Top 10 Layer-3 Projects Shaping the Next Era of Scaling

Overview

• Layer-3 blockchains are emerging as the next evolution in scaling beyond Layer-2, offering custom environments for decentralised apps (dApps) to run faster and cheaper.

• These projects often build on existing Layer-2 frameworks to deliver tailored functionality, lower fees, and specialised execution for gaming, DeFi, and enterprise use cases.

• With increased developer tooling and interoperability, Layer-3 ecosystems are enabling new blockchain use cases at scale. 

The continuous advancements in blockchain scaling solutions highlight that specialised scaling cannot be achieved using traditional Layer-1 and Layer-2 solutions. Layer 3 is a powerful new layer that allows developers to customize execution environments, manage high throughput, and, overall, reduce costs without compromising security. 

Compared to Layer-2, which primarily focuses on scaling, a Layer-3 ecosystem supports application-specific scaling. It facilitates the deployment of advanced dApps, such as gaming platforms, DeFi, and private transaction layers.

What are the Top Layer-3 Projects in 2025?

zkSync Hyperchains is an upcoming Layer-3 ecosystem created by the zkSync team that uses recursive rollups and zero-knowledge proofs to improve scalability. It enables various app-specific chains to communicate with each other and inherits the Ethereum security model via cryptographic proofs.

Arbitrum Orbit offers a platform for developers to spin up customised Layer-3 chains on top of the Arbitrum Nitro platform. It supports customizable, low-cost conditions tailored to specific dApps or business models, such as gaming and DeFi, while remaining fully integrated with the rest of the Arbitrum ecosystem.

XAI Network aims at achieving blockchain scalability in gaming at the AAA-level, constructed with Layer-3 concepts, and with modular technology of Arbitrum. It enables fast, low-cost transactions of games and native tokens in in-game economies.

Degen Chain is a community-oriented Layer-3 that was initially used in social and micro-transaction applications. The feature of Degen Chain worth mentioning is its approach to niche markets and social applications via Layer-3, as well as its design purpose, which allows the community to relate to and communicate with one another.

Orbs is another Layer-3 platform that supports improved performance and interoperability for smart contracts across multiple blockchains, such as Ethereum and Polygon. It is a decentralised execution layer between L1 and L2, helping developers optimise application code and minimise execution friction.

Polygon Supernets is an extension of Polygon's modular scaling architecture that enables highly scalable, custom blockchains to meet the requirements of enterprises and applications. It is a Layer-3 solution that can be used to deploy dedicated chains with optimised throughput and control, and is ideal for decentralised use and business-friendly Web3 systems.

zkLink Nova is among the best Layer-3 projects of 2025, focusing on DeFi applications, specifically on zero-knowledge proofs and interoperability. zkLink Nova focuses on high-frequency business and cross-chain interactions in DeFi, achieving this simplification by minimizing gas fees. 

StarkEx is a Layer-3 architecture designed by StarkWare to be customized based on validity proofs, ensuring efficient execution and high transaction throughput. Its Layer-3 implementations target performance-intensive applications, such as finance and gaming, where fast, low-cost performance is vital.

Another Layer-3 contributor is Fuel Labs, which is introducing modular execution layers that can process transactions and execute them in parallel. It is built for high workloads and scales well to large applications and a variety of use cases, including DeFi and enterprise blockchain infrastructure, to create more resilient, high-throughput ecosystems.

Also Read: Top Indian Influencers Leading the Web3 Revolution 

The Layer-3 work of Aztec revolves around zero-knowledge proofs and the ability to execute transactions privately, enabling smart contracts to be executed safely and confidentially. This privacy-focused Layer-3 model is designed to support both controlled and privacy-sensitive applications, filling a significant gap in the scaling space where confidentiality is critical.

Also Read: Top 10 Crypto Companies in 2025, Shaping The Future Of Digital Finance 

Conclusion

The layer-3 project is quickly becoming a major powerhouse in blockchain scaling. It provides developers with the opportunity to build faster, cheaper, and more custom execution environments for decentralized applications. The zkSync Hyperchains and Arbitrum Orbit Layer-3 ecosystems are showing the limits of what can be done in Web3, whether it is improving gaming throughput, optimising DeFi operations, or introducing private transactions.

FAQs

What is a Layer-3 blockchain?

A Layer-3 blockchain is built on top of existing Layer-2 solutions to offer bespoke scalability, lower fees, and dedicated execution environments for specific applications.

How do Layer-3 solutions improve scalability?

Chains or apps related to transactions may be off-chain to reduce congestion and costs, while still guaranteeing security through rollup technology.

Are Layer-3 projects secure?

Many Layer-3 protocols are based on the security of Layer-1 and Layer-2 systems and provide a specific environment for the application scenario, yet the specifics of their implementations could impact risk.

Will Layer-3 replace Layer-2?

Not so much, Layer-3 is not a higher level of Layer-2 and doesn’t substitute the underlying L2 technology.

Which ecosystems are building the most Layer-3 solutions?

Rollup ecosystems such as Arbitrum, zkSync, and Polygon are the most active on Ethereum in supporting Layer-3 development.