Definition
Layer 1 is the base blockchain network where transactions are recorded and blocks are created and validated. It includes the core rules, consensus, and data structure that define how the blockchain operates. Other systems and applications can be built on top of a Layer 1, but the Layer 1 itself is the primary foundation of the blockchain ecosystem.
In Simple Terms
Layer 1 is the main blockchain itself, not an add-on or extra layer. It is the original chain where transactions happen and are written permanently. Everything else in that blockchain’s ecosystem depends on this base layer to exist and function.
Context and Usage
The term Layer 1 is commonly used when discussing different blockchains as separate base networks, such as when comparing their design, security, or capacity. It often appears in conversations that distinguish between the main chain and additional layers or applications built above it, especially in discussions about scaling, interoperability, and ecosystem structure.