A separate network built on top of a Layer 1 blockchain to make transactions faster and cheaper, while still relying on the main chain for security.
Think of it like an express lane on a highway — it uses the same road system but lets you get through faster and for a lower toll.
Layer 2s can dramatically cut your transaction costs and wait times, making crypto practical for everyday use.
Watch out for the extra step of moving funds between Layer 1 and Layer 2 — it can take time, cost a fee, and requires using a bridge, which carries its own risks.
The main blockchain network itself — like Ethereum, Bitcoin, or Solana — that processes and finalizes transactions on its own.
A tool that lets you move your crypto from one blockchain network to another, since most blockchains can't directly talk to each other.
A small fee you pay to process a transaction on a blockchain, which goes to the people running the network.
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