1️⃣ Ethereum (ETH)

Launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin and a group of co-founders, Ethereum revolutionized the blockchain landscape by introducing smart contracts. This innovation allowed developers to create decentralized applications (dApps) that run on its blockchain.

Highlights in history:

  • 2013: Vitalik Buterin publishes the Ethereum white paper.

  • 2015: Ethereum mainnet launches, allowing developers to build on its platform.

  • 2020: Ethereum 2.0 is proposed, aiming to transition from proof of work to proof of stake, increasing scalability and reducing energy consumption.

Ethereum's versatility has made it the foundation for many projects, including decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Its potential continues to grow as more developers take advantage of its capabilities.

2️⃣ Solana (SUN)

Founded in 2020 by Anatoly Yakovenko, Solana emerged as a high-performance blockchain designed to support fast and low-cost transactions. Its unique consensus mechanism, called Proof of History (PoH), allows it to process thousands of transactions per second.

Highlights in history:

  • 2020: Solana's mainnet launches and quickly gains attention for its speed and scalability.

  • 2021: The platform saw explosive growth, becoming a key player in the DeFi and NFT markets.

  • 2022: Despite market volatility, Solana maintains a strong community and thriving ecosystem.

Solana's fast transaction speeds and lower fees have made it a favorite among both developers and users, making it a formidable contender in the blockchain space.

3️⃣ Polygon (MATIC)

Originally launched as Matic Network in 2017, Polygon aims to improve Ethereum's scalability. Polygon provides layer 2 solutions that increase transaction speeds and reduce costs while maintaining the security of the Ethereum network.

Highlights in history:

  • 2017: Matic Network was founded by Jaynti Kanani, Sandeep Nailwal and Anurag Arjun.

  • 2021: The rebranding to Polygon reflects the company's larger ambitions to support multiple layer 2 solutions and connect different blockchains.

  • 2023: Polygon continues to expand its ecosystem with various partnerships and projects, solidifying its role in the crypto landscape.

With a focus on interoperability and scalability, Polygon is paving the way for a more connected and efficient blockchain world.