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How a New L2 is Outpacing SOL, ADA, and DOT

How to earn crypto airdrops in new L2 ecosystems

Introduction

Hook: “Remember when Solana, Cardano, and Polkadot were supposed to ‘kill Ethereum’? Turns out, someone just leapfrogged them all.”
The big promise of Ethereum killers was faster speed, lower cost, and better scalability.
But a new Layer 2 (L2) on Ethereum is outperforming them without leaving the Ethereum ecosystem.
Let’s break down how this “Ethereum Killers’ Killer” is winning—and what it means for beginners, builders, and traders.

Quick Refresher—What Are Ethereum Killers and Why Do They Matter?

Ethereum Killers = blockchains created to do what Ethereum does—just faster and cheaper.
Top names: Solana (SOL), Cardano (ADA), Polkadot (DOT)
Why they mattered:
- Ethereum was expensive and slow in 2020–2022.
- Killers offered speed + scalability.
But…
- Network downtime (Solana)
- Developer exit & low adoption (Cardano)
- Complex architecture + slow dApp growth (Polkadot)

The Rise of Layer 2s—Why Ethereum May Not Need a Killer Anymore

Ethereum Layer 2s (L2s) scale Ethereum instead of replacing it.
Examples: Arbitrum, Optimism, Base, Starknet
L2s solve ETH’s biggest pain points:
- Gas fees
- Speed
- Scalability
Built on Rollups (Optimistic or ZK)

🔹 According to L2Beat, L2s processed more daily transactions than Ethereum mainnet in early 2024.

Meet the New Challenger: BASE—The L2 That’s Winning Big

Built by Coinbase, launched in 2023.
Based on Optimism’s OP Stack.
Integrated with Coinbase’s 100M+ users.
Has seen explosive growth in DeFi, NFTs, and on-chain activity.

What Makes BASE So Powerful

✅ Access to Coinbase’s entire ecosystem
✅ Low gas fees
✅ Super fast and stable
✅ Supports new apps, airdrops, and incentives

🧠 Think of BASE as the “App Store” of crypto—it’s where things just work.

BASE vs Ethereum Killers—Let’s Compare

Feature	Solana (SOL)	Cardano (ADA)	Polkadot (DOT)	BASE (L2)
Speed	High	Medium	Medium	High
Gas Fees	Low	Low	Low	Very low
Downtime	Frequent	Rare	Low	Almost none
Ecosystem	Strong but closed	Weak	Niche	Built-in with ETH
Dev Tools	Rust-only	Haskell	Substrate	Ethereum-native (Solidity)
Total Users	~1M monthly	Low	Niche	Millions via Coinbase

💡 BASE offers the best of Ethereum with none of the downsides.

Top Projects Thriving on BASE

Let’s look at 3 real-world examples of apps that are getting huge traction:

1. Friend.tech — Social DeFi Done Right

Built exclusively on BASE.
Tokenizes social influence (buy “keys” to message people).
Saw over $30M TVL within weeks of launch.

🎁 Pro Tip: Early BASE users often qualify for airdrops from apps like Friend.tech.

2. Aerodrome — A DEX With Real Liquidity

BASE-native AMM (like Uniswap, but for BASE).
Deep liquidity and high volume.
Incentivized with AERO token and staking rewards.

3. BasePaint — NFTs With Real Utility

Users collaborate daily on digital art.
Every stroke earns a token—gamified NFT creation.
BASE keeps it cheap and instant.

Why BASE Is Perfect for Crypto Beginners and Builders

Best crypto for beginners thanks to Coinbase UI.
Developers can launch on BASE with Ethereum tools.
Low cost = easier experimentation.
Massive audience through Coinbase integration.

⚠️ Fun Fact: A Coinbase account can be used as your BASE wallet—no extra setup needed.

How to Get Started on BASE in 4 Simple Steps

Step 1: Set Up a Wallet

Use Coinbase Wallet, MetaMask, or Rabby.
Add BASE network to your wallet (one-click in most wallets).

Step 2: Bridge ETH to BASE

Go to https://bridge.base.org
Move small ETH to get started—just enough for gas and a few trades.

Step 3: Explore BASE dApps

Visit https://base.org → Explore ecosystem.
Try out Friend.tech, Aerodrome, or BasePaint.

Step 4: Earn Rewards and Airdrops

Use apps regularly
Stake tokens, provide liquidity
Join early projects that offer retroactive airdrops

🧠 Tip: Follow BASE Twitter accounts and Discord servers for real-time drops and alpha.

Why Solana, ADA, and DOT Might Struggle to Catch Up

Solana suffers from frequent outages and centralized validators.
Cardano’s smart contract language is tough for most devs.
Polkadot hasn’t seen explosive dApp growth like Ethereum L2s.

In contrast, BASE is growing faster because it’s part of Ethereum—not fighting it.

Real Stats (2024–2025) That Prove the Shift

📈 BASE daily transactions > Solana (source: The Block)
📊 TVL on BASE > Cardano’s entire DeFi ecosystem
🚀 Over 100 dApps launched on BASE within 6 months of launch
👥 BASE active users: 5M+ via Coinbase and Wallet Connect

FAQs

Q: Is BASE a blockchain?
A: BASE is a Layer 2 built on Ethereum, powered by Optimism tech.

Q: Is it safe?
A: Yes, BASE uses Ethereum’s security plus Coinbase’s infrastructure.

Q: Can I use BASE without a Coinbase account?
A: Yes. You can use MetaMask or any Ethereum wallet. But Coinbase Wallet makes it super easy.

Q: How are fees so low on BASE?
A: It uses Optimistic Rollups—bundling transactions to reduce gas costs.

Conclusion: Ethereum’s Not Dead—and It Just Got a Power-Up

For years, people said Ethereum would get “killed” by faster, shinier chains.

But with BASE and other L2s stepping in, Ethereum doesn’t need to be replaced—it just needed help scaling. BASE is proving that by offering the speed and cost of Solana, the accessibility of Coinbase, and the security of Ethereum.

🔥 Want to see what the hype is about? Set up a wallet, bridge some ETH to BASE, and try one of its booming dApps—you’ll see why this might be the best L2 for beginners and builders alike.

Disclaimer

We share experiences and research, but this is not financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrencies are volatile, and markets can change rapidly. Always consult a licensed financial advisor before making decisions. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or legal issues arising from your use of this information. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Do your research, assess your risk tolerance, and never invest more than you can afford to lose. By reading this, you agree that you alone bear responsibility for your choices.

Stay informed, stay safe.