17 Best Layer 1 Crypto Coins to Know in 2026
Layer 1 will grow in importance by 2026 as more people use blockchain for money transfers, NFTs, gaming, and other applications. However, not all layer 1s are created equal. Some are quick, some are slow, some are inexpensive, and some are extremely expensive. As a result, it’s critical to understand Layer 1 and its top coins.
In this article, we will break down what Layer 1 really is, explain how it works in simple terms, and walk you through some of the best Layer 1 crypto coins to know in 2026. You’ll also learn what Layer 1 coins are used for, why they’re important in the blockchain ecosystem, and how to determine which Layer 1 projects are truly strong, useful, and worth following.
What Is Layer 1?
Layer 1 is the primary blockchain, which hosts all core cryptocurrency activity. This is where all transactions are recorded, verified, and stored permanently. Bitcoin and Ethereum are well-known examples of Layer 1 technology. Layer 1 contains all of the original blockchain data.
On Layer 1, there is a process known as consensus, which occurs when all of the network’s computers (nodes) agree that a transaction is valid. For example, when you send cryptocurrency to a friend, Layer 1 ensures that the transaction is genuine rather than fake or duplicated. This process is critical for maintaining blockchain security and preventing manipulation.
The issue is that, because all processes take place on Layer 1, when too many people use the network at the same time, the blockchain can become slow and expensive. This is referred to as the scaling problem. The number of users increases the fees and the time it takes for transactions to be processed.
What Layer 1 Coins Do
Layer 1 coins are critical to the smooth operation, security, and governance of a blockchain. These coins serve a purpose within the system beyond storage and trading.
Users pay transaction fees, contribute to network security, and influence blockchain development direction using Layer 1 coins. These roles place Layer 1 coins at the heart of blockchain operations, from transaction fees (gas fees) to security systems, staking, and voting rights in network decision-making.
- Gas/fee: When you make a transaction on Layer 1, you must pay a transaction fee (gas fee) in the network’s native coin. For instance, on Ethereum, you pay a gas fee in ETH. This fee is paid to the network as compensation for processing your transaction. On Ethereum, a portion of this fee is even burned, lowering the amount of ETH available when the network is busy.
- Staking and security: On blockchains that use Proof of Stake (PoS), Layer 1 coins can be staked to help secure the network. Staking contributes to transaction validation. In exchange, you receive incentives. Some examples include ETH, ADA, AVAX, DOT, and ATOM.
- Governance: Many Layer 1 platforms use their coins to vote and make decisions. Coin holders have the ability to vote on changes to network rules, system upgrades, and important proposals. As a result, Layer 1 coins can also be used to vote.
Also Read: Top 10 Blockchain Agencies in Singapore to Watch in 2026
17 Best Layer 1 Crypto Coins
There are many Layer 1s in the cryptocurrency world, but only a few are truly robust, widely used, and have a promising future. The coins listed below are recognized for their technology, security, and community.
Each Layer 1 has unique benefits and drawbacks. Some are concerned with privacy, while others are concerned with speed and stability. Here are the 17 best layer 1 crypto coins in 2026.
1. HeLa
HeLa is a Layer 1 blockchain designed primarily for value stability and transaction ease. Unlike many other cryptocurrencies, which have sharp price fluctuations, HeLa is intended to maintain a more stable value, making it suitable for payments, salaries, and daily transactions. This makes HeLa more understandable for beginners because it functions similarly to digital currency.
Furthermore, HeLa is designed to minimize transaction fees and speed up transfers. This way, users do not have to worry about losing large sums of money due to high gasoline prices. This blockchain also focuses on real-world use cases, rather than just trading, making it more user-friendly.
2. Ethereum
Ethereum is a Layer 1 platform for smart contracts, which are blockchain-based automated programs. Because of this feature, Ethereum is home to thousands of applications such as DeFi, NFTs, and blockchain games. Many major crypto projects were born on Ethereum.
Ethereum’s weakness is that its gas fees can be prohibitively expensive when the network is busy. Despite switching to Proof of Stake for increased energy efficiency, Ethereum is still being developed to make it faster and more affordable for everyone.
3. BNB
Binance created the BNB Chain, a Layer 1 blockchain. This blockchain is well-known for its high speed and low transaction fees. Because of its simplicity and affordability, the BNB network is seeing the development of numerous new DeFi applications and tokens.
However, because of its fewer validators, BNB Chain is thought to be more centralized than Ethereum. Nonetheless, for beginners looking to try DeFi without paying exorbitant fees, BNB is often an option.
4. Solana
Solana is a high-speed Layer 1 platform that can handle thousands of transactions per second. Its transaction fees are also extremely low, making it ideal for blockchain games and NFTs that require rapid processing.
Unfortunately, Solana has had several network outages. This demonstrates that, despite its speed, its stability and security are constantly being improved for long-term use.
5. TRON
TRON is an extremely popular Layer 1 blockchain for transferring stablecoins such as USDT. Many people prefer TRON because its transaction fees are extremely low, significantly lower than those of Ethereum. As a result, TRON is frequently used for international money transfers or small cryptocurrency transactions.
TRON is also intended to process transactions quickly and without requiring extended wait times. While TRON’s technology and innovation are less complex than Ethereum’s, the network is extremely useful and efficient for everyday use. This is why TRON is popular in Asia, particularly among users looking for low fees.
6. Cardano
Cardano is a Layer 1 blockchain that was built using scientific and research-driven principles. Before being deployed, each feature and update undergoes extensive academic testing. This ensures the network’s long-term security and stability.
Cardano’s meticulous development process makes it slower to introduce new applications. Cardano, on the other hand, is ideal for users who value security and stability over speed.
7. Bitcoin Cash
Bitcoin Cash is a Layer 1 platform created as a solution to Bitcoin’s limitations. Bitcoin Cash can process more transactions at once thanks to its larger block size.
Bitcoin Cash’s primary goal is to be a quick and inexpensive digital payment option. However, because of the smaller number of users and miners, it is less popular and secure than Bitcoin.
8. Zcash
Zcash is a Layer 1 blockchain that is specifically designed to safeguard user privacy. In many other blockchains, such as Bitcoin, all transactions are publicly visible. It is possible to track who sent the money and how much it was. Zcash provides a unique option: users can hide their transaction information.
This privacy feature is critical for those who do not want their financial information to be seen by anyone. However, due to its high level of privacy, Zcash often draws attention from regulators, and not all crypto platforms support it. Despite this, Zcash remains considered a serious and robust privacy blockchain.
9. Monero
Monero is a Layer 1 cryptocurrency that is completely focused on privacy. Unlike Zcash, which allows for optional privacy, all Monero transactions are automatically anonymous. There is no option to make transactions public; everything is automatically hidden.
Because of this advantage, Monero is extremely secure in terms of user identity protection. However, due to its difficulty in tracing, Monero is frequently restricted to large exchanges and closely monitored by governments. Regardless, Monero remains popular among users who value their privacy.
10. Litecoin
Litecoin is commonly referred to as a “lightweight version of Bitcoin.” Its blockchain was intended to process transactions more quickly and cheaply than Bitcoin. Litecoin has shorter confirmation times, making it ideal for small transactions.
Litecoin is still stable and trusted, despite being less popular than it once was. Many people use Litecoin as an alternative payment method because its network is simple, secure, and has been running smoothly for a long time.
11. Avalanche
Avalanche is a Layer 1 blockchain that is designed to be fast and flexible. This blockchain is based on a multi-chain system, which means that transactions are processed by multiple networks.
This design allows Avalanche to handle a large number of transactions without congesting the network. Avalanche is popular for DeFi and financial applications because of its speed, scalability, and low fees.
12. Hyperliquid
Hyperliquid is a Layer 1 blockchain designed specifically for on-chain cryptocurrency trading. This blockchain facilitates extremely fast buying and selling, similar to a centralized exchange.
Because of its emphasis on trading, Hyperliquid is less appropriate for general use cases such as payments or NFTs. However, for active traders, speed and efficiency are important considerations.
13. Sui
Sui is a next-generation Layer 1 blockchain that prioritizes high performance and simplicity of use. This blockchain is optimized for fast and responsive applications, particularly games and interactive applications.
Sui has a lot of potential, but it also has more risks because it is still so new. The ecosystem is still in its early stages and will take some time to mature.
14. Canton
The Canton Network is a Layer 1 blockchain that was created specifically for large corporations and financial institutions like banks, investment firms, and others. Unlike public blockchains, which are open to the public, Canton is intended to keep transaction data private and secure while utilizing blockchain technology.
Canton’s advantage stems from its ability to connect multiple institutions within a single network without disclosing sensitive information publicly. This is critical for businesses looking to implement blockchain while adhering to legal and data security regulations. As a result, Canton is more widely used in the professional world than among casual cryptocurrency users.
15. Hedera
Hedera is a Layer 1 blockchain that relies on hashgraph technology rather than traditional blockchain technology. This technology enables transactions to be processed quickly, cheaply, and energy-efficiently. Hedera is well-suited to large-scale applications because of its high efficiency.
Hedera is managed by the boards of major global corporations, resulting in widespread trust among businesses. However, because its management is more centralized, Hedera’s level of decentralization is not as high as that of public blockchains like Ethereum or Bitcoin.
16. Toncoin
Toncoin is a Layer 1 blockchain that evolves alongside the Telegram ecosystem. Its primary goal is to make cryptocurrency accessible to the general public directly from the chat app they already use on a daily basis.
Toncoin has enormous adoption potential, thanks to its millions of Telegram users. Toncoin has the potential to become one of the most popular Layer 1s for digital payments and basic online services if its app ecosystem grows.
17.Cronos
Cronos is a Layer 1 blockchain developed by Crypto.com that supports DeFi, NFTs, and Web3 applications. It is EVM-compatible, meaning developers can easily move Ethereum-based apps to Cronos. This makes it easier for the network to grow and attract users, especially those already using the Crypto.com ecosystem.
Cronos focuses on faster transactions and lower fees than Ethereum. Its native token, CRO, is used for gas fees, staking, and governance. With strong backing from a major exchange and a growing ecosystem, Cronos is considered a beginner-friendly Layer 1 with solid long-term potential.
Also Read: Top 7 Blockchain Developers in Singapore to Consider in 2026
How to Determine the Best Layer 1 Coin for You
Choosing the optimal Layer 1 platform is a critical decision. Each blockchain is tailored to a specific purpose, with some emphasizing privacy, speed, or business applications.
Rather than simply following trends or other people’s recommendations, you can select the best Layer 1 platform for your needs by understanding several key factors.
Security Model
A security model is how a Layer 1 network protects itself from being hacked or tampered with. For example, Bitcoin uses Proof of Work, which is highly secure but energy-intensive, while Ethereum and many new Layer 1s use Proof of Stake, which is more efficient and faster. When selecting a Layer 1, it is critical to consider whether the security system has been proven to be secure, rather than simply a promise of new technology.
Decentralization & Validators
Decentralization means that no single entity controls the network. The blockchain will be more secure and fair if validators are distributed across the network rather than controlled by a single company. While a small number of validators and a centralized network may be faster, there is a greater risk of problems or abuse.
Throughput & Architecture
Throughput refers to the number of transactions that a blockchain can process in a short period of time. When multiple users use layer 1s with low throughput, they become slow and expensive. As a result, many modern Layer 1s use multi-chain or sharding designs to maintain speed even when multiple users are concurrently using them.
Tokenomics
Tokenomics refers to a coin’s economic rules, such as the number of coins in circulation, staking rewards, and the frequency with which coins are burned. Poor tokenomics can easily cause the price to fall due to oversupply, whereas good tokenomics helps to maintain the coin’s value in the long run.
Developer Ecosystem
The developer ecosystem indicates whether a Layer 1 is truly utilized or merely a side project. If a large number of developers are actively developing applications, it indicates that blockchain is alive and in demand. Even the most impressive Layer 1 can gradually die in the absence of developers.
Conclusion
Layer 1 serves as the foundation of the cryptocurrency world. All transactions, security, and applications such as DeFi, NFTs, and blockchain games are built on top of Layer 1 blockchains. When a Layer 1 network is slow, expensive, or insecure, everything running above it is affected. This is why strong and reliable Layer 1 networks consistently power the best crypto coins in the market.
Understanding Layer 1 is not about memorizing coin names, but about recognizing which networks truly stand out. By evaluating security, decentralization, transaction speed, and developer activity, you can better identify the best layer 1 crypto coins, including projects that are actively used, continuously developed, and built for long-term sustainability rather than short-term hype.
