L1:
What is Ethereum L1?
Layer 1 (L1) = Main Ethereum blockchain
This is the original Ethereum network where:
ETH lives
Smart contracts run
Security is strongest
But ❌ transactions are slow and gas fees are high
Examples on L1:
Sending ETH
Uniswap (on mainnet)
NFTs on Ethereum mainnet
💸 Gas fee can be $5–$50+ when network is busy.
L2:
⚡ What is Ethereum L2?
Layer 2 (L2) = Scaling networks built on top of Ethereum
They make transactions:
✅ Faster
✅ Much cheaper
✅ Still secured by Ethereum L1
Think of L2 as side roads to reduce traffic on the main highway (L1).
Use?
🧩 Which one should you use?
If you are:
Sending money / trading small amounts → Use L2
Holding big funds long-term → L1 is safest
NFTs, gaming, DeFi daily use → L2 is better
When ETH or L2 tokens crash together?
If Ethereum drops, L2 tokens (ARB, OP, zk, STRK) usually:
Drop harder
Because they are smaller market cap + more volatile.
#EthereumLayer2Rethink? #WhaleDeRiskETH
