Layer One blockchains to follow in 2025: An in-depth scan of 15 ecosystem landscapes

As the foundational layer of the blockchain ecosystem, Layer One public chains are shaping the future landscape of the crypto world. From Bitcoin’s security to Ethereum’s ecosystem prosperity, and to the innovative breakthroughs of emerging public chains, this track is experiencing unprecedented competition and integration.

Why is Layer One still the core infrastructure?

Layer One blockchains, as the underlying network, are the place where all transactions are ultimately settled and recorded. Unlike Layer 2 solutions built on existing public chains, Layer One has independent consensus mechanisms and security models. Through decentralization, security, immutability, and transparency, they ensure the trustworthiness of the entire network.

The core value of Layer One is reflected in five aspects:

1. Independent Security Architecture: Each Layer One public chain maintains its own validation mechanism, not relying on external systems, which is why they are more resistant to attacks than Layer 2 solutions.

2. Native Token Economy: Through transaction fees, staking, governance, and other multi-dimensional use cases, they enhance the network’s value capture capability.

3. Developer Friendliness: As the ecosystem foundation, Layer One provides developers with complete toolchains and infrastructure.

4. Network Effect Amplification: The more users and applications, the exponentially higher the network value. This also explains why established public chains remain strong.

5. Dependence on Layer 2: Even with Layer 2’s high-speed processing, ultimate security still relies on Layer One’s consensus.

Performance Arena: New Challengers vs. Traditional Forces

Race of speed and cost: Solana, Sei, and Kaspa

Solana (SOL) ecosystem has shaken off the lows of 2022 and rebounded strongly in 2024. TVL remains stable at $3.46B, with record-high user activity. Its innovative combination of Proof of History consensus with Proof of Stake achieves industry-rare high throughput. The rise of Marinade Finance and Jito in the ecosystem proves Solana’s competitiveness in liquid staking, while Jupiter’s growth consolidates its DeFi hub status. Current SOL price is $121.52, a correction from its all-time high.

Kaspa (KAS) builds a unique “Directed Acyclic Graph” architecture with GHOSTDAG consensus, achieving truly high speeds. Its technical upgrade from GoLang to Rust unleashes the full potential of modern hardware. Although its market cap is only $1.20B, its aggressive technical route attracts many developers’ attention.

Sei (SEI) focuses on DeFi trading scenarios, reducing DEX latency to the extreme through native order book and matching engine. Its ecosystem fund has expanded to $120M, indicating capital recognition of this track.

Defending the Position of Ecosystem Giants

Ethereum (ETH) remains the unshakable Layer One king. With $49B TVL, over 3000 active dApps, and a market cap of $351.74B—these figures are backed by the deepest developer community. The 2024 Dencun upgrade further optimized blob transactions, creating a better environment for Layer 2. Although ETH price has retreated from its high to $2.91K, the ecosystem resilience far exceeds competitors.

BNB Chain (BNB) has built the second-largest DeFi ecosystem through deep integration with Binance. With $5.2B TVL and over 1300 dApps, it demonstrates success in practicality. The Binance Coin price at $826.10 reflects the robustness of its fundamentals.

Pioneers of Innovation Paradigm

The Open Network (TON) faced short-term distancing from Telegram due to SEC regulation, but community development never stopped. Its multi-layer sharding structure and Toncoin native payment system provide a perfect infrastructure for Web3 social and payment applications. With expectations of listing on Telegram, TON still has long-term potential, current price $1.52.

Internet Computer (ICP)'s vision of “decentralized cloud computing” is radical yet profound. Its latest HTTPS outcalls capability allows smart contracts to directly invoke Web 2.0 services, and the launch of Service Nervous System creates a new template for DAO governance. Its $1.66B market cap relative to its $88M TVL indicates market recognition of its long-term value.

Aptos (APT) and Sui (SUI)—these twin brothers of Move language—each excel in their parallel execution engines. Aptos’s collaborations with Coinbase and Microsoft demonstrate its enterprise-level adaptability, while Sui has accumulated more practical experience in NFT and gaming applications. Although both are currently experiencing price adjustments, their technical and ecological foundations continue to strengthen.

The Future of Multi-Chain Interconnection

Polkadot (DOT)'s parachain model and Cosmos (ATOM)'s IBC protocol address cross-chain issues from different angles. Polkadot contributed 19,090 GitHub commits in 2023, while Cosmos Hub processes 500,000 transactions daily. Both are building strength for the infrastructure race in the multi-chain era.

ZetaChain (ZETA) as the youngest participant, proposes the concept of “full-chain smart contracts”—any Layer One can interact directly with it. Its testnet has gathered over a million users from 100+ countries, with 6.3 million cross-chain transactions, still in early stages but with clear direction.

Kava (KAVA) combines Cosmos SDK’s interoperability with EVM compatibility, providing a hybrid infrastructure for DeFi applications. Its USDX stablecoin and latest USDt minting capabilities expand application possibilities.

Data Truth: Who is Truly Growing?

The market adjustments in 2024 have rewritten some stories:

• Solana: Despite a 38.73% drop to $121.52, ecosystem transaction volume and dApp deployment hit new highs.
• Bitcoin: $1.74T market cap secures its absolute position; Taproot upgrade opens new possibilities for smart contracts.
• Ethereum: $351.74B market cap and a healthy ecosystem prove it is not just a trading venue but also an incubator for innovation.
• Emerging public chains: Sei, Kaspa, ZetaChain, etc., though with smaller circulating market caps, surpass older chains in development activity and ecosystem innovation.

Price fluctuations mask the real ecosystem movement—TVL is shifting, developers are migrating, applications are innovating.

Layer One and Layer 2: Not Substitutes, but Symbiotic

A common misconception is that Layer 2 will eventually replace Layer One. The reality is quite the opposite:

• All security guarantees of Layer 2 ultimately depend on Layer One.
• Layer One’s scaling upgrades (like Ethereum’s proto-danksharding) directly improve Layer 2’s economic efficiency.
• The diverse applications carried by Layer One (payments, governance, NFTs, DeFi) are becoming more refined, not weakened.

In 2024-2025, what we expect is differentiation rather than elimination:

• Specialized Layer Ones will continue to emerge (Sei focusing on DeFi, Kaspa on payments, Aptos on enterprise applications).
• Ecosystem giants will keep strengthening their moats (Ethereum’s developer network, Solana’s transaction throughput).
• Interconnected networks will become more integrated (IBC, LayerZero, Wormhole, etc., as foundational infrastructure).

Conclusion: The Second Half of Layer One

By 2025, the Layer One track has evolved from “who is fastest and cheapest” to “who can solve real problems.” Bitcoin guards security, Ethereum refines ecosystem depth, Solana pursues ultimate performance, while emerging public chains seek breakthroughs in vertical applications.

This is not a final battle but a long-term, multi-dimensional competition. Only those with technological innovation, ecosystem development, and adaptability to regulatory changes can secure a place in the great era of digital economy.

For traders, developers, and investors, understanding each Layer One’s unique value proposition is more important than chasing a single winner. Because in this ecosystem, diversity itself is strength.