15 Major First-Level Blockchains Not to Miss in 2024

Why Are Layer-1 Public Chains Important?

In the crypto ecosystem, Layer-1 (public chains) are the foundation of the entire blockchain world. They are responsible for transaction execution, data recording, and network security, directly affecting the stability of the entire ecosystem. As Ethereum transitions to proof of stake (PoS) and environmentally friendly blockchains rise, Layer-2 and Layer-3 solutions have emerged, but the core position of Layer-1 public chains remains unshaken.

Layer-1 public chains have independent consensus mechanisms and security models, excelling in decentralization, security, and transaction transparency. They are the cornerstone of the entire crypto world—able to execute transactions and smart contracts without relying on external systems, supporting native tokens for fees, staking, and governance, and being widely integrated into various systems. Even though Layer-2 solutions can alleviate congestion, ultimately, they still depend on Layer-1 public chains for settlement and security.

Layer-1 Public Chains with the Best Performance of the Year

SOL: The King of High Throughput Performance

Current Price: $124.05 | 24h Change: +1.79% | Market Cap: $69.80B | Yearly Performance: -37.16%

Solana(SOL) has become one of the most competitive Layer-1 public chains due to its extremely low transaction costs and ultra-high throughput. Its innovative consensus mechanism combining (PoH) (Proof of History) and proof of stake (PoS) gives the network lightning-fast speed.

In 2023, Solana’s ecosystem made significant progress. Since the official launch of the SIMD(Solana Improvement Document), 79 proposals have been drafted, and the Firedancer validator upgrade project is expected to greatly accelerate. The network now has over 2000 nodes, further enhancing security. Collaborations with Google Cloud and AWS have simplified node deployment, and the release of the Solana Saga mobile phone and partnership with Helium Mobile demonstrate its ambition—integrating blockchain into daily life.

On the ecosystem level, from meme coin airdrops(BONK) to liquidity staking protocols(Marinade), Jito(, and DEXs)Raydium###, Orca###, Solana has formed a complete application matrix. Jupiter’s trading routing engine has become an ecosystem star.

( BTC: A New Opportunity in Digital Gold

Current Price: $88.77K | 24h Change: +1.48% | Market Cap: $1772.46B | Yearly Performance: -10.70%

As the pioneer of Layer-1 public chains, Bitcoin still holds a core position. Its immutable ledger, fixed supply of 21 million, and ultimate security make it the true “digital gold.”

The biggest change in 2023 is the emergence of the Ordinals protocol—NFTs can finally be minted on BTC. The rise of tokens like ORDI, SATS, and RATS injects new vitality into the Bitcoin ecosystem. Meanwhile, Layer-2 solutions like Stacks bring smart contract capabilities to BTC, and derivative protocols such as Taproot Assets and ARC20 are exploring new possibilities. These innovations break the long-standing single-function limitation of BTC.

) ETH: The Most Prosperous Ecosystem

Current Price: $2.98K | 24h Change: +1.86% | Market Cap: $359.33B | Yearly Performance: -14.86%

Ethereum boasts the largest developer community and over 3000 active DApps, maintaining an unshakable position among Layer-1 chains. Since its launch in 2015, it has evolved into the main platform for DeFi, NFTs, and gaming.

In 2023, Ethereum continued its move toward 2.0, with Layer-2 solutions###Rollups( significantly reducing usage costs. Looking ahead to 2024, the London upgrade’s burn mechanism, sharding technology, and interoperability explorations with other chains all indicate that Ethereum’s ecosystem will become more interconnected and efficient.

) BNB Chain: Rapid Chaser with CEX Background

Current Price: $842.10 | 24h Change: +0.72% | Market Cap: $115.99B | Yearly Performance: +19.91%

BNB Chain###, formerly BSC(, developed by Binance, has attracted over 1300 active DApps due to its low fees and high compatibility with Ethereum. Compared to Ethereum’s complexity, BNB Chain is known for its ease of use.

In 2023, this public chain was officially renamed “BNB Chain,” emphasizing its independence and ambition. The new independent PoS chain enhances security and decentralization. Expansion of cross-chain bridges has also improved interoperability with other ecosystems.

) AVAX: Fast Confirmation Multi-Chain Architecture

Current Price: Data not available | 24h Change: Data not available | Market Cap: Data not available

Avalanche is known for its sub-two-second confirmation speed, with a unique consensus mechanism blending classical and Nakamoto consensus, achieving a balance of security, scalability, and decentralization.

2023 was a big year for AVAX. The C-Chain set a record of 3.07 million transactions, with daily transaction volume once exceeding 2.3 million. Inscriptions###Inscriptions( related transactions surged, and users paid $13.8 million in fees within five days. This hot activity also drove AVAX token burns, further increasing scarcity. Collaboration with JPMorgan’s Onyx platform also demonstrated institutional recognition.

) KAS: Dark Horse with GHOSTDAG Consensus

Current Price: $0.05 | 24h Change: +2.81% | Market Cap: $1.22B | Yearly Performance: -61.92%

Kaspa###KAS(, though late to the scene, implements an innovative GHOSTDAG consensus mechanism that enables instant transaction confirmation and exceptional scalability. Its high block generation rate gives it unique advantages.

2023 was KAS’s breakout year. Transitioning from GoLang to Rust significantly boosted transaction processing speed. Improved P2P communication enhanced data retrieval for archival nodes. Most notably, KAS’s native token value soared over 1800%, attracting high market attention.

) TON: The Potential Stock of the Telegram Ecosystem

Current Price: $1.54 | 24h Change: +3.42% | Market Cap: $3.77B | Yearly Performance: -74.13%

The Open Network###TON( was launched by Telegram founder Durov. Despite setbacks due to regulatory issues, it is now operated independently by the TON Foundation. Its multi-layer structure and sharding technology lay the groundwork for large-scale transaction processing.

In March 2024, Telegram announced that 50% of advertising revenue would be distributed to channel owners, settled in TON. This announcement caused Toncoin’s value to surge 40%. If Telegram’s IPO proceeds smoothly and further blockchain integrations occur, TON’s practicality will greatly increase.

) ICP: Pioneer of Decentralized Cloud Computing

Current Price: Data not available | 24h Change: Data not available | Market Cap: Data not available

Internet Computer###ICP( developed by DFINITY, its core innovation is providing a decentralized serverless cloud computing environment, a novel attempt in the blockchain field.

In 2023, ICP integrated Websockets for real-time interaction, supported complex applications with memory expansion, and enabled HTTPS calls to Web 2.0 services. Direct integration with Bitcoin also simplified cross-chain transactions. Growth in community and NFT ecosystems reflects its endogenous development momentum.

) SEI: High-Performance DeFi Dedicated Chain

Current Price: $0.11 | 24h Change: +1.73% | Market Cap: $723.11M | Yearly Performance: -75.53%

Sei###SEI( is optimized specifically for DeFi applications, with its native matching engine and order book functions greatly reducing latency. This specialization makes it an ideal platform for decentralized exchanges.

In 2023, the SEI ecosystem fund reached $120 million, including a $50 million investment from Foresight Ventures. Strategic focus shifted to Asian markets, establishing partnerships with projects like Graviton. Investments in on-chain optimization have made SEI the preferred platform for DEX developers.

) SUI: The New Safety Star of Move Language

Current Price: $1.41 | 24h Change: +0.62% | Market Cap: $5.26B | Yearly Performance: -68.74%

Sui uses the innovative Move programming language, providing developers with stronger security guarantees. Its unique parallel execution engine can handle high concurrency transactions.

In 2023, Sui redistributed 157 million SUI tokens to incentivize ecosystem development. After mainnet launch, it quickly set a record of 65.8 million transactions in a single day, with TVL surpassing $188 million. zkLogin enhances privacy, and the TurboStar plan supports ecosystem growth.

APT: High-Efficiency Parallel Execution

Current Price: $1.70 | 24h Change: +3.14% | Market Cap: $1.27B | Yearly Performance: -82.24%

Aptos also uses the Move language, with its parallel execution engine as a core advantage. Supported by top investors like Tiger Global and PayPal Ventures, its ecosystem is rapidly expanding.

In 2023, Aptos saw a significant increase in transaction activity and new account numbers. Integration with Sushi and Coinbase Pay enhanced DeFi capabilities, and collaborations with Microsoft and gaming companies broaden application scenarios. Infrastructure improvements like MSafe multisig are also maturing.

DOT: The Interconnection Dream of Multi-Chain Architecture

Current Price: $1.73 | 24h Change: +0.23% | Market Cap: $2.84B | Yearly Performance: -77.02%

Polkadot’s biggest feature is cross-chain interoperability. Parachains(parachain) can interact with the main chain without trust, laying the foundation for future inter-chain collaboration.

In 2023, Polkadot’s development activity hit new highs, with over 19,000 contributions on GitHub. Parachains offer cost-effective options for projects, and new scheduling mechanisms increased network flexibility. The announcement of Polkadot 2.0 promises comprehensive upgrades in scalability, governance, and interoperability.

ATOM: The Hub Connecting via IBC Protocol

Current Price: $2.03 | 24h Change: +1.60% | Market Cap: $983.84M | Yearly Performance: -70.78%

Cosmos( through its cross-chain communication protocol)IBC### solves the interaction challenges between blockchains, allowing multiple independent chains to exchange assets and information while maintaining sovereignty.

In 2023, Cosmos Hub’s on-chain activity increased significantly, with daily transaction volume reaching 500,000. The rollout of cross-chain security features strengthened the security of smaller chains. Upgrades like Theta introducing cross-chain accounts and Rho adding liquidity staking further expand functionality. The upcoming Hub 2.0 will enhance capabilities even more.

KAVA: The Hybrid of Cosmos and EVM

Current Price: $0.08 | 24h Change: -1.14% | Market Cap: $82.87M | Yearly Performance: -84.06%

Kava’s innovation lies in combining Cosmos SDK’s scalability with EVM compatibility, allowing Ethereum applications to migrate easily. Its native stablecoin USDX further enriches the DeFi ecosystem.

In 2023, upgrades like Kava 12 and 13 focused on increasing Cosmos DAO flexibility, while Kava 14 introduced direct USDT minting on Cosmos. Tokenomics 2.0 implemented a fixed supply mechanism, and the community’s strategic insurance fund exceeded $300 million.

( ZETA: The First Full-Chain Public Chain

Current Price: $0.07 | 24h Change: +0.33% | Market Cap: $80.86M | Yearly Performance: -88.79%

ZetaChain claims to be the first truly “Omnichain” Layer-1 that can seamlessly connect any blockchain, enabling cross-chain asset transfers, data exchange, and even smart contract execution.

Although launched only in March 2023, ZetaChain has accumulated over 1 million active users and recorded more than 6.3 million cross-chain transactions. Partnerships with Ankr accelerate access to Web3 infrastructure, with $27 million in funding used to enhance interoperability. Collaborations with gaming and social platforms are expanding its application scope.

Future Trends of Layer-1 Public Chains

The development of Layer-1 and Layer-2 solutions is actually complementary. Layer-2 improves performance but must rely on Layer-1 for security and decentralization guarantees. This dual-layer architecture will continue to evolve, much like a natural ecosystem—solid foundational layers supporting efficient upper layers.

Currently, from Solana’s speed, Bitcoin’s security, Ethereum’s ecosystem, to Polkadot’s interoperability, the Layer-1 public chain ecosystem is flourishing. Each chain is finding its niche through unique innovations, collectively pushing the blockchain world toward a better balance of usability, security, and decentralization.

Whether mature projects or emerging challengers, competition among Layer-1 chains in 2024 will intensify. Investors need to understand each chain’s differentiated advantages—not just by price movements, but by technological progress, ecosystem development, and application deployment.