DevLog250323

Devlog 250323: Understanding Blockchain Layers and Architecture

Objective

Today’s focus was to break down the different levels of blockchain architecture, clarify what each one does, and understand how they affect development. This is essential for deciding where and how to build decentralized applications, especially in the context of my metaverse sandbox project.

What Are Blockchain Layers?

Blockchains are often described in “layers”, similar to how the internet has protocols like HTTP, TCP/IP, and DNS. These layers represent different responsibilities and features in a decentralized ecosystem.

Layer 0 – Infrastructure and Interoperability

• Purpose: Provides the foundation for multiple Layer 1 blockchains to communicate and coexist.
• Examples: Polkadot, Cosmos, Avalanche subnet protocol.
• What it handles:
  • Cross-chain communication
  • Shared security
  • Validator networks across chains

Why it matters:

If the metaverse expands across chains (Polygon, Solana, etc.), a Layer 0 protocol helps keep it unified.

Layer 1 – The Base Blockchain

• Purpose: This is the main chain. It provides consensus, security, and the ledger itself.
• Examples: Ethereum, Bitcoin, Solana, Avalanche.
• What it handles:
  • Block production
  • Consensus mechanisms (Proof of Work, Proof of Stake)
  • Smart contract execution (on programmable L1s like Ethereum)

Why it matters:

Smart contracts for metaverse land and NFT marketplaces are deployed on Layer 1 blockchains. This is the “home base” for ownership and logic.

Layer 2 – Scaling Solutions

• Purpose: Built on top of Layer 1 to solve scalability and cost issues.
• Examples: Polygon (PoS chain and zkEVM), Arbitrum, Optimism, StarkNet.
• What it handles:
  • Batch transaction processing
  • Cheaper and faster operations
  • Rollups (ZK-rollups, Optimistic rollups)

Why it matters:

My NFT gallery and land ownership system can live on a Layer 2 like Polygon to save on gas fees and improve speed, while still settling on Ethereum L1.

Layer 3 – Application-Specific Logic

• Purpose: DApps, protocols, and interfaces that live on top of Layer 1 or Layer 2.
• Examples: Uniswap, OpenSea, Mirror, OnCyber.
• What it handles:
  • User-facing applications
  • Custom smart contract logic
  • UI and UX for interacting with blockchain

Why it matters:

The Metaverse Sandbox itself is a Layer 3 app. It integrates smart contracts (L1/L2), storage, authentication, and rendering (e.g., 3D frontend).

Off-Chain Layers – Complementary Tools

• Purpose: Not strictly “on-chain,” but essential for full stack development.
• Examples:
  • IPFS / Arweave – Decentralized storage
  • GraphQL / The Graph – Blockchain data indexing
  • Chainlink / Oracles – Bridging real-world data into smart contracts
  • Authentication – WalletConnect, MetaMask login

Why it matters:

Users in the metaverse will interact with both on-chain (land, NFTs) and off-chain (images, metadata, 3D models) components.

Summary of Layers and Tools

Today’s Takeaways

• I now understand where my project sits: A Layer 3 application that spans L1 and L2 contracts, and uses off-chain tools for media and interaction.
• Layer 2 is where I want to deploy (Polygon or Arbitrum) to avoid high gas fees and keep it beginner-accessible.
• The goal is to build a self-owned Layer 3 application that pulls from decentralized storage, reads blockchain data, and gives users a seamless experience.

Next Steps

• Finalize which Layer 1 and Layer 2 chains I want to support in my smart contracts.
• Begin building out the Layer 3 logic: wallet connection, NFT display, land registry.
• Research tools for cross-chain support in case users want to connect different wallets.
• Continue developing the tech stack and architecture diagram to document how each layer connects.

This devlog helps ground the full-stack structure of the metaverse project and provides a reference for deciding how to structure smart contracts, APIs, and frontend behavior.