List of the Top 8 Layer 1 Protocols for Mintscan in 2025

Kava is a decentralized finance ecosystem that enhances lending and stablecoin usage alongside major cryptocurrencies. It employs a cross-chain framework that enables users to secure loans and stablecoins backed by significant crypto assets like BTC, XRP, BNB, and ATOM, among others. Users can collateralize their cryptocurrencies to obtain USDX, Kava's proprietary stablecoin. The platform is anchored by two main tokens: the native KAVA coin and the USDX stablecoin. KAVA is crucial for the platform's security, governance, and operational processes. Leveraging a highly scalable and secure blockchain built with the Cosmos SDK, Kava integrates effortlessly with over 30 different chains and accesses a broad ecosystem exceeding $60 billion through the Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol. Additionally, Kava provides an EVM-compatible execution environment, allowing Solidity developers to craft decentralized applications that fully leverage Kava's outstanding scalability and security features. With the implementation of Tendermint Consensus, which offers single-block finality and remarkable scalability, Kava is adept at handling a diverse range of transaction requirements, ensuring a smooth and efficient user experience. This strategic integration of advanced technologies positions Kava as a pioneering force within the rapidly advancing landscape of decentralized finance. The platform's commitment to innovation makes it a significant player in shaping the future of financial systems.

The BNB Smart Chain (BSC), launched by Binance, is a blockchain designed to support decentralized applications (dApps) and smart contracts. Operating in conjunction with Binance Chain, it combines high-speed transaction capabilities with the flexibility of smart contracts that are compatible with Ethereum. By employing a Proof-of-Staked-Authority (PoSA) consensus mechanism, BSC enhances both scalability and efficiency while keeping transaction costs low. Its alignment with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) simplifies the process for developers looking to migrate dApps and projects from the Ethereum network. Consequently, BSC has seen considerable growth in the decentralized finance (DeFi), gaming, and NFT sectors, offering users a fast, affordable, and secure platform for blockchain innovations. Additionally, the expanding community and ecosystem not only draw in cutting-edge projects but also foster greater user participation and interaction. This ongoing evolution signifies BSC's pivotal role in shaping the future of decentralized technologies.

Presenting the inaugural interoperable Layer 1 blockchain purposefully crafted for NFTs, it includes a community-owned NFT launchpad and marketplace that operates without gas fees and maintains carbon neutrality through its proof-of-stake model, safeguarded by a network of more than 100 validators. This groundbreaking platform utilizes CosmWasm for enhanced programmability and fosters interoperability via Cosmos IBC, along with connectivity to Ethereum through the Gravity Bridge. To kickstart your minting endeavor, you can take advantage of a comprehensive set of command-line tools; just clone an example repository and replace it with your own project’s resources. The Stargaze sg721 contract supports off-chain metadata storage, and it is recommended to use a decentralized storage solution such as IPFS to optimize efficiency. The NFT metadata within Stargaze conforms to OpenSea’s specifications, which facilitates smooth integration. Arrange your images and metadata into specific directories, and then compile them into one IPFS CAR (Content Addressable aRchive) file for uploading. After obtaining the CID for your metadata, you can set it as the base URL in your contract, which enables the contract to link each token ID to its distinct token URI autonomously, thereby significantly streamlining the overall process. This cutting-edge framework not only improves the user experience but also advocates for sustainable methods within the NFT ecosystem, making it a pioneering solution in the industry. As the NFT landscape continues to evolve, its community-driven approach ensures that the platform remains adaptable and forward-thinking.

To initiate your journey into decentralized finance (DeFi) with a focus on staking, interest rates, and cross-chain solutions, Umee stands out as an ideal platform; it is a layer one blockchain engineered for efficient communication and interoperability, created with the Cosmos SDK and bolstered by Tendermint Consensus alongside a self-governing validator network. The platform promotes seamless interoperability through mechanisms such as the Inter-Blockchain Communication protocol (IBC) and the Gravity bridge, operating within a decentralized framework aimed at establishing a robust cross-chain DeFi hub that enriches the cryptocurrency ecosystem. Umee's architecture prioritizes the integration of "money legos," which connect diverse crypto markets across multiple networks, thereby promoting the evolution of open finance innovations like multi-chain staking, interchain leverage, and cross-chain interest rates. As a foundational blockchain, Umee delivers the essential infrastructure required for constructing applications and money lego components that leverage cross-chain liquidity, consequently laying the groundwork for a more cohesive DeFi environment. By leveraging the capabilities of Umee, users gain access to a wide array of decentralized financial opportunities that were once difficult to navigate, empowering them to capitalize on the full potential of the DeFi space. This robust platform not only enhances user experience but also supports the broader vision of a decentralized financial future.

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 Cronos PoS Chain functions as a public, open-source, and permissionless blockchain, distinguished by its fully decentralized structure that ensures fast transaction processing and low fees, which collectively foster the broad acceptance of blockchain technology across multiple domains such as payments, decentralized finance, and non-fungible tokens. Moreover, this network is designed to act as a public utility, enabling creative applications that meet the needs of various users and sectors, thereby enhancing its versatility and encouraging further exploration of its capabilities.

Persistence operates as a Layer-1 network utilizing the Tendermint/Cosmos framework, aimed at promoting a range of decentralized finance (DeFi) solutions while striving to establish liquid-staked assets as the norm in the proof-of-stake (PoS) economy. Its key feature is interoperability, which empowers developers to create applications that can function independently, be modular, or built upon Persistence's CosmWasm layer. Users within the Persistence ecosystem can establish App-chains that retain compatibility with the extensive Cosmos/IBC ecosystem, enabling efficient routing of IBC assets through the Persistence Core-1 chain. Moreover, developers are granted the option to build Modular Apps directly on the Core-1 chain, leveraging components of the Persistence architecture as easily incorporated interfaces. The incorporation of CosmWasm further paves the way for the development of high-performance Smart Contract Apps on the Persistence chain, facilitating smooth upgrades and improvements over time. This forward-thinking methodology not only positions Persistence as a vital entity within the decentralized finance sector but also enhances its potential to adapt to future innovations and demands in the market. As the DeFi space continues to evolve, the capabilities offered by Persistence are likely to play a significant role in shaping its trajectory.

The Cosmos network embodies an ever-expanding ecosystem of interconnected applications and services, envisioned for a future underpinned by decentralization. Step into an innovative world filled with cooperative services that enhance functionality. By leveraging the Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol, it allows for smooth and efficient exchanges of assets and data between various independent decentralized blockchains. Serving as the economic nucleus of the Cosmos, the Cosmos Hub acts as a blockchain that provides critical services for the Interchain. It is set to introduce a state-of-the-art decentralized exchange that will enable users to trade digital assets from different blockchains within the Interchain, all while ensuring low fees and prompt transaction confirmations. Furthermore, the forthcoming Interchain Staking feature will empower ATOM to safeguard multiple chains, rewarding users with additional staking benefits. A core mission of the Hub is to unite diverse blockchains through the establishment of IBC connections with compatible networks and the construction of decentralized bridges to major chains such as Ethereum and Bitcoin, significantly improving the overall interoperability of the blockchain ecosystem. This vision underscores Cosmos's commitment to fostering a more integrated and efficient digital environment, ultimately transforming how decentralized applications interact and operate with one another.