A network that executes transactions off a base chain and posts compressed proofs or data back to it for security.
Last verified 13 September 2026 · written by the DexLadder team
What it means
A network that executes transactions off a base chain and posts compressed proofs or data back to it for security.
Why it matters when you trade
Layer 2s trade some directness for orders of magnitude lower cost, which is what makes small on-chain trades viable. The trade-offs are real: bridging risk, withdrawal delays on some designs, and a sequencer that is typically a single operator today. Cheap execution is not free — you are accepting a different trust model.
Worked example
A swap costing $14 on the base chain costs cents on a rollup, at the price of bridge exposure and an exit window.
See it on live markets
DexLadder runs layer 2 against live market and pool data, with simulated capital, so you can watch it act on an order instead of reading about it — no account, no wallet, nothing installed.