Layer-1 Crypto List: From Bitcoin to Solana and Beyond

Crypto’s entry into the mainstream economy is no longer a question of if but when. That moment is coming closer, with digital ledgers powering global banking systems and Bitcoin setting the standard for cross-border remittances. But beyond that, this Layer-1 crypto list highlights projects that’ll put you in the future of digital finance!

Layer-1 was where it all started. It’s the very base protocol that brings us true autonomy, trustless security, and financial sovereignty in every transaction. It’s where all the “cool kids”, like SOL, ETH, and AVAX, hang out.

Crypto tech geeks treat their Layer-1 crypto coins list like a prized collection. Every pump on exchanges like Binance and Kraken gives them the excuse to hit the skeptics with a “Told you so”. Meanwhile, other traders seem to have moved on, chasing the flashier Layer-2s. So, what’s the right move? I’m not here to guide you financially, but if high-tech crypto projects are what you’re after, here comes the list.

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Top Layer-1 Crypto List

This Layer-1 crypto list covers projects already receiving regulatory greenlight from major policymakers, driving real-world adoption, and winning a vote of confidence from investors at all stages.

If you're short on time, here's a snapshot of the metrics for the projects I'll cover.

Table: Layer-1 crypto list's metrics, taken on 29/09/2025 from BitDegree's crypto price tracker

Let's examine the value propositions of these assets in more detail.

Bitcoin (BTC)

Bitcoin is the OG coin. Not only that, it is also the very first blockchain and the original Layer-1 of its kind.

Since 2008, this asset has ignited the cryptocurrency revolution that continues to this day. As a pioneer, its homework wasn’t easy. Most people were hesitant to leave the comfort zone of centralized systems for the volatile world of decentralized virtual currencies.

📚 Read More: Bitcoin History and Its Highest Price Revisited

But that was exactly the problem Bitcoin wanted to solve. Following the 2008 financial crisis, Satoshi Nakamoto envisioned a system without intermediaries. To borrow his quote:

The root problem with conventional currency is all the trust that’s required to make it work. The central bank must be trusted not to debase the currency, but the history of fiat currencies is full of breaches of that trust.

As a solution, Nakamoto introduced a decentralized peer-to-peer system where every transaction is validated and permanently recorded on a public ledger.^[1] This breakthrough laid the foundation for Layer-1 technology that inspired the inception of Ethereum, Litecoin, and Polkadot.

Today, Bitcoin is synonymous with digital gold. Once doubted by Wall Street, the asset is now finding its way onto the balance sheets of high-profile players. BlackRock has launched its own iShares Bitcoin Trust, US leaders are eyeing the asset as a strategic reserve, and MicroStrategy holds the largest digital corporate treasury with more than 500,000 BTC (as of writing).

But Bitcoin isn’t perfect, and critics questioning its place at the top of the Layer-1 crypto coins list aren’t entirely wrong. A single transaction can take up to 10 minutes for its first confirmation, and that wait often stretches longer and costs more during peak demand. Not to mention its impact on carbon footprint, as BTC demands enormous computing power due to its Proof-of-Work (PoW) model.

Ethereum (ETH)

As of writing, second to Bitcoin in market capitalization is the giant Ethereum. One of its founders, Vitalik Buterin, envisioned building a successor to BTC that could go beyond payments and support decentralized applications (dApps). His idea was to bring real-world assets, such as stocks and property, onto the blockchain.

In 2015, Ethereum made its debut. As an L1 project, here are some technological advancements that ETH introduced to the crypto space:

• Smart Contracts. The network brought Nick Szabo’s conceptual theory to life with its secure and immutable blockchain environment. It introduced self-executing smart contracts that paved the way for dApps and the broader Web3 economy.
• Fungible Tokens. Thanks to the ERC-20 standard, Ethereum made it possible to build tokens on its platform, giving rise to assets like Shiba Inu.
• NFTs. Projects like CryptoPunks and CryptoKitties were the first to adopt the ERC-721 token standard, enabling the creation and trades of unique digital assets, such as artworks, in-game items, and music.

• Stablecoins. Ethereum bridges CeFi and DeFi by hosting many of the largest stablecoins, including USDT and DAI.
• DAOs. The first Ethereum DAO went live in 2016. It laid the groundwork for an organization run by smart contracts, where voting and finances take place on the blockchain.

Another achievement is Ethereum's role in the growth of Layer-2 scaling solutions. They aim to tackle the blockchain trilemma - scalability, security, and decentralization. Truthfully, it’d take a whole essay to cover everything Ethereum has pulled off. It becomes obvious, then, why this asset constantly sits at the center of the Layer-1 and Layer-2 crypto list today.

Nevertheless, ETH traders remain cautious, pointing to price stagnation, expensive gas fees, and the rise of so-called “Ethereum killers” like Solana. This serves as a reminder that even the pioneers aren’t immune to challenges.

📚 Read More: Ethereum Killers

Solana (SOL)

Now, you may ask, why is Solana touted as the Ethereum killer? This Layer-1 blockchain is designed for faster transactions and more affordable trades.

Does Solana deliver its promise? The network can handle thousands of transactions per second compared to Ethereum’s benchmark of 15 to 30 TPS. Its fees are also ultra-low, often at a fraction of a cent, compared to ETH’s average of around 0.463 gwei or 3 cents.

These are made possible by a stack of L1 technologies working together. One of Solana’s founders, Anatoly Yakovenko, conceived the first-ever Proof-of-History (PoH) blockchain. Combined with Delegated Proof-of-Stake (DPoS), Solana becomes a high-performance network^[2] that can process a greater volume of blocks than many of its rivals.

Instead of sending one huge block of data all at once, SOL breaks it into smaller chunks. Known as Turbine or the block propagation protocol, the system works similarly to how BitTorrent shares files in pieces. As a result, data can travel quickly between computers without slowing down traffic.

Add Gulf Stream for lower latency and Sealevel for parallel execution, and you have a network that consistently earns its place on this list of Layer-1 crypto projects with strong justifications.

Solana is indeed the Web3 infrastructure for everyone, underpinning games like DeFi Land, dApps like pump.fun, and NFTs like Aurory. It has also teamed up with big names, such as VISA, Mastercard, and BMW.

📚 Related: Best Solana DEXs

Like many other protocols, though, Solana has its fair share of mishaps. A string of network outages, pump-and-dump schemes, and rug pulls has put investor confidence to the test.

Binance Coin (BNB)

It’s hard not to count the coin developed by the world’s largest exchange (to date) into the top-ranking Layer-1 crypto list. BNB is Binance’s native token that stands for “Build and Build”. It was initially deployed on the Ethereum blockchain before being migrated to the BNB Smart Chain in 2019.

The asset aims to become the main character of MetaFi, encompassing DeFi, SocialFi, GameFi, and beyond. Its practical use expands in payment, travel, entertainment, services, and finance. Today, you can use BNB for hiring freelancers on Canya, booking hotels on Travala.com, or even purchasing an HTC smartphone.

It’s easy to see why traders have their money on BNB as the frontrunner of the Q3 2025 altcoin race. Backed by a deflationary design, its quarterly burns keep reinforcing its scarcity. During this timeline, the burn totaled 1.49 billion BNB. Even though this was fewer coins than the previous period, the average price of BNB rose to $772.43, and the burn was worth more in dollars at $1.15 billion.

There’s more going on for this asset. Just like Ethereum, it has its versions of token standards (BEP-2 and BEP-20) for developers to keep building. Its dual-chain structure, a blend of BNB Beacon Chain and BNB Smart Chain, enables both governance and smart contracts.

NASDAQ entities, such as CEA Industries and Nano Labs, have also incorporated BNB into their treasury strategy due to its liquidity and global exposure. Some traders, though, argue that Binance holds too much influence over the direction of BNB. It also operates with just 50 validators, which is a far cry from Ethereum’s sprawling base of over 560,000 active validators (as of writing).

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Sui (SUI)

If Solana is dubbed the Ethereum killer, then Sui is known as the Solana killer. This L1 project proposes to make digital asset ownership private, secure, fast, and accessible.

Although Sui has just burst onto the scene in 2023, it’s already clawing its way to the top of the Layer-1 crypto list. The network attributes its rapid growth to its object-based architecture, built to deliver the level of speed and scalability rarely seen in traditional blockchains.

Besides setting itself as an L1 project with one of the quickest confirmation times, Sui captures the attention of both retail and institutional traders. Its surging DEX metrics record a high of $1.76 billion TVL by the end of Q2 2025. Increasing organic demand for lending, staking, and liquidity provision within Sui-native protocols, such as Cetus and Bluefin, further solidifies the network’s position on the map.

Sui's versatility paves the way for diverse Web3 use cases, from digital commerce to gaming and NFTs. Adidas, for instance, has just launched NFTs built and minted on the Sui blockchain. It’s worth noting that doubts linger over whether this network's rising TVL reflects genuine user demand or is simply inflated by short-term incentives. Only time will tell.

📚 Read More: How to Buy Sui

Hyperliquid (HYPE)

In this list of Layer-1 crypto coins, could Hyperliquid turn all the hype into liquid performance? The token runs on HyperEVM, a network engineered for low-latency and high-speed derivatives trading.

Hyperliquid combines the best features of CEX and DEX into one, offering a fully on-chain order book that eliminates gas fees.

The outlook of Hyperliquid also brims with excitement, thanks to the integration of HypeCore in July 2025. The platform is poised to become a full-blown DeFi stack with perpetuals, lending, staking, and vaults under one roof.

Before jumping on the HYPE train, manage your expectations by balancing the pros with the cons. Complaints generally revolve around the L1 project’s high degree of centralization as well as past incidents like the “JELLY” attack.

Cardano (ADA)

Cardano is carving out a distinctive niche in the list of Layer-1 protocols. Cryptocurrencies often chase FOMO trends around meme coins or NFTs, but ADA grounds its approach in peer-reviewed research and a rigorous scientific foundation with more than 200 members.

Based on a Proof-of-Stake blockchain, Cardano bakes the sustainable Ouroboros protocol right into its system. To date, ADA maintains a spotless record from hacks.

Cardano is one of the few L1 projects that bring native, non-custodial liquid staking to the table. Kraken is one of the exchanges where you can stake ADA for a 2% to 6% yield.

Moving forward, analysts predict that Cardano ETFs, its fiat-backed stablecoin USDM (launched with the 2024 Chang hard fork), and strategic backing from the US Strategic Reserve will pull significant levers for the network.

Yet, its Q3 2025 charts continue to struggle in weathering market volatility. The project gradually falls behind other third-generation blockchains like Sui in transaction throughput and DeFi growth.

Tron (TRON)

Pop-culture aficionados will know TRON as a sci-fi movie from the 80s. But no, I am referring to TRON, the L1 crypto project. Its main offerings revolve around high throughput, high scalability, and high availability.

Surely, it’s hard to achieve all three, yet the TRONPROTOCOL pushes boundaries to accommodate smooth day-to-day transactions. Building on this, the Sun Network powers the DAppChain, opening the path toward cost-effective Web3 exploration. TRON’s broader ecosystem expands its utility with a native wallet, blockchain scanner, swapping protocol, and lending platform.

The network is ambitious in its goal to decentralize the web, as proven by its strategic partnerships with global brands. Samsung has integrated TRON into its built-in blockchain wallet, bringing support for TRC10 and TRC20 token standards to mobile devices.

TRON is one of the assets that dominates the global circulation of USDT. Its appeal comes from low transaction costs, rapid settlement, and widespread use in remittances and exchange transfers.

However, regulatory developments, like Europe’s MiCA, Hong Kong’s bill, and the US-proposed GENIUS Act, will further challenge TRON’s status on the global stage of payments. Staying tuned to crypto news will help you grasp the future trajectory for this L1 asset.

Kaspa (KAS)

Major L1 projects like Bitcoin and Ethereum continue to grapple with scalability challenges. This is where Kaspa comes into the picture as a fully scalable blockchain solution.

As of writing, Kaspa might be a sub-dollar coin, but its blockDAG protocol shows strong prospects for adoption. Its architecture redefines PoW by allowing multiple blocks to coexist and reach consensus efficiently, making it highly suitable for real-world applications such as payments and DeFi.

KAS generalizes the Nakamoto consensus and aims to push block rates from 10 to 32, and even 100 per second in the long shot. If achieved, Kaspa is on track to rank among the fastest Layer-1 crypto lists in the industry.

Whether this project can live up to its grand dream largely depends on Kaspa proving that its technology is more than just an experiment with sustained user activity.

📚 Read More: How to Buy Kaspa Coins

Cronos (CRO)

Like BNB for Binance, Cronos earns its honorable mention on this Layer-1 crypto list as an exchange token that funnels Crypto.com’s ecosystem. It is widely used for facilitating transaction fees, staking, governance, and dApps.

Cronos brings Ethereum compatibility, Cosmos interoperability, high throughput, and PoA consensus in one cohesive Layer-1 platform. It is developer-friendly and highly scalable for institutional DeFi, tokenized markets, and AI-ready sectors.

In L1 conversations, Cronos often gets a spotlight for establishing a new benchmark for developers, enterprises, and institutions to build on. Its momentum further intensified after Donald Trump’s media investment in Crypto.com, amounting $6.2 billion.

On the other hand, a few community postings on Reddit paint CRO as a “dead coin” due to its lack of consistent utility and overreliance on exchange-driven hype. Nevertheless, Crypto.com’s global presence is what helps put CRO on the global radar, keeping the token relevant with the evolving exchange and payment field.

Avalanche (AVAX)

The Layer-1 crypto list is already saturated with promises of speed and scalability, so what makes AVAX any different? Avalanche is a purpose-built blockchain for developers. It offers customizable Subnets, EVM compatibility, and a rich toolkit that makes building and scaling dApps faster and more flexible than on most L1s.

Its infrastructure sets a standard strong enough that corporates like Citi and BlackRock have integrated it into their digital asset strategies.

Avalanche continues to push into new grounds as the flagship L1 protocol for gaming, NFTs, as well as enterprise and consumer apps. The FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt) around AVAX typically stems from lagging adoption and cutthroat competition among L2s. Whether this skepticism will melt away or snowball will define the network’s community strength moving forward.

Toncoin (TON)

Crypto is increasingly moving into SocialFi, and Toncoin leads the pack through its deep integration with Telegram.

Once Toncoin arrived on the scene, Telegram shifted from being a messaging app to a hub for passive income opportunities. Its PoS consensus forms the backbone for staking, while ecosystem services like TON Storage, TON Proxy, and TON DNS enable gaming, wallet-based activities, and other mainstream Web3 applications.

Other L1 networks, like Ethereum, prioritize rollup scaling and broad neutrality. TON, on the other hand, is fully optimized for consumer-facing speed with second-level finality and ultra-low fees. Still, its past legal battle with the US SEC remains an overhang that cannot be ignored.

Hedera (HBAR)

For some, HBAR sounds less like crypto and more like a math exam they’d rather forget. But forget the formulas - this Layer-1 project has an actual use case in DePIN.

Okay, maybe it’s impossible to ditch math altogether, since Hedera uses Hashgraph. It’s a distributed technology built on algorithms and cryptographic proofs. So the next time you wonder if memorizing complex formulations will ever get you far in life, remember that HBAR is math that you can actually spend.

Some people ask if Hedera is doomed to fail. I can’t completely dismiss the lingering criticism over its lack of decentralization, scalability problems, and crowded competition. Nevertheless, it remains a strong alternative to slower and costlier networks like Bitcoin and Ethereum, even if it’s still walking slowly behind the two.

NEAR Protocol (NEAR)

If you are into both AI and crypto, there’s one project you’d probably like to get closer to in this list of Layer-1 crypto coins - the NEAR Protocol.

Imagine an AI that can do more than just compute. It can also transact, coordinate, and evolve on your behalf. Its modular, high-speed blockchain runs as the backend for identity, trust, and data. And with the NEAR stack, developers can access tools for building AI-native systems, ranging from multi-chain actions to sharded infrastructure that surpasses the scale with sub-600ms finality.

It’s clear that NEAR is poised to bring the future of decentralized AI nearer. That said, its narrative needs more time before it comes close to matching other L1 heavyweights.

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Aptos (APT)

When you see the ticker symbol APT, you might recall a certain hit song. Well, its ticker symbol isn’t the only catchy thing about it, since Aptos is on track for its breakout moment on the charts of Layer-1s.

Backed by a16z, Binance Labs, Google Cloud, Microsoft, and even NBC Universal, Aptos is tuning up as a payment-first chain with deep ties to USDT and USDC stablecoins. The asset is setting the stage for CeFi-DeFi transactions, crypto savings, and DePIN.

While its tokenomics and early adoption spark concerns that Aptos could be a one-hit wonder, it remains in a sweet spot as a fast, enterprise-supported player with the potential to influence the next cycle of mass adoption.

Top Layer-2 Crypto List

L1 might have provided the foundational technology, such as the protocol, security parameters, and consensus mechanism. However, projects like Bitcoin and Ethereum continue to grapple with scalability issues, and that’s where L2 solutions come in.

These secondary protocols are built on top of the base blockchain, delivering faster transaction speeds and lower fees without compromising the network's safety. Some people see them as future-ready innovations with greater long-term prospects.

So, if you’re looking for a Layer-1 and Layer-2 crypto list, I’ve got you covered on the other half of the scene:

Mantle (MNTL)

Many L2 projects are developed on Ethereum, and Mantle is an example that has been turning heads on the runway of blockchain innovations. The appeal is clear, since transactions on MNTL come in at nearly 80% lower cost than on Ethereum.

Part of that advantage lies in its ability to process higher throughput, averaging at 14 TPS on a daily basis. MNTL is one of the first L2 networks to embrace a three-layer modular design. It combines Ethereum for settlement and consensus, EigenLayer for data availability, and its own infrastructure for execution.

The momentum is already building. Protocols like Multichain, Pyth, and Synapse are emerging. Power players such as Peter Thiel, Pantera Capital, and Bybit have injected a $200M Ecosystem Fund to attract ongoing developer support and institutional partnerships. The stage is set for MNTL to evolve as a Layer-2 central hub for gaming and DeFi adoption.

Polygon (POL)

Veteran traders may remember this network by its original ticker, MATIC. But with the launch of the 2.0 Roadmap, it has officially rebranded to POL.

Unlike many L2s that rely on a single method, Polygon offers a full buffet of solutions, from Plasma sidechains and PoS bridges to zk-rollups. As a result, developers have more flexibility in building dApps that you, as an end-user, can better enjoy.

Aside from that, Polygon doesn’t intend to replace Ethereum but rather complement it. This blockchain dramatically reduces transaction fees to less than a cent while boosting throughput to as high as 65,000 transactions per second - higher than both ETH and MNTL.

Ultimately, Polygon is a stand-out project that not only compels developers. The added benefit of staking POL directly on the network might also appeal to passive income seekers.

Arbitrum (ARB)

Arbitrum is one of the Layer-2 projects that demonstrates strong ecosystem adoption. The network utilizes Optimistic Rollup technology, batching thousands of transactions off-chain before posting a single proof to Ethereum.

DeFi projects like Aave, Uniswap, and SushiSwap are tapping into Arbitrum’s capacity to ease congestion and slash gas fees. As of writing, the ARB ecosystem has secured over $3B in TVL, suggesting that both developers and users trust it as a go-to scaling solution.

The Arbitrum airdrop, held in 2023, also generated widespread attention for rewarding early users. ARB has fostered one of the most engaged communities in the L2 space. Combined with DAO governance, many predict this network as a potential lasting project in the Ethereum landscape.

Optimism (OP)

Optimism, also known as the OP Stack, is an open-source, modular, and highly adaptable L2 network. It has proven to be a production-ready infrastructure, adopted by prominent stakeholders such as Coinbase, Uniswap, and Worldcoin.

From DeFi protocols like Aave and stablecoins (such as USDT or USDC) to social apps like Farcaster, the OP Stack is one of the most expansive Layer-2 ecosystems. Its upcoming interoperability feature promises to connect all chains into the Superchain, sharing liquidity, users, and tooling from day one. This advantage compounds over time.

Optimism proves itself as more than just a cost-cutting Ethereum scaling solution. It’s a blockchain that combines battle-tested security with a future-proof vision, propelled by more than $22B in total assets and $17M in daily transactions as of writing.

Stacks (STX)

Not all L2s live on Ethereum. Stacks brings a refreshing pace of change as Bitcoin’s gateway to scalable apps, DeFi, and beyond.

STX aims to unlock Bitcoin’s $2T+ in idle capital by providing a Layer-2 framework that makes the coin productive again. Through smart contracts, yield mechanisms, synthetic assets, and stablecoins like sBTC, Stacks opens the door to a full spectrum of Bitcoin-native DeFi.

This network also extends BTC's functionality far beyond a store of value. It powers live applications like Asigna (multi-sig wallet) and Zest Protocol (lending). So, if you envision a future where Bitcoin becomes a programmable base for Web3, Stacks might be your entry point.

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Conclusions

For centuries, people have been captivated by pioneering projects. Some of us prefer being first in line as it offers a chance to seize an opportunity before the crowd catches on. This Layer-1 crypto list casts a spotlight on projects that form the backbone of today’s blockchain economy.

Bitcoin still claims the throne as the digital gold. Ethereum remains the bedrock of DeFi innovations. Newcomers like Sui and Aptos bring fresh competition with novel architectures. The list does not stop there, and many crypto enthusiasts are turning their attention toward Layer-2 projects, which push scalability and usability to the next level.

The content published on this website is not aimed to give any kind of financial, investment, trading, or any other form of advice. BitDegree.org does not endorse or suggest you to buy, sell or hold any kind of cryptocurrency. Before making financial investment decisions, do consult your financial advisor.

Scientific References

1. Jacob, V. S., Mishra S. P., Radhakrishnan, S.: 'Is Decentralization Sustainable in the Bitcoin System?';

2. Yakovenko, A.: 'Solana : A New Architecture for a High Performance Blockchain V 0.8'.