Across Protocol (ACX) enables seamless, low-cost cross-chain transfers with intent-based transactions, enhancing DeFi accessibility and security.

Transferring crypto assets from one blockchain network to another is still cumbersome, costly and inconvenient for many users, particularly those without a deep technical understanding of the technology. Numerous 

 solutions have emerged to facilitate the process, but the costs and complexity of crypto transfers are still an issue limiting the adoption of cross-chain 

Across Protocol (ACX) is a blockchain project that aims to tackle this problem by offering highly efficient, low-cost and secure cross-chain transactions based on intent technology. 

Intents — transaction requests with prespecified conditions — have seen rapid adoption in the blockchain industry. Across Protocol has focused its service offerings on using this promising technology. Begun in 2021 as a solution to facilitate token transfers between 

 networks linked to the blockchain, the protocol has evolved through two major version upgrades into a modular cross-chain solution that DApp operators can easily integrate into their platforms.

The protocol’s latest iteration, Across V3, features a modular settlement layer that 

 (DeFi) platforms can leverage to offer their users seamless, intent-based cross-chain swaps and asset transfers, all without leaving the user app’s native interface.

 (ACX) is an intent-based, modular web3 solution that offers cross-chain crypto transfers and swaps.

 Using the protocol, DApp operators can integrate Across into their own solutions to let their end users conduct intent-based cross-chain operations.

Across is not a newcomer to the blockchain scene — the project was launched in late 2021 and might be considered one of the first, if not the first, decentralized protocols specializing in intent-based cross-chain transactions. The original protocol, now known as Across V1, was primarily limited to enabling direct asset transfers between Ethereum and Layer 2 chains connected to the world's largest 

In June 2022, the protocol underwent its first significant upgrade with the introduction of Across V2. This upgrade improved the overall efficiency of the platform and introduced new functions. The major difference between V1 and V2 was that the latter could facilitate further intent-based transactions after the transfer of assets from the origin chain to the destination network. In contrast, Across V1 was limited to simple asset bridging between chains.

However, the protocol's most significant upgrade arrived in the form of Across V3, announced in February 2024, which introduced asset swap functionality and architectural modularity, allowing Across to act as a pluggable solution for various DeFi applications. Across V3 also simplified the calculation of fees for cross-chain operations. With Across V3, DApps of various kinds — primarily in the DeFi niche — can easily integrate intent-based cross-chain asset transfers, swaps and liquidity solutions into their own platforms. The protocol provides a set of APIs for developers for such integration.

The best part is that users of these DApps don't need to leave the platforms' native interfaces to execute the cross-chain operations. All of the activities supported by Across Protocol are carried out via the client's DApp interface. This is in stark contrast to the typical cross-chain experience for many web3 users, as they need to use multiple interfaces — e.g., one provided by an asset bridging solution and another at the destination app they use — to carry out their desired crypto operations.

Transactions executed by the protocol are based on user intents. Intents are conditional requests from users to perform some action, e.g., a token swap from ETH to USDT, if specific requirements are met, e.g., the swap rate is no lower than a certain value of ETH. In reality, many intents are executable transactions in the form of 

. Intent-based transactions have recently become popular in the crypto industry, due to benefits such as the limit on swap rates, a no-slippage fee model and other conditions that perfectly fit users' intended outcomes.

User intents are passed to Across's decentralized network or relayers, also known as solvers or fillers, which look for the best on-chain sources to satisfy the requests. Relayers compete with each other to offer the best solution to the user's stated outcome. The relayer that provides the best outcome earns the right to execute the transaction. This competitive relayer landscape allows end users to access the best possible rates for their cross-chain transfers and swaps.

Across Protocol locks user funds allocated for a transaction in an escrow pool instead of immediately transferring them to the winning relayer's custody, providing enhanced security to users. Relayers are responsible for providing the necessary funds to carry out the transaction on their own without having access to the user funds in escrow. When a relayer successfully executes an intent, they’re repaid from the liquidity pool holding the escrowed assets. To optimize 

, repayments to relayers are bundled and transferred in batches.

At the architectural level, Across is a modular system with three main layers — intent, relayer and settlement.

The intent layer is the component that handles user intents and their deposits at the origin chain. Then, the relayer hosts the network of relayer nodes and handles functions related to their activity — provision of capital to execute user intents, competitive bidding and the execution of intents.

The settlement layer is where the finalization of the transaction flow occurs, with relayers repaid in bundles and transactions settled on the destination chain. Verification of transactions uses an optimistic oracle that’s provided by the 

, a protocol specializing in blockchain oracle services.

Across Bridge is a cross-chain token bridge designed for efficient, low-cost and secure asset transfers. It provides an easy-to-use interface for users to move tokens seamlessly between different decentralized networks. To start using the bridge, you’ll need to connect a supported wallet. As of early February 2025, the bridge supports four popular wallet types — 

, Coinbase Wallet, Phantom and the group of wallets compatible with the WalletConnect framework. Currently supported networks for transfers include the Ethereum mainnet, 

 (POL) and zkSync Era. Transfers from the origin chain to the destination chain typically take only a few seconds to confirm.

Across+ is a bridge abstraction solution that utilizes cross-chain hooks to bundle multiple actions into one user transaction. In plain terms, it simply means that you can bridge assets to a protocol or DApp on the destination chain and carry out further actions (such as contributing liquidity) with a single transaction. For end users, this helps abstract the fact that the assets used for a crypto operation have been initially moved in from a different network. The cross-chain hooks let end-users carry out these transactions with a single instruction/signature, although under the hood, multiple actions are performed at the smart contract level.

Across+ boasts an extensive cross-chain reach. It currently supports 17 networks, including Ethereum and a wide range of Ethereum-linked Layer 2 chains.

Earlier, we noted that Across Protocol moved to a modular design with the launch of its V3 in early 2024. This shift to modularity has created opportunities for DApps and external protocols to use the platform’s settlement layer as a pluggable standalone product to provide efficient settlement for intent-based cross-chain transactions. Using Across Settlement, DApps can extend their functionality into intent-based liquidity operations, swaps and transfers. Across Settlement supports the same 17 decentralized networks that can be utilized with Across+.

In November 2022, Across Protocol launched its native token, ACX. The token is primarily used for 

, and holders can vote on various proposals related to the protocol's rules, future direction, treasury spending and native token emission. ACX holders exercise their governance function through membership in the Across DAO.

Holders of the token represent one component of the protocol’s governance model. The other two key parties involved are the Across Council and Committees, made up of specific subject matter experts. While all ACX token holders are entitled to vote on proposals, only those who hold at least 50,000 ACX (around $16,000) can submit proposals considered for voting.

ACX is a supply-capped asset, with a total and maximum supply of 1 billion. The token’s allocation shares are as follows:

 as a Perpetual contract with USDT. Under the terms of the contract, you can trade ACX with up to 50x leverage. The contract is available to traders in Bybit’s derivatives products, such as 

As of Feb 20, 2025, the ACX token is trading at $0.3257, which is 80.7% lower than its ATH of $1.69 on Dec 6, 2024, and 846.3% higher than its ATL of $0.03441 on Jun 1, 2023.

Long-term price forecasts for ACX are mostly bullish.DigitalCoinPrice 

 an average rate of $1.17 in 2027 and $1.78 in 2030, whileCoinCodex 

 the token to trade at around $0.34 in 2027 and rise to $1.12 in 2030.

The inefficient and often costly process of moving assets from one chain to another continues to hamper the adoption of DApps among crypto users. By enabling cross-chain intent-based functionality, Across Protocol seeks to provide DApps and their end users with a truly single-chain experience, where crypto operations across different networks can be handled from the same user interface.

Moreover, some of the protocol's key features — intent-based transaction execution, the competitive nature of the relayers' work and the batching of relayer repayments — contribute to lowering the costs of transfers and other crypto operations. Furthermore, the escrow system that the protocol employs protects users from malicious relayers, contributing to a stronger security profile for its platform. 

Minimal costs and tight security while carrying out your cross-chain crypto operations from a single DApp interface — these features aren't easy to come by all in one solution! 

Advanced

across protocol crypto (acx).png

Across (ACX): An Intents-Driven Solution for Cross-Chain Transfers

Standard Chartered, Animoca Brands, and HKT are launching a Hong Kong dollar-backed stablecoin and applying for a license under Hong Kong’s upcoming stablecoin bill. 

Daily Top Performer — Story Protocol (IP)

The S&P 500 hit a record high, rising 0.24%, despite Fed concerns and Trump’s tariff threats. Gold hit $2,946 before falling to $2,925 as Fed minutes dimmed rate-cut hopes. Coindesk Indices, an index measuring broader cryptocurrency market performance was up by 1.64%, with Bitcoin and Ether rising by 2.12% and 2.26%, respectively in the past 24 hours. Trade these markets and more with up to 500x leverage on Bybit MT5 using this 

Today’s top performer is IP, which surged nearly 29.3% after Story Protocol joined C2PA to enhance digital media verification and on-chain IP protection.

Story Protocol (IP), founded in 2022, is a Layer 1 blockchain that tokenizes IP, ensuring attribution, royalties, and fair creator compensation in an AI-driven economy. Story Protocol 

 C2PA, alongside Adobe, Microsoft, and other founding members, to set standards for verifying digital media. By bringing IP on-chain, Story makes it verifiable, programmable, and licensable, ensuring transparency and proper attribution.

Check Out the Latest Prices, Charts, and Data of 

Standard Chartered, Animoca Brands, and HKT are 

 a Hong Kong dollar-backed stablecoin and applying for a license under Hong Kong’s upcoming stablecoin bill. The joint venture aims to explore stablecoin applications in payments, leveraging Standard Chartered’s experience with tokenized money, Animoca’s blockchain expertise, and HKT’s mobile payment systems. The stablecoin bill, currently under review, will require issuers to obtain an HKMA license and meet reserve requirements. Hong Kong continues positioning itself as a digital asset hub, approving Bitcoin and Ether ETFs and enforcing strict crypto exchange regulations.

Yesterday, BTC Spot ETFs had a net outflow of $64.1M, with GBTC remaining unchanged.

KGeN, formerly indiGG, is a gaming platform backed by Aptos and Polygon, helping gamers own their data and connect with developers. With $30M raised at a $500M valuation, KGeN has 

 its K-Points farming program, where users earn K-Points by completing tasks to qualify for a confirmed airdrop. Players can also mint a free Proof of Gamer (POG) NFT and boost their earnings by joining a clan. The more quests completed, the greater the airdrop rewards.

Beginner

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Standard Chartered, Animoca, and HKT to Launch HKD Stablecoin Under New Regulations

BROCCOLI is a meme coin on the Binance blockchain. It's named after Broccoli, a dog owned by Changpeng Zhao (CZ), the founder of Binance. Learn more here.

 become popular. While some might exhibit organic growth, others are linked to an online trend that provides a sudden spike in popularity. The recent BROCCOLI meme coin has had a fascinating journey, from an unknown to a major Binance meme coin. Lately, it’s been in the news due to soaring market caps and a potential connection to the Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, more commonly known as CZ. However, it's also been the source of plenty of online debates and disagreements. 

Keep reading to discover the fascinating drama behind this coin. 

BROCCOLI is a meme coin on the Binance blockchain. It's named after Broccoli, a dog owned by Changpeng Zhao (CZ), the founder of Binance. Part of a highly publicized meme coin war, BROCCOLI’s market cap has been propelled to over $400 million.

, a meme coin launchpad built on the Binance blockchain. Its technology allows anyone to operate a meme coin, regardless of their proficiency with crypto. The platform lets people create a token by following simple prompts on a website. Broccoli's creators were able to specify parameters, such as their token's name, supply and launch method. Then, four.meme connects to the 

 that run on the BNB blockchain, whose Proof of Staked Authority system securely and affordably manages the token system and keeps track of Broccoli transactions.

The Broccoli token was created with a maximum supply of 1 billion. However, while its maximum supply is fairly standard for meme coins, its distribution method has been a bit more unusual. Instead of immediately flooding the market with all total coins, BROCCOLI has a 

 mechanism in place. The creators have chosen to burn upward of 

 already. The meme coin currently has a circulating supply of roughly 185.6 million tokens. Not much is known about BROCCOLI’s distribution. Initially, the developers of the coin owned 

, but token monitoring shows that these coins have already been sold, and are now on the open market.

The saga of BROCCOLI started when CZ first started releasing social media posts about the creation of meme coins. CZ penned the following post: “How does this work? I share my dog's name and picture, and then people create meme coins?” As a result, the internet was 

Once CZ revealed that his dog's name was Broccoli, multiple creators rushed to make new meme coins. The four.meme platform was briefly offline due to the surge of people building “CZ's dog tokens” and several different versions of the same coin being created.

After a few hours of infighting, Binance fans eventually rallied around BROCCOLI. The coin's stable tokenomics and simple marketing allowed it to briefly soar to a market cap of over $400 million. Since then, BROCCOLI's price has dropped from its all-time high (ATH) of $0.258. After the initial price boost the coin received from being the champion of the meme war, prices began to stabilize at around $0.07. As of Feb 19, 2025, its price is roughly $0.06959. 

Looking to trade BROCCOLI tokens? Bybit now offers the BROCCOLIUSDT Perpetual contract. To get started, you’ll first need to create a Bybit account, then fund it with cryptocurrency and navigate to the 

Due to BROCCOLI’s recent popularity, there are some opportunities for investors who favor high-risk meme coins. Though its price has dropped from its ATH, BROCCOLI still has thousands of fans. And even though CZ's participation was limited to providing a picture of his dog, the coin’s connection to the Binance founder's dog will encourage loyal Binance fans to remain invested in BROCCOLI. 

However, any meme coin is inherently volatile, and this is especially true of community meme coins that aren’t actually endorsed by the celebrity featured on the coin. If BROCCOLI’s community rallies around it and remains committed to posting content about CZ's dog, the coin could continue to do well. However, another cute animal may come along — or CZ could directly endorse another token — causing BROCCOLI's price to dip. Investors need to be aware of the potential for drastic changes in price if they want to work with this coin. For best results, don’t invest all your funds into BROCCOLI, and check market conditions closely as long as you hold this coin. 

Broccoli (BROCCOLI), the token named for CZ's dog, has been an entertaining way for Binance community members to work together and interact. By designing various tokens based on the Binance founder’s dog, people have been able to promote their favorite blockchain while sharing cute dog pictures. This trend is unlikely to lead to any meme coins with long-lasting success, but its brief popularity has some potential. 

Intermediate

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CZ's Dog (BROCCOLI): The Community Meme Coin Inspired by CZ's Dog

Bybit VIP offers a range of localized benefits and services tailored to meet the needs of users in specific regions.

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Investing

From veterans like Ethereum and Polkadot to up and coming projects like Aptos, these are the best layer 1 crypto projects to invest in during the bear market.

If you're searching for the best crypto to invest in during the bear market, you’ll first want to understand how to differentiate crypto projects from one another. Many of the best cryptos to invest in are Layer 1 cryptos, which include platforms like 

. The issue with these platforms is that they 

In recent years, developers have created 

 for consensus and security. With Layer 2 protocols in place, Layer 1 

 have become less of an issue. We’ll take a closer look at some of the best Layer 1 cryptos to invest in during the bear market.

The term “Layer 1” refers to the initial layer of a crypto ecosystem or platform. For instance, Ethereum is currently considered a Layer 1 blockchain, with Layer 2 projects that have been placed above it for added functionality.

Layer 2 projects, which can be placed on top of Layer 1 blockchains, include everything from 

 (DeFi). In most cases, Layer 1 is the base layer and primary security provider for the entire network. During a bear market, when many cryptocurrencies and projects are declining in value, it's highly recommended that you get back to the fundamentals by placing your investments into 

A smart contract platform typically consists of three components, which include security, decentralization and scalability. However, having all three of these components is very difficult (hence, the 

). Many smart contract platforms have two of these components firmly in place but are relatively weak when it comes to the third.

Platforms like Bitcoin and Ethereum are considered to be decentralized and highly secure but aren't necessarily scalable. In comparison, a platform like 

 has issues with decentralization but is considered to be scalable and secure. Ethereum — due to its popularity for creating DApps — has experienced such difficulties with scaling that they’ve needed to charge higher fees to cover the expenses. In return, many users have chosen to invest in other platforms. (Note: 

, Ethereum’s long-awaited upgrade, is ongoing at the time of this article’s writing.)

As the first system that's built in a blockchain, Layer 1 is able to perform standard functions, such as performing transactions. While the following Layer 1 list includes more than a dozen of the best smart contract platforms, Bitcoin is still the most common Layer 1 cryptocurrency. Layer 2 cryptos are protocols that are built directly on top of the Layer 1 structure for the purpose of resolving cost and speed issues. Two examples of Layer 2 blockchains include on Bitcoin are the 

. On the Ethereum side, examples of Layer 2 blockchains would include 

What Are the Best Layer 1 Crypto Projects?

If you want to know which crypto to buy now, the following list of Layer 1 cryptocurrencies takes a comprehensive look at 18 of the best Layer 1 cryptos to invest in. Every coin in this list has proven to be popular among crypto investors.

 is currently the most popular and widely used currency. It's considered to be among the best cryptos to invest in because of its high value and lengthy history, as well as its original status as the most notable form of digital cash. 

Currently, Bitcoin has the highest amount of liquidity among all cryptocurrencies, which means that no one has difficulty selling or purchasing Bitcoin. Even though Bitcoin experiences volatility as part of a volatile asset class, it's among the most stable options available to investors, which places it among the best Layer 1 cryptos. Note that although Bitcoin operates on a 

 (PoW) consensus, it’s considered to be the best crypto to invest in because of its sizable market share.

 is considered to be the very first smart contract platform, and it has the largest market capitalization among all such Layer 1 networks. As such, it's considered one of the best Layer 1 crypto projects to date.

 (EVM), a decentralized computer that developers interact with while creating smart contracts. (Other Layer 1 networks in this list, such as Avalanche and Binance Smart Chain, are EVM compatible as well.)

Because of this compatibility, many other cryptocurrencies are based on the code that Ethereum uses, which allows developers to implement their projects on numerous blockchains. Even though Bitcoin is the most widely used currency on this Layer 1 list, Ethereum has a strong ecosystem and is considered to be the most decentralized Layer 1 currency, which makes ETH one of the best cryptos to invest in.

As the most hype-filled project of 2021, 

 certainly has the potential to become one of the best Layer 1 crypto projects of all time because of its unique consensus mechanism. Transactions are timestamped when placed in a completely new block within the chain. Along with supporting smart contracts and a range of DApps, Solana is considered to be a high-performance blockchain. Its goal is to maximize efficiency, which makes Solana as one of the best smart contract platforms. 

It can process a maximum of 65,000 TPS which is considered one of the fastest in DeFi. This was one of the leading factors along with the Ethereum killer narrative that pumped its native token SOL by 17055% in 2021. Since then it has retraced to local lows which makes it attractive and affordable to investors that were interested in Solana before.

 is another EVM-compatible blockchain that aims to solve the scalability issues that have plagued Ethereum. This platform uses the C-chain as a proprietary network chain, similar to the EVM. By using the C-chain, developers are able to create smart contracts built with Ethereum in mind, which makes Avalanche among the most versatile cryptos in this Layer 1 list.

The C-chain comprises two additional blockchains: The Platform Chain and the Exchange Chain. When these chains work on specialized tasks, it's possible for the network to become more efficient and scalable, which is why Avalanche is one of the best Layer 1 cryptos. Additionally, the network has expanded to include subnetworks which work similarly to sharding Ethereum 2.0. Avalanche is well on the way to its goal of becoming a worldwide asset exchange.

 is another Ethereum-compatible platform. It offers a native token known as ATOM. This platform is application-agnostic, which means that it's fully interoperable with the Ethereum mainnet and similar 

 ecosystems. The platform's interoperability makes it among the best cryptos to invest in. Cosmos focuses on providing features that aren't available on Ethereum.

Since developers can launch Ethereum applications on the Cosmos platform without needing to rewrite code, it’s proven to be popular among developers and investors alike. Additionally, the network will be deploying interchain 

which will drive more use cases for ATOM. Cosmos aspires to be at the forefront of decentralized finance, which makes this currency unique among the other cryptos in this Layer 1 list.

, an open-source blockchain, enables separate blockchains to become fully interconnected via the creation of 

. Every chain that's created on the Polkadot platform is made with a modular framework, which is ideal for developers. Polkadot focuses on transparent governance, upgradeability and scalability, the latter of which is absent from many cryptos in this Layer 1 list.

Polkadot's native token is known as DOT, which is used to incentivize uses in the 

. One notable advantage of using this platform is that developers use a shared security system, which means that they don't need to take steps to bring in validators or miners for security. Polkadot is among the best Layer 1 cryptos because of its large market cap which positions it as a top-ten coin.

, an ERC-20 token that's positioned on the Ethereum blockchain, is the primary coin associated with the Crypto.com exchange. The purpose of this coin is to accelerate and fuel the mass adoption of cryptocurrencies, which makes it among the best Layer 1 cryptos. CRO comes with a high APY interest rate for staking via 

Members also get relatively high discounts on exchange fees. If you decide to opt into a syndicate event, you can purchase numerous cryptocurrencies at a 50% discount. Keep in mind that holding a specific amount of the CRO currency gives you access to additional features and perks, which mainly include high-interest rates when 

the coin. Some investors find CRO as one of the best cryptos to invest in because of its reward system.

 aims to be a competitor to Ethereum, with a focus on scalability as well as ease of use. The platform's scalability is centered around two distinct layers of technology, which include technologies for transferring value and tracking ledger balances.

Its native token, ADA, soared in market cap to become one of the best Layer 1 cryptos after their 

 which introduced smart contract capabilities for developers to build DApps and NFTs. The network is set to undergo another upgrade on September 22. The 

 enhances its speed and scalability which brings Cardano one step closer as an 

At the moment, Cardano has an existing supply of around 33.8 million. If you're wondering which crypto to buy now, ADA is a great investment because it can be used as a 

 (BSC) is another EVM-compatible platform. It offers low fees of around $0.15 per transaction and discounted fees on its native exchange. Even though the BSC network comprises some centralization, its native token BNB facilitates quick and affordable transactions on a secure network.

, it makes BNB among the best Layer 1 cryptos. Some investors believe that BSC offers better performance than Ethereum, even though it relies on the Ethereum developer community. Along with affordable transactions, BSC has quick adoption rates, while also accommodating bridging, which facilitates easy token migration.

 is an open-source blockchain that supports the creation of DApps. NEAR is secure, highly capable and intuitive.

This crypto platform uses sharding technology to allow for infinite scalability. Smart contracts are fully compatible, and gas fees are considerably lower when compared to those on Ethereum. NEAR also works as a storage layer which developers can pay to maintain their 

It also has a Layer 2 scaling solution that is compatible with Ethereum called Aurora. It relies on the speed and scalability of the NEAR blockchain with the reach of Ethereum. This lets developers build DApps compatible with Ethereum at a cheaper cost without changing the code base. It also makes it easier to scale without worrying about expensive gas fees and other drawbacks that come with Ethereum. 

This makes NEAR attractive to investors as the protocol implements new features such as its stablecoin USN that provides additional use cases to NEAR.

 is hyped up to be one of the best Layer 1 crypto projects thanks to its goal of becoming the "nervous system" for any smart cities developed in the future. With prolific developer Andre Cronje ponce at the project's helm, many investors were excited for Fantom's advanced distributed ledger technology that could power an array of smart services.

 technology to provide additional scalability while also facilitating instant crypto transactions. The inclusion of a high-performance virtual machine means that smart contracts are easy to create and deploy. The Fantom Foundation has plans to release their Fantom Virtual Machine  (FVM) next year, which will have Solidity compatibility and parallel processing.

Currently, you can use the FTM token for governance, staking and paying fees. FTM has a market cap of more than $675 million and has been relatively inexpensive since its decline at the start of this year.

 is a popular blockchain that was founded in 2017 but only launched its ALGO token later in 2019. Algorand is based on a PoS mechanism and is considered to be more secure than some other PoS platforms, which makes it the best among Layer 1 cryptos.

Validators on the Algorand platform are selected at random, which makes it almost impossible to predict who will be the best-performing validator. The primary benefits of investing in ALGO and using the Algorand platform include complete decentralization, less time needed for verification, 

, an experienced team and a low potential for hard forks.

 is a decentralized platform with a focus on bridging decentralization and scalability. While Harmony was among the best Layer 1 crypto platforms in 2021 due to the soaring popularity of GameFi DApp, DeFi Kingdom. Their native token ONE cannot be mined, but rather staked to earn rewards. To do so, you’ll need to have the Harmony One extension installed into your web browser, which lets you perform transactions.

Harmony One has improved some of the weaknesses that exist in blockchain technology and has already cultivated a lengthy list of partnerships across many industries. Harmony One has a market cap of more than $250 million.

 is a highly popular smart contract platform that aims to deliver extensive scalability options through the use of sharding technology. The native token of this crypto platform is EGLD, which was initially launched on the Binance DEX. It's believed that Elrond eGold is around 1,000 times more scalable than Ethereum.

If you're wondering which crypto to buy now, EGLD is a great option because of its fast transaction speeds, superior network security and strong DApp ecosystem. EGLD has a market cap of nearly $1.4 billion, with a single coin worth approximately $60 and a circulating supply of more than 22 million EGLD.

 is a carbon-negative network that acts as a distributed ledger for transaction fees and payments of all types. This includes in-app payments, micropayments and even network protection. It uses a technology called the directed acyclic graph (DAG). This technology allows the network to achieve lightning-fast transaction speeds of up to 10,000 transactions per second (TPS) with low fees of only $0.0001 per transaction.

Hedera is also 885,000 times more energy efficient than Bitcoin. Users burn just 0.001 kilowatt-hours of energy per transaction, compared to transactions in Bitcoin that consume 885 kWh of energy. Due to this carbon-negative nature, many energy-conscious individuals have speculated for Hedera to be one of the best Layer 1 crypto projects in the near future once it gets mainstream adoption.

 that provides users with complete control over their transactions. The XMR token is also considered to be completely fungible. If you decide to invest with the Monero platform, you'll discover that it's possible for transactions to be linked and that addresses cannot be tracked.

This platform doesn't come with a block limit and is considered to be dynamically scalable. In the event that the Monero supply ever runs out, a continuous supply of 0.3 XMR will be available to further incentivize miners. Users are able to make transactions visible to other users, which means that Monero can be audited by officials for any sign of foul play.

 is a unique crypto project that's outfitted with a new payment protocol meant to streamline international payments. Its XRP token acts as a cryptocurrency, as well as powering this digital payment network that accommodates financial transactions.

The two primary reasons to use Ripple as your Layer 1 crypto project of choice include affordability and a high market cap of $35 billion. As a payment processor and currency exchange, Ripple uses XRP to facilitate transactions and competes with traditional payment validation and remittance systems like Swift, ACH, and Payoneer. This makes XRP an investment with huge potential should they succeed in taking market share from the traditional payment companies.

is a brand new blockchain that's pegged to be one of the best as it was created to compete against other best Layer 1 crypto projects like Solana. The cryptocurrency promises users increased scalability, security, usability and reliability over other Layer 1s.

While Aptos is still in the early stages of planning, experts are already beginning to talk about the Aptos blockchain as it has raised millions of dollars from investors. The blockchain is based on the Diem blockchain initiative (from Meta) that was abandoned.

The network plans to launch its native token APT in Q4 2022, which makes the launch of Aptos highly anticipated. This is a project that you might want to keep an eye out for. If the launch is successful, we could see APT explode just like what happened to SOL previously.

Where to Buy the Best Layer 1 Crypto Projects

Now that you have a good idea of some of the best Layer 1 cryptos on the market, you'll need to know where to purchase them. If you're interested in buying BTC, you can do so on platforms like 

, which is a popular cryptocurrency exchange that currently boasts more than six million members. Purchasing cryptocurrencies like BTC on Bybit is simple and straightforward.

Bybit has a sleek and intuitive interface that's designed to streamline the process of buying Bitcoin and other currencies detailed in this Layer 1 list. There are several methods you can use to buy Bitcoin on Bybit, which include credit or debit cards, or trading other cryptos for Bitcoin.

The steps for buying Bitcoin or other cryptos on this Layer 1 list depends on the device that you're using. Depending on the device that you’re using, you can purchase your cryptocurrency via the Bybit mobile app or web page. Follow the steps below to use the Bybit App:

Once you've obtained your Bitcoin, you can choose to hold it, trade it, or stake Bitcoin through the Bybit platform. The Bitcoin that you hold will be stored in your Bybit account and can be accessed at any time through the Bybit web page or mobile app.

If you want to trade Bitcoin, Bybit accommodates many trading pairs via our derivatives and spot markets. You can also stake your Bitcoin in order to increase your investment portfolio’s digital assets. Finally, 

 allows you to earn a fully guaranteed APY. You can also choose to stake or unstake your Bitcoin holdings whenever you want.

Now that you've gained some understanding of the best available smart contract platforms and Layer 1 cryptos, you now have a better idea of which crypto projects are fundamentally strong and deserve your investment. Each of the 18 projects detailed in this Layer 1 list has proven to be popular among crypto investors and stand out for specific reasons. With this educational piece on the best Layer 1 crypto projects, we hope you're better able to make investment decisions after doing your own research.

Best Layer 1 Crypto Projects To Invest In During the Bear Market

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Grab Up to 5,000 USDT in Rewards