Best Layer 1 Protocols

Compare the Top Layer 1 Protocols as of October 2025

What are Layer 1 Protocols?

Layer 1 protocols, also known as layer 1 blockchains, are blockchain protocols that are built as the base layer of a blockchain. A layer 1 protocol serves as the underlying base blockchain of a blockchain network, as opposed to a layer 2 protocol which is designed to improve the scaling problems and transaction speeds and fees that layer 1 blockchain networks and protocols face. Decentralized applications and cryptocurrencies can be built on Layer 1 protocols, and layer 1 protocols interact with layer 2 protocols in order to improve efficiency and overall user experience. Compare and read user reviews of the best Layer 1 Protocols currently available using the table below. This list is updated regularly.

  • 1
    Velas

    Velas

    Velas

    The fork of Solana with embedded EVM integration. Fastest EVM/EBPF hybrid chain inherited best from Solana and applied to EVM world. Supports all smart contracts built on the Ethereum blockchain. Extremely efficient performance at a fraction of the cost. Stake to support decentralization and get rewards. Through the Velas Network users gain access to decentralized services, delegating the security of his passwords, keys or seed-phrases to segmentation algorithms and validators that are interested in data security. Most important, this information will be distributed over the network and not available to any of its participants.
  • 2
    Meter

    Meter

    Decentralized Finance Labs

    Meter is a high performance infrastructure that allows smart contracts to scale and travel seamlessly through heterogeneous blockchain networks. Meter is a Layer 1 and Layer 2 blockchain protocol. The Meter system consists of two tokens: MTRG, the governance token (eMTRG is the ERC20 version), and MTR, the low-volatility currency token. Financial assets should flow freely among blockchains. Meter’s HotStuff-based consensus allows 1000s of validator nodes, making Meter the most decentralized Layer 2 for Ethereum. Meter processes thousands of transactions per second and transactions are confirmed almost instantly. Meter Passport allows assets and smart contracts travel and communicate across heterogeneous blockchains for the best price, liquidity and yield. Meter is an Ethereum Compatible with unique enhancements. Unlike other Layer 2, DEXes build on Meter are front running/MEV resistant, fast and uncensorable.
  • 3
    Ethereum

    Ethereum

    Ethereum Foundation

    Ethereum is the community-run technology powering the cryptocurrency, ether (ETH) and thousands of decentralized applications. Ethereum is a technology that's home to digital money, global payments, and applications. The community has built a booming digital economy, bold new ways for creators to earn online, and so much more. It's open to everyone, wherever you are in the world – all you need is the internet. Today, billions of people can’t open bank accounts, others have their payments blocked. Ethereum's decentralized finance (DeFi) system never sleeps or discriminates. With just an internet connection, you can send, receive, borrow, earn interest, and even stream funds anywhere in the world. Today, we gain access to 'free' internet services by giving up control of our personal data. Ethereum services are open by default – you just need a wallet. Stake your ETH to become an Ethereum validator.
  • 4
    Kava

    Kava

    Kava Labs

    Kava is a DeFi platform for decentralized lending and stablecoins compatible with major cryptocurrencies. It owns a cross-chain that offers guaranteed loans and stablecoins to users of the main crypto assets, including BTC, XRP, BNB or ATOM, among others. Users can guarantee their cryptocurrencies in exchange for USDX, Kava's stablecoin. Two types of tokens can be found on the platform, the KAVA coin and the USDX stablecoin. KAVA is the native token of the blockchain and is comprehensive in the security, governance, and mechanical functions of the platform. A highly scalable and secure Cosmos SDK blockchain that connects Kava to the 30 chains and $60B+ of the Cosmos ecosystem via the IBC protocol. An EVM-compatible execution environment that empowers Solidity developers and their dApps to benefit from the scalability and security of the Kava Network. With single-block finality and unrivaled scalability, Tendermint Consensus enables Kava to support your transaction needs.
  • 5
    Telos

    Telos

    Telos Blockchain

    Telos is the ideal network for real-world use across multiple industries, Telos-based Tokens NFT’s and Smart Contracts are already used for DeFi, gaming, social media amongst a backdrop of almost unlimited real-world use cases. There are over 100 projects already building on Telos. Top brands already use Telos Blockchain for real-world activities including transparent hackathon judging and payments through Taikai. Telos natively runs eosio C++ smart contract technology. The leading decentralized stack for high throughput decentralized applications. Telos will be the first EVM-compatible blockchain built on eosio. Deploy and run your Ethereum Apps using Telos EVM for the most performant DeFi available. Join hundreds of developers and thousands of users who are choosing Telos. Economic and geographic decentralization to ensure the security and safety of the chain. Community support, including the Telos Works proposal system and grant making for new projects.
  • 6
    Umee

    Umee

    Umee

    Simplest way to start your DeFi experience for staking, rates, and interoperable solutions across blockchains. Umee is a layer one blockchain for cross-chain communication and interoperability, built on the Cosmos SDK and powered by Tendermint Consensus along with a self-sovereign validator network. Interoperability is achieved using Inter-Blockchain Communication protocol (IBC), Gravity bridge, and decentralized infrastructure for creating a universal cross-chain DeFi hub toward expanding the crypto ecosystem. A DeFi platform designed towards integrating with money legos, that interconnects crypto markets across networks, allows for the development of open finance innovation including multi-chain staking, interchain leverage, and cross-chain interest rates. As a base layer blockchain, applications and money lego primitives can be built on top of Umee to access cross-chain leverage and liquidity.
  • 7
    Ergo

    Ergo

    Ergo Platform

    Ergo builds advanced cryptographic features and radically new DeFi functionality on the rock-solid foundations laid by a decade of blockchain theory and development. Ergo draws on ten years of blockchain development, complementing tried and tested principles with the best peer-reviewed academic research into cryptography, consensus models and digital currencies. We start with solid blockchain basics and implement new and powerful cryptography natively. Our team has a solid background in core development with cryptocurrencies and blockchain frameworks including Nxt, Scorex and Waves, and our lean approach means we can prioritise new features and requirements quickly.
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