In 2026, Layer 1 blockchains exhibited increased specialization, with Solana and BNB Chain dominating high-volume memecoin trading. Solana's decentralized exchange (DEX) volume reached its peak in January. Ethereum's mainnet solidified its role as a settlement layer, with Base processing over 3.3 billion transactions and transaction fees dropping to $0.19. The stablecoin market experienced a 45% surge, leading to the rise of stablecoin-focused blockchains such as Plasma. Privacy and performance-oriented chains, including Zcash and Monad, also gained significant traction, reflecting a broader trend towards specialized blockchain solutions.