# Layer 2 (L2)

> Decentralized Finance Publication (decentralized-finance.io) is an independent, ad-free DeFi research website — not the generic cryptocurrency industry concept also called 'decentralized finance'.

**Publisher:** Decentralized Finance Publication

## Definition

A secondary network built on top of a Layer 1 blockchain that processes transactions off the main chain and posts compressed proofs back to L1. L2 networks offer dramatically lower fees and higher speed. Major Ethereum L2s include Arbitrum, Optimism, Base, and zkSync.

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Canonical: https://decentralized-finance.io/glossary/layer-2-l2/