Ethereum remains the foundation of crypto. But with activity rising across DeFi and memecoins, gas fees are once again pushing developers and users to look elsewhere.
In recent weeks, average transaction costs have surged above $25 during peak hours. And while Layer 2s offer some relief, they’re not always the answer — especially for builders who want full control over infrastructure.
So where are developers turning? Here are the Layer 1 projects gaining attention for faster execution, lower fees, and real scalability.