2026-01-16 05:28:57

Scaling blockchain: Layer 1 vs Layer 2

When it comes to expanding blockchain capacity, developers and projects face a crucial decision. Do you optimize the base layer itself, or build solutions on top?

Three main paths are shaping the future of blockchain scalability:

**Base Layer (Layer 1) Optimization** — Enhancing the core protocol directly through faster consensus, higher throughput, or larger block sizes.

**Rollups** — Bundling transactions off-chain and settling them in batches back to the main chain, offering faster speeds with inherited security.

**Sidechains** — Parallel chains operating independently but connected to the main network, providing flexibility at the cost of reduced security guarantees.

Each approach trades off decentralization, security, and speed differently. The practical reality? Most thriving ecosystems use a combination.

Which scaling strategy aligns with your vision for blockchain adoption? The answer shapes everything from transaction costs to user experience.

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DAOdreamer

· 5h ago

L1 is always the core, but the reality is that everyone is betting on whether rollup can truly handle that much traffic... To put it simply, it's about shifting trust from off-chain protocol providers to smart contracts. Who dares to guarantee there are no leaks?

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On-ChainDiver

· 5h ago

Honestly, the Layer1 overhaul has been played out long ago. I directly pass on projects that are still stacking block size... Rollup is the right path. The technological breakthroughs on the zk side have been eye-opening, but gas fees are still ridiculously high. I've tried all three approaches, and the conclusion is a combination of strategies, but most projects are still betting on a single solution. It's hilarious. Sidechains? Security is indeed a major flaw unless you're not afraid of being wiped out by bridging risks. Ultimately, which one to use depends on how much you have left in your wallet...

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SingleForYears

· 5h ago

Honestly, the current L1 optimization approach is a bit overhyped. It's better to focus on building a solid L2 ecosystem🤷 Everyone wants to be the next Ethereum, but in the end? Rollups are still the most popular For such complex technology, ordinary users don't really care; they just want cheaper gas fees Trying all three paths is the right way to go, but unfortunately, most projects lack this kind of thinking When will we no longer have to worry about this issue? User experience will automatically meet the standards Ultimately, L2 still needs to return to L1, safety first I've never really trusted sidechains; they feel no different from distributed systems... Instead of researching how to scale, it's better to first solve user retention problems

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MoneyBurner

· 5h ago

Haha, wasn't it already agreed that Arbitrum and Optimism have won? Why are we still debating L1? I've already built my USDC position in the rollup, with gas fees so low it’s almost crying. Looking at on-chain data, the TVL of L2 has long surpassed 1 billion, so what are L1s still bragging about? Unless you're playing blue-chip NFTs that require that little liquidity premium. Speaking of which, sidechains are really useless—security is compromised, yet no one wants them. I was burned by Polygon a while ago and haven't touched it since. The most lazy approach to new listings is to look for undervalued projects within the L2 ecosystem. Not only is the airdrop probability high, but the returns are also strong—just need to hedge the risks properly. It seems that those still arguing about L1 optimization vs. L2 haven't grasped the key point. The real skill is in who can master this combo best...

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GateUser-4745f9ce

· 5h ago

Honestly, rollups are indeed attractive, but security still needs to be closely monitored. L1 improvements have been stuck for so many years and are still bottlenecked; it's better to go directly to L2 for faster results. That set of sidechains... definitely carries high risks, so I'm not too willing to touch them. A combination of strategies is the way to go, anyway, since there is no perfect solution right now.

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BridgeJumper

· 6h ago

Honestly, rollup is the most practical right now. Compared to the slow and expensive L1 upgrades... but in the end, you still have to use a combo. There's no silver bullet.

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JustHereForAirdrops

· 6h ago

Layer 2 is really awesome. With the rollup combo, gas fees are directly cut in half. Who would still want to queue on L1?

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