Kava (KAVA) — DeFi-Focused Co-Chain

Key Metrics:

• TVL: $193 million
• Market Cap: $82.68 million
• 1-Year Performance: -84.07%

Kava represents a hybrid approach: combining Cosmos SDK’s interoperability advantages with an EVM-compatible execution layer. This “co-chain” architecture enables Ethereum dApps to access Kava’s DeFi infrastructure while leveraging Cosmos interoperability benefits.

The ecosystem encompasses 110+ active dApps with competitive TVL metrics. The KAVA token handles governance and staking, while USDX provides a native stablecoin for DeFi operations without centralized oracle dependencies.

2023-2024 milestones included:

• Kava 12 and Kava 13 upgrades enhancing DAO flexibility and ecosystem scalability
• USDt minting directly on Cosmos via Kava 14 upgrade
• Strategic bridge integrations and stablecoin partnerships
• Kava Tokenomics 2.0 transition to fixed supply, signaling deflationary mechanics
• Strategic Vault establishment with $300M+ community assets

These developments position Kava as a specialized DeFi hub within the Cosmos ecosystem.

15. ZetaChain (ZETA) — Omnichain Interoperability

Key Metrics:

• TVL: $3.25 million
• Market Cap: $80.38 million
• 1-Year Performance: -88.83%

ZetaChain pursues an ambitious differentiation: true omnichain smart contracts enabling seamless interactions across any blockchain architecture regardless of native smart contract capabilities. Rather than bridging tokens, ZetaChain enables smart contract logic execution across chains.

Launched March 2023, ZetaChain remains early-stage but demonstrates remarkable traction:

• 1M+ testnet active users from 100+ countries
• 6.3M+ cross-chain transactions processed
• 200+ dApps deployed across testnet
• Strategic partnerships with Chainlink, The Sandbox, Ankr Protocol, Ultiverse

The omnichain smart contract capability distinctly solves multi-chain developer challenges, particularly relevant as ecosystem fragmentation accelerates.

Strategic Implications for 2024-2025

Several patterns emerge from analyzing these 15 Layer 1 projects:

Performance Divergence: Traditional Layer 1s (Bitcoin, Ethereum) proved more resilient through 2024 volatility, while newer Layer 1s experienced substantial drawdowns. Market maturation increasingly differentiates fundamentals from speculative narratives.

Specialization Over Generalization: Successful Layer 1s (Sei, Kava, ZetaChain) target specific use cases rather than pursuing universal computation. This focus enables competitive advantages in performance and developer experience within narrow domains.

Ecosystem Momentum: Projects demonstrating sustained developer activity, partnerships, and dApp growth (Solana, Ethereum, BNB Chain) attract disproportionate TVL and market valuations—network effects remain paramount.

Layer 1-Layer 2 Symbiosis: Layer 1 blockchains cannot be displaced; they can only be enhanced. Layer 2 scaling solutions continue maturing, but they fundamentally depend on Layer 1 security and finality. This relationship ensures Layer 1 infrastructure remains critical.

Integration with Traditional Finance: Tokenomics bridging to mainstream applications (Telegram-Toncoin, BNB Chain-Binance) outperform pure-crypto-native approaches, suggesting institutional adoption drivers matter.

Conclusion

Layer 1 blockchains remain the essential foundation of digital asset infrastructure as we navigate 2024-2025. Each project analyzed brings distinctive technical approaches, ecosystem strategies, and use case specializations to the broader blockchain landscape.

Bitcoin’s security and immutability, Ethereum’s developer community depth, Solana’s throughput capabilities, and specialized chains’ targeted advantages collectively demonstrate that Layer 1 technology remains unsolved—multiple architectural paths coexist, each optimizing for different tradeoffs.

For investors, developers, and ecosystem participants, the next 12-24 months will clarify which Layer 1 innovations achieved genuine product-market fit versus narratively-driven hype. Layer 1 blockchains providing tangible advantages—security, throughput, developer experience, or specialized functionality—will likely consolidate market position while experimental architectures face pressure to deliver concrete results.

The Layer 1 vs. Layer 2 dynamic continues evolving symbiotically. As Layer 1 infrastructure matures and Layer 2 solutions proliferate, user experience improvements accelerate while security assumptions remain anchored in Layer 1 finality. This structural relationship ensures Layer 1 blockchains retain relevance regardless of scaling solutions’ sophistication.