Layer 1 (L1)

List of top Layer 1 (L1) coins by market cap. The current Layer 1 (L1) coin market cap is $1.88T , which has changed by -2.02% in the past 24 hours; the Layer 1 (L1) coin trading volume is $2.05B, which has changed by -0.43% in the past 24 hours. There are 78 cryptocurrencies in the Layer 1 (L1) coin list today.
Layer 1 refers to the foundational blockchain networks that operate as independent, self-contained systems without relying on other blockchains for security or transaction settlement. These are the base-layer protocols that process and validate transactions directly on their own chains, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and Polkadot. Layer 1 blockchains handle all aspects of network operations including consensus mechanisms, smart contract execution, and data storage. They are characterized by their ability to achieve finality independently, though they often face trade-offs between decentralization, security, and scalability. As the primary infrastructure for the crypto ecosystem, Layer 1 networks serve as the foundation upon which Layer 2 solutions and other protocols are built. The performance and limitations of Layer 1 chains directly impact the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of transactions, making them critical to the overall functionality and adoption of blockchain technology.