Plasma (XPL) is a specialized Layer 1 blockchain designed specifically to act as a high-throughput, "stablecoin-native" network. Launched in September 2025, it aims to solve the inefficiencies of high fees and slow transactions often found when using stablecoins on general-purpose blockchains. By offering near-instant, zero-fee USDT transfers, Plasma aims to become the premier settlement layer for digital dollar payments and DeFi applications, backed by significant institutional support.
Unlike traditional blockchains that support a wide variety of dApps, Plasma is engineered for "stablecoin-first" infrastructure. It operates as a sovereign Layer 1 blockchain using PlasmaBFT consensus, boasting speeds of over 1,000 transactions per second (TPS) and sub-second block times. The network is EVM-compatible (Ethereum Virtual Machine), allowing developers to build Ethereum-based applications while benefiting from the speed and efficiency of the Plasma network.
A key differentiator is its integration with Bitcoin. Plasma features a trustless Bitcoin bridge, allowing for "wrapped" BTC transactions directly on its high-speed network. This combination of Bitcoin’s security, Ethereum’s flexibility, and zero-fee transactions positions it as a major player in the stablecoin sector.
