🧱 Layer 1 vs Layer 2 – What’s the Difference and Why It Matters?

You’ve seen the names: Ethereum, Arbitrum, zkSync, Solana.

But what exactly is Layer 1 vs Layer 2? And which one should you care about?

🔹 Layer 1 = The Base Blockchain

This is the main network that runs independently with its own consensus.

▶️ Examples:

– Ethereum

– Solana

– Bitcoin

– Avalanche

– Sui

🔧 It handles transactions, block validation, and security directly.

🔸 Layer 2 = Built on Top to Scale

Layer 2 is a scaling solution built on top of Layer 1.

It processes transactions off-chain and settles results back to Layer 1.

▶️ Examples:

– Arbitrum

– Optimism

– zkSync

– Base (by Coinbase)

🧠 Think of it like a browser cache — faster performance, but the source of truth stays on the server.

📍 When to use what?

– Trading / DeFi activity → Layer 2 (cheaper & faster)

– Long-term holding & max security → Layer 1 (battle-tested base layer)

Layer 1 = foundation. Layer 2 = speed boost. Together, they’re the core of a scalable Web3.

#Layer2 #Ethereum #zkSync #Arbitrum #CryptoEducation