Best Web-Based Layer 1 Protocols of 2026 - Page 5

Neo is a blockchain development platform that offers a comprehensive set of features right from the start, allowing developers flexibility rather than confinement. Its native capabilities supply the essential infrastructure necessary to create fully decentralized applications, while its advanced interoperability enables users to tap into the vast potential of the global blockchain landscape. One of Neo's distinguishing aspects is its dual token system, which separates governance from utility; NEO token holders not only own the network but also have a voice in its governance decisions. Additionally, these holders benefit from passive earnings of the utility token, GAS, without the need for staking. Rewards in GAS are further enhanced for those who actively participate in voting. This utility token is crucial for covering network fees, facilitating smart contract deployments, and making purchases within decentralized applications. Overall, Neo's architecture fosters an engaged community while enhancing the usability of the platform.

An open-source end-to-end framework for peer-to-peer applications, Holochain utilizes localized circles of trust to ensure data integrity without the need for centralized control. By integrating established technologies, Holochain fulfills the potential of blockchain, offering self-managed data, a decentralized database, and fostering accountability among peers. This platform provides an alternative to the prevailing centralized structures of the Internet, empowering individuals to make informed choices and access reliable information. We refer to this capability as 'digital agency', which we believe equips us to collaboratively tackle the complexities of modern challenges. Additionally, Holochain allows seamless interaction with other apps as if they were intrinsically part of your codebase, eliminating the need for an HTTP client and allowing for straightforward function calls with optional access controls. The architecture enables computation and data to exist at the edges of the network, removing the burden of infrastructure maintenance and security from users. Furthermore, Holochain is designed to automatically adjust in response to disruptions and threats, making it a robust solution for contemporary needs. Ultimately, this innovation paves the way for a more resilient and user-empowered digital ecosystem.

Hedera is governed by some of the most prestigious organizations across the globe. As the leading enterprise-grade public network, Hedera enables you to shape your digital landscape to align with your vision. The native cryptocurrency, HBAR, is designed to be energy-efficient and fuels the decentralized economy. Whether you are an emerging startup, an established enterprise, a content creator, or a consumer, Hedera offers developers the tools to go beyond traditional blockchain technology, paving the way for the next generation of fast, equitable, and secure applications. While Bitcoin laid the groundwork for decentralized infrastructure and Ethereum introduced programmability, earlier proof-of-work blockchains faced significant challenges, consuming large amounts of energy and processing transactions at slower speeds to maintain security standards. This high bandwidth usage results in costly fees, even for basic cryptocurrency transactions. In contrast, Hedera's proof-of-stake public network utilizes hashgraph consensus, ensuring an unparalleled level of security known as Asynchronous Byzantine Fault Tolerance (ABFT). This innovative approach not only enhances the efficiency of transactions but also contributes to a more sustainable future in digital finance.

IOTA has revolutionized the concept of distributed ledger technology by facilitating secure transactions of both data and value without incurring any fees. Its Tangle framework is an open, feeless, and highly scalable distributed ledger that enables seamless transfer of data and value. As the pioneering distributed ledger tailored for the "Internet of Everything," IOTA creates a network for efficient exchanges between humans and machines. Unlike traditional systems, there are no blocks or miners involved; instead, when a transaction is initiated on IOTA, it necessitates the validation of two previous transactions. This innovative approach allows IOTA to effectively address the cost and scalability challenges typically associated with blockchain technology. Specifically designed for the Internet of Things, the IOTA network ensures tamper-proof data integrity, facilitates feeless microtransactions, and has minimal resource requirements. In the realm of healthcare, electronic health (eHealth) data plays a crucial role, and IOTA enhances the security of this data while paving the way for new healthcare delivery models. With the robust technology provided by IOTA, eHealth data becomes not only secure but also reliable, thanks to the immutable nature of the Tangle, ultimately benefiting both patients and healthcare providers alike.

Ardor stands out as a multichain blockchain platform featuring a distinctive parent-child chain structure. The parent Ardor chain ensures the security of the entire network, while the adaptable child chains offer extensive functionalities. This sophisticated design, combined with hybrid user permissioning options, provides the necessary flexibility for diverse applications and paves the way for broader acceptance of blockchain technology. Moreover, Ardor has been developed with an emphasis on scalability, effectively addressing various challenges currently faced in the industry, such as blockchain bloat, reliance on a single token, and the demand for customizable yet compatible blockchain solutions. Its innovative approach positions Ardor as a promising contender in the evolving landscape of blockchain technology.

ConsenSys Quorum empowers businesses to harness the capabilities of Ethereum for their sophisticated blockchain applications. Companies can utilize the Quorum open-source protocol as a foundation and enhance it with product modules from ConsenSys, external providers, or their internal development teams to create high-performance, tailored applications. Our goal is to facilitate the smooth integration of blockchain technology into business operations. Additionally, ConsenSys Quorum allows for the integration of various product modules from ConsenSys, third-party developers, or your own team to develop highly efficient, customizable applications. The framework comprises two open-source initiatives: one developed from Hyperledger Besu and the other from GoQuorum. Furthermore, ConsenSys Quorum Blockchain Service Support offers a subscription model that provides on-demand assistance for developers and businesses, delivering support for the Quorum open-source protocol projects, along with extra tools and updates to ensure the effective operation of your production systems. This comprehensive support is designed to enhance user experience while maximizing the potential of blockchain technology in diverse applications.

DeSo represents a pioneering layer-1 blockchain specifically designed to accommodate the growth of decentralized social applications, with the goal of reaching one billion users. Social platforms produce vast amounts of data, and current blockchain solutions struggle to manage and organize this information effectively. By targeting one of the largest unexploited sectors for blockchain—Social Media—DeSo has been meticulously constructed to handle this demand. Everything, including code and data, is completely open-source, with all content being directly stored on-chain. So, why choose DeSo? The answer is simple: Scale. It stands out as the only blockchain uniquely engineered to support the expansion of decentralized social applications. Furthermore, the DeSo blockchain features its own native cryptocurrency, $DESO, which can be utilized for a variety of functions, including buying social tokens, acquiring NFTs, crafting profiles and posts, and even sending "diamonds" as rewards, among other capabilities. This versatility adds to the appeal of DeSo, making it a comprehensive platform for social interaction on the blockchain.

The Cronos PoS Chain operates as a public, open-source, and permissionless blockchain, characterized by a completely decentralized framework that offers rapid transaction speeds and minimal fees, all aimed at promoting widespread adoption of blockchain technology through various applications, including payments, decentralized finance, and non-fungible tokens. Additionally, this network is crafted to serve as a public utility, facilitating innovative use cases that cater to a diverse range of users and industries.

Ergo develops cutting-edge cryptographic capabilities and innovative decentralized finance (DeFi) features, building on a robust foundation established over ten years of blockchain research and advancement. By leveraging a decade of blockchain progress, Ergo combines well-established concepts with leading academic insights into cryptography, consensus mechanisms, and digital currencies. We focus on fundamental blockchain principles while integrating advanced cryptography directly into our system. Our team possesses extensive experience in the core development of cryptocurrencies and blockchain platforms, such as Nxt, Scorex, and Waves, and our streamlined methodology enables us to swiftly adapt to emerging features and demands in the industry. This commitment to innovation ensures that we remain at the forefront of technological advancements in the blockchain space.

In a time when digital solutions dominate, traditional currencies seem outdated and less efficient. Presently, cash transactions can be more affordable than using services like banks, PayPal, and Alipay. Enter COTI, an innovative fintech platform designed for enterprises that enables businesses to create customized payment solutions while transforming any currency into a digital format to enhance efficiency and cut costs. With the capability to handle over 100,000 transactions per second (TPS), COTI significantly outperforms traditional payment systems that manage only 25,000 TPS and typical blockchain protocols that can handle up to 20 TPS. The tools provided by COTI for users and merchants are designed for seamless integration and simplicity. Additionally, COTI is the pioneer of a unique dispute resolution system aimed at protecting users from mistakes, fraud, and abuse from counterparts. By eliminating intermediaries and removing the need for expensive mining processes, COTI greatly reduces both costs and energy consumption. The company is also developing price stability technology, which is crucial for encouraging widespread adoption of blockchain in payment systems. Through COTI's advanced technology, transactions, peer-to-peer payments, and remittances become instantaneous, rather than taking several hours to complete, thus enhancing overall user experience and satisfaction. This evolution in payment processing not only promotes efficiency but also positions COTI as a key player in the future of financial transactions.

DERO is an innovative decentralized application platform that emphasizes privacy, scalability, and general-purpose functionality, enabling developers to create robust applications while ensuring users maintain complete control and confidentiality over their assets. The blockchain never decrypts account balances or data, allowing only the account owners to have access to their own information. This represents a significant shift in the approach to data privacy. Built from the ground up in Golang, DERO is an original creation and not a derivative of any existing cryptocurrency, with ongoing active development by its founding team. Its homomorphic encryption protocol caters to both individuals and enterprises globally, facilitating quick and anonymous transactions along with smart contract capabilities and diverse service models. The DERO Project is dedicated to providing a secure environment for developers to launch decentralized applications that prioritize privacy and scalability. By placing utmost importance on security and privacy, DERO sets itself apart in the crowded landscape of blockchain technology. As a result, it opens up new possibilities for users who demand both performance and confidentiality in their digital interactions.

BTG, or Bitcoin Gold, is a cryptocurrency that incorporates the foundational principles of Bitcoin while being mined using standard GPUs rather than specialized ASIC hardware. This shift to GPU mining democratizes the process, allowing individuals to participate in mining rather than concentrating power in the hands of a few large entities that dominate the ASIC market, thereby promoting decentralization and autonomy within the network. The rewards from GPU mining are distributed globally, empowering individual miners instead of merely benefiting warehouse owners who operate ASICs, effectively reviving the network effects that were once characteristic of Bitcoin. Furthermore, Bitcoin Gold is augmented by the Lightning Network, a solution that facilitates the processing of nearly unlimited transactions per second, exemplifying a "second layer" approach built on the foundational blockchain. These second layers and side chains are crucial for enabling advanced technologies such as smart contracts, which can execute at impressive speeds while being secured by the BTG mainchain. Ultimately, BTG not only enhances the cryptocurrency landscape but also maintains close compatibility with Bitcoin by incorporating features like SegWit and the Lightning Network, all without consuming the same level of hash power or competing for the title of the "true Bitcoin." This innovative approach ensures that BTG remains a valuable player in the evolving crypto ecosystem.

Mina represents the lightest blockchain globally, driven by its community of participants. By leveraging zero knowledge technology, Mina aims to construct a secure and democratic infrastructure that everyone deserves. Developers can create applications on Mina using zkApps, which are smart contracts enhanced by zero knowledge principles. A Typescript-based SDK will be rolled out shortly. In today's digital landscape, individuals often have to relinquish their data to centralized organizations to engage fully. However, Mina's zkApps empower users to maintain control over their privacy, allowing them to validate and share evidence of their data without exposing the data itself. For instance, you could secure a loan by merely providing proof of your identity and credit score, eliminating the need to share sensitive information. This approach significantly reduces the risk of personal data breaches or unauthorized sales, ensuring that you remain the sole owner of your information, which never leaves your device. By transforming the way we handle data, Mina paves the way for a more trustworthy and user-centric digital future.

Bitcoin Cash stands as the most resilient form of currency, fulfilling Bitcoin's initial vision as a "User-to-User Electronic Money." With its minimal fees and dependable, irreversible transactions, it provides significant advantages for both merchants and consumers. The potential for unlimited growth, along with decentralized innovation and worldwide acceptance, paints a promising outlook for its future. Everyone is invited to become part of the Bitcoin Cash community, participating in the evolution of sound money accessible to all. With Bitcoin Cash, transferring funds to anyone, at any location, is possible around the clock, every day of the year. The network operates continuously, akin to the Internet, ensuring that no transaction is limited by size and no permissions are necessary. In contrast, traditional banks may restrict your transactions, impose fees, or unexpectedly close your account, highlighting the distinct advantages of Bitcoin Cash. Additionally, its robust framework fosters an inclusive financial environment, encouraging users to explore the limitless possibilities of this innovative currency.

Persistence is a Layer-1 network built on the Tendermint/Cosmos framework, designed to support a variety of decentralized finance (DeFi) products with the goal of making liquid-staked assets the standard for the proof-of-stake (PoS) economy. This protocol is characterized by its interoperability, allowing developers to create applications that can be independent, modular, or constructed on Persistence's CosmWasm layer. Within the Persistence ecosystem, users can develop App-chains that maintain interoperability with the broader Cosmos/IBC ecosystem, facilitating the routing of IBC assets through the Persistence Core-1 chain. Furthermore, developers have the flexibility to create Modular Apps directly atop the Core-1 chain, utilizing elements of the Persistence architecture as easily integrated interfaces. Additionally, the integration of CosmWasm enables the creation of high-performance Smart Contract Apps on the Persistence chain, allowing for seamless upgrades and enhancements over time. This innovative approach positions Persistence as a crucial player in the evolving landscape of decentralized finance.

The CLV Chain is a unique Layer 1 blockchain built on Substrate, designed to be fully compatible with EVM and capable of cross-chain interactions. It provides a robust infrastructure that supports the expansion of decentralized applications within the evolving multi-chain ecosystem. CLV facilitates efficient multi-chain indexing, enabling seamless access to data across major networks like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain, and Polkadot. Within this unified platform, users can effortlessly search for blocks, transactions, and accounts, enhancing their overall experience. To promote growth among dApp developers, CLV rewards them by distributing a portion of transaction fees, thereby cultivating a thriving community and driving innovation within the DeFi space on both Sakura and CLV. Additionally, CLV introduces a Dynamic Fee Schedule, an innovative gas calculation mechanism that offers users discounts on gas fees based on their activity levels—those who engage less are charged more, while frequent users benefit from reduced costs over time, encouraging consistent participation and engagement. This system not only incentivizes developers but also enhances user experience, contributing to a more active and interconnected blockchain environment.

Coreum is a third-generation blockchain designed as a foundational framework for upcoming decentralized applications. It boasts an impressive capacity to handle as many as 7,000 transactions each second, thanks to a dynamic system involving 16 rotating validators, making it the quickest blockchain available today. Leveraging the tried-and-true Tendermint Consensus Engine in conjunction with the Cosmos SDK, Coreum provides a low-latency proof-of-stake environment. Developers have the flexibility to create applications in numerous programming languages, which can then be transformed into the contemporary Turing-complete Web Assembly (WASM) format prior to execution. In a landscape filled with hundreds of blockchains, Coreum enhances interoperability by incorporating bridge functionality, allowing for seamless interaction with different chains through collateralized wrapping. This innovative approach not only improves connectivity but also fosters a more cohesive ecosystem among various blockchain networks.

Gnosis Chain stands out as one of the pioneering sidechains of Ethereum and has consistently upheld its foundational principles. With the ability for contributors from all corners of the world to effortlessly operate a node, it boasts a robust security framework supported by over 120,000 validators. The varied composition of its validator network, coupled with community-driven governance, guarantees that Gnosis Chain retains its commitment to credible neutrality while operating at a significantly lower cost compared to the main Ethereum network. As an EVM-compatible platform, it is fortified by home-based stakers globally, catering to the needs of its users. Furthermore, Gnosis Chain provides familiar tools and is on the verge of launching trustless bridges to the mainnet, enhancing its utility and accessibility. This positions Gnosis Chain as an attractive option for developers and users alike in the blockchain ecosystem.

Berachain represents a groundbreaking Layer-1 blockchain that combines compatibility with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) and a distinctive Proof-of-Liquidity (PoL) consensus mechanism. This innovative strategy fortifies network security by encouraging participants to provide liquidity, enabling them to earn governance tokens through their proactive involvement in the community. Leveraging the modular BeaconKit framework, Berachain guarantees both scalability and smooth interoperability with existing applications built on Ethereum. The ecosystem is structured around a tri-token model that includes BERA as the utility token, HONEY serving as the stablecoin, and BGT functioning as the governance token, with each playing a specific role to create a harmonious and efficient environment. As it currently undergoes testing in its testnet phase, Berachain is expected to unveil its mainnet by the close of 2024, with the goal of establishing a high-performance platform centered on liquidity for decentralized finance (DeFi) projects. This promising blockchain has the potential to reshape how liquidity is utilized within the DeFi landscape.

Monad stands out as a robust Layer 1 blockchain that seamlessly integrates with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). With an impressive capacity to process up to 10,000 transactions per second, it achieves block confirmations in just one second and ensures finality in a single slot. The platform is engineered to maintain low hardware demands, facilitating the efficient scaling of decentralized applications without sacrificing security or the principles of decentralization. Its innovative architecture includes advanced functionalities like optimistic parallel execution, asynchronous processing, and a tailored state database known as MonadDB, all of which enhance its overall performance and scalability. This makes Monad an attractive choice for developers seeking to build high-performance blockchain applications.

Supra is a revolutionary blockchain platform that empowers developers to create scalable, customizable decentralized applications (dApps) with ease. Built on Supra L1, it delivers 500,000 TPS performance, multiVM compatibility, and integrated services like native oracles, verifiable random functions (VRF), and cross-chain communication. Supra L1 offers developers the ability to build within their own custom environments called Supra Containers, where they can design token economies, governance systems, and fee models. With native automation and zero-block delay execution, Supra ensures high-speed, secure, and efficient dApp deployment, unlocking new possibilities in decentralized finance (DeFi), gaming, and other sectors.

Cardano is a revolutionary blockchain platform designed for changemakers, innovators, and visionaries, equipped with the necessary tools and technologies to foster opportunities for both individuals and communities while driving global transformation. As the first proof-of-stake blockchain, Cardano is built upon rigorous peer-reviewed research and employs evidence-based strategies for its development. This innovative platform combines advanced technologies to deliver unmatched security and sustainability for decentralized applications, systems, and societies alike. Led by a distinguished team of engineers, Cardano aims to empower individuals by transferring power away from unaccountable institutions and creating pathways for meaningful change and advancement. Additionally, Cardano seeks to rebuild trust in global systems by establishing a more secure, transparent, and sustainable framework for transactions, governance, and the growth of enterprises. Ultimately, Cardano represents a commitment to harnessing scientific principles for the betterment of society, ensuring that progress benefits everyone involved.

The Cosmos network represents a continuously growing ecosystem of linked applications and services designed for a future characterized by decentralization. Immerse yourself in a novel realm of interconnected services. Utilizing the Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol, Cosmos applications and services enable seamless asset and data exchanges across independent decentralized blockchains. As the economic heart of the Cosmos, the Cosmos Hub functions as a blockchain that offers essential services for the Interchain. It is poised to launch a cutting-edge decentralized exchange that will facilitate the swapping of digital assets from various blockchains within the Interchain, boasting minimal fees and immediate transaction verifications. Additionally, the anticipated Interchain Staking feature will allow ATOM to secure multiple chains while providing users with extra staking rewards. A fundamental objective of the Hub is to link different blockchains by creating IBC connections with compatible networks and establishing decentralized bridges to prominent chains like Ethereum and Bitcoin, thereby enhancing the overall interoperability of the blockchain ecosystem. Ultimately, Cosmos aims to create a more connected and efficient digital landscape.

Harmony is a fast and open blockchain. Our mainnet runs Ethereum applications at a speed of two seconds and with 100 times lower fees. Harmony's secure bridges allow cross-chain asset transfers between Ethereum, Binance, and other chains. Harmony is a platform that allows creators to connect with the community. Harmony's bridges are able to connect any Proof of Work and Proof of Stake chains. FlyClient architecture is completely trustless and extremely gas-efficient. Our bridges for Ethereum or Binance Smart Chain currently secure tens to millions of cross-chain assets. Developers can simply change the Chain ID to enjoy faster executions of EVMs identical at bytecode level. They can easily migrate to Harmony using their familiar Web3 tooling. What about users? Users can use MetaMask and Ledger as usual, but they will now only have to pay minimal fees. Any Ethereum portal or wallet can work on Harmony without any code modifications or new installs.

Introducing a novel platform for blockchain and smart transactions that prioritizes user-friendliness, efficiency, and security. Our vision is that using cryptocurrency should surpass the simplicity of cash, be more secure against loss, and be nearly impervious to theft. We aim to empower anyone interested in validating transactions to participate in farming without the need for specialized hardware or incurring high energy costs. Developed by Bram Cohen, the creator of BitTorrent, Chia Network offers a blockchain and smart transaction platform that features the first innovative Nakamoto consensus algorithm introduced since Bitcoin’s inception in 2008. This system utilizes Proofs of Space and Time, which are significantly less energy-consuming than traditional "proofs of work." Additionally, Chia introduces Chialisp, a powerful and secure on-chain programming language that enhances the ease of cryptocurrency usage compared to cash. Current smart transaction offerings include features such as Colored coins, rate-limited wallets, and distributed identity solutions, paving the way for a more accessible digital currency experience. The potential applications of this technology are vast, promising to redefine how we interact with digital finance.