Layer-1 Blockchain Landscape 2025: Which Base Networks Actually Deserve Your Attention?

Let’s talk about Layer-1 blockchains—the actual foundation holding up the entire crypto ecosystem. While Layer-2 solutions get all the hype for “solving scalability,” L1 networks are the ones that matter when the chips are down. They handle security, finality, and decentralization in ways that L2s simply can’t match.

Why Layer-1 Still Rules the Game

Here’s the reality: Layer-2 solutions are cool, but they’re entirely dependent on Layer-1 security. You can’t build a truly decentralized system on top of something fragile. That’s why understanding Layer-1 blockchains isn’t optional—it’s fundamental.

What makes Layer-1 networks special:

• They settle transactions independently without relying on another blockchain
• Each one has its own consensus mechanism, security model, and economic incentives
• They support native tokens that fuel governance, staking, and network operations
• Popular Layer-1s benefit from strong network effects—more users = more value and utility
• They provide the immutable base layer that everything else depends on

The Layer-1 vs Layer-2 relationship is symbiotic. Layer-2 brings speed and lower costs, but Layer-1 provides the security guarantee. Improvements like Ethereum’s sharding can enhance Layer-2 performance, while successful Layer-2 solutions inform Layer-1 upgrades. It’s an evolution, not a replacement.

The Heavy Hitters: Updated 2025 Data

Bitcoin (BTC) - Still the OG with a $1.2 trillion market cap and -38.34% YoY performance. Bitcoin’s story in 2023 wasn’t about price—it was about capability. The Ordinals protocol transformed BTC into an NFT platform, launching ORDI, SATS, and other tokens directly on the Bitcoin blockchain. Layer-2 solutions like Stacks and taproot Assets opened up DeFi possibilities without compromising Bitcoin’s security. The network now processes everything from derivatives to complex financial instruments, proving Bitcoin isn’t just digital gold—it’s becoming financial infrastructure.

Ethereum (ETH) - At $2,920 with a $352.7B market cap and -16.43% YoY, Ethereum remains the ecosystem giant with 3,000+ active applications. The move toward Ethereum 2.0 continued through 2024 with major Layer-2 scaling improvements via rollups that slashed transaction costs. The developer community keeps growing, making it the de facto standard for DeFi, NFTs, and complex smart contracts.

Solana (SOL) - Trading at $121.93 with a $68.6B market cap (-38.34% YoY), Solana proved high throughput and low fees aren’t just marketing promises—they’re deliverable. Its Proof of History consensus mechanism enables sub-second finality and parallel transaction processing. The ecosystem exploded with memecoins, liquid staking protocols like Marinade Finance and Jito, and trading aggregators like Jupiter. Google Cloud and AWS partnerships signaled that serious infrastructure providers believe in Solana’s viability. The Solana Mobile Saga phone and Helium integration demonstrated commitment to real-world adoption beyond just trading.

BNB Chain (BNB) - At $828.60 with a $114.13B market cap (+17.91% YoY), BNB Chain formally rebranded in 2023 to signal its ambition beyond being “just Binance’s blockchain.” It supports 1,300+ active dApps and runs a separate Proof-of-Stake chain for staking and governance. The dual-chain architecture lets users move assets seamlessly between networks. Layer-2 integrations and potential sharding implementations are coming in 2024, alongside more strategic partnerships and DeFi innovations.

Avalanche (AVAX) - Currently $12.24 with a $5.26B market cap (-69.60% YoY), Avalanche demonstrated real scalability with 2.3 million transactions per day in November 2023 (compared to usual 450K). The surge came from ASC-20 inscription tokens, which pushed network throughput to 40+ transactions per second. Despite high network fees from inscription activity, the ecosystem grew through partnerships like J.P. Morgan’s Onyx blockchain collaboration, proving institutional interest in Layer-1 infrastructure.

The Open Network (TON) - At $1.52 with a $3.73B market cap (-74.47% YoY), TON’s story is one of community redemption. After Telegram abandoned the original ICO project in 2020, the TON Foundation and independent developers (NewTON) took over. The turnaround accelerated dramatically when Telegram announced plans to distribute 50% of advertising revenue to channel owners—paid in Toncoin and processed on the TON blockchain. This announcement alone triggered a 40% price surge. Toncoin went from theoretical utility to actual use case within Telegram’s massive user base.

The Scaling Specialists

Sei (SEI) - Despite recording 6,000% YoY gains in the bull run (from tiny base), SEI carved out a niche as the DeFi-focused Layer-1. Its native matching engine reduces latency for decentralized exchanges, something traditional blockchains can’t match. The Sei Ecosystem Fund balllooned to $120 million, backing gaming, NFT, and DeFi projects. Strategic focus on Asian markets positioned it where crypto adoption runs deepest.

Sui (SUI) - Trading at $1.39 with a $5.19B market cap (-69.22% YoY), Sui hit 65.8 million transactions in a single day after mainnet launch. The zkLogin feature lets users access dApps using Web2 social accounts—a real UX breakthrough. Turbos DEX’s TurboStar program actively pumps ecosystem growth through fundraising support and presale access, creating a self-reinforcing growth cycle.

Aptos (APT) - At $1 with a $3.8B market cap (-27% YoY), Aptos leverages the Move programming language for safer smart contracts and parallel execution for genuine scalability. Over $400 million in funding from investors like Tiger Global fuels ecosystem development. Partnerships span Microsoft, Sushi (DeFi), and Coinbase Pay, signaling institutional confidence in the platform’s infrastructure.

The Specialized Players

Internet Computer (ICP) - At $3.00 with $1.64B market cap (-73.15% YoY), ICP attempts something genuinely different: replacing traditional cloud servers with on-chain smart contracts. Websockets enable real-time interactive applications, expanded stable memory allows complex dApps, and HTTPS outcalls bridge Web2 services. Direct Bitcoin integration creates seamless cross-blockchain transactions without intermediaries.

Kaspa (KAS) - $0.04 price point with $1.2B market cap (-62.60% YoY), Kaspa’s GHOSTDAG consensus achieves instant finality and rapid transaction processing. The pivot from GoLang to Rust unlocked modern hardware capabilities, driving transaction speeds that matter for actual trading. The 1,800% surge in 2023 reflected growing traction for a novel consensus approach.

Polkadot (DOT) - At $1.71 with $2.81B market cap (-77.30% YoY), Polkadot’s real innovation is interoperability—the Inter-Blockchain Communication protocol lets independent blockchains transact while maintaining sovereignty. Parathreads provided cost-effective blockchain connectivity, while Nomination Pools increased staking participation by 49%. The announced Polkadot 2.0 promises major scalability and governance improvements.

Cosmos (ATOM) - Trading at $2.02 with $979M market cap (-70.96% YoY), Cosmos emphasizes independent blockchains coordinating through IBC. Interchain Security, Liquid Staking, and the NFT module expanded ecosystem functionality. The Cosmos Hub 2.0 white paper outlined ATOM’s evolving role, while the Interchain Foundation’s $26.4 million allocation for Interchain Stack development signals confidence in the 2024 expansion.

Kava (KAVA) - At $0.08 with $81.5M market cap (-84.34% YoY), Kava blends Cosmos SDK scalability with EVM compatibility. This co-chain architecture lets Ethereum dApps access Kava’s features—110+ active dApps prove adoption. The native USDX stablecoin facilitates lending without centralized oracles. Kava 14 upgrades enable Tether minting directly on Cosmos, expanding stablecoin access.

ZetaChain (ZETA) - At $0.07 with $79.4M market cap (-89% YoY), ZetaChain pursues true omnichain functionality—connecting any blockchain regardless of architecture. The testnet exceeded 1 million active users from 100+ countries, with 6.3 million cross-chain transactions processed. Over 200 testnet dApps demonstrate real developer interest in solving cross-chain fragmentation.

The Real Take

Layer-1 blockchains represent competing visions for how decentralized networks should work. Bitcoin prioritizes security and immutability. Ethereum chose decentralization and developer ecosystem. Solana bet on speed. Polkadot on interoperability. Each made different tradeoffs, and that diversity strengthens the overall space.

The Layer-1 + Layer-2 future isn’t either/or—it’s both/and. Layer-1s provide the bedrock security that makes Layer-2 scaling solutions viable. As Layer-1s evolve (Ethereum’s sharding, Solana’s validator improvements, Bitcoin’s smart contract capabilities), Layer-2 solutions benefit automatically. The symbiosis drives innovation in both directions.

Whether you’re evaluating infrastructure for long-term holds or analyzing ecosystem development, understanding Layer-1 differentiation matters. The networks that solve real problems—speed without sacrificing security, genuine interoperability, or enabling use cases that competitors can’t handle—will capture the most value.