Layer 1 (L1) and Layer 2 (L2) in blockchain are complementary architectural layers that solve scalability issues, with significant differences in positioning, technical implementation, and application scenarios. The OKB Chain (i.e., X Layer) is a typical L2 chain designed to extend the Ethereum ecosystem through high performance and low cost. The following is a specific analysis:
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### ⚖️ 1. The Core Differences Between Layer 1 and Layer 2
#### **1. Positioning and Function**
- **Layer 1 (Base Layer)**
- **Role**: The core underlying blockchain (like Ethereum, Bitcoin), directly handling transaction settlement, data storage, and consensus mechanisms (like PoW/PoS), serving as the foundation for security and decentralization.
- **Limitations**: Faces the 'impossible triangle' dilemma (decentralization, security, scalability hard to balance), leading to slow transaction speeds (e.g., Ethereum around 15 TPS), high Gas fees, and frequent congestion.
- **Layer 2 (Expansion Layer)**
- **Role**: Protocols built on L1 that transfer most computations off-chain, submitting only final results to L1, thereby improving performance.
- **Advantages**:
- **High Throughput**: Achieves thousands of TPS through technologies like Rollup (e.g., X Layer reaches 5000 TPS);
- **Low Cost**: Gas fees close to zero, suitable for high-frequency small transactions;
- **Compatibility**: Inherits L1 security while supporting customized development (like ZK-Rollup, state channels).
#### **2. Technical Implementation Comparison**
The table below summarizes the key differences between L1 and L2:
| **Features** | **Layer 1** | **Layer 2** |
|----------------|----------------------------------|--------------------------------------|
| **Consensus Mechanism** | Native protocols like PoW/PoS | Relies on L1's security (like ZK proofs) |
| **Transaction Speed** | Low (Ethereum 15 TPS) | High (X Layer reaches 5000 TPS) |
| **Cost** | High Gas fees (surge during congestion) | Near zero Gas fees |
| **Scalability** | Requires sharding and hard fork upgrades | Flexibly scalable through off-chain computation |
| **Representative Cases** | Bitcoin, Ethereum | Polygon, Arbitrum, X Layer |
#### **3. Typical Solutions**
- **L1 Scalability**: Sharding, block expansion (like Bitcoin SegWit).
- **L2 Scalability**:
- **Rollup**: ZK-Rollup (zero-knowledge proof, efficient and secure) and Optimistic Rollup (fraud proof, highly compatible);
- **State Channels**: Off-chain microtransactions (like lightning networks);
- **Side Chains**: Independently run but reliant on the main chain's security (like Polygon PoS chain).
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### 🔗 2. Is OKB Chain (X Layer) an L2 Chain?
**Yes, the OKB Chain, i.e., X Layer, is a typical L2 chain**, with its positioning and technical characteristics as follows:
#### **1. Technical Architecture and Positioning**
- **Basic Framework**:
Built on Polygon CDK (Chain Development Kit), the **ZK-Rollup chain** is fully compatible with Ethereum EVM, allowing developers to seamlessly migrate DApps.
- **Performance Indicators**:
- Throughput reaches **5,000 TPS**, Gas fees close to zero;
- Ensures transaction validity through ZK proofs while inheriting the security of Ethereum's mainnet.
#### **2. Ecological Integration and Strategic Significance**
- **Token Economic Model**:
- OKB, as the native token of X Layer, is used to pay Gas fees and for ecosystem governance;
- After the upgrade in August 2025, the total supply of OKB will be permanently locked at **21 million** (deflationary model), while integrating the original OKT Chain ecosystem (OKT is exchanged for OKB at a ratio of 1:9.5).
- **Business Collaboration**:
- Deeply integrated with OKX Exchange, OKX Wallet, and OKX Pay, achieving '0 Gas withdrawal' and real-time payment settlement;
- Focus on DeFi, payments, RWA (real world assets) sectors, leveraging OKX's 60 million user base for traffic.
#### **3. Comparison Cases with L1 Chain**
- **OKX's Original L1 Chain (OKT Chain)**:
Developed based on the Cosmos SDK, with an independent consensus mechanism, performance and ecological scalability are limited.
- **Reason for X Layer (L2) Replacement**:
- Technological generational advantage (ZK-Rollup vs. Cosmos SDK);
- Ethereum ecosystem compatibility brings richer DApps and users;
- Data metrics comprehensively surpass OKT Chain (number of addresses, activity).
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### 💎 3. Summary: The Collaborative Relationship Between L1 and L2 and the Positioning of OKB Chain
- **Complementary Rather Than Replacement**:
L1 provides the foundation for security and decentralization, while L2 addresses performance bottlenecks, with both collaborating to advance blockchain implementation (like Ethereum + L2 ecology).
- **L2 attributes of OKB Chain (X Layer) are clear**:
As a ZK-Rollup chain, it serves as an extension layer for Ethereum, focusing on high performance, low cost, and ecological integration, recently promoting OKB value growth through deflationary models and business collaboration.
> 💎 In short: **L1 is the foundation, L2 is the highway; X Layer is the 'ZK-powered highway' laid by OKX on Ethereum, carrying all its ambitions for future on-chain ecology.**