Layer 2 solutions scale blockchains by processing transactions off the main chain while inheriting its security. From optimistic rollups to ZK-rollups to app-specific chains, L2s are where most of crypto's daily activity now happens — offering 10-100x cheaper transactions without sacrificing security.
Layer 2 (Optimistic Rollup) — Arbitrum is the leading Ethereum Layer 2 scaling solution using optimistic rollups. It inherits Ethereum's security while providing much faster and cheaper transactions for DeFi, gaming, and general smart contracts.
What Is Arbitrum? | How to Buy ARB
Layer 2 (Optimistic Rollup) — Optimism is an Ethereum Layer 2 using optimistic rollups to deliver fast, cheap transactions. Its Superchain vision aims to create a unified network of L2 chains sharing security and interoperability.
What Is Optimism? | How to Buy OP
Layer 2 / ZK Scaling — Polygon is an Ethereum scaling solution providing faster, cheaper transactions through sidechains and ZK-rollup technology. It's one of the most widely adopted Layer 2 networks with thousands of dApps.
What Is Polygon? | How to Buy POL
ZK-Rollup Layer 2 — Starknet is an Ethereum Layer 2 using STARK zero-knowledge proofs — invented by co-founder Eli Ben-Sasson, a cryptography professor who pioneered the math behind SNARKs and STARKs. Unlike SNARKs, STARKs require no trusted setup and are quantum-resistant. Starknet uses its own language (Cairo) for provable computation, targeting high-throughput DeFi and gaming.
What Is Starknet? | How to Buy STRK
Layer 2 (Optimistic Rollup) — Mantle Network is an Ethereum Layer 2 built by BitDAO (backed by Bybit exchange) using optimistic rollup technology with a modular data availability approach. It combines Bybit's liquidity with Ethereum's security.
What Is Mantle? | How to Buy MNT
ZK-Rollup Layer 2 — zkSync Era is an Ethereum Layer 2 that uses zero-knowledge proofs for scaling while preserving Ethereum's security. It was the first zkEVM to go live on mainnet, supporting native account abstraction (every account is a smart contract by default), enabling features like paying gas in any token and social recovery. Its ZK token airdrop in 2024 distributed tokens to 695,000 wallets.
What Is zkSync? | How to Buy ZK
Modular Layer 2 — Manta Pacific is a modular Ethereum L2 that uses Celestia for data availability instead of posting all data to Ethereum — dramatically reducing gas costs. It's one of the first chains to offer Universal Circuits for easy ZK application development, letting developers add zero-knowledge proof features to their apps without deep cryptography knowledge. Manta Atlantic on Polkadot handles ZK-based compliance.
What Is Manta Network? | How to Buy MANTA
Based Rollup Layer 2 — Taiko is a 'based rollup' — an Ethereum L2 that uses Ethereum's own validators for block sequencing rather than running a centralized or separate sequencer. This design maximizes decentralization and censorship resistance by inheriting Ethereum's liveness guarantees. Founded by Daniel Wang (also the creator of Loopring), Taiko aims to be the most Ethereum-equivalent rollup with full EVM compatibility.
What Is Taiko? | How to Buy TAIKO
DeFi Layer 2 — Mode is an Ethereum L2 built on the OP Stack that introduced a novel growth model — developers earn a share of network sequencer fees when their contracts generate activity, creating a direct revenue stream for builders. Users also earn points and rewards for providing liquidity and using DeFi on Mode. Backed by Optimism and part of the Superchain ecosystem, Mode focuses specifically on bringing yield-generating DeFi to L2.
What Is Mode? | How to Buy MODE
ZK-Rollup Layer 2 — Loopring is an Ethereum Layer 2 using zkRollup technology to power a decentralized exchange with orderbook and AMM trading at 1/100th the cost of Ethereum mainnet. It gained massive retail attention in 2021 when it partnered with GameStop to build their NFT marketplace. Loopring's Smart Wallet uses social recovery instead of seed phrases for mainstream-friendly key management.
What Is Loopring? | How to Buy LRC
Elastic Blockchain Network — SKALE is a multichain network of gas-free EVM blockchains — each app can run on its own dedicated SKALE Chain with zero transaction fees for end users. This makes it particularly attractive for gaming and consumer applications where gas fees are a deal-breaker. The network has processed over a billion zero-fee transactions, powering games, NFTs, and DeFi apps.
What Is SKALE? | How to Buy SKL
Optimistic Rollup Layer 2 — Metis is an Ethereum Layer 2 that differentiates itself with a decentralized sequencer model — rather than relying on a single centralized sequencer like most rollups, Metis distributes sequencing across multiple nodes staking METIS tokens. Co-founded by the mother of Vitalik Buterin's childhood friend, Metis focuses on making L2 infrastructure community-owned and censorship-resistant.
What Is Metis? | How to Buy METIS
Ethereum Layer 2 — Lisk began in 2016 as a JavaScript-focused blockchain platform aiming to make blockchain development accessible to the world's largest developer community. In 2024, it pivoted to become an Ethereum Layer 2 using the OP Stack (Optimism's framework), rebranding as a real-world asset and emerging market-focused L2. This makes Lisk one of the longest-running crypto projects to successfully reinvent itself.
What Is Lisk? | How to Buy LSK
Move-Based Layer 2 — Movement is an Ethereum Layer 2 that brings Facebook's Move programming language to the EVM ecosystem. Move was originally developed for the Diem (Libra) project and offers resource-oriented programming with built-in safety guarantees that prevent common smart contract exploits like re-entrancy. Movement's M2 rollup combines Move's safety with Ethereum's liquidity and security.
What Is Movement? | How to Buy MOVE
Restaked Rollup Platform — AltLayer provides Rollups-as-a-Service (RaaS) — letting developers launch custom rollups (OP Stack, Arbitrum Orbit, ZK Stack, Polygon CDK) in minutes with built-in restaking security from EigenLayer. Its MACH service uses restaked ETH validators to provide fast finality for rollups, while SQUAD decentralizes sequencing and VITAL provides verification. AltLayer powers the infrastructure for chains like Xterio, DODOchain, and others.