Best Layer 2 Protocols for MetaMask

Loopring serves as an open protocol designed for the creation of scalable non-custodial exchanges on the Ethereum network. By utilizing zero-knowledge proofs (zkRollup), it facilitates efficient trading with high throughput and low settlement fees while ensuring the robust security measures characteristic of Ethereum. Throughout the entire trading process, users retain complete control over their assets. You can explore trading on Loopring to experience its features firsthand. As a protocol that is open-sourced, audited, and non-custodial, it eliminates the need for trust among participants within the Loopring ecosystem. Users’ cryptoassets are consistently under their own control, backed by 100% security guarantees equivalent to Ethereum's standards. Loopring enhances the capacity of decentralized exchanges by processing thousands of requests off-chain, ensuring verifiable execution through zero-knowledge proofs. Consequently, the limitations of underlying blockchains are no longer a hindrance to performance. Most functions, such as order-matching and trade settlement, are conducted off the Ethereum blockchain, streamlining operations and enhancing efficiency. This innovative approach positions Loopring as a leader in the realm of decentralized finance.

Meter serves as a highly efficient infrastructure designed to enable smart contracts to scale and navigate effortlessly across diverse blockchain networks. Functioning as both a Layer 1 and Layer 2 blockchain protocol, Meter is built around two primary tokens: MTRG, which acts as the governance token (with eMTRG representing its ERC20 version), and MTR, designed to be a stable currency token. To facilitate the unrestricted movement of financial assets between blockchains, Meter employs a HotStuff-based consensus mechanism that supports thousands of validator nodes, positioning it as the most decentralized Layer 2 solution for Ethereum. With the capacity to process thousands of transactions every second, transactions on Meter are confirmed in nearly real time. Additionally, Meter Passport enables assets and smart contracts to traverse and interact across various blockchains, optimizing for price, liquidity, and yield. Meter stands out as an Ethereum-compatible platform enhanced with distinctive features. In contrast to other Layer 2 solutions, decentralized exchanges (DEXes) built on Meter are resistant to front running and miner extractable value (MEV) issues, ensuring they are both swift and censorship-resistant. This combination of capabilities makes Meter a formidable player in the blockchain ecosystem.

A community focused on open-source development is dedicated to enhancing Bitcoin's scalability, particularly its proof-of-work security, to accommodate global demands and new applications, while striving to remain true to Bitcoin's foundational principles. With a decade of advancements since its mainnet launch, Syscoin has positioned itself as a leader in offering a robust network and protocol tailored for projects seeking to implement Bitcoin L2 solutions. As a Bitcoin L2 operating on the mainnet, Syscoin introduces a data availability protocol that enables the realization of EVM and AltVM rollups on the Bitcoin blockchain. By being merge-mined by a significant portion of Bitcoin's hash rate, Syscoin effectively anchors these rollups to the integrity of Bitcoin's proof-of-work mechanism, seamlessly integrating with the existing sequencer architectures of these rollups. Additionally, Syscoin delivers a scalable data availability layer for Bitcoin, essential for rollups and other EVM or AltVM layers, allowing them to connect to Bitcoin’s network securely and efficiently. This innovative approach not only enhances Bitcoin’s utility but also strengthens its position in the evolving cryptocurrency landscape.

Polkadot is an innovative blockchain network designed to support Web 3.0, which aims to create a decentralized and equitable internet where individuals have control over their data, fostering thriving markets through enhanced network efficiency and security. Established in 2016 by Gavin Wood, who previously served as the Co-Founder and CTO of Ethereum, Polkadot addresses key challenges that have hindered the widespread adoption of blockchain technology in recent years. The platform's development toolkit, known as Substrate, was created by Parity Technologies and simplifies the process for developers to create tailored blockchains suited to their specific needs. Additionally, Polkadot facilitates interoperability between various blockchains, making upgrades seamless, and introduces a model of “shared security” that allows developers to prioritize their technological innovations rather than expend resources on assembling a team of operators to manage a new blockchain. This approach not only streamlines the development process but also enhances the overall robustness of the blockchain ecosystem.

Base is a secure, cost-effective, and developer-friendly layer 2 solution for Ethereum, designed to usher in the next billion users to the web3 ecosystem. It offers the essential security and scalability required for your decentralized applications, utilizing Ethereum's foundational security while allowing smooth onboarding from Coinbase, Ethereum L1, and other compatible chains. Experience the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) at a reduced cost, and gain early access to advanced Ethereum functionalities like Account Abstraction (ERC4337), alongside straightforward developer APIs for gasless transactions and smart contract wallets. Built on Optimism’s open-source OP Stack, Base provides an effortless way for decentralized applications to tap into the extensive range of products and distribution options from Coinbase. With seamless integrations, easy fiat onramps, and entry into the Coinbase ecosystem—home to 110 million verified users and $80 billion in assets—Base positions itself as a pivotal player in the web3 landscape. The combination of innovative features and robust support makes Base an attractive option for developers looking to create impactful decentralized applications.

COMBO stands out as a premier provider of scaling solutions tailored for the development of Web3 games. Utilizing the most advanced game engine available, COMBO is creating an open-source, decentralized protocol focused on gaming that is designed for universal accessibility. Its mission is to unlock the full potential of Web3 gaming by seamlessly connecting developers with the broader ecosystem in a manner that is efficient, cost-effective, and secure. To support this initiative, COMBO has established robust partnerships with top-tier Web3 infrastructure projects, offering a suite of development tools and integrated game engines. These sophisticated resources enable game creators to enter the Web3 landscape with ease while streamlining and speeding up their development processes. Through the implementation of optimistic rollup technology, the platform can achieve over 5,000 transactions per second, all while maintaining extremely low gas fees of just 0.000000008 Gwei. Additionally, COMBO’s commitment to innovation is reflected in its ongoing efforts to enhance the gaming experience within the decentralized landscape.

Starknet functions as a decentralized ZK-Rollup on Ethereum, operating without permission and allowing any decentralized application (dApp) to attain boundless computational scale while maintaining Ethereum's security and composability. By generating STARK proofs off-chain and verifying them on-chain, Starknet successfully scales while safeguarding the integrity of Layer 1 Ethereum. Developers can seamlessly implement diverse business logic through Starknet Contracts, promoting Ethereum-level composability that encourages straightforward development and fosters innovation. The STARK Prover drives the StarkEx scalability engine, showcasing its capability to handle up to 600,000 transactions in a single proof on Mainnet, which highlights its efficiency and robustness. This combination of features positions Starknet as a vital infrastructure for the next generation of decentralized applications.

Celer Network operates as a layer-2 scaling solution designed to facilitate rapid, secure, and economical blockchain applications across Ethereum, Polkadot, and various other blockchain platforms, aiming for widespread adoption. It pioneered the world's first Generalized State Channel Network and continues to innovate in the layer-2 scaling sector through its advanced Rollup technology. Notable applications and middleware such as cBridge and Layer2.Finance, along with other ecosystem projects developed on the Celer platform, have drawn considerable interest from diverse audiences in the realms of DeFi, blockchain interoperability, and gaming. Layer2.Finance specifically addresses the two primary obstacles hindering DeFi's mass adoption: the prohibitively high transaction fees and the complexity of usage. Additionally, cBridge is a versatile multi-chain network that facilitates instant, cost-effective, and seamless value transfers across various Ethereum layer-2 chains, the Ethereum main chain, and in the future, other layer-1 and layer-2 solutions. As Celer Network evolves, it continues to enhance user experience and broaden access to blockchain technology for all.

Loom Network empowers developers with the scalability and user-friendliness necessary to create high-performance decentralized applications (DApps) that cater to users today. By offering seamless integrations with major blockchains like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Binance Chain, deploying a DApp on Loom ensures it remains relevant and accessible to the widest audience possible. Since its launch in early 2018, Loom Network has served as a multichain interoperability platform that is fully operational. It is specifically designed to scale high-performance DApps, providing a user experience that rivals that of conventional applications, thereby making it easier to onboard new users without the complications of requiring them to install cryptocurrency wallet software. This capability allows developers to utilize assets from leading blockchains and create a DApp just once, making it available across all platforms simultaneously. Additionally, on Loom Network, developers can use the token to cover their DApp hosting costs, and unlike the model used by Ethereum, they pay a straightforward monthly fee for hosting their applications on Loom. This structure simplifies financial planning for developers looking to maintain their DApps efficiently.

Create Ethereum-compatible smart contracts using various popular programming languages and execute them at a significantly higher speed on Substrate. This initiative operates under a decentralized, open-source business model that is financed by developer treasuries across participating blockchains. All current Ethereum smart contracts can be seamlessly executed on ParaState’s Ewasm VM (Pallet SSVM) without requiring any modifications. By supporting over 20 programming languages, ParaState enhances the developer ecosystem for creating Ethereum-compatible smart contracts. This includes widely-used languages like Solidity, Fe, Rust, and JavaScript, along with domain-specific languages (DSLs) such as MOVE, DeepSEA, and Marlowe. Substrate-based blockchains, including those within the Polkadot network, already experience a much greater transactions per second (TPS) rate compared to Ethereum. However, for a smart contract platform, the efficiency of compute performance is prioritized over TPS throughput. Experience the advantages by deploying smart contracts on ParaState and witness the enhanced capabilities firsthand.

Every day, countless transactions occur on the blockchain, yet individuals must compromise their privacy since anyone with access to their address can view their complete financial history. To address this issue, Suterusu has developed a trustless and universal Layer 2 privacy-protection protocol called Suter Shield, which effectively separates the sender's and receiver's addresses to ensure comprehensive protection of transaction data through sophisticated cryptography. The design effectively delinks the addresses entering and exiting Layer 1, providing total privacy for both user identities and transaction specifics within Layer 2. Additionally, Suter Shield incorporates an advanced ZK-ConSNARK scheme that features a proof size that remains nearly constant, alongside efficient proof generation and verification processes. This innovative approach not only enhances security but also promotes greater user confidence in blockchain transactions.

Access an expanding network of trading, yield generation, and liquidity options across various blockchains at a minimal cost. Simplify the flow of DeFi trading by eliminating network fees, complex multi-leg transactions, and cumbersome sign-offs through Qredo's innovative multi-party computation (MPC) approach. Tailor governance structures to align with current corporate frameworks and asset management processes seamlessly. Engage in trading, transferring, and managing digital assets on a decentralized platform with the flexibility of your own governance, whether through managed or self-custody methods. Experience swift transfers and cross-chain atomic swaps that enhance capital efficiency and profitability. Increase your overall returns with complimentary deposits when securing assets on the Qredo Network. With its headquarters located in London, UK, and development teams in Sofia, Bulgaria, Qredo stands as a well-capitalized, venture-backed startup that is meeting a burgeoning demand for its offerings. The company's commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction positions it as a leader in the evolving crypto landscape.

Linea is the Ethereum-aligned Layer 2 network designed to amplify the security, scalability, and economic value of the ETH ecosystem. Built as a zkEVM rollup, it maintains complete compatibility with Ethereum’s tooling while offering faster settlement times and significantly reduced fees. Each transaction contributes to Ethereum’s value by burning ETH, creating long-term scarcity and aligning incentives between Linea and Ethereum mainnet. The network enhances capital efficiency by enabling bridged ETH to be natively staked, with yield distributed to liquidity providers and DeFi protocols. Its tokenomics mirror Ethereum’s Genesis model, avoiding insider allocations while dedicating supply to builders, users, and public goods. An Ecosystem Council composed of trusted Ethereum stewards guides funding and R&D support across the community. Linea’s infrastructure is enterprise-grade, designed for global finance use cases such as tokenization, trading, and payments, while integrating seamlessly with custodians and DeFi leaders. As a product of Consensys and Ethereum’s open-source community, Linea embodies Ethereum’s ethos of decentralization and sustainable growth.

Create decentralized applications that deliver outstanding user experiences, leveraging the unmatched security of Ethereum through our advanced layer-2 network designed with a modular framework. Enjoy exceptional transaction speeds alongside robust security, utilizing Ethereum's roll-up technology in an environment compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine. The Mantle Liquidity Staking Protocol (LSP) serves as the second key offering within the Mantle ecosystem, allowing users to stake ETH and earn yield in the form of mETH (Mantle Staked Ether). As custodians of a substantial treasury, we focus on driving economic results for Mantle products with a strong emphasis on value creation, transparency, and responsible governance. Our commitment to these principles ensures that users can trust in the integrity and reliability of our ecosystem.

Leverage up to 50 times directly from your wallet for seamless trading. You can stake your stablecoins to earn rewards, and this platform is your prime destination for maximizing returns on USDC or FUSDT. Built on the ultra-fast Fantom blockchain, Tomb Chain is designed with eco-friendliness in mind. To bring your stablecoins to the Fantom ecosystem, you can use either Felix Exchange or Multichain from various other networks. This user-friendly website simplifies the staking and earning process in DeFi, making it more accessible than traditional methods. To get started, confirm a transaction to authorize your stablecoin usage, then choose how much you wish to deposit. After entering your desired deposit amount, you will need to finalize another transaction in your wallet. Subsequently, your stablecoins can be reinvested on this platform, allowing you to enhance your farming experience through compounding earnings. This approach not only optimizes your yield but also provides a streamlined way to manage your crypto assets effectively.

Blast is the sole Ethereum Layer 2 solution that offers native yield for both ETH and stablecoins. The yield generated comes from ETH staking alongside real-world asset (RWA) protocols. Users of Blast benefit as the yield from these decentralized systems is automatically redistributed to them. In contrast, the standard interest rate on other Layer 2 platforms sits at a mere 0%. Our vision as contributors is to enhance the on-chain economy by providing the highest-yield Layer 2 experience available. Those who participate in our community mission will have a chance to receive the Blast Airdrop as a reward. Notably, Blast's capabilities were made feasible this year, following the Shanghai upgrade to Ethereum. Additionally, yield from L1 staking, which was initially facilitated by Lido, is seamlessly transferred to users through a rebasing mechanism of ETH on the Layer 2 platform, ensuring they benefit from the staking rewards effortlessly. This innovative approach promotes both growth and accessibility within the blockchain ecosystem.

Mode is an Ethereum Layer 2 solution that incentivizes users for expanding its network through innovative economic strategies. This platform is creating a novel on-chain economy that compensates individuals for their contributions to network expansion. Developers can receive a share of the sequencer fees generated through their smart contracts. Additionally, Mode's innovative treasury will facilitate automated rewards throughout the ecosystem. Built on the modular OP stack, Mode is part of the super chain network, which includes both base and OP mainnet. Users can enjoy a streamlined, user-friendly blockchain experience with the Mode name service. Furthermore, the Mode bridge enables seamless asset transfers between Layer 1 and the Mode platform, enhancing the overall flexibility and accessibility of the network for its users. This multifaceted approach not only fosters growth but also strengthens community engagement within the blockchain space.

Rootstock stands out as an innovative Bitcoin sidechain that combines the advanced smart contract functionality of Ethereum with the unparalleled security of Bitcoin. Operating as an open-source platform, it utilizes Bitcoin's proof-of-work consensus mechanism, tapping into over 60% of Bitcoin's hashing power through merged mining to ensure its reliability. This synergy allows developers to create EVM-compatible smart contracts, paving the way for decentralized applications that benefit from the strength of Bitcoin's network security. The native currency of Rootstock, known as RBTC, is maintained at a 1:1 peg with Bitcoin, which simplifies interactions with decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols and dApps on the Rootstock ecosystem, facilitating processes like minting, swaps, and the payment of gas fees. Additionally, the PowPeg protocol plays a crucial role in guaranteeing secure and efficient two-way transactions between Bitcoin and Rootstock, significantly improving interoperability between the two networks. Within Rootstock's expanding ecosystem, users can engage in a variety of applications, including swapping and staking through platforms such as Sushi, optimizing yields with Beefy, and trading on Oku, demonstrating the platform's versatility and appeal. As a result, Rootstock offers a comprehensive environment that empowers developers and users alike to harness the full potential of blockchain technology.

Hemi represents a revolutionary modular Layer-2 blockchain framework that effectively combines the robust security of Bitcoin with the flexible programmability of Ethereum by integrating a complete Bitcoin node into an Ethereum-compatible environment, referred to as the Hemi Virtual Machine (hVM). This innovative setup empowers developers to create Solidity smart contracts that can directly utilize Bitcoin data without the need for bridges or synthetic assets. Through its unique Proof-of-Proof (PoP) consensus mechanism, Hemi provides “superfinality,” anchoring transactions within Bitcoin blocks to ensure high integrity and resistance to reorganizations, while also enabling rapid finality. Additionally, the Hemi Bitcoin Kit (hBK) equips developers with essential tools to craft authentic Bitcoin-driven DeFi solutions, including lending, staking, automated market makers, MEV systems, and multi-chain DAOs, leveraging actual BTC for collateral or yield generation. As a result, Hemi not only enhances the capabilities of decentralized finance but also fosters greater integration between two of the most significant blockchains in the ecosystem.

Polygon is the global leader in blockchain scalability solutions, offering an advanced infrastructure that transforms how money and data move across the internet. Purpose-built for real-time transactions, Polygon enables instant settlement, high throughput (1,000+ TPS), and transaction costs as low as $0.001. With over 5.3 billion transactions processed and $141 billion in transfer volume, it has become the backbone for digital payments, DeFi, and stablecoin ecosystems. Enterprises leverage Polygon’s robust framework to eliminate wire fees, improve liquidity, and ensure compliance—all while maintaining speed and transparency. The network’s aggregation layer, zkEVM, and AggLayer CDK provide developers with modular scalability for any use case—from tokenized assets (RWA) to cross-border payments. Its POL token secures the network and powers staking, governance, and utility functions. With account abstraction, social recovery, and seamless user onboarding, Polygon makes blockchain accessible to the masses. Backed by a thriving ecosystem and proven reliability, Polygon is redefining global payments and decentralized innovation at internet scale.

RSK stands out as the most secure smart contract blockchain platform, benefiting from the robust protection of the Bitcoin Network. Recognized as a significant opportunity in decentralized finance (DeFi), RSK allows Bitcoin users to engage in lending, borrowing, trading, and earning interest on their holdings. The evolution of finance is clearly moving towards decentralization, with RSK leading the charge as the preeminent smart contract platform globally. The primary objective of RSK's Contracts is to enhance the Bitcoin Contracts ecosystem by facilitating smart contracts, enabling nearly instantaneous contract payments, and improving scalability. By utilizing Merged Mining and a two-way peg, RSK Blockchain establishes a seamless connection with Bitcoin, reinforcing its security and functionality. Furthermore, RIF, built on RSK, aspires to lay the foundational elements for a completely decentralized internet, fostering Decentralized Sharing Economies that empower individuals through enhanced identity management, payment solutions, storage options, communication channels, gateway services, and marketplace functionalities. This innovative approach not only protects individual value but also promotes a more equitable digital economy.