Plain English
A Layer 1 is the base blockchain — Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana. It is the foundational protocol that handles transactions, consensus, and security on its own, without depending on another chain.
How it actually works
Layer 1 networks run their own validator set and produce their own blocks. Every transaction settles directly on the chain. The trade-offs are speed and cost: Layer 1s prioritize security and decentralization, which limits throughput and pushes fees up under load.
What it means for you
When members talk about “owning ETH” or “holding BTC,” they mean assets on the Layer 1. It is the foundation under everything else in crypto.
We walk through the practical differences between Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana — what each prioritizes, what each sacrifices, and which belongs where in a serious allocator’s stack.
Educational content only. Not investment, tax, or legal advice.