- Stacks brings smart contracts to Bitcoin, leveraging PoX consensus and Bitcoin’s hashpower for secure, scalable dApp development.
- Arbitrum uses optimistic rollups to reduce Ethereum costs and latency while enabling broader programming language support via Stylus.
- Kaspa’s blockDAG protocol enables high-speed PoW consensus with support for future Layer 2 integrations and rapid block confirmation.
As the blockchain landscape evolves, projects such as Stacks, Arbitrum, Kaspa, and AIOZ Network continue to push the boundaries of scalability, interoperability, and decentralization. These platforms are actively building infrastructure to enhance the capabilities of major networks like Bitcoin and Ethereum while introducing novel consensus mechanisms and utility layers.
Stacks(STX): Unlocks Bitcoin for Smart Contract Utility
Current price:$0.6164
Market cap:$937.56M
Stacks operates as a Bitcoin Layer enabling smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps) to integrate directly with Bitcoin. Utilizing a unique Proof of Transfer (PoX) consensus mechanism and the Clarity smart contract language, Stacks maintains real-time knowledge of Bitcoin’s state. All Stacks transactions are hashed and secured by the Bitcoin Layer 1 (L1), leveraging Bitcoin’s hashpower for security. This approach allows applications built on Stacks to interact with over $500 billion in BTC capital, while remaining anchored to Bitcoin’s base layer.
Arbitrum(ARB): Expands Ethereum Scalability with Rollups
Current price:$0.2924
Market cap:$1.35B
Arbitrum is a Layer 2 scaling solution for Ethereum that utilizes optimistic rollups to increase transaction throughput and reduce fees. By relocating computation and storage off-chain, Arbitrum enhances the speed and cost-efficiency of Ethereum-based applications. Governed by the Arbitrum DAO, ARB token holders participate in key decision-making processes. The network plans to introduce Stylus, enabling support for additional programming languages, and is also preparing to launch a Layer 3 solution known as Orbit.
Kaspa(KAS): Implements High-Speed Proof-of-Work Consensus
Current price:$0.07541
Market cap:$1.96B
Kaspa distinguishes itself with the GHOSTDAG protocol, allowing parallel blocks to coexist through a directed acyclic graph (blockDAG) structure. This framework enables high block production rates with rapid confirmation times. Kaspa aims for future scalability with targets of 10 to 100 blocks per second. The protocol includes features like reachability queries, block data pruning, and SPV proofs, preparing the network for future Layer 2 integrations.
AIOZ Network(AIOZ): Bridges Web3 Content with Decentralized Infrastructure
Current price:$0.2172
Market cap:$253.89M
The AIOZ Network focuses on transforming content delivery using decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePINs). Supporting Ethereum and Cosmos ecosystems, AIOZ offers decentralized storage, AI computation, and streaming services. It aims to provide scalable, cost-efficient solutions for developers in the Web3 space through blockchain-powered distribution systems.
