Top Layer 2 Solutions Across Blockchains
Evaluating Layer 2 networks requires analyzing technical metrics, user adoption, and performance during peak congestion. With Ethereum's dense L2 ecosystem and emerging Bitcoin/Solana solutions, we highlight projects offering strong investor incentives. Below are key metrics for leading networks:
| Project | Technology | Tx Fees | 30D Revenue | Total Wallets | TVL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base | Ethereum L2, OP Stack, Coinbase | $0.004 | $14M | 20M | $2.6B |
| Arbitrum | Ethereum L2, Rollups | $0.005 | $2M | 4.7M | $2.7B |
| Optimism | Ethereum L2, Superchain | $0.001 | $0.6M | 1.27M | $0.55B |
| Stacks | Bitcoin L2, Smart Contracts | $0.23 | $0.15M | 0.2M | $0.10B |
| Eclipse | Ethereum/Solana L2, Solana VM | $0.001 | $0.01M | 0.7M | $0.04B |
1. Base: Coinbase's Ethereum L2 Powerhouse
Base leverages the OP Stack to deliver sub-cent transactions with 1-second finality. Its developer-friendly tools include:
- Account abstraction
- Gasless transactions
- Smart wallet integration
👉 Explore how Base is onboarding millions to Web3
Key Stats:
- Chain: Ethereum
- Active Users: 6.6M
- Top Protocols: Aerodrome (DEX), Morpho Blue (Lending)
- Token: None (tokenless design)
2. Arbitrum: The DeFi Dominator
Arbitrum's multi-chain approach offers:
- Arbitrum One (full rollup security)
- Arbitrum Nova (lower-fee AnyTrust chain)
- Orbit L3 customization
Key Stats:
- Chain: Ethereum
- Active Users: 1.2M
- Top Protocols: Aave, GMX, Uniswap
- Token: $ARB ($2B market cap)
3. Optimism: Building the Superchain
Optimism's modular architecture enables:
- Shared governance across OP Chains
- Horizontal scaling via chain factories
- Bedrock bridge upgrades
Key Stats:
- Chain: Ethereum
- Active Users: 70K
- Top Protocols: Synthetix, Velodrome
- Token: $OP ($1.2B market cap)
4. Stacks: Bitcoin's Smart Contract Layer
The Nakamoto Upgrade introduces:
- sBTC pegged token
- 1-second transaction finality
- Bitcoin settlement security
👉 Discover Bitcoin DeFi with Stacks
Key Stats:
- Chain: Bitcoin
- Active Users: 40K
- Top Protocols: Zest, ALEX
- Token: STX ($1.3B market cap)
5. Eclipse: Solana VM on Ethereum
This hybrid L2 features:
- Solana Virtual Machine execution
- Ethereum settlement
- Celestia data availability
Key Stats:
- Chain: Ethereum/Solana
- Active Users: 300K
- Top Protocols: Orca, Save
- Token: None
Layer 2 Explained: Ethereum, Bitcoin & Solana
Ethereum Layer 2s
Types:
- Optimistic Rollups (Arbitrum, Base)
- ZK Rollups (zkSync, Starknet)
Bitcoin Layer 2s
Leading Solutions:
- Lightning Network (payments)
- Stacks (smart contracts)
- Merlin Chain (ZK-Rollup)
Solana Layer 2s
Innovations:
- SVM-based rollups
- Appchains for custom scaling
FAQ Section
Q: Which Layer 2 has the lowest fees?
A: Optimism and Eclipse currently offer sub-cent transactions.
Q: Can Bitcoin Layer 2s support DeFi?
A: Yes – Stacks enables full DeFi functionality via sBTC.
Q: How do Solana L2s improve performance?
A: They offload computation while using Solana's VM for execution.
Final Thoughts
Blockchain scaling demands diverse approaches:
- Ethereum: Vertical scaling via rollups
- Bitcoin: Functionality expansion
- Solana: Throughput optimization
The multi-chain future relies on interoperable Layer 2 solutions tailored to each network's strengths.
Written by Emily Shin
Research Analyst
Expert in decentralized finance and blockchain scalability solutions.