Layer 1 (L1) blockchains form the backbone of the cryptocurrency ecosystem, offering foundational infrastructure for decentralized applications, smart contracts, and digital asset transfers. Below is a curated list of the top 20 Layer 1 coins by market capitalization, highlighting their key metrics and ecosystem roles.
Top 20 Layer 1 Coins Ranked by Market Cap
| # | Coin | Symbol | Circulating Supply | Market Cap (USD) |
|---|---------------|--------|--------------------|-------------------|
| 1 | Bitcoin | BTC | 19.89M | $1.2T |
| 2 | Ethereum | ETH | 120.72M | $400B |
| 3 | XRP | XRP | 59.07B | $30B |
| 4 | Binance Coin | BNB | 147.58M | $85B |
| 5 | Solana | SOL | 534.73M | $75B |
| 6 | TRON | TRX | 94.79B | $10B |
| 7 | Dogecoin | DOGE | 149.95B | $22B |
| 8 | Cardano | ADA | 35.38B | $15B |
| 9 | Hyperliquid | HYPE | 333.93M | $500M |
| 10| Bitcoin Cash | BCH | 19.89M | $8B |
| 11| Avalanche | AVAX | 422.18M | $12B |
| 12| Stellar | XLM | 30.94B | $5B |
| 13| Toncoin | TON | 2.47B | $7B |
| 14| Sui | SUI | 2.34B | $1.5B |
| 15| Litecoin | LTC | 76.03M | $6B |
| 16| Monero | XMR | 18.45M | $3B |
| 17| Hedera Hashgraph | HBAR | 35.75B | $2B |
| 18| Polkadot | DOT | 1.59B | $9B |
| 19| Aptos | APT | 644.52M | $2B |
| 20| NEAR Protocol | NEAR | 1.23B | $4B |
Key Takeaways
- Bitcoin (BTC) remains the dominant Layer 1 blockchain, serving as digital gold and a store of value.
- Ethereum (ETH) leads in smart contract functionality, hosting most decentralized applications (dApps).
- Solana (SOL) and Avalanche (AVAX) are high-performance competitors with low fees and fast transactions.
- Binance Coin (BNB) powers the Binance Smart Chain, a popular alternative for DeFi projects.
👉 Discover how Layer 1 blockchains are revolutionizing finance
FAQs About Layer 1 Coins
1. What is a Layer 1 blockchain?
A Layer 1 blockchain is a base network (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum) that processes and finalizes transactions without relying on another chain.
2. Why is Ethereum considered a Layer 1?
Ethereum provides the foundational infrastructure for dApps and smart contracts, operating independently.
3. Which Layer 1 coin has the fastest transactions?
Solana and Sui are known for high throughput, handling thousands of transactions per second (TPS).
👉 Explore top-performing Layer 1 projects
Data is subject to change based on market conditions. Always conduct independent research before investing.