Le’s talk about something that’s been on my mind lately. As someone who’s been deep in the crypto space for a while, I’ve seen how Ethereum (ETH) and Cosmos (ATOM) have been the go-to foundations for so many projects. But times are changing, and the rise of new Layer 1 blockchains like Berachain and Ondo Chain is making me rethink everything. Click here to learn more about Berachain.

Here’s the thing: these new L1s don’t need ETH or ATOM to function. That’s right—they’re building their own ecosystems from the ground up, with their own native tokens and unique consensus mechanisms.  

Take Berachain, for example. It’s EVM-compatible, so it can run Ethereum-based dApps, but it doesn’t rely on ETH for gas fees or staking. Instead, it has its own tokens, BERA, BGT, and HONEY, and a Proof-of-Liquidity (PoL) model that incentivizes liquidity providers to stake assets within its ecosystem. ETH holders? Not required.  

Then there’s the upcoming Ondo L1 Chain, which is purpose-built for real-world assets (RWAs). It’s designed for institutional-grade tokenization, and guess what? It doesn’t need ATOM or ETH to secure its network. Validators stake high-quality RWAs, like tokenized securities, to keep the chain running. ATOM holders? Not in the picture.  

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. While these chains don’t rely on ETH or ATOM, they are leveraging the Cosmos SDK to build their infrastructure. The Cosmos SDK has become a go-to toolkit for creating customizable, interoperable blockchains. But here’s the kicker: using the Cosmos SDK doesn’t mean they need ATOM. They can build their own sovereign chains with their own tokens and governance models, completely independent of the Cosmos Hub.  

This isn’t just about competition—it’s about innovation. These new chains are proving that you don’t need to rely on the old guard to build something groundbreaking. They’re creating their own rules, their own economies, and their own communities.  

So, ETH and ATOM holders, it’s time to wake up. The crypto world is evolving, and the next wave of blockchains is here. They’re not waiting for your approval or your tokens. They’re building the future, and they’re doing it on their own terms.  

What do you think? Are these new L1s a threat to ETH and ATOM, or are they just expanding the ecosystem? Let’s discuss!