Best Free Layer 1 Protocols of 2025

Hive is home to some the most popular Web3 apps worldwide, including PeakD, Splinterlands and HiveBlog. To securely store your cryptocurrency and interact with Web3 apps, wallets are essential. Hive offers a variety of community-owned and open source wallets for Windows, macOS Linux, iOS, Android, Android, and Web. Contributors make it possible to develop Hive and its ecosystem. To encourage critical work, such Core Development, a DAO-like structure is used: the Decentralized Hive Fund, (DHF), which is being leveraged for intelligently funding important work.

This is a Solana-based fork featuring integrated EVM compatibility, creating the fastest hybrid chain by combining EVM with EBPF while incorporating the best attributes of Solana into the Ethereum ecosystem. It allows for the deployment of all smart contracts originally designed for the Ethereum blockchain. Users experience remarkably efficient performance at a significantly lower cost, with the option to stake and contribute to decentralization while earning rewards in the process. The Velas Network offers users access to a range of decentralized services, allowing them to entrust the security of their passwords, keys, and seed phrases to advanced segmentation algorithms and validators dedicated to data protection. Crucially, the information is securely distributed across the network, ensuring that it remains inaccessible to any individual participant. This innovative approach not only enhances security but also promotes user confidence in decentralized technologies.

Meter serves as a highly efficient infrastructure designed to enable smart contracts to scale and navigate effortlessly across diverse blockchain networks. Functioning as both a Layer 1 and Layer 2 blockchain protocol, Meter is built around two primary tokens: MTRG, which acts as the governance token (with eMTRG representing its ERC20 version), and MTR, designed to be a stable currency token. To facilitate the unrestricted movement of financial assets between blockchains, Meter employs a HotStuff-based consensus mechanism that supports thousands of validator nodes, positioning it as the most decentralized Layer 2 solution for Ethereum. With the capacity to process thousands of transactions every second, transactions on Meter are confirmed in nearly real time. Additionally, Meter Passport enables assets and smart contracts to traverse and interact across various blockchains, optimizing for price, liquidity, and yield. Meter stands out as an Ethereum-compatible platform enhanced with distinctive features. In contrast to other Layer 2 solutions, decentralized exchanges (DEXes) built on Meter are resistant to front running and miner extractable value (MEV) issues, ensuring they are both swift and censorship-resistant. This combination of capabilities makes Meter a formidable player in the blockchain ecosystem.

Zano is an innovative open-source platform aimed at streamlining the management and oversight of personal data and digital identity. It empowers users to take charge of their online presence by providing a suite of tools for secure file storage, communication, and management of access rights. With a strong emphasis on privacy and security, Zano incorporates end-to-end encryption to safeguard sensitive information, ensuring that users' data remains protected against unauthorized access. This platform is particularly suited for individuals who prioritize the security of their personal information and seek to maintain their digital identity in an intuitive setting. Additionally, Zano offers customizable privacy settings that allow users to dictate who can view their information and the manner in which it is shared. By integrating secure storage with communication functionalities, Zano serves as a holistic solution for the management and protection of one's digital assets, making it an essential tool in today’s digital landscape. Furthermore, its user-centric design promotes ease of use, making privacy more accessible to everyone.

Polkadot is an innovative blockchain network designed to support Web 3.0, which aims to create a decentralized and equitable internet where individuals have control over their data, fostering thriving markets through enhanced network efficiency and security. Established in 2016 by Gavin Wood, who previously served as the Co-Founder and CTO of Ethereum, Polkadot addresses key challenges that have hindered the widespread adoption of blockchain technology in recent years. The platform's development toolkit, known as Substrate, was created by Parity Technologies and simplifies the process for developers to create tailored blockchains suited to their specific needs. Additionally, Polkadot facilitates interoperability between various blockchains, making upgrades seamless, and introduces a model of “shared security” that allows developers to prioritize their technological innovations rather than expend resources on assembling a team of operators to manage a new blockchain. This approach not only streamlines the development process but also enhances the overall robustness of the blockchain ecosystem.

NEAR is an innovative open-source platform that streamlines the creation of decentralized applications, serving as the quickest route for builders to enter the market. It is dedicated to developing tools that foster community-driven advancements for individuals globally. Developed by Near Inc, NEAR aims to introduce blockchain technology across a wide array of mainstream applications. By prioritizing both the developer and end-user experience, NEAR provides a high-performance infrastructure that is accessible to everyone. This decentralized application platform is designed with security in mind, capable of handling valuable assets such as money and identity, while also ensuring usability for daily interactions, thus empowering users with the potential of the Open Web. The NEAR token economy is centered around the NEAR token itself, which not only serves as a unit of value within the platform but also allows holders to engage with applications, partake in governance decisions, and earn rewards through staking. Ultimately, NEAR is transforming how people interact with blockchain technology by marrying high performance with robust security.

Bitcoin Diamond serves as the internet's native currency, offering transaction fees that are lower than those of any credit card, superior exchange rates compared to government-backed currencies, and quicker confirmations than other digital payment methods. This global currency allows users to buy products from any nation and have them conveniently delivered to their homes, all for a transaction cost of less than a penny, with no need for currency conversion. In contrast to traditional government-backed currencies, which can expose your finances to risks like theft and inflation, Bitcoin Diamond provides a safer alternative. As a fork of the Bitcoin blockchain, it stands out as the most widely utilized and secure cryptocurrency available. Its limited supply is designed to mitigate inflation, ensuring that value remains stable over time. Operating on a decentralized blockchain, Bitcoin Diamond is accessible from virtually anywhere, and its transactions receive validation from numerous computers across the globe, enhancing security and trust in the network. This innovative currency paves the way for a more efficient and reliable financial future.

A blockchain designed to meet compliance standards for both current and future economies, enabling a seamless blend of private and public transactions. It boasts impressive throughput, rapid transaction speeds, and predictable fee structures. This technology empowers businesses, developers, and traders to fully leverage the immense potential of blockchain. Notably, Concordium’s decentralized blockchain is pioneering with its unique layer-one identity embedded directly into the protocol. This innovative approach provides forward-thinking companies, application builders, and cryptocurrency enthusiasts with unparalleled levels of security, privacy, transparency, and crucially, adherence to evolving regulations. By employing zero-knowledge proofs (ZKP), it allows parties to authenticate information without the need to share or store sensitive data on-chain, except for hash functions, ensuring that users can maintain confidentiality in their business dealings without external intrusion. Such features position Concordium as a formidable player in the ever-evolving blockchain landscape.

Introducing the pioneering blockchain specifically designed for GameFi and the Metaverse, Vision aims to establish a metaverse environment characterized by exceptional performance, seamless interoperability, scalability, and robust security, thereby facilitating easier access for users. This innovative protocol has evolved from a Proof of Stake (PoS) foundation, representing the result of extensive dedication and hard work. The VPoS network features a global array of independent validator nodes that ensure a high level of safety, making user logins straightforward while presenting significant challenges to potential attackers. Transactions within the Vision ecosystem are completed in mere seconds and incur minimal costs. Furthermore, Vision's compatibility with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) allows users to effortlessly deploy and operate their Ethereum decentralized applications (dApps) on the Vision platform. Notably, Vision is 100% compatible with Ethereum, enabling developers to launch their dApps at a significantly reduced cost while taking advantage of Vision’s outstanding performance. The source code of Vision is entirely open source, allowing anyone to access it, track its development, provide feedback, and contribute to the expansion of the ecosystem. Additionally, Vision Metaverse Go! Creator serves as an innovative tool tailored for content creation, featuring a scripted, component-based, and data-driven approach to game development, making it a versatile option for creators. This unique combination of features positions Vision as a transformative force in the gaming and metaverse landscape.

Ethereum is a community-driven platform that serves as the backbone for the cryptocurrency ether (ETH) and a myriad of decentralized applications. This innovative technology facilitates not only digital currency transactions but also global payments and various applications. Through collaborative efforts, the community has established a vibrant digital economy, providing creators with new opportunities to generate income online and much more. Accessible to anyone with an internet connection, Ethereum breaks down barriers for billions who either lack bank accounts or face restrictions on their financial transactions. Its decentralized finance (DeFi) framework operates continuously without bias, allowing users to send, receive, borrow, earn interest, and even stream funds globally. In contrast to traditional internet services that often require sacrificing personal data control, Ethereum maintains openness as a fundamental principle – all that's needed is a wallet to participate. By staking your ETH, you can contribute to the network as a validator, helping to secure and maintain the integrity of this groundbreaking platform. As a result, Ethereum not only empowers individuals but also fosters a more inclusive financial system for everyone.

Create on Avalanche. Create without restrictions. Avalanche serves as an open, programmable foundation for decentralized finance applications. Launch Ethereum dapps that achieve instantaneous transaction confirmations and handle thousands of transactions each second, surpassing the capabilities of any existing decentralized blockchain platform. Tailor blockchains to cater to your specific application requirements. You can construct your own virtual machine and define the precise operations of the blockchain. By staking or locking up your AVAX, you contribute to transaction processing and enhance the platform's security, offering protections that exceed the conventional 51% threshold. You likely possess the necessary hardware to participate in this ecosystem. Avalanche is compatible with Solidity, ensuring all your preferred tools, such as Remix, Truffle, and Tenderly, function seamlessly. The cost of deploying smart contracts on Avalanche is merely a fraction—just one-tenth—of what it is on Ethereum. The challenges of high gas fees, front-running, and the negative impacts associated with sluggish smart contract blockchains are now behind us, paving the way for a more efficient and user-friendly experience. Embrace the freedom to innovate and transform your ideas into reality on Avalanche.

The Theta blockchain represents a groundbreaking advancement in video and entertainment technology, driven by user participation. As a unique end-to-end system for decentralized video streaming and distribution, it offers both innovative technical capabilities and economic benefits. This venture stands out as one of the most promising developments in the blockchain space. It enables decentralized peer-to-peer video delivery through a newly established native blockchain, where users can share their excess bandwidth and resources, thus earning rewards for their involvement in the network. The decentralized peer-to-peer framework efficiently transmits streams on a global scale, eliminating the need for video platforms to invest in costly infrastructure and paving the way for greater innovation and diverse business models. Additionally, the Theta network invites collaboration from all developers and partners, allowing them to create tailored decentralized applications (Dapps) for specific audiences. This versatility spans various sectors, including esports, music, television, movies, distance education, and peer-to-peer live streaming, ultimately empowering the next generation of entertainment. By transitioning to this model, the potential for creativity and engagement in the entertainment industry is significantly enhanced.