Borrowed security, a fraction of the cost
A layer 2 executes transactions in its own environment and posts the results back to a layer 1 with enough data for anyone to verify or challenge them. You get Ethereum grade settlement at a fraction of a cent.
Ethereum handles about fifteen transactions per second on its base layer. Rather than change that, the ecosystem chose to build execution layers on top and let Ethereum do what it is good at: settling disputes and storing data that nobody can hide.
The result is that a swap costing thirty dollars on Ethereum costs well under a cent on Base. Same wallet, same address, one network switch.
| Type | How it proves correctness | Withdrawal time |
|---|---|---|
| Optimistic rollup | Assumes valid, allows a challenge window | About seven days through the official bridge |
| ZK rollup | Proves every batch cryptographically | Fast, once the proof is verified |
| Sidechain | Its own validators, connected by a bridge | Depends on the bridge, and security is separate |
Third party bridges offer instant exits from optimistic rollups by fronting you liquidity for a fee. That is convenient and adds bridge risk on top.
Priced in real time
Loaded from CoinGecko when the page opens.
| Network | Ticker | Price | 24h | Market cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base | ETH | |||
| Arbitrum One | ARB | |||
| OP Mainnet | OP | |||
| Polygon PoS | POL | |||
| zkSync Era | ZK | |||
| Starknet | STRK | |||
| Scroll | SCR | |||
| Linea | LINEA | |||
| Blast | BLAST | |||
| Mantle | MNT | |||
| Mode | MODE | |||
| Taiko | TAIKO | |||
| opBNB | BNB | |||
| Immutable zkEVM | IMX |
Live from CoinGecko on page load. Figures are a snapshot, not advice.
One page each, with live data and the honest tradeoffs
Optimistic rollupBase
Coinbase's Ethereum layer 2, and the easiest onramp from a US exchange into onchain apps.
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Optimistic rollupArbitrum One
The largest Ethereum layer 2 by value locked, with the deepest DeFi ecosystem.
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Optimistic rollupOP Mainnet
The rollup that became a standard. Dozens of other chains run the same code.
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Sidechain moving to zkPolygon PoS
One of the earliest scaling networks, with huge consumer and enterprise adoption.
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ZK rollupzkSync Era
A zero knowledge rollup with native account abstraction built in.
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ZK rollupStarknet
A validity rollup with its own language, built for very high proof efficiency.
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ZK rollupScroll
A zkEVM that aims to match Ethereum bytecode for bytecode.
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ZK rollupLinea
ConsenSys's zkEVM, wired tightly into MetaMask and Infura.
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Optimistic rollupBlast
A rollup where bridged ETH and stablecoins earn yield automatically.
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Optimistic rollupMantle
A rollup with a very large treasury and separated data availability.
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Optimistic rollupMode
A Superchain rollup that shares sequencer revenue with developers and users.
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ZK rollupTaiko
A based rollup, meaning Ethereum validators order its blocks directly.
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Optimistic rollupopBNB
BNB Chain's own rollup, tuned for very high transaction counts at almost no cost.
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ZK rollupImmutable zkEVM
A rollup built purely for games, with gas free trading for players.
Open the network pageWant help picking one?
The right network depends on what you want to do and where your money already is. We can work that out on a call in about twenty minutes.