ALTCOIN ROUNDUP: LAYER-ONE PROTOCOLS CHIP AWAY AT ETHEREUMS DOMINANCE.

Last updated: June 20, 2025, 00:24 | Written by: Anthony Di Iorio

The world of blockchain has been revolutionized by decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), creating incredible wealth for investors. Altcoin Roundup: Layer-one protocols chip away at Ethereum s dominance. cointelegraph.com, UTCBut this explosion wouldn't have been possible without the bedrock provided by layer-one (L1) blockchain networks. ETHUSD Ethereum Altcoin Roundup: Layer-one protocols chip away at Ethereum s dominance.Ethereum, for a long time, has been the dominant force in this space, boasting the largest number of protocols and total value locked (TVL). Layer-1 (L1) protocols are the foundation of the decentralized application ecosystem, with the Ethereum network dominating the landscape in terms of the number of protocols launched on-chain and total value locked (TVL), followed by BNB Chain and Fantom.However, the landscape is evolving. עלייתם של פיננסים מבוזרים ואסימונים בלתי ניתנים לשינוי שינתה את מערכת האקולוגית של הבלוקצ'יין ויצרה עושר כמעט בלתי נתפס עבור משקיעים, אבלHigh transaction fees and scalability limitations on the Ethereum network have opened the door for competing layer-one protocols to gain ground. در روزها و هفته های اخیر شاهد ورود موج تازه ای از کاربران به پروژه های لایه اول بودیم. همزمان با این اتفاق، بالارفتن هزینه های استفاده از اتریوم باعث شده است تا شبکه هایی مثل اولنچ و کاردانو فرصتی برای عرض اندامThis ""altcoin roundup"" examines how projects like Avalanche, Cardano, and others are attracting new users and chipping away at Ethereum's dominance, analyzing the forces driving this shift and what it means for the future of blockchain technology.We'll explore the innovations these protocols bring to the table and consider if a multi-chain future is indeed upon us, offering a glimpse into the exciting evolution of the decentralized web.

Understanding Layer-One Protocols

Before diving into the competition, let's clarify what layer-one protocols are. Due to high fees and limited scaling capability, competing layer-one protocols such as Avalanche, Terra and Cardano have been rising in value and attracting new users in recent months as popular projects bridge their ecosystems to these next-generation blockchain protocols.Think of them as the foundation upon which everything else in the blockchain ecosystem is built. Altcoin. Layer-one protocols chip away at Ethereum s dominance. Layer-one protocols chip away at Ethereum s dominance. August 28They are the base blockchain networks that process and finalize transactions directly on their own chain.Bitcoin and Ethereum are prime examples, handling transaction validation and security independently.

Layer-one protocols are critical because they determine:

Transaction Speed: How quickly transactions are processed.
Transaction Costs: The fees associated with using the network.
Scalability: The network's ability to handle a large volume of transactions.
Security: The mechanisms in place to protect the network from attacks.

The Rise of Alternative Layer-One Solutions

Ethereum's early dominance was due to its smart contract capabilities, which enabled the development of decentralized applications (dApps). 分散型金融と代替不可能なトークンの台頭は、ブロックチェーンのエコシステムを変革し、投資家にほぼ想像を絶する富をHowever, as dApps gained popularity, the Ethereum network faced challenges with scalability, leading to high gas fees and slower transaction times, especially during peak usage. Altcoin Roundup: protocolos de camada um amea am o dom nio da Ethereum. Projetos da camada um, registram um fluxo constante de novos usu rios, j que o custo de uso da rede Ethereum d a projetos como o Avalanche e o Cardano espa o para se firmar no mercado.This opened a window of opportunity for alternative layer-one protocols offering improved performance and lower costs.

Avalanche (AVAX)

Avalanche is designed for speed and scalability.Its innovative consensus mechanism allows it to achieve much faster transaction finality than Ethereum. Layer-one projects register a steady inflow of new users as the cost of using the Ethereum network gives projects like Avalanche and Cardano room to gain a foothold in the market.This makes it attractive to developers and users who prioritize speed and low fees.Avalanche also supports multiple virtual machines (VMs), enabling developers to create custom blockchains tailored to specific applications.

Key features of Avalanche:

High Throughput: Capable of processing thousands of transactions per second.
Sub-Second Finality: Transactions are confirmed almost instantly.
Customizable Blockchains: Supports the creation of application-specific blockchains.
Low Transaction Fees: Significantly cheaper than Ethereum.

Cardano (ADA)

Cardano takes a research-driven approach to blockchain development, focusing on security and sustainability.It uses a proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus mechanism called Ouroboros, which is designed to be more energy-efficient than proof-of-work (PoW) systems like Bitcoin. Altcoin Roundup: Layer-one protocols chip away at Ethereum s dominance. Layer-one projects register a steady inflow of new users as the cost of using the Ethereum network gives projectsCardano's focus on formal verification and peer-reviewed research makes it a strong contender for building secure and reliable decentralized applications.

Key features of Cardano:

Proof-of-Stake Consensus: Energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.
Formal Verification: Rigorous testing and verification of code.
Scalability Solutions: Ongoing development of solutions like Hydra for increased throughput.
Focus on Interoperability: Plans to connect with other blockchains.

Solana (SOL)

Solana is another high-performance blockchain that boasts incredibly fast transaction speeds and low fees. Altcoin [ Ap Layer-one protocols chip away at Ethereum s dominance. Layer-one protocols chip away at Ethereum s dominance.It utilizes a unique combination of Proof-of-History (PoH) and Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanisms, allowing it to achieve impressive scalability. Layer-one projects register a steady inflow of new users as the cost of using the Ethereum network gives projects like Avalanche and Cardano room to gain a foothold in the market. Please note, this is a STATIC archive of website cointelegraph.com from, cach3.com does not collect or store any user information, there is no phishingSolana's ecosystem has rapidly grown, attracting a wide range of DeFi and NFT projects.

Key features of Solana:

High Transaction Speed: Capable of processing tens of thousands of transactions per second.
Low Transaction Fees: Extremely affordable for users.
Proof-of-History (PoH): A unique consensus mechanism that enhances scalability.
Growing Ecosystem: A vibrant community of developers and users.

Terra (LUNA)

Terra is a blockchain protocol that focuses on stablecoins and decentralized financial infrastructure.It uses a suite of stablecoins pegged to various fiat currencies, aiming to provide price stability and accessibility to DeFi services. Altcoin Roundup: Layer-one protocols chip away at Ethereum s dominance. Layer-one projects register a steady inflow of new users as the cost of using the Ethereum network gives projects likeTerra's algorithmically-stabilized stablecoins have gained significant traction, particularly in e-commerce and payments.

Key features of Terra:

Stablecoins: A range of stablecoins pegged to different fiat currencies.
Algorithmic Stabilization: Uses algorithms to maintain price stability.
Focus on DeFi: Building a robust ecosystem of DeFi applications.
E-commerce Integration: Aiming to facilitate real-world payments.

Why Are Layer-One Alternatives Gaining Traction?

Several factors contribute to the rise of alternative layer-one protocols:

High Ethereum Gas Fees: As mentioned earlier, high transaction fees on Ethereum make it expensive to use, especially for smaller transactions.
Scalability Issues: Ethereum's limited scalability can lead to network congestion and delays.
Improved Performance: Alternative layer-one protocols offer faster transaction speeds and lower fees.
Innovation: These protocols often introduce new technologies and features that attract developers and users.
Growing Ecosystems: Many alternative layer-one protocols are developing thriving ecosystems of dApps and DeFi projects.
Bridge Technology: The development of cross-chain bridges allows users to easily transfer assets between different blockchains.

The Impact on Ethereum

The emergence of competing layer-one protocols presents both challenges and opportunities for Ethereum.While Ethereum still holds a dominant position, it needs to address its scalability and cost issues to maintain its lead. Layer-one projects register a steady inflow of new users as the cost of using the Ethereum network gives projects like Avalanche and Cardano room to gain a foothold in the market. The rise of decentralized finance and nonfungible tokens has transformed the blockchain ecosystem and generated near unimaginable riches for investors, but none of this [ ]The ongoing development of Ethereum 2.0, which aims to transition to a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism and implement sharding, is a crucial step in this direction.

Ethereum's advantages include:

First-Mover Advantage: Established network with a large community and a vast ecosystem of dApps.
Developer Ecosystem: A large and active developer community.
Security: A well-established and battle-tested blockchain.

However, Ethereum needs to overcome its scalability and cost issues to compete effectively with the emerging layer-one alternatives.The success of Ethereum 2.0 is critical to its long-term future.

The Multi-Chain Future

The rise of alternative layer-one protocols suggests that the future of blockchain may be multi-chain, where different blockchains coexist and interact with each other.This would allow users to choose the blockchain that best suits their needs, depending on factors such as speed, cost, security, and specific features.

A multi-chain future could lead to:

Increased Innovation: Competition between different blockchains could drive innovation and the development of new features.
Greater Scalability: Distributing applications and users across multiple blockchains could alleviate congestion and improve scalability.
Enhanced User Experience: Users could choose the blockchain that offers the best user experience for a particular application.

Layer-Two Solutions: Ethereum's Defense?

While layer-one protocols directly compete with Ethereum's base layer, layer-two (L2) solutions work on top of Ethereum to improve its scalability and lower transaction costs.These solutions, such as Optimistic Rollups and ZK-Rollups, process transactions off-chain and then bundle them into a single transaction on the Ethereum mainnet.This significantly reduces the gas fees and increases the transaction throughput.

L2 solutions are seen as a crucial part of Ethereum's strategy to remain competitive.By leveraging the security and decentralization of Ethereum while providing improved performance, L2 solutions can help Ethereum retain its dominance in the blockchain space. Altcoin Roundup: Layer-one protocols chip away at Ethereum s dominance. bizgram simlim simlimsquare sls bizgramasia singapore top store itshopPopular L2 solutions include:

Optimism: A layer-two scaling solution using Optimistic Rollups.
Arbitrum: Another layer-two solution using Optimistic Rollups.
zkSync: A layer-two scaling solution using ZK-Rollups.
Polygon (MATIC): While often considered a sidechain, Polygon provides scaling solutions compatible with Ethereum.

Navigating the Altcoin Landscape: What to Consider

For investors and developers, understanding the nuances of different layer-one protocols is crucial.Here's what to consider when evaluating these alternatives:

Technology: Understand the consensus mechanism, scalability solutions, and smart contract capabilities of each protocol.
Ecosystem: Assess the size and activity of the developer community, the number of dApps built on the platform, and the availability of tools and resources.
Security: Evaluate the security measures in place to protect the network from attacks.
Tokenomics: Understand the token distribution, governance model, and incentives for network participation.
Community: Look at the vibrancy and engagement of the community supporting the protocol.

The Future of Blockchain: Cooperation and Competition

The future of blockchain is likely to be a combination of cooperation and competition between different layer-one protocols and layer-two solutions. Layer-one projects register a steady inflow of new users as the cost of using the Ethereum network gives projects like Avalanche and Cardano room to gain a foothold in the market The rise of decentralized finance and nonfungible tokensWe may see specialized blockchains emerge, each optimized for specific use cases, and interoperability solutions that allow these blockchains to seamlessly interact with each other. 去中心化金融（DeFi）和非同质化代币（NFT）的兴起已经改变了区块链生态系统，并为投资者带来了近乎难以想象的财富，但如果没有比特币和以太坊等第一层区块链网络提供的强大基础，这一切都不可能实现。Ethereum will likely remain a significant player, but its dominance will be challenged by the growing number of alternative layer-one protocols. Altcoin Roundup: Layer-one protocols chip away at Ethereum s dominance. 3 years ago Layer-one projects register a steady inflow of new users as the cost of using the Ethereum network gives projects like Avalanche and Cardano room to gain a foothold in the market.The ultimate winners will be the protocols that offer the best combination of scalability, security, cost-effectiveness, and developer support.

Practical Examples: DeFi and NFTs on Alternative Chains

The impact of these alternative layer-one protocols is already evident in the growing DeFi and NFT ecosystems.For example:

DeFi on Avalanche: Avalanche has attracted numerous DeFi projects seeking faster transaction speeds and lower fees, leading to a significant increase in the total value locked (TVL) on the Avalanche blockchain.
NFTs on Solana: Solana's high transaction throughput and low fees make it an attractive platform for NFTs, with several popular NFT marketplaces and projects launching on the Solana blockchain.
Stablecoins on Terra: Terra's stablecoins are being used in e-commerce and payments, providing price stability and accessibility to DeFi services.

What About Security?

Security is paramount in the blockchain space.While alternative layer-one solutions offer compelling advantages in terms of speed and cost, it's crucial to assess their security measures. The rise of decentralized finance and nonfungible tokens has transformed the blockchain ecosystem and generated near unimaginable riches for investors, but none of this would be possible without the strong foundation offered by layer-one blockchain networks like Bitcoin and Ethereum. Smart contracts and layer-two protocols promise to revolutionize the finance and logistics industry, but theyA strong security track record is essential for building trust and attracting users. Altcoin Roundup: Layer-one protocols chip away at Ethereum s dominance.Factors to consider include:

Consensus Mechanism: The robustness of the consensus mechanism against attacks.
Code Audits: Whether the protocol's code has been audited by reputable security firms.
Vulnerability Disclosure Programs: Whether the protocol has a program for reporting and addressing vulnerabilities.
Network Participation: The degree of decentralization and the number of participants securing the network.

Answering Common Questions

What are the biggest risks associated with investing in alternative layer-one protocols?

Investing in alternative layer-one protocols carries risks, including technological risks, market risks, and regulatory risks.These projects are often in early stages of development, and their long-term success is uncertain.Market volatility and competition from other protocols can also impact their value. LUNA price rallied to a new high above $45 following the launch the Project Dawn funding initiative and the upcoming Columbus-5 mainnet upgrade.Furthermore, regulatory uncertainty surrounding cryptocurrencies can pose a threat.

How do I choose the right layer-one protocol for my project?

The choice of layer-one protocol depends on the specific requirements of your project. The rise of decentralized finance and nonfungible tokens has transformed the blockchain ecosystem and generated near unimaginable riches for investors, but none of this would be possible without the strong foundation offered by layer-one blockchain networks like Bitcoin and Ethereum.Consider factors such as transaction speed, cost, scalability, security, and the availability of tools and resources.Research different protocols and compare their strengths and weaknesses.Also, evaluate the maturity and activity of the developer community.

Will Ethereum become obsolete?

It's unlikely that Ethereum will become completely obsolete.It has a large and active community, a vast ecosystem of dApps, and a well-established blockchain.However, Ethereum needs to successfully transition to Ethereum 2.0 and address its scalability and cost issues to remain competitive in the long term.The success of layer-two scaling solutions is also crucial.

Conclusion: The Decentralized Future is Being Built

The rise of alternative layer-one protocols is a testament to the dynamic nature of the blockchain industry.While Ethereum has long been the dominant player, these new protocols are offering compelling alternatives with improved performance, lower costs, and innovative features.This competition is driving innovation and pushing the boundaries of what's possible with blockchain technology.The future of blockchain is likely to be multi-chain, where different blockchains coexist and interact with each other.Key takeaways include:

High gas fees and scalability limitations on Ethereum have created opportunities for alternative layer-one protocols.
Protocols like Avalanche, Cardano, and Solana offer faster transaction speeds, lower fees, and innovative features.
Ethereum is addressing its challenges with Ethereum 2.0 and layer-two scaling solutions.
The future of blockchain is likely to be multi-chain, with cooperation and competition between different protocols.

As the blockchain landscape continues to evolve, it's essential to stay informed and understand the nuances of different layer-one protocols.This will allow you to make informed decisions as an investor, developer, or user.Explore these alternatives, research their technology, and consider their potential impact on the decentralized future.