Top Layer 1 Cryptocurrencies by Market Cap
Layer 1 blockchains are the foundation of the crypto economy — independent networks that process and finalize transactions on their own infrastructure, with their own validators, native token and security budget. Every other sector of the market, from DeFi to gaming, ultimately settles on a Layer 1.
This page ranks Layer 1 coins by market capitalization using live data from CoinGecko. The ranking covers smart-contract platforms such as Ethereum and Solana as well as monetary networks like Bitcoin, which together account for the majority of the entire crypto market’s value.
Top Layer 1 Coins by Market Cap
| # | Coin | Price | 1h | 24h | 7d | Last 7d | 24h Volume | Market Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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What to Know About Layer 1
What separates Layer 1s. The key trade-offs are the classic trilemma: decentralization, security and throughput. Bitcoin prioritizes security and immutability with slow blocks, while high-throughput chains like Solana optimize for speed and low fees. Market cap alone doesn’t tell you which trade-off wins — it tells you what the market currently values most.
How to read this table. Watch volume-to-market-cap ratio for real usage (high mcap with thin volume can signal stale valuation), and 7-day trend for momentum shifts when capital rotates between ecosystems.