Blockchain Networks

Explore and compare blockchain networks. Understand fees, speed, security tradeoffs, and which chains work with your wallet.

Network	Layer	Token	Block Time	Typical Gas	Best For
Ethereum	L1	ETH	~12 seconds	$1-50+	High-value DeFi, NFTs, and maximum security
Base	L2	ETH	~2 seconds	<$0.01	Beginners, low-cost transactions, Coinbase users
Arbitrum One	L2	ETH	~0.25 seconds	<$0.10	DeFi power users, trading, gaming
Solana	L1	SOL	~0.4 seconds	<$0.01	Fast trading, consumer apps, low-fee transactions
Bitcoin	L1	BTC	~10 minutes	$0.50-5+	Store of value, long-term holding, payments
Polygon PoS	sidechain	MATIC	~2 seconds	<$0.01	Low-cost transactions, brand/enterprise apps, gaming
Optimism	L2	ETH	~2 seconds	<$0.05	Public goods, Superchain ecosystem, governance
Avalanche C-Chain	L1	AVAX	~2 seconds	<$0.10	Institutional DeFi, custom subnets, gaming

All Networks

Ethereum

The original smart contract platform. Home to DeFi, NFTs, and the largest developer ecosystem. Higher fees but maximum security and composability.

Gas

$1-50+

Block Time

~12 seconds

Base

Coinbase-incubated L2 built on the OP Stack. Extremely low fees and growing rapidly. Great for beginners entering the Ethereum ecosystem.

Gas

<$0.01

Block Time

~2 seconds

Arbitrum One

Leading Ethereum L2 with the largest DeFi TVL among rollups. Strong developer tooling and an active DAO governance system.

Gas

<$0.10

Block Time

~0.25 seconds

Solana

High-throughput L1 chain known for extremely fast transactions and sub-cent fees. Popular for trading, memecoins, and consumer apps.

Gas

<$0.01

Block Time

~0.4 seconds

Bitcoin

The original cryptocurrency and most secure blockchain. Primarily used as a store of value and payment network. Limited smart contract functionality.

Gas

$0.50-5+

Block Time

~10 minutes

Polygon PoS

EVM-compatible sidechain with extremely low fees and wide adoption. Used by major brands for NFTs and loyalty programs.

Gas

<$0.01

Block Time

~2 seconds

Optimism

Ethereum L2 and home of the Superchain vision. Known for its focus on public goods funding and the OP Stack used by Base and others.

Gas

<$0.05

Block Time

~2 seconds

Avalanche C-Chain

Fast EVM-compatible chain with subnet architecture. Known for institutional interest and the ability to create custom blockchains.

Gas

<$0.10

Block Time

~2 seconds