Overview
Layer 1 is the foundation. It defines the consensus mechanism, the ledger structure, and the native token. All transactions on an L1 are settled directly on its own blockchain.
Examples
- Bitcoin
- Ethereum
- Solana
- Cardano
The Scalability Trilemma
L1s often struggle to balance three goals: Security, Decentralization, and Scalability. Most L1s prioritize security and decentralization, leading to the need for Layer 2 solutions to handle high transaction volumes.