5 Underrated Layer-1 Tokens That Could Make Waves in 2025

Think about it. Cutting cross-chain transfer times from 16 minutes to 2 minutes, connecting millions of JavaScript developers to blockchain, and securing confidential healthcare data for Fortune 500 companies. All of this is happening under the radar.

The cryptocurrency market is often compared to high school, with everyone fixated on the popular crowd—Ethereum, Solana, Bitcoin—while the real action is happening at the quieter tables. But who are the stars of tomorrow? Which Layer-1 tokens are quietly solving Web3's biggest problems and setting themselves up for breakout success in 2025?

Here are five underrated Layer-1 tokens that could be making waves soon, even if most of the crypto world hasn’t caught on yet.

1. MultiversX (EGLD)

While many blockchains struggle with scaling without sacrificing decentralization, MultiversX (formerly Elrond) has cracked the code. Its adaptive state sharding splits the network into manageable pieces, achieving 30,000 transactions per second while maintaining decentralization across over 3,200 validator nodes. The result is a reliable, high-speed performance—even during periods of high demand—and transaction costs that stay at a steady $0.001.

In addition to scalability, MultiversX takes sustainability seriously. The platform is carbon-neutral, offsetting more CO2 than it produces since 2021, with a relatively small carbon footprint of 5,253 tonnes annually—much lower than most blockchain networks.

Its EGLD token is crucial in securing the network and offers stakers an average APR of 7.32%. MultiversX has been chosen by major companies like Google Cloud and Tencent Cloud, signaling growing confidence from enterprise players. In 2024, the launch of Growth Games, a $1.5 million grant program aimed at accelerating AI and blockchain integration, shows that MultiversX is more than just a promising blockchain—it’s building an ecosystem.

Still, EGLD’s market cap is far behind larger competitors, trading at $30.38 as of time of writing while blockchains with similar or lower transaction speeds surpass it. If more investors recognize MultiversX’s solid infrastructure and eco-friendly approach, EGLD could see a significant rise in value in 2025.

2. Algorand (ALGO)

Scalability in blockchain is a tough nut to crack—everyone wants speed, security, and decentralization, but getting all three right has been a challenge. Algorand found its answer with Pure Proof-of-Stake, proposed by Turing Award winner Silvio Micali. The result is a platform that processes millions of transactions daily without a hitch.

In January 2024, Algorand handled 43 million transactions in a single day, ranking third in blockchain transaction volume that quarter. With transactions finalized in seconds and no forks, it’s a solid option for financial applications, which need speed and certainty.

Real-world use cases are already rolling in. ZTLment, a European fintech, moved its entire payment infrastructure to Algorand, cutting development time by 85%. King’s College London and financial giant abrdn also chose Algorand to secure data and launch money market funds. Yet, despite these achievements, ALGO’s trading at just $0.33, which signals that the market might be missing something.

With financial institutions and large enterprises turning to blockchain, Algorand’s built-for-business infrastructure sets it up for long-term growth in 2025 and beyond.

3. Agoric (BLD)

Blockchain development today is a headache. Multiple programming languages, complex cross-chain transactions, and operations that need dozens of steps. Agoric simplifies all that by bringing JavaScript—the programming language millions of developers already know—into blockchain. By tapping into a developer pool nearly 1000x larger than Solidity’s, Agoric is building a more inclusive Web3 ecosystem.

The platform’s Orchestration API, launched in Q3 2024, reduced cross-chain USDC transfer times from 16 minutes to 2 minutes. By leveraging Interchain Accounts (ICAs) and the Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol, this breakthrough has solved one of Web3’s biggest pain points: making cross-chain interactions seamless for both developers and users.

In October 2024, Agoric partnered with Native to bring native Bitcoin to Cosmos, enabling trustless transactions without wrapping or intermediaries. A month later, the platform teamed up with Union to facilitate trustless bridging between Cosmos and major EVM chains like Ethereum and Arbitrum. These collaborations reflect Agoric’s commitment to frictionless interoperability.

Agoric’s dual-token system provides stability to its innovative ecosystem. With 667 million tokens in circulation from a maximum of 1.06 billion, BLD secures the network through staking and governance. Complementing this, IST, an over-collateralized stablecoin pegged to the US dollar, provides a stable medium of exchange across the ecosystem, facilitating seamless liquidity and