Academy › Lesson 6 of 9
Gas fees, Layer 1 and Layer 2
Why transactions cost money and what the different chains are.
Every blockchain transaction pays a fee, often called gas, to the network that processes it. Fees rise when the network is busy.
Layers
- Layer 1 (L1): the base blockchain, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum or Solana.
- Layer 2 (L2): networks built on top of an L1 (for example on Ethereum) to make transactions cheaper and faster.
- Bridges move assets between chains. They are a common target for attacks, so use them carefully.
Always check which network you are on before sending funds. Sending to the wrong network can mean losing them.
Educational content, not financial advice. Rules and products change, so verify with official sources.