Layer 2 networks
Networks that execute transactions off a base chain and settle back to it, usually Ethereum.
What it is
A layer 2 runs transactions off a base chain and settles the results back to it, so users get cheaper, faster transactions while leaning on the base chain for final security.
What they share
Their security and their users both come from the base chain they settle to, almost always Ethereum. That ties them to it: a layer 2's activity rises and falls with demand for that ecosystem.
What separates them
- Which chain they settle to. Most settle to Ethereum (Arbitrum, Mantle, Polygon's network); Stacks settles to Bitcoin.
- What the token does. On some the token pays for gas (Mantle's MNT, Polygon's POL); on others it is mainly for governance and the network's fees are paid in ETH (Arbitrum's ARB). That decides whether network use creates direct demand for the token.
- How they prove their work. Optimistic rollups assume transactions are valid unless challenged; zero-knowledge rollups post a cryptographic proof with every batch.
By the numbers
The 5 members on today's board, 2 October 2026. Market data only; these move as the board changes.
- Combined market cap
- $5.81B · 0.2% of the board
- Largest member
- Mantle MNT
- Median member, 30 days
- +40.0% · Bitcoin +9.5% · 5 with enough history
- Median member, 90 days
- +110.8% · Bitcoin +35.5% · 5 with enough history
The 5 on today's board
By market cap. Updated 13m ago. Membership starts from CoinGecko's categories; a coin is listed when this category describes what it does, not merely what it is used for. Each coin's page shows its score; sign in free to see them side by side.
| # | Coin | Price | 24h | Market cap | 24h volume | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51 |  Mantle MNT |
$0.6657 | -2.1% | $2.20B | $30.5M | 🔒 |
| 69 |  Arbitrum ARB |
$0.2030 | +0.8% | $1.38B | $184.5M | 🔒 |
| 75 |  POL (ex-MATIC) POL |
$0.1080 | +0.4% | $1.15B | $89.3M | 🔒 |
| 98 |  Stacks STX |
$0.3630 | -5.5% | $679.0M | $34.2M | 🔒 |
| 127 |  Derive DRV |
$0.4064 | +6.1% | $406.3M | $19.3M | 🔒 |
Other categories: Layer 1 blockchains · DeFi · Decentralized exchanges · Lending and borrowing · AI tokens · Meme coins · Real-world assets · DePIN · Exchange tokens · Infrastructure