A comprehensive comparison of the 15 mainstream Layer 1 blockchain projects to watch in 2025

Core Value and Development Trends of Layer 1 Technology

In the blockchain ecosystem, Layer 1 technologies serve as the underlying infrastructure, directly determining the network’s performance. These first-layer chains not only handle transaction settlement and data confirmation but also maintain network security through their unique consensus mechanisms. From Bitcoin’s PoW to Ethereum’s PoS, and to innovative solutions of emerging public chains, the Layer 1 ecosystem is accelerating its evolution.

Meanwhile, Layer 2 solutions, although capable of alleviating congestion, ultimately rely on the stability of Layer 1 for security guarantees. This dependency defines the fundamental position of Layer 1 projects within the entire crypto ecosystem—whether it’s DeFi, NFTs, or gaming applications, they all need to be built on a reliable underlying layer.

Performance Monster: Arena of Ultra-Fast Transactions

Solana(SOL) has proven itself as a leader in high throughput with its innovative Proof of History mechanism. Latest data shows SOL’s TVL reaching $3.46B, market cap at $61B, with a 464% increase over the past year. Its processing capacity per second has surpassed industry expectations, attracting top DeFi applications like Jupiter and Marinade Finance.

Avalanche(AVAX) employs an improved consensus design, achieving sub-second confirmation times. Updated figures show AVAX at a current price of $12.32, market cap of $5.29B, with a 1-year change of -69.39%. The C-Chain once set a record with 2.3 million transactions in a single day. Although the surge in network fees caused by the NFT craze reflects supply-demand tensions, it also demonstrates its capacity to handle load.

Kaspa(KAS) utilizes the GHOSTDAG consensus mechanism, taking a unique approach. Its current price is $0.04, market cap at $1.20B, with a 1-year change of -62.46%. After migrating from GoLang to Rust, network performance has seen a qualitative leap, with significant improvements in block generation speed and transaction throughput.

Security Fortress: The Foundation of Trust

Bitcoin(BTC) remains the synonym for security, with a current price of $87.78K, circulating market cap of $1.75T. Despite a 1-year change of -11.62%, its position remains unshaken. A key breakthrough in the Bitcoin ecosystem in 2023 was the launch of the Ordinals protocol, allowing NFTs to be inscribed directly on-chain, spawning assets like ORDI and RATS. The maturity of Layer 2 solutions like Taproot Assets and Stacks is expanding Bitcoin from “digital gold” to a programmable asset platform.

Ethereum(ETH) maintains its top position in Layer 1 with a large developer community and deep ecosystem. Latest data shows ETH at $2.93K, market cap of $353.98B, with a 1-year change of -16.15%. Its transition from PoW to PoS, along with the Dencun upgrade supporting Blob, is creating conditions for explosive growth in Layer 2.

Ecosystem Stars: Drivers of Application Prosperity

The Open Network(TON) as the native chain of the Telegram ecosystem, redefines the possibilities of social chains. The latest price is $1.53, with a market cap of $3.75B. Despite a 1-year decline of -74.32%, Telegram’s announcement that 50% of advertising revenue will be paid through TON opens new application scenarios. After the TON Foundation and independent developer community took over, the ecosystem’s layered structure and sharding technology are enhancing its capacity.

BNB Chain(BNB) has grown from Binance Exchange’s supporting infrastructure into an independent public chain ecosystem. The latest price is $833.80, with a market cap of $114.84B, and a 1-year increase of +18.73%. With over 1300 active dApps, EVM compatibility improving developer friendliness, and PoSA consensus offering low costs, it stands as one of the most successful centralized exchange chains.

Internet Computer(ICP) aims to “reinvent the internet.” Its current price is $3.04, with a market cap of $1.66B, and a 1-year change of -72.78%. Canister smart contracts can host complete applications, enable WebSocket real-time interactions, and connect to Web2 via HTTPS outcall—laying the foundation for decentralized cloud computing.

DeFi Niche Experts: Breakthroughs in Vertical Tracks

Sei(SEI) positions itself as a dedicated DeFi chain. The latest price is $0.11, market cap at $711.43M, with a 1-year change of -75.87%. Chain-level order book optimization and a native matching engine directly address DEX latency issues, attracting top trading applications like Graviton. Supported by ecosystem funds, it is accelerating penetration into Asian markets.

Sui$120M SUI( and Aptos)APT( both use the Move programming language, enhancing contract security. SUI’s latest price is $1.38, with a market cap of $5.17B, and a 1-year change of -69.17%; APT’s market cap is $3.8B. Sui’s zkLogin innovates account abstraction, while Aptos’s parallel execution engine maximizes throughput.

Interoperability Pioneers: Connectors of Cross-Chain Ecosystems

Polkadot)DOT( achieves heterogeneous multi-chain secure sharing through its parachain model. The latest price is $1.71, with a market cap of $2.82B, and a 1-year change of -77.22%. The Polkadot 2.0 upgrade plan promises greater scalability and governance flexibility, with Nomination Pools boosting ecosystem participation.

Cosmos)ATOM( centers on the IBC protocol, building an alliance ecosystem of independent chains. Current price is $2.02, market cap $979.01M, with a 1-year change of -70.89%. Modular upgrades like Interchain Security and Liquid Staking are expanding the capabilities of the Cosmos Hub.

ZetaChain)ZETA( as the latest “full-chain” solution, is currently priced at $0.07, with a market cap of $79.76M, and a 1-year change of -88.92%. Its cross-chain smart contract capability has the potential to become a unified entry point for multi-chain applications, with over 200 applications already tested on its testnet.

Opportunities and Risks in Professional Chains

Kava)KAVA( adopts a hybrid architecture combining Cosmos SDK and EVM. The latest price is $0.08, with a market cap of $81.96M, and a 1-year change of -84.22%. USDX stablecoin and recent USDt integration provide foundational assets for lending and derivatives. Although TVL is relatively small at $193M, its clear positioning offers growth potential.

Outlook for Layer 1 Landscape in 2025

The competition among Layer 1 technologies has shifted from simple performance benchmarks to a contest of ecosystem value. Bitcoin steadily advances on the path of asset programmability; Ethereum, empowered by Layer 2, redefines DeFi dominance; while emerging public chains seek differentiated breakthroughs in vertical applications and cross-chain interoperability.

Whether in performance racing or ecosystem building, the core values of Layer 1—security, decentralization, and programmability—are being redefined. For investors, choosing is not just betting on a coin’s price but voting for a technological route and governance philosophy. For developers, the evolution of Layer 1 is opening up entirely new construction spaces.