A roundup of 15 Layer-1 Blockchain projects to watch in 2025

Layer-1 Blockchains: The Underlying Foundation of the Crypto Market

In today’s blockchain ecosystem, Layer-1 blockchains play a crucial role. As the infrastructure backbone of the entire crypto system, these underlying public chains provide a decentralized, transparent, and secure trading environment for millions of users and developers through independent consensus mechanisms and security models.

Unlike Layer-2 solutions that depend on existing public chains, Layer-1 blockchains are fully autonomous—they not only carry the mission of data confirmation and recording but also implement network incentives and governance through native tokens. From Bitcoin’s proof of work to Ethereum’s proof of stake, from Solana’s historical proof to Avalanche’s hybrid consensus, each Layer-1 blockchain explores the possibilities of blockchain technology through different technical routes.

Why Are Layer-1 Blockchains Worth Attention?

Decentralization and Security: No single entity controls the network; every transaction is validated and immutable. All transactions are open and transparent, forming the foundation of digital asset trading.

Independent Operation: Layer-1 blockchains do not rely on external systems; smart contracts and transactions are executed on the chain, with consensus mechanisms ensuring network integrity.

Ecosystem Prosperity: The number of applications built on mainstream Layer-1 chains is astonishing. Ethereum hosts over 3,000 active dApps, Solana’s ecosystem spans DeFi, NFTs, and gaming, BNB Chain has over 1,300 projects, and each public chain is building its own ecosystem kingdom.

Network Effects: User growth directly enhances network value. Unlike Layer-2 solutions that depend on Layer-1 for final settlement, the status of Layer-1 blockchains is irreplaceable.

In-Depth Scan of 15 Layer-1 Projects

1. Solana (SOL) - The Speed King’s Transformation

Key Data | Current SOL Price: $124.64 | 1-Year Change: -36.94% | Market Cap: $70.13B

Solana, leveraging its innovative Proof of History(PoH) mechanism combined with proof of stake, has become a speed benchmark among Layer-1 blockchains. Its transaction throughput and confirmation speed are unmatched in its class, making it the top choice for meme coins and high-frequency trading in 2023.

Ecologically, Solana has evolved from chaos to order. The launch of Solana Improvement Documents(SIMDs) standardized upgrade processes, and validator upgrades with Firedancer promise further speed improvements. DeFi giants like Jupiter, Marinade Finance, and Jito have not only boosted the ecosystem TVL to $3.46B but also attracted continuous user engagement through innovative products. The migration of Helium to Solana, the launch of Solana Mobile Saga phones, and infrastructure support from Google Cloud and AWS have expanded Solana’s story from “high-speed blockchain” to “mobile Web3 ecosystem.”

Investment advice: The value of SOL goes beyond transaction speed; its ecosystem completeness and real-world application deployment are becoming new indicators of competitiveness.

2. Avalanche (AVAX) - A Multi-Chain Player with Diverse Options

Key Data | Current AVAX Price: $12.47 | 1-Year Change: -69.05% | Market Cap: $5.36B

Avalanche has carved out a unique position in the Layer-1 family with its sub-second confirmation and hybrid consensus mechanism. Although the 2023 inscription craze pushed network fees higher, it also validated Avalanche’s ability to handle complex transactions—its C-Chain once processed over 2.3 million transactions in a single day.

Its parallel architecture allows Avalanche to process multiple subnets simultaneously, which is especially attractive for enterprise applications seeking flexibility. J.P. Morgan’s Onyx alliance chose Avalanche for its performance and enterprise-grade security features. While ecosystem TVL has fallen back to $1.5B, the underlying technology’s maturity and commercial application potential remain strong.

3. Kaspa (KAS) - The Dark Horse with DAG Architecture

Key Data | Current KAS Price: $0.05 | 1-Year Change: -61.98% | Market Cap: $1.22B

Kaspa employs the GHOSTDAG consensus mechanism, a niche innovation in the Layer-1 space. Unlike traditional chain structures, DAG(Directed Acyclic Graph) architecture allows parallel block generation, theoretically solving the “blockchain trilemma.”

Since upgrading to the Dag Knight consensus in 2023, Kaspa has achieved significant performance improvements. Moving from GoLang to Rust, launching high-performance mobile wallets, and enhancing P2P archive nodes all lay a more solid foundation for smart contracts and dApps. Although still in early stages, its unique technical approach and community enthusiasm warrant long-term attention.

4. Bitcoin (BTC) - The Eternal First Layer

Key Data | Current BTC Price: $88.99K | 1-Year Change: -10.48% | Market Cap: $1,776.86B

As the first Layer-1 blockchain, Bitcoin experienced a paradigm shift in 2023—the introduction of the Ordinals protocol allows NFTs to be minted directly on the Bitcoin chain. The explosive popularity of BTC-native assets like ORDI, SATS, and RATS proves that Bitcoin is far more than “digital gold.”

The maturation of Layer-2 and sidechain ecosystems has expanded Bitcoin’s application scope. Solutions like Stacks, Lightning Network, and Taproot Assets, while maintaining Bitcoin’s security, leave room for complex financial activities. After the Taproot upgrade activation, Bitcoin’s scripting capabilities further enhanced, laying a foundation for future innovations.

5. The Open Network (TON) - The Crypto Network of the Telegram Ecosystem

Key Data | Current TON Price: $1.54 | 1-Year Change: -74.17% | Market Cap: $3.78B

TON’s uniqueness lies in its backing by Telegram’s user base. Although initially hindered by SEC ICO regulations, the project was revitalized after the TON Foundation and NewTON community took over.

A key event in 2024 is Telegram’s announcement to distribute 50% of ad revenue to content creators, with payments settled via the TON blockchain. This announcement caused TON token to surge 40% within hours, giving this Layer-1 chain practical application scenarios. If Telegram completes an IPO and further integrates blockchain features, TON’s ecosystem and valuation are expected to reprice upward.

6. Internet Computer (ICP) - The Pioneer of Decentralized Cloud Computing

Key Data | Current ICP Price: $3.04 | 1-Year Change: -72.78% | Market Cap: $1.66B

Internet Computer aims to decentralize the entire internet architecture, branding itself as a “Web3 operating system.” Its unique consensus mechanism allows ICP to host smart contracts and full software systems directly on-chain, an aggressive innovation among Layer-1 blockchains.

Major upgrades in 2023 include Websockets integration(for real-time applications), stable memory expansion(to support more complex logic), and HTTPS Outcalls( for seamless Web2 interaction. Its direct integration with Bitcoin is groundbreaking, enabling cross-chain operations without intermediaries. Although the ecosystem is still in early development, ICP’s technological ambitions and the DFINITY team’s execution merit ongoing attention.

) 7. Sei ###SEI( - A Dedicated Layer-1 Optimized for DEX

Key Data | Market Cap: $1.37B)Note: Original data missing real-time price(

In the vertical niche of Layer-1 blockchains, Sei has found its position—designed specifically for DeFi and high-frequency trading. Its native order book matching engine executes directly on-chain, significantly reducing DEX latency.

With an ecosystem fund of $120M and backing from top-tier institutions like Foresight Ventures, Sei’s expansion strategy focuses on the Asian market, deepening cooperation with local partners like Graviton. Its dedication to order flow optimization and trading efficiency has made Sei a specialized player among Layer-1 blockchains.

) 8. Sui ###SUI( - The Experiment in Move Language

Key Data | Current SUI Price: $1.41 | 1-Year Change: -68.65% | Market Cap: $5.27B

Sui’s core strength lies in adopting the Move programming language, a asset-oriented language design that is unique among Layer-1 blockchains. Sui’s parallel execution engine can process transactions without dependencies simultaneously, with theoretical throughput far exceeding traditional chains.

Since its mainnet launch, Sui has demonstrated strong technical performance—max daily transactions reaching 65.8 million. The launch of zkLogin, enabling privacy login via Web2 social accounts, is an innovative account system that supports large-scale applications. The TurboStar project incubator of Turbos DEX and targeted investments from the ecosystem fund are gradually completing Sui’s application layer ecosystem.

) 9. Aptos ###APT( - The New Generation with High Performance

Key Data | Current APT Price: $1.70 | 1-Year Change: -82.23% | Market Cap: $1.27B

Aptos also chose the Move language, but its main feature is “parallel execution”—using Block-STM technology to process transactions out of order in parallel. This technical choice keeps Aptos at the forefront of Layer-1 performance.

Strong funding background)with investments over $400M from Tiger Global, PayPal Ventures, etc.( enables robust ecosystem development. Collaborations with Microsoft, NEOWIZ, Lotte Group, and integration with Coinbase Pay expand APT’s application scope. The newly released digital asset standard provides a standardized solution for on-chain real-world assets.

) 10. Polkadot ###DOT( - The Architect of Multi-Chain Interoperability

Key Data | Current DOT Price: $1.73 | 1-Year Change: -76.92% | Market Cap: $2.85B

Polkadot’s core innovation is cross-chain interoperability. As a Layer-1 blockchain, it provides shared security for multiple parachains via the relay chain, enabling trustless interaction among heterogeneous chains—a completely new Layer-1 design concept.

The 2023 release of Polkadot 2.0 brought comprehensive upgrades in scalability, governance, and interoperability. Nomination Pools allow ordinary users to participate in staking, increasing participation by 49%. The integration of Circle’s USDC and the upcoming Rocco testnet further enrich the ecosystem. The addition of five new parachains and institutional-grade custody solutions)Zodia Custody( indicate accelerated exploration of institutional applications.

) 11. Cosmos ###ATOM( - The Hub of IBC Internet

Key Data | Current ATOM Price: $2.04 | 1-Year Change: -70.63% | Market Cap: $988.22M

Cosmos ecosystem’s core strength is the IBC protocol—allowing different Layer-1 blockchains to interact while maintaining sovereignty. This modular network architecture is a pioneer in blockchain interoperability.

In 2023, Cosmos Hub launched key features like Interchain Security)for inter-chain security( and Interchain Accounts)for cross-chain account management. These upgrades enable small and medium chains to gain security guarantees comparable to the Hub. The Hub’s daily transaction volume reaches 500,000, with ATOM transaction volume at 20 million, maintaining high ecosystem activity. The release of Cosmos Hub 2.0 white paper sketches a grand blueprint for future development.

( 12. Ethereum )ETH### - The Ace of Layer-1 Blockchains

Key Data | Current ETH Price: $2.98K | 1-Year Change: -14.67% | Market Cap: $359.95B

Ethereum maintains its position as the leading Layer-1 blockchain thanks to its large developer community and comprehensive application ecosystem. Over 3,000 active dApps, thriving DeFi, NFT, and DAO ecosystems make Ethereum irreplaceable.

Since the full migration to proof of stake with Ethereum 2.0, the network has entered a new phase of development. The gradual implementation of sharding and mature Layer-2 Rollups(Arbitrum, Optimism, etc.) have been widely adopted, allowing Ethereum to maintain security and decentralization while achieving breakthroughs in scalability. In 2024, Ethereum is expected to make further leaps in energy efficiency and scalability.

( 13. BNB Chain )BNB### - The Engine of Exchange Ecosystems

Key Data | Current BNB Price: $842.70 | 1-Year Change: +19.93% | Market Cap: $116.07B

BNB Chain(formerly Binance Smart Chain) uses PoSA consensus and a dual-chain architecture, giving it cost advantages among Layer-1 blockchains. Transaction fees and speeds are significantly better than Ethereum, and it is fully compatible with the EVM ecosystem.

Over 1,300 active projects cover all major sectors like DeFi, NFTs, and Gaming, making BNB Chain a mature ecosystem public chain. The 2023 rebranding from BSC to BNB Chain( marks a maturing phase. Upgrades like independent PoS sidechains, cross-chain bridges, and the 2024 Layer-2 integration plan continue to improve BNB Chain’s ecosystem architecture.

) 14. Kava (KAVA) - A Hybrid of Cosmos and EVM

Key Data | Current KAVA Price: $0.08 | 1-Year Change: -84.02% | Market Cap### Kava’s innovation lies in its “Co-Chain” architecture—integrating Cosmos SDK’s interoperability with EVM compatibility. This allows Layer-1 developers to enjoy Cosmos ecosystem benefits while deploying existing Ethereum applications directly.

Its native stablecoin USDX provides a foundation for decentralized lending. Upgrades in Kava 12, 13, 14 series continuously optimize DAO flexibility, user experience, and security. “Kava Tokenomics 2.0” introduces a fixed supply mechanism to enhance scarcity. Community-owned treasury assets exceed $300M, reflecting strong commitment to governance and value return.

( 15. **ZetaChain )ZETA$83M

• Truly Cross-Chain Connectivity**

Key Data | Current ZETA Price: $0.07 | 1-Year Change: -88.75% | Market Cap: $81.12M

Since its launch in March 2023, ZetaChain has positioned itself as an “Omnichain” Layer-1—capable of interacting with any blockchain without architecture restrictions. Compared to other cross-chain solutions, ZetaChain aims to become a true “Universal Cross-Chain Layer.”

During the testnet, ZetaChain attracted over 1 million active users from more than 100 countries and completed 6.3 million cross-chain transactions. Strategic partnerships with projects like Chainlink, The Sandbox, and enabling social entertainment and gaming projects like BYTE CITY and Ultiverse demonstrate its commercial cross-chain potential. $27M in funding and infrastructure support from Ankr Protocol fuel its rapid growth.

Layer-1 vs Layer-2: The Evolution of Symbiosis

Layer-1 blockchains and Layer-2 solutions are not substitutes but symbiotic. While Layer-2 offers advantages in transaction speed and cost, final settlement and security still depend on Layer-1. Conversely, Layer-1 upgrades###such as sharding( can enhance Layer-2 performance.

This “two-layer” architecture has become the mainstream design in blockchain development. The future trajectory will be: Layer-1 provides security and decentralization, while Layer-2 optimizes transaction efficiency. Their collaborative evolution will determine the practicality and adoption of blockchain in the next stage.

Summary: Outlook for Layer-1 Blockchains in 2025

By 2025, Layer-1 blockchains are transitioning from a “speed race” to an “ecosystem competition.” Bitcoin has incorporated NFTs and Layer-2 solutions; Ethereum’s scaling solutions are maturing; Solana’s ecosystem is accelerating diversification; emerging public chains are breaking through in niche sectors—these changes indicate that the Layer-1 family has moved from a single-dimensional benchmarking era to a multi-dimensional ecosystem benchmarking era.

Investors choosing Layer-1 blockchains should consider not only performance metrics but also ecosystem completeness, developer activity, real-world application deployment, and long-term governance. Those with technological innovation, ecosystem prosperity, and market recognition are the long-term objects of focus.