Mainstream Layer-1 Blockchains Not to Be Missed in 2025: In-Depth Analysis of 15 Major Projects

Layer-1 Blockchains: The Infrastructure Foundation of the Blockchain Ecosystem

Layer-1 blockchains serve as the foundational protocols of the entire crypto ecosystem, bearing the core responsibilities of transaction confirmation, data recording, and network security. Unlike Layer-2 solutions that parasitize existing blockchains, Layer-1 networks possess independent consensus mechanisms, complete validation systems, and autonomous security models. These underlying networks ensure transaction transparency and immutability through decentralized structures, forming the key basis for the stable operation of the digital asset ecosystem.

The unique value of Layer-1 lies in several aspects: fully decentralized design to prevent single points of failure, strong network effects that increase value with more participants, native tokens that carry transaction fees, staking, and governance functions, as well as providing rich infrastructure for developers. In comparison, Layer-2 solutions address speed and cost issues but ultimately rely on Layer-1 for security guarantees.

Pioneers of High Performance: The Race for Speed and Efficiency

Solana (SOL) - The Promoter of High Throughput

Current Data | TVL: $3.46B | Market Cap: $68.28B | 1-Year Performance: -38.48%

Solana has garnered attention for its groundbreaking consensus innovation. Its unique Proof of History combined with Proof of Stake achieves transaction confirmation in milliseconds. The SOL token plays multiple roles in the ecosystem: paying transaction fees, incentivizing validators to participate in consensus, and supporting staking for DeFi protocols.

Between 2023 and 2024, the Solana ecosystem demonstrated strong developer activity. Firedancer validator upgrades aim for new heights in transaction speed, Helium’s successful integration proved cross-ecosystem collaboration feasibility. Leading liquid staking protocols like Marinade Finance and Jito emerged, while Jupiter DEX’s routing engine optimized trading experience. Infrastructure support from Google Cloud and AWS further lowered operational costs. The synergy between Solana Mobile Saga and BONK airdrops showcased the ecosystem’s forward-looking mobile application deployment.

Avalanche (AVAX) - The Practitioner of Sub-Second Confirmations

Current Data | TVL: $1.5B | Market Cap: $5.25B | 1-Year Performance: -69.62%

Avalanche stands out with its unique hybrid consensus mechanism, combining classical and Nakamoto consensus advantages, achieving transaction finality in under 2 seconds. The active use of C-Chain hit new highs in 2024, with over 2.3 million transactions per day.

The burning mechanism reduces AVAX supply, increasing investor interest. NFT inscription transactions account for over 50%, raising network fees and reflecting capital flow diversification. Collaborations with institutions like J.P. Morgan Onyx indicate Avalanche’s growing attention from traditional finance.

Kaspa (KAS) - The Innovator of DAG Architecture

Current Data | Market Cap: $2.7B | 1-Year Performance: 257% (Historical Data)

Kaspa adopts the GHOSTDAG consensus mechanism, breaking through the limitations of traditional linear blockchain structures to enable higher parallel processing capacity. The Dag Knight upgrade further optimized confirmation efficiency, and the introduction of Rust language improved hardware utilization.

Although KAS’s over 1800% increase in 2023 was not sustained, it reflected market anticipation for innovative consensus mechanisms. The current development team focuses on strengthening P2P communication, paving the way for smart contract and DApp infrastructure.

Data Layer Ecosystem: Interoperability and Integration

Bitcoin (BTC) - Store of Value and Innovation Testing Ground

Current Data | TVL: $1.1B | Market Cap: $1738.46B | 1-Year Performance: -12.43%

Bitcoin, as the oldest Layer 1 blockchain, derives its value not only from first-mover advantage and market recognition but also from its relentless pursuit of security. The hard cap of 210,000 BTC creates scarcity, establishing its position as “digital gold.”

The Bitcoin ecosystem accelerates innovation. Ordinals protocol enables NFT inscription, with assets like ORDI and SATS enriching applications. Layer-2 and sidechain solutions like Stacks and Atomicals add smart contract capabilities to Bitcoin. Taproot Assets protocol records various assets via UTXO mechanisms, showcasing new directions for Bitcoin programmability.

The Open Network (TON) - Extension of the Telegram Ecosystem

Current Data | TVL: $145M | Market Cap: $3.74B | 1-Year Performance: -74.39%

TON originated from the vision of Telegram founder Durov, after regulatory setbacks, it was taken over by an independent developer community. Its multi-layer sharding architecture supports high-frequency trading, with Toncoin playing a central role in payments, validation, and governance.

In March 2024, Telegram announced that 50% of advertising revenue would be distributed to channel creators, paid in Toncoin and processed via the TON blockchain. This move provides practical use cases for Toncoin. If Telegram goes public and deepens blockchain integration, Toncoin’s demand could see new growth.

Internet Computer (ICP) - Pioneer of Decentralized Cloud Computing

Current Data | TVL: $88M | Market Cap: $1.63B | 1-Year Performance: -73.11%

Developed by the DFINITY Foundation, Internet Computer aims to reshape internet infrastructure through serverless computing. ICP tokens are used for transaction fees, rewards, and governance via the Network Nervous System.

Major breakthroughs in 2023 include WebSocket integration for real-time interaction, stable memory expansion supporting complex applications, HTTPS offloading connecting to Web2 systems, and direct Bitcoin integration. Service Nervous System provides DAO permission models, while community NFTs and social platforms demonstrate organic growth of the ecosystem.

DeFi Dedicated Chains: Optimizing Trading Experience

Sei (SEI) - The Experiment of Order Book Chains

Current Data | TVL: $27M | Market Cap: $710.13M | 1-Year Performance: -75.96%

Sei is optimized specifically for DeFi, with built-in native matching engine and order book functions, reducing DEX latency to unprecedented levels. SEI tokens support transaction fees, governance, and staking.

Sei ecosystem fund expanded from $50M to $120M, indicating ongoing commitment to ecosystem development. Participation from institutions like Foresight Ventures enhances recognition. Chain-level optimizations significantly improve trading application performance, with a focus on Asian markets (notably through Graviton’s partnership in India), reflecting a diversified regional strategy.

Sui (SUI) - The Experiment of Move Language

Current Data | TVL: $557M | Market Cap: $1.54B | 1-Year Performance: -73% (original data was -73%)

Sui emphasizes high throughput and low cost, with Move’s security features offering unique advantages for smart contract development. SUI is used for fees, governance, and future expansion.

Post-mainnet launch, the Sui ecosystem reallocated 157 million SUI to support community and DeFi projects. Daily transaction peaks reached 65.8 million, once ranking in the top ten by TVL. zkLogin enables privacy access via Web2 accounts, while Turbos DEX’s TurboStar incubation plan provides funding and exposure opportunities for startups.

Aptos (APT) - Innovation of Parallel Execution Engine

Current Data | TVL: $342M | Market Cap: $1.25B | 1-Year Performance: -82.50%

Aptos focuses on scalability and usability, with Move language and parallel execution engine as core technologies. APT is used for fees, governance, and network security.

Supported by over $400 million in funding from industry giants like Tiger Global and PayPal Ventures, its parallel execution technology achieves high throughput, with TVL stable around $340 million. Sushi integration enhances DeFi services, and collaborations with Coinbase Pay optimize the Petra wallet experience. Partnerships with Microsoft and NEOWIZ in gaming expand into entertainment. Digital Asset Standard and MSafe multisig solutions advance RWA and institutional applications.

Cross-Chain Interconnection Paradigm: Exploring Cross-Chain Collaboration

Polkadot (DOT) - Architect of Parachain Ecosystem

Current Data | TVL: $230M | Market Cap: $2.81B | 1-Year Performance: -77.28%

Polkadot enables parachains to share security and communicate across chains via relay chain architecture, with DOT supporting governance, staking, and parachain integration.

In 2023, development contributions hit new highs (19090 commits on GitHub in March), with Next-Generation Scheduling enhancing network flexibility. The Polkadot 2.0 white paper outlined upgrade plans, Nomination Pools stimulated staking participation, USDC integration and Rocco testnet improved transaction foundation. The addition of five new parachains and institutional services like Zodia Custody indicate ecosystem maturation.

Cosmos (ATOM) - Promoter of IBC Protocol

Current Data | TVL: $1.25M (Cosmos Hub) | Market Cap: $980.96M | 1-Year Performance: -70.92%

Cosmos connects independent blockchains via the Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol, with ATOM used for staking and governance.

Interchain Security launched to provide security for smaller chains, Cosmos Hub’s daily transaction volume reaches 500,000. Theta upgrade introduced cross-chain accounts, Rho added liquid staking and NFT modules. Hub 2.0 white paper redefines ATOM’s role. The Interchain Foundation committed $26.4 million for 2024 development, with dYdX migration and Noble’s USDC integration signaling ongoing capital and application inflows.

Ecosystem Giants: Scale and Network Effects

Ethereum (ETH) - Cradle of DApp Development

Current Data | TVL: $49B | Market Cap: $352.24B | 1-Year Performance: -16.50%

Ethereum dominates Layer-1 with the largest developer community and over 3000 active DApps. Evolving from a digital currency platform to a comprehensive ecosystem of DeFi, NFTs, and Web3, Ethereum has established irreplaceable network effects.

Focus in 2024 is on mature Layer-2 solutions (rollups and other tech) and the later stages of Ethereum 2.0. The full transition to proof of stake further enhances its appeal to environmentally conscious investors. Multi-dimensional upgrades like sharding and cross-chain interoperability point toward a more scalable and interconnected future.

BNB Chain (BNB) - Expansion of Exchange Ecosystem

Current Data | TVL: $5.2B | Market Cap: $114.09B | 1-Year Performance: +17.89%

BNB Chain originated from Binance’s infrastructure, with dual-chain architecture and PoSA consensus offering faster, cheaper experience compared to Ethereum. Over 1300 active DApps, though smaller than Ethereum, show strong growth momentum.

The 2023 rebranding (from Binance Smart Chain) marked a clearer independent ecosystem identity. The separate PoS chain optimized staking and governance, cross-chain bridges enhanced interoperability with other ecosystems. Focus in 2024 includes Layer-2 integration and potential sharding, with expectations for more innovative DeFi and NFT projects.

Emerging Innovations: Niche and Differentiated Strategies

Kava (KAVA) - Hybrid of Cosmos and EVM

Current Data | TVL: $193M | Market Cap: $81.29M | 1-Year Performance: -84.36%

Kava combines Cosmos’s scalability with EVM compatibility via “co-chain” architecture, creating a fast, low-cost DeFi hub. Native USDC stablecoin operates without centralized oracles, and KAVA token supports governance and staking.

Kava 12 and 13 upgrades in 2023 enhanced Cosmos DAO flexibility. Kava 14 introduced direct minting of USDT on Cosmos. The fixed tokenomics upgrade (“Tokenomics 2.0”) aims to boost value through scarcity, with a community treasury holding over $300M in assets, strengthening community financial independence.

ZetaChain (ZETA) - Concept of Full-Chain Interoperability

Current Data | TVL: $3.25M | Market Cap: $79.36M | 1-Year Performance: -88.98%

Since its launch in March 2023, ZetaChain positions itself as the first true “omnichain” Layer-1 capable of executing smart contracts across chains. ZETA token powers cross-chain interactions.

Its testnet attracted over 1 million users from more than 100 countries, processed 6.3 million cross-chain transactions, and supported over 200 DApps. Strategic partnerships with Ankr Protocol, BYTE CITY, and Ultiverse expanded cross-chain capabilities into infrastructure, social, and gaming sectors. $27 million in funding further enhances ecosystem development.

Conclusion: The Continuous Evolution of Layer-1

The Layer-1 blockchain ecosystem by 2025 will involve both consolidating existing order and competing with new technological paradigms. Bitcoin remains committed to security and scarcity; Ethereum and BNB Chain maintain scale advantages; Solana and Avalanche push performance boundaries; Polkadot and Cosmos explore interoperability; emerging players like Sei, Aptos, and ZetaChain seek niche breakthroughs.

While Layer-2 alleviates congestion on Layer-1, it can never replace its fundamental security properties. The symbiotic relationship between the two layers drives the entire ecosystem toward higher efficiency and scalability. Regardless of which Layer-1 track is chosen, understanding its technical architecture, ecological applications, and development trajectory is essential for rational investment.