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1️⃣ Layer 1

Last verified: June 2026

A "Layer 1" is a base blockchain — the foundation everything else is built on, like Bitcoin or Ethereum. Here's what the term means and how it differs from Layer 2.

The foundation layer

"Layer 1" is just a name for a base blockchain — the foundational network that everything else builds on. Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and Cardano are all Layer 1s. They handle the core jobs themselves: recording transactions, securing the network, and reaching agreement on what's true. When people talk about "a blockchain" in the basic sense, they usually mean a Layer 1.

Why the "layer" language exists

The term only became common once people started building extra layers on top. A Layer 1 is the ground floor; a Layer 2 is an extension built above it to make it faster or cheaper. The numbering simply describes the stack: Layer 1 is the secure foundation that settles everything finally, and higher layers lean on it for that security while handling more activity more cheaply.

The trade-off every Layer 1 faces

Base blockchains wrestle with a famous balancing act sometimes called the "blockchain trilemma": it's very hard to be highly secure, highly decentralised, and highly scalable (fast and cheap) all at once. Bitcoin and Ethereum prioritise security and decentralisation, which can make them slower or pricier when busy. Newer Layer 1s often push for more speed, sometimes accepting a bit less decentralisation in return. There's no perfect answer — just different choices.

How to think about it

If you're comparing coins, knowing something is a Layer 1 tells you it's a foundational platform competing to be a base others build on — a big, ambitious role. Many of the best-known cryptocurrencies are Layer 1s. You can browse them in our Layer 1 category.