What Sets Initia Coin Apart from Other Layer 1 Blockchain Tokens?

Layer 1 blockchains form the foundational infrastructure of the crypto ecosystem, powering decentralized applications (dApps), NFTs, and financial protocols. 

While Ethereum, Solana, and Cosmos have shaped much of the narrative, newer players like Initia Coin (INIT) are emerging with radically different approaches. 

Designed as a modular Layer 1 platform with native Layer 2 rollups (called Minitias), Initia introduces an integrated, scalable, and developer-focused framework. 

But how does Initia Coin compare to other Layer 1 tokens, and why is it gaining attention in the Web3 space?

Let’s explore what makes Initia Coin vs other layer 1 tokens such an important comparison in today’s blockchain landscape.

What Are Layer 1 Tokens?

Layer 1 tokens are cryptocurrencies that serve as the native assets of a Layer 1 blockchain—also known as the base protocol. These blockchains include Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), Avalanche (AVAX), and now, Initia (INIT).

Layer 1 tokens generally have the following roles:

• Paying gas fees for transactions and smart contract execution.
  
   
• Staking and securing the network through proof-of-stake or other consensus models.
  
   
• Participating in governance, allowing holders to vote on protocol upgrades.
  
   
• Incentivizing validators and developers to support the ecosystem.

However, not all Layer 1 tokens are created equal. Some are limited by monolithic design or lack scalability and composability. That’s where Initia’s unique design philosophy makes a difference—by rethinking the Layer 1 model entirely.

Read also: What is Initia? Understanding the Project Rolling Out the Init Airdrop

Modular Architecture and Native Rollups

Most traditional Layer 1 blockchains (e.g., Ethereum, Solana) operate on a monolithic structure, with scalability and customization bottlenecks. Initia’s core architecture, however, is modular by design. It enables:

• App-specific rollups: Developers can deploy custom Layer 2 environments—Minitias—that run on Initia’s secure base chain.
  
   
• Built-in rollup deployment tools: Rapid onboarding with low infrastructure overhead.
  
   
• Shared security: Rollups are natively secured by Initia’s consensus and validator set.
   

This integrated modularity removes the fragmentation seen in ecosystems where rollups and Layer 2 solutions exist externally.

Enshrined Liquidity: A Network Secured by DeFi

One of Initia's most disruptive features is its enshrined liquidity model. In contrast to other L1s where liquidity sits idle or is fragmented across apps and chains:

• Initia’s DEX liquidity is staked with validators.
  
   
• This liquidity secures the network while remaining usable across rollups and chains.
  
   
• Users benefit from greater capital efficiency, while the network gains from deeper, protocol-native liquidity pools.

This model not only boosts security but simplifies cross-chain and dApp access to liquidity—an innovation not found in Ethereum or Solana.

Multi-VM Support for Developer Flexibility

Initia is the first Cosmos-based blockchain to support the Move Virtual Machine (MoveVM) alongside EVM and WasmVM. This enables:

• Broader programming compatibility: Developers can build using Solidity (EVM), Move (popularized by Aptos and Sui), or WebAssembly (Wasm).
  
   
• Multi-chain porting: Teams from Ethereum, Aptos, or other ecosystems can migrate apps more easily.
  
   
• App-specific VM selection: Minitias can run the VM best suited to their use case.

Compared to single-VM platforms like Solana or even Ethereum, this approach increases developer onboarding and cross-ecosystem synergy.

Built-in Interoperability and Universal Gas

Initia eliminates complex bridging requirements by integrating cross-rollup and cross-chain interoperability into its base layer:

• Supports IBC (Inter-Blockchain Communication) and LayerZero, making it naturally connected to Cosmos, Ethereum, and beyond.
  
   
• Universal gas token (INIT): Users can transact across dApps and rollups using INIT without switching tokens.

Other L1s often rely on third-party bridges or external layers to achieve similar functionality, increasing complexity and risk. Initia simplifies the experience for both users and developers.

Read also: Initia Price After $INIT Presale: The Future of Initia

Superior Performance and Scalability

Initia achieves high throughput and low latency, especially on its rollups:

• Up to 10,000 TPS (transactions per second).
  
   
• ~500ms block times.
  
   
• Scalability is horizontal—more rollups can be deployed without compromising network performance.

By contrast, Ethereum struggles with throughput and high fees without L2 solutions, while Solana’s high-speed architecture comes at the cost of decentralization and stability.

Governance and Ecosystem Alignment

INIT token holders play an active role in network governance:

• Vote on upgrades, protocol parameters, and incentive structures.
  
   
• Help allocate resources and shape ecosystem development.
   

Compared to more centralized or externally governed chains, Initia ensures that the community directly contributes to its evolution.

Conclusion

In the battle of Initia Coin vs other Layer 1 tokens, Initia clearly stands out through its blend of modularity, liquidity innovation, multi-VM support, and native interoperability. Where other L1s excel in isolated features, Initia combines them into a cohesive, scalable, and developer-first ecosystem.

By empowering developers with opinionated but flexible infrastructure and offering users seamless dApp access and liquidity, Initia (INIT) is positioning itself as a next-gen L1 platform—potentially setting a new standard for blockchain architecture.

FAQ

What is Initia Coin and how is it different from other Layer 1 tokens?

Initia Coin (INIT) is the native token of the Initia blockchain, a modular Layer 1 network that includes native Layer 2 rollups, enshrined liquidity, and support for multiple virtual machines. Unlike traditional L1s, it offers built-in scalability and interoperability.

Can developers choose which virtual machine to use on Initia?

Yes. Initia supports MoveVM, EVM, and WasmVM, allowing developers to select the VM that best suits their dApp. This flexibility is rare among other Layer 1 blockchains.

What is enshrined liquidity and why is it important?

Enshrined liquidity is a mechanism where DEX liquidity is staked with validators, serving both as network security and usable liquidity for cross-chain operations. It boosts efficiency and removes the fragmentation seen in other DeFi ecosystems.

How does Initia handle interoperability?

Initia has built-in support for IBC and LayerZero, enabling secure, seamless communication across chains and rollups without relying on third-party bridges.

Is Initia a Layer 1 or Layer 2 solution?

Initia is a Layer 1 blockchain with native Layer 2 functionality. Developers can launch their own Layer 2 environments (Minitias) on top of Initia, secured by the base chain.