List of the Top 12 Free Layer 1 Protocols in 2025

Hive hosts a range of widely recognized Web3 applications globally, such as PeakD, Splinterlands, and HiveBlog. For safe cryptocurrency storage and interaction with these Web3 platforms, utilizing wallets is crucial. Hive provides numerous community-driven and open-source wallet options compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and Web. The development of Hive and its surrounding ecosystem is made possible by dedicated contributors. To foster essential initiatives like Core Development, a DAO-inspired framework known as the Decentralized Hive Fund (DHF) is employed, which strategically allocates resources to support vital projects. This structure not only promotes innovation but also ensures that contributors are incentivized for their efforts in enhancing the platform.

This innovative fork built on Solana incorporates EVM compatibility, effectively merging the speed of a hybrid blockchain that combines EVM and EBPF while leveraging the strengths of Solana for the Ethereum ecosystem. It facilitates the deployment of various smart contracts initially created for the Ethereum network. Users benefit from enhanced performance levels at notably reduced costs, with the possibility of staking to aid in decentralization while simultaneously earning rewards. The Velas Network provides a suite of decentralized services, empowering users to securely manage their passwords, keys, and seed phrases through the utilization of sophisticated segmentation algorithms and validators committed to safeguarding data. Importantly, this data is distributed securely across the network, making it inaccessible to any single participant. Such a forward-thinking method not only bolsters security but also fosters greater trust in decentralized technologies, ensuring users feel more confident in utilizing the platform for their needs. In this manner, the Velas Network stands out as a significant player in the blockchain space, prioritizing user security and efficiency.

Meter is an advanced infrastructure specifically designed to allow smart contracts to scale and operate seamlessly across multiple blockchain networks. As a hybrid of Layer 1 and Layer 2 protocols, Meter revolves around two essential tokens: MTRG, serving as the governance token (with its ERC20 version known as eMTRG), and MTR, which functions as a stable currency token. To ensure smooth and unrestricted transfer of financial assets among blockchains, Meter utilizes a HotStuff-based consensus mechanism that accommodates thousands of validator nodes, establishing itself as the most decentralized Layer 2 solution for Ethereum. The platform boasts the ability to handle thousands of transactions per second, resulting in near-instant transaction confirmations. Furthermore, Meter Passport allows for assets and smart contracts to move and engage across different blockchains, optimizing aspects such as price, liquidity, and yield. Notably, Meter distinguishes itself as an Ethereum-compatible platform enriched with unique characteristics. Unlike other Layer 2 solutions, decentralized exchanges (DEXes) on Meter are designed to be impervious to front-running and miner extractable value (MEV) dilemmas, ensuring transactions are both rapid and censorship-resistant. This unique blend of features positions Meter as a formidable contender in the ever-evolving blockchain landscape, demonstrating its potential to revolutionize cross-chain interactions.

Zano represents a cutting-edge open-source platform designed to enhance the management and control of personal data and digital identity. It enables users to take full command of their online presence by offering a comprehensive set of tools for secure communication, file storage, and access rights management. With a strong focus on privacy and security, Zano employs advanced end-to-end encryption to protect sensitive information, ensuring that users' data is shielded from unauthorized access. This platform is ideal for individuals who prioritize the safeguarding of their personal information while striving to uphold their digital identity in a user-friendly environment. Moreover, Zano provides customizable privacy settings that empower users to decide who can access their information and how it is shared. By combining secure storage with communication features, Zano functions as a complete solution for managing and protecting digital assets, making it a vital resource in the modern digital landscape. In addition, its intuitive design fosters ease of use, thereby democratizing access to privacy for all users, irrespective of their technical expertise.

Polkadot represents a groundbreaking blockchain network tailored for the Web 3.0 vision, which seeks to establish a decentralized and fair internet where users maintain control over their personal data, thereby cultivating vibrant markets through improved network efficiency and robust security. Founded in 2016 by Gavin Wood, a former Co-Founder and CTO of Ethereum, Polkadot tackles significant obstacles that have previously slowed the broader adoption of blockchain technology. Its development framework, Substrate, created by Parity Technologies, is designed to simplify the creation of customized blockchains that cater to individual developer requirements. Furthermore, Polkadot promotes interoperability among different blockchains, ensuring that upgrades occur effortlessly, and implements a "shared security" model that enables developers to focus on technological advancements rather than allocating resources to manage a new blockchain's operational team. This innovative strategy not only accelerates the development process but also strengthens the entire blockchain ecosystem, fostering collaboration and innovation across various platforms. In this way, Polkadot is not just a technological solution, but a catalyst for a new era of interconnected blockchain applications.

NEAR is a cutting-edge open-source framework that simplifies the development of decentralized applications, providing the fastest pathway for creators to launch their projects in the market. Committed to building tools that support community-led progress worldwide, NEAR, developed by Near Inc, aims to integrate blockchain technology into a variety of mainstream uses. By focusing on enhancing both the developer experience and the end-user journey, NEAR delivers a high-performance infrastructure that is accessible to a diverse audience. This platform for decentralized applications is built with a strong emphasis on security, capable of managing critical assets like money and identity, while also ensuring ease of use for everyday activities, thereby empowering users to harness the advantages of the Open Web. The NEAR token economy revolves around the NEAR token, which acts not only as a medium of exchange within the ecosystem but also enables holders to interact with applications, participate in governance, and earn rewards through staking. Ultimately, NEAR is revolutionizing the way individuals engage with blockchain technology by blending exceptional performance with strong security measures. The platform’s innovative architecture encourages ongoing development and engagement, fostering a vibrant ecosystem where creativity and collaboration can thrive.

A blockchain crafted to satisfy compliance requirements for both existing and upcoming economies facilitates a smooth integration of private and public transactions. It is characterized by outstanding throughput, swift transaction times, and clear fee structures. This technology enables businesses, developers, and traders to harness the vast capabilities that blockchain offers. Notably, Concordium’s decentralized blockchain is at the forefront with its distinctive layer-one identity incorporated directly into the protocol. This cutting-edge strategy equips progressive companies, app developers, and cryptocurrency supporters with unmatched security, privacy, transparency, and importantly, compliance with changing regulations. Utilizing zero-knowledge proofs (ZKP), it enables parties to verify information without needing to disclose or store sensitive data on-chain, apart from hash functions, thereby preserving user confidentiality in business interactions. Such innovative features not only enhance user trust but also establish Concordium as a significant contender in the rapidly changing blockchain arena. With an emphasis on future-proofing and regulatory alignment, it is poised to lead the charge in blockchain advancements.

Introducing a groundbreaking blockchain tailored for GameFi and the Metaverse, Vision seeks to create a metaverse ecosystem marked by outstanding performance, seamless interoperability, scalability, and robust security, thus enhancing user accessibility. This cutting-edge protocol has emerged from a dedicated Proof of Stake (PoS) framework, showcasing the perseverance and effort invested in its creation. The VPoS network boasts a worldwide network of independent validator nodes that provide a high level of security, simplifying user logins while complicating matters for potential attackers. Transactions in the Vision ecosystem are executed in seconds and come with minimal fees, ensuring efficiency for users. Additionally, Vision’s compatibility with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) allows for the easy deployment and management of Ethereum-based decentralized applications (dApps) on the Vision platform. Remarkably, Vision is fully compatible with Ethereum, allowing developers to launch their dApps at lower costs while benefiting from Vision's exceptional performance. The open-source nature of Vision's code permits anyone to access it, monitor its development, give feedback, and contribute to the growth of the ecosystem. Moreover, the Vision Metaverse Go! Creator is an innovative tool designed specifically for content creation, employing a scripted, component-based, and data-driven methodology for game development, thus serving as a versatile resource for creators. This distinctive array of features positions Vision as a transformative player in the realms of gaming and the metaverse, promising to revolutionize interactive experiences for users around the globe. Ultimately, Vision stands not only as a technological advancement but also as a community-driven initiative that encourages collaboration and innovation.

Ethereum stands as a community-centric platform that underpins the cryptocurrency ether (ETH) alongside a diverse array of decentralized applications. This cutting-edge technology supports not only digital currency transactions but also facilitates global payments and a wide range of applications. Through the power of collaboration, the community has nurtured a dynamic digital economy, opening up new avenues for creators to monetize their work online and much more. With accessibility for anyone possessing an internet connection, Ethereum dismantles obstacles for billions who are either unbanked or encounter limitations on their financial dealings. Its decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem operates tirelessly and impartially, enabling users to send, receive, borrow, earn interest, and even stream funds across the globe. Unlike conventional internet services that often demand compromises on personal data privacy, Ethereum prioritizes transparency as a core tenet—requiring only a wallet for participation. By staking your ETH, you have the opportunity to act as a validator, playing a crucial role in safeguarding and upholding the integrity of this revolutionary platform. Consequently, Ethereum not only empowers individuals but also promotes a more inclusive financial landscape for all, inspiring innovation and creativity in the digital realm. As the platform evolves, it continues to attract a diverse range of participants eager to explore its limitless potential.

The Theta blockchain signifies a revolutionary leap in video and entertainment technology, fueled by active user engagement. This innovative end-to-end solution for decentralized video streaming and distribution not only provides cutting-edge technical features but also offers substantial economic advantages. It emerges as a standout initiative within the blockchain ecosystem. Through its newly developed native blockchain, users can partake in decentralized peer-to-peer video sharing, contributing excess bandwidth and resources, and reaping rewards for their participation in the network. The efficient framework for peer-to-peer streaming facilitates global transmission of content, removing the financial burden of infrastructure investments for video platforms and fostering an environment ripe for innovation and varied business models. Moreover, the Theta network encourages collaboration among developers and partners, enabling them to build customized decentralized applications (Dapps) tailored to specific demographics. This adaptability encompasses multiple industries, such as esports, music, television, films, online education, and peer-to-peer live broadcasting, thereby empowering a new era of entertainment. As the industry embraces this transformative model, it is poised to unlock unprecedented levels of creativity and audience engagement. Ultimately, the Theta blockchain not only reshapes the current landscape but also inspires future advancements within the entertainment sector.

With transaction fees that are lower than any credit card, exchange rates that surpass those of traditional currencies, and faster confirmation times than most digital payment methods, Bitcoin Diamond emerges as a prominent contender in the realm of digital currencies. This global currency enables users to purchase items from almost any country and have them conveniently delivered to their doorstep, no matter where they reside. Each transaction incurs a cost of less than a penny, eliminating the hassle of currency conversion. Unlike conventional government-supported currencies, which expose your funds to risks such as theft and inflation, Bitcoin Diamond offers a safer alternative. As a fork of the highly regarded Bitcoin blockchain, it maintains a limited supply to help control inflation, ensuring its value over time. Built on a decentralized blockchain, Bitcoin Diamond guarantees manageable inflation, allowing access from anywhere; transactions are validated by a network of computers across the globe, which bolsters its reliability and security. This innovative currency not only caters to the needs of users but also stands as a beacon of financial stability amidst the unpredictability of today's economy, making it an appealing choice for those looking to secure their financial future. Its robust features and global accessibility highlight the potential of Bitcoin Diamond to revolutionize the way we think about money.

Build on Avalanche and unleash your creativity. This platform stands out as a highly adaptable and open environment for decentralized finance (DeFi) applications. You can deploy Ethereum-based dapps here, benefiting from instant transaction confirmations and the ability to process thousands of transactions per second, far exceeding the performance of existing decentralized blockchains. Tailor blockchains to meet your unique application needs. You can establish your own virtual machine and set the operational parameters of your blockchain, allowing for a high degree of customization. By staking or locking your AVAX tokens, you actively participate in transaction processing and bolster the platform's security, offering assurances that surpass the conventional 51% threshold. Chances are, you already have the necessary hardware to engage with the platform effectively. Avalanche is fully compatible with Solidity, meaning all your favorite development tools—including Remix, Truffle, and Tenderly—will work smoothly. Additionally, the cost of deploying smart contracts on Avalanche is significantly reduced, at just one-tenth of Ethereum's fees, effectively addressing high gas expenditures, front-running concerns, and the challenges posed by slow smart contract blockchains. With its innovative features, Avalanche not only paves the way for a more accessible decentralized finance landscape but also enhances efficiency and scalability for developers and users alike. Embrace the future of finance with Avalanche and find new opportunities to innovate.