List of the Top 10 Layer 1 Protocols for CryptoTax360° in 2025

Stratis stands out as a highly decentralized platform tailored for blockchain development, aimed specifically at enabling Microsoft developers to build blockchain solutions with languages they already know. The platform boasts a rich ecosystem featuring powerful tools and Software Development Kits (SDKs), allowing developers to create their applications with assurance while leveraging a well-established framework. Its defining characteristics include decentralization, exceptional security, and energy efficiency, making Stratis an ideal choice for initiating blockchain projects. The architecture is inspired by Bitcoin, recognized as the most secure blockchain to date, and employs Proof-of-Stake technology that drastically cuts down on carbon emissions through energy-efficient block generation. In addition to this, Stratis offers an extensive array of tools that ease the learning curve for newcomers by providing practical code examples and reference implementations, facilitating a clearer understanding of blockchain principles. This comprehensive support not only improves the overall development experience but also cultivates a vibrant community of blockchain advocates and innovators, encouraging collaboration and shared learning among users. Ultimately, Stratis is positioning itself as a leading player in the blockchain space, fostering both creativity and sustainability in the technology.

Bitcoin is a revolutionary payment system and a unique currency that functions on a decentralized network, leveraging peer-to-peer technology to remove the necessity for traditional banks or central authorities. Transactions and the distribution of bitcoins are collaboratively managed by its users, which enhances its efficiency and reliability. As an open-source platform, Bitcoin's architecture is transparent, ensuring that no single entity has ownership or control, thus inviting global participation in its network. Its innovative attributes allow for applications that traditional payment methods cannot support, opening new avenues for financial interaction. With robust mathematical principles and energy consumption underpinning transactions, Bitcoin ensures the security of user funds. The use of cryptographic signatures guarantees that only authorized individuals can access their assets, while the energy expended in proof of work (PoW) fortifies transaction integrity, safeguarding against any potential modifications or losses. By implementing necessary security measures for their wallets, users of Bitcoin gain enhanced financial independence and a strong defense against various types of fraud. This creates not only a secure environment for transactions but also fosters a vibrant community of users, eager to explore the possibilities of this digital currency.

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.

IoTeX emerges as the fastest, most secure, and exceptionally scalable blockchain platform on the market today. It leads the charge within prominent global industry consortiums and standard-setting bodies. The ecosystem around IoTeX is continually growing, featuring a diverse range of projects and products crafted by its dynamic community. Moreover, the IoTeX blockchain is actively operational, supporting groundbreaking real-world devices, including the renowned blockchain-integrated cameras displayed at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and the pebble geo device, which significantly boosts supply chain efficiency across multiple industries. This continuous evolution not only showcases the platform's capabilities but also underscores its dedication to pushing technology forward in response to the evolving needs of modern industries. With each new development, the potential applications of IoTeX continue to expand, capturing the interest of various sectors eager to leverage its innovative solutions.

The realm of blockchain technology is advancing at a remarkable rate, yet public and private blockchain networks still operate separately from one another. It is crucial for Open Finance to forge connections between these distinct networks. This groundbreaking initiative promotes financial autonomy, empowerment, and a level of interconnectedness that has never been experienced by humanity before. Our mission is to promote this evolution through a web of global networks. Wanchain emerges as the leading platform for blockchain interoperability, effectively bridging the divide between isolated public and private blockchains to enable the effortless transfer of digital assets and information across the globe. Users can secure tokens on their original blockchain using a decentralized and non-custodial approach, allowing them to leverage proxy tokens in various decentralized applications within Wanchain’s broad cross-chain ecosystem. Once users have utilized these proxy tokens, they can burn them to retrieve their original tokens. Additionally, Wanchain provides the essential economic framework that empowers developers to build innovative financial applications that span multiple blockchains and connect diverse communities, thus laying the groundwork for a more cohesive financial landscape. This integration not only enhances user experience but also fosters collaboration among different blockchain ecosystems, promoting a holistic approach to financial innovation.

Elastos emerges as a leading provider of open-source solutions by integrating blockchain technology with a peer-to-peer communication network, decentralized data storage, and an inclusive decentralized ID system designed for users and their digital assets. The Elastos essentials super-wallet application is a robust tool that allows users to manage their digital identity, contacts, decentralized storage, token transactions, voting, and smart contract capabilities all in one place. Additionally, the RPC Crypto Wallet enhances this experience by providing features like interoperability, swapping, and bridging, as well as facilitating smart contract operations through the Elastos Smart Contract Chain (ESC). We proudly refer to this groundbreaking platform as the Elastos SmartWeb. Our globally distributed team operates with a shared vision that the Elastos SmartWeb can bring about substantial improvements to global conditions. Each element of our platform is designed to offer unique features and services, thereby attracting developers and users alike to the Elastos ecosystem, which in turn fosters a thriving community centered around innovative technology. Ultimately, Elastos is dedicated to empowering individuals and transforming their interactions within the ever-evolving digital landscape, ensuring that everyone can benefit from the advantages of this advanced technology. Through our continuous development, we strive to enhance user experience and broaden the impact of digital solutions across various sectors.

Sei is set to transform the consumer application landscape by enhancing blockchain technology through its open-source initiatives. The foundation of its blockchain lies in a strong architecture that offers a reliable and secure environment for your projects. With remarkable scalability, Sei enables your initiatives to grow significantly without facing any performance limitations. Furthermore, Sei is designed for flexibility and expansion, ensuring that your projects remain at the cutting-edge of blockchain evolution. This platform is perfectly suited for groundbreaking applications while also integrating the latest trends and innovations in the blockchain industry. In addition, Sei is committed to achieving carbon neutrality, making it an excellent option for developers who prioritize sustainability, thus paving the way for a responsible future in blockchain technology. Consequently, Sei not only supports projects but also fosters responsible practices that are beneficial for both users and the environment, reinforcing its commitment to a greener tomorrow. Such dedication to sustainability and innovation positions Sei as a leader in creating impactful blockchain solutions.

The cryptocurrency landscape today is fragmented, yet there exists a promising solution to bring it together. For the first time, developers are empowered to create projects, generate value, and exchange assets seamlessly on a single, high-performance blockchain. Central to the Hyperliquid Layer-1 is the HyperBFT consensus mechanism, which facilitates a variety of nodes in achieving a consensus on the overall system state. This state encompasses all software applications, whether they are integral components or part of the HyperEVM framework. The Hyper Foundation, established to promote the development of the Hyperliquid blockchain and its ecosystem, has announced plans for the initial distribution of its native token, HYPE. This initiative marks a significant step toward the implementation of proof-of-stake consensus and the launch of HyperEVM on the mainnet of the layer-1 blockchain. Among its key offerings, Hyperliquid features a decentralized trading platform that provides substantial on-chain liquidity for various asset classes. With the rollout of HyperEVM, applications built on Hyperliquid will capitalize on this extensive liquidity pool, thereby enhancing their overall functionality and user experience. These advancements not only illustrate the capabilities of the Hyperliquid platform but also signal a promising future for a more integrated and effective cryptocurrency ecosystem, as developers and users alike benefit from the enhanced resources available.

Solana stands out as an incredibly fast, secure, and censorship-resistant blockchain, providing the vital infrastructure necessary for its global adoption. Many leading projects in decentralized finance (DeFi), Web3, and blockchain gaming choose to build on Solana, emphasizing their commitment to sustainability over the long term. With the capability to process an astonishing 50,000 transactions per second, Solana distinguishes itself in the competitive blockchain environment. However, don’t just take our word for it—experience the network's exceptional speed for yourself. Say goodbye to high fees and slow transaction confirmations, as Solana is specifically designed for rapid execution without sacrificing quality. By leveraging Proof of History and other cutting-edge technologies, Solana effectively scales in line with Moore's Law. There’s no need to worry about rising costs as your user base grows; Solana assures consistently low fees, even for apps catering to billions of users. Its integrated global state fosters effortless composability between various projects, thereby removing the obstacles typically associated with multiple shards or layer 2 solutions. Consequently, developers are empowered to concentrate on innovation, free from the constraints of conventional blockchain systems, and can explore new possibilities in their projects without limitations.

Gnosis Chain emerges as a frontrunner among Ethereum's sidechains, diligently maintaining its core values. It enables contributors worldwide to easily run nodes, fortified by a solid security framework that includes over 120,000 validators. The diverse makeup of its validator community, along with governance led by its users, ensures that Gnosis Chain remains committed to credible neutrality while offering services at a fraction of the cost of the primary Ethereum network. Being EVM-compatible, it benefits from stakers operating from various locations, effectively addressing the needs of its users. Additionally, Gnosis Chain offers user-friendly tools and is set to introduce trustless bridges to the mainnet, which will further improve its functionality and outreach. This evolution places Gnosis Chain as a compelling choice for both developers and users in the ever-expanding blockchain landscape. Its commitment to innovation and accessibility continues to attract a diverse range of participants.