Layer 133 coins

Best Layer 1 Cryptocurrencies 2026

Layer 1 blockchains are base networks that process and finalize transactions on their own blockchain.

Layer 1 blockchains are independent networks with their own consensus mechanisms, security models, and native tokens. They form the foundational infrastructure of the entire crypto ecosystem, enabling everything from simple transfers to complex smart contracts. Examples include Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and Cardano. Each Layer 1 network makes different trade-offs between decentralization, security, and scalability.

Layer 1 Coins

ETH

EthereumETH

Ethereum is a smart contract blockchain enabling decentralized applications, DeFi, NFTs, and Web3 ecosystems.

Market Cap

$281.04B

$2,328.40

10.30%

SOL

SolanaSOL

Solana is a high-performance blockchain designed for fast transactions and scalable decentralized applications.

Market Cap

$54.25B

$94.94

7.78%

ADA

CardanoADA

Cardano is a proof-of-stake blockchain focused on security, scalability, and peer-reviewed research.

Market Cap

$10.61B

$0.287811

9.29%

TRX

TRONTRX

TRON is a blockchain platform focused on decentralized content sharing and digital entertainment.

Market Cap

$28.13B

$0.296816

0.67%

TON

ToncoinTON

Toncoin is the native token of the TON blockchain, originally developed by Telegram.

Market Cap

$112.55B

$1,444.92

4.19%

AVA

AvalancheAVAX

Avalanche is a blockchain platform that supports fast transactions and customizable subnets.

Market Cap

$4.44B

$10.28

5.58%

DOT

PolkadotDOT

Polkadot is a blockchain network enabling interoperability between multiple specialized blockchains.

Market Cap

$2.68B

$1.60

13.02%

ATO

CosmosATOM

Cosmos is a blockchain ecosystem designed to enable interoperability between independent blockchains.

Market Cap

$983.97M

$1.97

6.46%

ICP

Internet ComputerICP

Internet Computer is a blockchain designed to host smart contracts and decentralized applications entirely on-chain.

Market Cap

$1.51B

$2.75

2.20%

NEA

NEAR ProtocolNEAR

NEAR Protocol is a scalable blockchain using sharding to support decentralized applications.

Market Cap

$1.86B

$1.44

7.34%

APT

AptosAPT

Aptos is a Layer 1 blockchain using the Move language to improve security and performance.

Market Cap

$794.80M

$1.00

8.21%

HBA

HederaHBAR

Hedera is a distributed ledger using hashgraph technology for fast and secure transactions.

Market Cap

$4.30B

$0.099292

4.17%

SUI

SuiSUI

Sui is a Layer 1 blockchain designed for high throughput and low latency using the Move language.

Market Cap

$4.13B

$1.06

5.34%

FTM

FantomFTM

Fantom is a fast blockchain platform optimized for decentralized applications and DeFi.

Market Cap

$0.050532

9.13%

ALG

AlgorandALGO

Algorand is a proof-of-stake blockchain focused on security, scalability, and decentralization.

Market Cap

$849.45M

$0.095535

4.28%

XTZ

TezosXTZ

Tezos is a blockchain platform featuring on-chain governance and self-upgrading smart contracts.

Market Cap

$425.44M

$0.394365

3.19%

EOS

EOSEOS

EOS is a blockchain platform designed for scalable decentralized applications.

Market Cap

$0.083380

2.65%

EGL

MultiversXEGLD

MultiversX is a scalable blockchain using adaptive state sharding for high performance.

Market Cap

$20.22B

$215.41

4.60%

KAS

KaspaKAS

Kaspa is a fast proof-of-work blockchain designed to improve scalability using a BlockDAG architecture.

Market Cap

$888.56M

$0.033164

9.05%

SEI

SeiSEI

Sei is a high-performance Layer 1 blockchain optimized for trading and decentralized finance.

Market Cap

$465.07M

$0.069071

2.55%

KAV

KavaKAVA

Kava is a Layer 1 blockchain supporting DeFi applications and cross-chain assets.

Market Cap

$65.02M

$0.060041

2.18%

NEO

NeoNEO

Neo is a smart contract blockchain often referred to as the “Chinese Ethereum.”

Market Cap

$199.51M

$2.83

1.79%

ROS

Oasis NetworkROSE

Oasis Network is a privacy-enabled Layer 1 blockchain for data sharing and DeFi.

Market Cap

$97.74M

$0.012946

2.88%

WAV

WavesWAVES

Waves is a blockchain platform supporting token creation and decentralized applications.

Market Cap

$10.41B

$78.33

6.69%

CEL

CeloCELO

Celo is a mobile-first blockchain focused on accessible digital payments.

Market Cap

$47.67M

$0.079780

4.33%

ZIL

ZilliqaZIL

Zilliqa is a high-throughput blockchain using sharding for scalability.

Market Cap

$86.38M

$0.004330

2.66%

QTU

QtumQTUM

Qtum is a blockchain combining Bitcoin security with smart contract functionality.

Market Cap

$9.96B

$156.80

6.14%

KSM

KusamaKSM

Kusama is an experimental blockchain network supporting innovation within Polkadot.

Market Cap

$9.68B

$65.10

6.55%

ONE

HarmonyONE

Harmony is a blockchain focused on fast transactions and scalability.

Market Cap

$37.96M

$0.002552

4.37%

ICX

ICONICX

ICON is a blockchain network designed for interoperability between blockchains.

Market Cap

$8.69B

$98.65

5.48%

ONT

OntologyONT

Ontology is a blockchain focused on digital identity and data solutions.

Market Cap

$41.13M

$0.044039

2.40%

IOS

IOSTIOST

IOST is a blockchain designed for scalable decentralized applications.

Market Cap

$8.26B

$90.65

2.79%

BTC

BitcoinBTC

Bitcoin is the first decentralized cryptocurrency, serving as digital gold and a store of value with a fixed supply of 21 million coins.

Market Cap

$1.48T

$73,908.00

3.34%

FAQ

What is a Layer 1 blockchain?

A Layer 1 blockchain is an independent base network that validates and finalizes transactions without relying on another network. Bitcoin and Ethereum are the most well-known examples.

What is the difference between Layer 1 and Layer 2?

Layer 1 is the main blockchain (for example, Ethereum), while Layer 2 is a secondary network built on top of it to increase speed and reduce costs (for example, Polygon, Arbitrum).

What is the best Layer 1 crypto?

There is no single best Layer 1. Bitcoin leads in security and store of value, Ethereum in smart contracts and ecosystem, and Solana in transaction speed. The best choice depends on your use case.

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