When you hear Layer 1 blockchain, the foundational network that processes transactions directly on its own chain, without relying on another network. Also known as base layer blockchain, it's the bedrock of everything from Bitcoin to DeFi apps and NFT marketplaces. Think of it like the highway system—without it, nothing else moves. Every crypto transaction, smart contract, and token swap you’ve ever made runs on one of these networks. But not all Layer 1s are built the same. Some are slow but secure. Others are fast but risky. Some are used by millions. Others exist only on paper.
The biggest names—Bitcoin, the original blockchain, designed for peer-to-peer digital cash with unmatched security and decentralization—focus on being unbreakable. It doesn’t do smart contracts. It doesn’t run apps. It just moves value. Then there’s Ethereum, the first smart contract platform, where developers build DeFi protocols, NFTs, and DAOs directly on top. It’s the most used Layer 1, but its high fees and slow speed during peaks led to a new wave of alternatives. Solana, a high-speed, low-cost blockchain built for scale, handling thousands of transactions per second became popular for DeFi and gaming projects that need speed. But its network has crashed under pressure, proving that speed without stability is dangerous.
Layer 1 blockchains aren’t just about tech specs—they’re about trust. If the network goes down, your funds freeze. If the code has bugs, hackers clean out wallets. That’s why institutional-grade hardware security modules, physical devices that protect private keys from software attacks are used by exchanges and DeFi platforms running on these chains. And when a chain like Bitcoin or Ethereum updates, it changes everything—mining rewards, transaction costs, even how you store your crypto.
Some Layer 1s are built for finance. Others for games. A few are trying to replace the internet itself. You’ll find posts here about real projects—like how Layer 1 blockchain foundations enable tokens like ARCH, ALICE, and MOLTEN to exist. You’ll also see warnings about scams that pretend to be built on top of these chains, or fake tokens like WUSDR that don’t exist at all. There are deep dives into validator economics, how node sync works, and why some chains thrive while others vanish overnight.
What you won’t find here is hype. Just facts: what works, what doesn’t, and who’s really building something that lasts. Whether you’re holding Bitcoin, staking on Solana, or wondering why your favorite DeFi app runs on one chain and not another—this collection gives you the clarity to decide where to put your time, your trust, and your money.
Saito (SAITO) is a Layer 1 blockchain that pays nodes for routing data, not mining. It solves blockchain's infrastructure funding problem with Routing Work and Automatic Transaction Rebroadcasting. Learn how it works, its market status, and who it's for.
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