All terms
A base blockchain that settles its own transactions.
A layer 1 is a self contained network with its own validators, consensus and security. Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana are all layer 1s.
Layer 1s face a hard tradeoff between decentralization, security and throughput. Every design is a different answer to which of the three to prioritize.
If a chain can operate without depending on another chain for security, it is a layer 1.
That layer 1 means better or more secure. It means the chain settles its own transactions. Some layer 1s are enormous and battle tested and others launched last month, so the label describes the architecture and says nothing about the security.
Common questions
Is one layer 1 obviously better than the others?
Do I need to hold a chain’s native token to use it?
Where this comes up on the site
The guides that actually use this word, rather than a list of everything we have written.
Where to go next
More technology terms
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