Layer-2 & scaling coins — 28 coins

Layer-2 networks exist to make Ethereum (and increasingly other base chains) cheaper and faster without giving up its security. Rather than settling every transaction on the main chain, a Layer-2 batches activity off-chain and posts compressed proofs back down — so users get near-instant, low-fee transactions while still inheriting the underlying chain's guarantees. Optimistic rollups, zk-rollups and validiums each take a different route to the same goal.

The token economics here are still maturing, which is exactly why the sector is worth watching closely. Some Layer-2 tokens capture sequencer fees, some are pure governance, and some are mostly an incentive to bootstrap liquidity — the differences are large and not always obvious from the price chart. The 28 scaling tokens below are sorted by market cap. Each links through to a full profile with live price, market data and a forecast, so you can compare the leaders against the long tail of newer rollups on one page.