[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":347},["ShallowReactive",2],{"api/learn-center-post-en-what-is-a-layer-1-blockchain":3,"footer-en":57,"learn/blockchain/what-is-a-layer-1-blockchain-en-seo":255,"navigation-en-learn-center":260,"api/learn-categories-en":308},{"seo":4,"locale":28,"breadcrumbs":29,"excerpt":37,"featuredImage":38,"components":39,"title":5,"formattedPublishedAt":50,"geofencings":51,"category":52,"pagination":54,"campaignExternalId":8},{"title":5,"metaTitle":6,"metaDescription":7,"keywords":8,"metaRobots":8,"structuredData":9,"metaImage":10,"metaSocial":18,"canonicalURL":8,"localizations":19},"What is a layer 1 blockchain?","What is Layer 1 Blockchain? | Bitstamp by Robinhood","What is layer 1 blockchain? What are some examples of layer 1s? Read our guide to layer 1 and start trading on Bitstamp by Robinhood – the original crypto exchange.",null,{},{"url":11,"mime":12,"ext":13,"width":14,"height":15,"name":16,"alt":17},"bitstampImageUrl/What_is_layer_1_in_blockchainpng_23d3d14f17_337e6cea10.png","image/png",".png",1920,1080,"What_is_layer_1_in_blockchainpng_23d3d14f17.png","",[],[20,23,26],{"pathname":21,"locale":22},"/en-gb/learn/blockchain/what-is-a-layer-1-blockchain/","en-GB",{"pathname":24,"locale":25},"/es/learn/blockchain/what-is-a-layer-1-blockchain/","es",{"pathname":27,"locale":28},"/learn/blockchain/what-is-a-layer-1-blockchain/","en",[30,34],{"id":31,"text":32,"url":31,"asUrl":33},"/learn/blockchain/","Blockchain technology",true,{"id":35,"text":5,"url":27,"asUrl":36},"what-is-a-layer-1-blockchain",false,"\u003Cp>In blockchain, the term \u003Cstrong>layer 1 (L1)\u003C/strong> refers to the fundamental, base-level chain in a network. An L1 blockchain provides the most essential services to a network like recording transactions on the public ledger and ensuring adequate security.\u003C/p>\n",{"url":11,"mime":12,"ext":13,"width":14,"height":15,"name":16,"alt":17},[40],{"component":41,"props":42,"content":43,"secondaryContent":47,"ctas":48,"secondaryCtas":49,"ctasNoMarginTop":36},"section.full-text",{"centered":36,"withoutSectionContainer":36},{"text":44,"width":45,"align":46},"\u003Cp>Although the many L1 chains approach the challenges of building blockchain networks differently, they all share the foundations that enable the many functions crypto serves—from currency to \u003Ca href=\"/learn/crypto-101/what-are-decentralized-applications-dapps/\">decentralized applications\u003C/a> and beyond.\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>Bitcoin was the first L1 blockchain, although it was not called an “L1” at the time because it was the \u003Cem>only\u003C/em> layer. With the introduction of \u003Ca href=\"/learn/cryptocurrency-guide/what-is-ethereum-eth/\">Ethereum\u003C/a> came the establishment of blockchain as the technology powering smart contracts. As they increased in popularity, it became clear that these single blockchains may not be able to \u003Cstrong>\u003Ca href=\"/learn/blockchain/what-is-blockchain-scaling/\">scale\u003C/a>,\u003C/strong> or efficiently handle the load of increased use. Scaling solutions were then built “on top” of the foundations they provided.\u003C/p>\n\u003Ch2>Core components of L1\u003C/h2>\n\u003Cp>The majority of the most familiar \u003Ca href=\"/learn/blockchain/what-is-a-blockchain/\">blockchains\u003C/a> are all \u003Cstrong>layer 1 chains\u003C/strong>. Examples include \u003Ca href=\"/learn/cryptocurrency-guide/what-is-bitcoin-btc/\">Bitcoin\u003C/a>, Ethereum, \u003Ca href=\"/learn/cryptocurrency-guide/what-is-avalanche-avax/\">Avalanche\u003C/a>, and \u003Ca href=\"/learn/cryptocurrency-guide/what-is-cardano-ada/\">Cardano\u003C/a>. These all share certain features that define them as layer 1 chains.\u003C/p>\n\u003Ch3>Block production\u003C/h3>\n\u003Cp>The individual units of the blockchain—\u003Ca href=\"/learn/crypto-101/what-are-blocks-in-blockchain/\">blocks\u003C/a>—are produced by miners (or validators) and recorded on the network’s layer 1 chain.\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>Blocks are data structures which contain a reference to previously generated blocks in a chain and information about a number of new transactions. This creates the public ledger that we know as blockchain, allowing every transaction to be recorded and accounted for.\u003C/p>\n\u003Ch3>Transaction finality\u003C/h3>\n\u003Cp>Transaction finality is the assurance that a transaction cannot be changed or undone. It is the point that a transaction is recorded in an irrevocable state on the chain, and the amount of time this takes can vary depending on how a blockchain is designed. Although transactions can be processed on other layers or chains, the only place that they can be finalized is on the L1 blockchain.\u003C/p>\n\u003Ch3>Native assets\u003C/h3>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"/learn/crypto-101/what-is-cryptocurrency/\">Cryptocurrencies\u003C/a> that are used to pay transaction fees and reward miners/validators on L1 blockchains are called \u003Cem>coins\u003C/em> (like BTC, ETH, ADA, and \u003Ca href=\"/learn/cryptocurrency-guide/what-is-dogecoin-doge/\">DOGE\u003C/a>) and are necessary for the functioning of the L1 chain. Conversely, those that power decentralized networks and apps built on a L1 are called \u003Cem>tokens\u003C/em> (like UNI, \u003Ca href=\"/learn/cryptocurrency-guide/what-is-the-dai-stablecoin/\">DAI\u003C/a>, \u003Ca href=\"/learn/cryptocurrency-guide/what-is-chainlink-link/\">LINK\u003C/a>, and \u003Ca href=\"/learn/cryptocurrency-guide/what-is-the-sandbox-sand/\">SAND\u003C/a>).\u003C/p>\n\u003Ch3>Security\u003C/h3>\n\u003Cp>An L1 chain defines the parameters that are responsible for the security of a network. This includes which consensus mechanism a chain uses (e.g. \u003Ca href=\"/learn/crypto-101/what-is-proof-of-work-pow/\">Proof of Work\u003C/a>, \u003Ca href=\"/learn/crypto-101/what-is-proof-of-stake-pos/\">Proof of Stake\u003C/a>) and the rules that dictate how validators interact on a network. Although other blockchain layers may provide some security measures, L1s are the final word in ecosystem security.\u003C/p>\n\u003Ch2>What is the main limitation of layer 1?\u003C/h2>\n\u003Cp>Layer 1 blockchains aim to provide the essential functions of a blockchain. The primary goal of any blockchain is to optimize \u003Cem>decentralization, security,\u003C/em> and \u003Cem>scalability\u003C/em>. However, this balance is a hard one to strike, and this is why the concept of achieving all three is called the \u003Cstrong>blockchain trilemma\u003C/strong>.\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>Early L1 chains (namely Bitcoin and Ethereum) prioritized decentralization and security, at the cost of the networks’ ability to \u003Cstrong>scale\u003C/strong> with increased adoption. This has inspired L1 developers to either modify their designs to prioritize scaling or work on other solutions “off-chain.”\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>There are a limited number of ways that L1 chains can improve scaling by adapting their native architecture. These include:\u003C/p>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Increasing block size:\u003C/strong> With bigger blocks, more transactions can “fit” into each block , increasing the speed of the network. The downside is that computers securing the network (\u003Cstrong>\u003Ca href=\"/learn/crypto-101/what-are-bitcoin-blockchain-nodes/\">nodes\u003C/a>\u003C/strong>) must increase their hardware requirements, which risks centralization.\u003C/p>\n\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Changing the consensus mechanism\u003C/strong>: Blockchains that rely on Proof of Stake (PoS) consensus mechanisms can often be faster and less resource-intensive than chains based on Proof of Work (PoW). However, some argue that this comes at the cost of inferior security and centralization.\u003C/p>\n\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Sharding\u003C/strong>: Layer 1 chains can \u003Cem>split\u003C/em> their data into a pre-specified number of distinct data components (called \u003Cstrong>\u003Ca href=\"/learn/blockchain/what-is-sharding-on-ethereum/\">shards\u003C/a>)\u003C/strong>, helping decongest the network and increase transaction speeds. However, the communication between sharded chains can be complex, resulting in inferior security for the blockchain.\u003C/p>\n\u003C/li>\n\u003C/ul>\n\u003Ch2>How do other layers relate to layer 1?\u003C/h2>\n\u003Cp>Because of L1 limitations, developers have sought to improve on the blockchain design by adding architecture \u003Cem>under\u003C/em> the L1 chain (layer 0) or \u003Cem>on top of\u003C/em> it (layers 2 and 3).\u003C/p>\n\u003Ch3>Layer 1 vs layer 2\u003C/h3>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Layer 2 solutions (L2)\u003C/strong> are platforms that generally improve on the functions (usually scalability) of layer 1 technology. L2s are typically built on top of L1 chains, and often require users to transfer their assets from the main chain to the L2 chain through a \u003Cstrong>bridge\u003C/strong>.\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"/learn/blockchain/what-are-layer-2-solutions/\">Layer 2\u003C/a> solutions can be their own blockchains, while borrowing the security of their dedicated L1 network. L2s process transactions outside of the L1 network (“off-chain”) and communicate those transactions to the L1 chain which finalizes them. This allows for more rapid transaction processing and reduces fees for users.\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>The two main types of L2s are \u003Cstrong>zk-rollups\u003C/strong> and \u003Cstrong>optimistic rollups.\u003C/strong> Both bundle (or “roll up”) many transactions together and submit them as a single data packet to the main chain. They differ in how trust is embedded into the system. In zk-rollups (like Loopring), complex calculations called \u003Cem>zero-knowledge proofs\u003C/em> are used to assure transaction validity. In optimistic rollups (like Optimism and Arbitrum), validity is assumed and can instead be challenged by validators through a dedicated process called \u003Cem>fraud proofs\u003C/em>.\u003C/p>\n\u003Ch3>Layer 0 and layer 3\u003C/h3>\n\u003Cp>The definitions of \u003Cstrong>layer 0 (L0)\u003C/strong> and \u003Cstrong>layer 3 (L3)\u003C/strong> are even less clear. However, the concepts are just as important to the crypto space.\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>Layer 0 (also known as the social layer) comprises the people who make up the crypto community—everyone from developers to end-users. It also includes the shared trust and vision within that community. By this definition, L0 underlies the building of—and participation in—all blockchain networks.\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>The term L0 is also used to characterize blockchains that underpin other blockchains. These include \u003Ca href=\"/learn/cryptocurrency-guide/what-is-polkadot-dot/\">Polkadot\u003C/a> and Cosmos, both of which provide platforms and security for multiple, interconnected, application-specific L1 chains.\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>Layer 3 is usually considered to be where blockchains interact with each other, or the \u003Cem>interoperability layer\u003C/em>. Examples of this include Cosmos’ Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol and \u003Ca href=\"/learn/cryptocurrency-guide/what-is-ripple-xrp/\">Ripple’s\u003C/a> Interledger Protocol (ILP). The term L3 has, however, also been used to describe additional scaling solutions built on top of L2.\u003C/p>\n\u003Ch3>Layer 1 Essentials\u003C/h3>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cp>Layer 1 refers to a foundational blockchain on which blocks are produced, transactions are finalized, and a native cryptocurrency coin is used to pay transaction fees and reward those who secure the network. The most popular L1 chains are Bitcoin and Ethereum.\u003C/p>\n\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cp>The blockchain trilemma states that L1 chains generally cannot accomplish decentralization, security, and scalability all at once. Therefore, even by adjusting their architectures, there are significant limitations to L1.\u003C/p>\n\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cp>Scaling solutions like layer 2 solutions intend to resolve some of L1’s inability to adapt to increased use. Meanwhile, layer 0 blockchains provide platforms for application-specific L1 chains, and layer 3 refers to protocols that enable blockchain interoperability.\u003C/p>\n\u003C/li>\n\u003C/ul>\n","full","left",{"text":17},[],[],"November 30th, 2022",{},{"title":32,"url":31,"geofencings":53},{},{"previous":55,"next":56},"/learn/blockchain/what-is-a-blockchain/","/learn/blockchain/what-is-a-reference-client/",{"ready":33,"sections":58,"disclaimer":253,"copyright":254},[59,102,130,153,190,209],{"title":60,"content":17,"items":61},"About",[62,67,72,77,82,87,92,97],{"noFollow":33,"isExternal":36,"name":63,"value":64,"isEmail":36,"isPhoneNumber":36,"isText":36,"showOnDesktop":33,"showOnMobile":33,"attachment":65,"geofencings":66},"Who We 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Kingdom",{},{},{"title":210,"content":17,"items":211},"Contact",[212,217,221,225,229,233,238,243,248],{"noFollow":36,"isExternal":36,"name":213,"value":214,"isEmail":36,"isPhoneNumber":36,"isText":36,"showOnDesktop":33,"showOnMobile":33,"attachment":215,"geofencings":216},"Customer support","/customer-support/",{},{},{"noFollow":36,"isExternal":36,"name":218,"value":218,"isEmail":33,"isPhoneNumber":36,"isText":36,"showOnDesktop":33,"showOnMobile":33,"attachment":219,"geofencings":220},"info@bitstamp.net",{},{},{"noFollow":36,"isExternal":36,"name":222,"value":222,"isEmail":33,"isPhoneNumber":36,"isText":36,"showOnDesktop":33,"showOnMobile":33,"attachment":223,"geofencings":224},"press@bitstamp.net",{},{},{"noFollow":36,"isExternal":36,"name":226,"value":226,"isEmail":33,"isPhoneNumber":36,"isText":36,"showOnDesktop":33,"showOnMobile":33,"attachment":227,"geofencings":228},"support@bitstamp.net",{},{},{"noFollow":36,"isExternal":36,"name":230,"value":230,"isEmail":33,"isPhoneNumber":36,"isText":36,"showOnDesktop":33,"showOnMobile":33,"attachment":231,"geofencings":232},"complaints@bitstamp.net",{},{},{"noFollow":36,"isExternal":36,"name":234,"value":235,"isEmail":36,"isPhoneNumber":33,"isText":36,"showOnDesktop":33,"showOnMobile":33,"attachment":236,"geofencings":237},"+44 20 3868 9628","+442038689628",{},{},{"noFollow":36,"isExternal":36,"name":239,"value":240,"isEmail":36,"isPhoneNumber":33,"isText":36,"showOnDesktop":33,"showOnMobile":33,"attachment":241,"geofencings":242},"+1 800 712 5702","+18007125702",{},{},{"noFollow":36,"isExternal":36,"name":244,"value":245,"isEmail":36,"isPhoneNumber":33,"isText":36,"showOnDesktop":33,"showOnMobile":33,"attachment":246,"geofencings":247},"+352 20 88 10 96","+35220881096",{},{},{"noFollow":36,"isExternal":36,"name":249,"value":250,"isEmail":36,"isPhoneNumber":33,"isText":36,"showOnDesktop":33,"showOnMobile":33,"attachment":251,"geofencings":252},"+65 3105 1676","+6531051676",{},{},"\u003Cp>Please read the general \u003Ca href=\"/legal/risk-warning/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Risk Warning\u003C/a>, and \u003Ca href=\"/legal/uk-investment-risk-warning/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Risk Summary\u003C/a> for UK residents before investing in crypto-assets. \u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>Crypto-assets services are provided by the following Bitstamp legal entities depending on client residency: (1) Bitstamp Europe S.A., which is authorized by the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF) in Luxembourg as a payment institution (licence number Z00000012) and crypto-asset service provider (licence number N00000003); Registered address: 40, avenue Monterey, L-2163 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg; Registration number: B196856; (2) Bitstamp UK Ltd., which is registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK for the provision of certain cryptoassets activities under the Money Laundering Regulations (Firm Reference Number 978690); Registered address: 5 New Street Square, EC4A 3TW London, United Kingdom; Registration number: 14174243; (3) Bitstamp Ltd.with its registered address at 5 New Street Square, EC4A 3TW London, United Kingdom and registration number: 8157033; (4) Bitstamp Global Ltd., which is registered as a Virtual Asset Service Provider in the British Virgin Islands and is supervised by the British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission (FSC); Registered address: Floor 4, Banco Popular Building, Road Town, Tortola VG1110, British Virgin Islands; Registered number: 2086429; and (5) Bitstamp Asia Pte Ltd, which is authorized by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) as a major payment institution (licence number PS20200667); Registered address: 63 Chulia Street, OCBC Centre East, #15-01, Singapore 049514; Registered number: 202016687K;\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>Virtual currency services to US residents are provided by Bitstamp USA, Inc., which is licensed to engage in virtual currency business activity by the New York State Department of Financial Services. Licensed as a Money Transmitter by the New York State Department of Financial Services. Review a \u003Ca href=\"/legal/usa-inc/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">list of its licenses and other registrations\u003C/a> (NMLS number \u003Ca href=\"https://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/EntityDetails.aspx/COMPANY/1905429\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">1905429\u003C/a>) for more information; Registered address: 85 Willow Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025, United States of America; Registered number: 5481543.\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>Investment services with regards to trading in crypto derivatives are provided by Bitstamp Financial Services Ltd., which is authorized and supervised by the Slovenian Securities Market Agency (ATVP) as a MiFiD investment firm. Trading crypto derivatives carries significant risks and may result in substantial losses. Please trade responsibly and ensure you understand the associated risks. You can find more about the risks \u003Ca href=\"/legal/financial-services/general-terms-and-conditions/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">here\u003C/a>. To help you understand the risks involved we have put together a series of \u003Ca href=\"/derivatives/key-information-documents/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Key Information Documents (KIDs)\u003C/a> highlighting the risks and rewards related to each derivatives contract. Crypto derivatives trading is not available to customers in the US, Canada, Japan and some other countries. Bitstamp Financial Services Ltd. does not provide crypto-asset services.\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>To find out more about which Bitstamp entity you receive services from, please check the Profile/My information in your Bitstamp account. You can read more about our legal terms, policies and disclosures \u003Ca href=\"/legal/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">here\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>\n","\u003Cp>All rights reserved © 2026 Bitstamp by Robinhood. \u003Ca href=\"https://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/EntityDetails.aspx/COMPANY/1905429\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">NMLS #1905429\u003C/a>\u003C/p>\n",{"description":7,"ogDescription":7,"ogImage":256,"twitterImage":256,"twitterSite":257,"twitterCreator":257,"twitterCard":258,"twitterTitle":6,"twitterDescription":7,"titleTemplate":259},"https://assets.bitstamp.net/msc/_ipx/enlarge_true&f_png&fit_cover&q_85&s_1200x630/bitstampImageUrl/What_is_layer_1_in_blockchainpng_23d3d14f17_337e6cea10.png","@Bitstamp","summary_large_image","%s",{"items":261,"ready":33,"platformButtonText":304,"backButtonText":305,"logInButtonText":306,"signUpButtonText":307},[262,266,270,273,276,279,282,287,290,295,300],{"headerName":263,"sidemenuName":134,"url":135,"noFollow":36,"showInHeader":33,"showInSidemenu":33,"geofencings":264,"submenu":265,"tag":17},"Institutions",{},[],{"headerName":126,"sidemenuName":126,"url":127,"noFollow":36,"showInHeader":33,"showInSidemenu":33,"geofencings":267,"submenu":268,"tag":269},{},[],"NEW",{"headerName":149,"sidemenuName":149,"url":150,"noFollow":36,"showInHeader":33,"showInSidemenu":33,"geofencings":271,"submenu":272,"tag":17},{},[],{"headerName":106,"sidemenuName":106,"url":107,"noFollow":36,"showInHeader":33,"showInSidemenu":33,"geofencings":274,"submenu":275,"tag":17},{},[],{"headerName":116,"sidemenuName":116,"url":117,"noFollow":36,"showInHeader":33,"showInSidemenu":33,"geofencings":277,"submenu":278,"tag":17},{},[],{"headerName":121,"sidemenuName":121,"url":122,"noFollow":36,"showInHeader":33,"showInSidemenu":33,"geofencings":280,"submenu":281,"tag":17},{"geofencing-uk":33},[],{"headerName":283,"sidemenuName":283,"url":284,"noFollow":36,"showInHeader":33,"showInSidemenu":33,"geofencings":285,"submenu":286,"tag":17},"Markets","/markets/",{},[],{"headerName":111,"sidemenuName":111,"url":112,"noFollow":36,"showInHeader":33,"showInSidemenu":33,"geofencings":288,"submenu":289,"tag":17},{},[],{"headerName":291,"sidemenuName":291,"url":292,"noFollow":36,"showInHeader":33,"showInSidemenu":33,"geofencings":293,"submenu":294,"tag":17},"Blog","https://blog.bitstamp.net/",{},[],{"headerName":296,"sidemenuName":296,"url":297,"noFollow":36,"showInHeader":33,"showInSidemenu":33,"geofencings":298,"submenu":299,"tag":17},"Learn","/learn/",{},[],{"headerName":301,"sidemenuName":301,"url":107,"noFollow":36,"showInHeader":36,"showInSidemenu":33,"geofencings":302,"submenu":303,"tag":17},"Get Bitstamp by Robinhood app",{},[],"Go to platform","Back","Log in","Get started",[309,311,315,319,323,327,331,335,339,343],{"title":32,"url":31,"geofencings":310},{},{"title":312,"url":313,"geofencings":314},"Company profiles","/learn/company-profiles/",{},{"title":316,"url":317,"geofencings":318},"Crypto 101","/learn/crypto-101/",{},{"title":320,"url":321,"geofencings":322},"Crypto definitions","/learn/crypto-definitions/",{},{"title":324,"url":325,"geofencings":326},"Crypto trading","/learn/crypto-trading/",{},{"title":328,"url":329,"geofencings":330},"Cryptocurrency guide","/learn/cryptocurrency-guide/",{"geofencing-uk":33},{"title":332,"url":333,"geofencings":334},"People profiles","/learn/people-profiles/",{},{"title":336,"url":337,"geofencings":338},"Security","/learn/security/",{},{"title":340,"url":341,"geofencings":342},"Tutorials","/learn/bitstamp-tutorials/",{},{"title":344,"url":345,"geofencings":346},"Web3","/learn/web3/",{},1776943607112]