Layer 2 Tokens to Watch: Polygon, Arbitrum, Stacks, Mantle, Optimism

The best Layer 2 tokens for September 2026 include Polygon, Arbitrum, Stacks, Mantle, and Optimism. These five projects have gained significant attention in recent months due to their potential to scale blockchain transactions more efficiently.

Polygon is an Ethereum-scaling network that offers low fees and fast confirmation times. Its native token, POL, replaced the older MATIC token on a 1:1 basis and now pays gas on Polygon PoS. According to Polygon's developer documentation, POL launched with an initial supply of 10 billion tokens and carries an ongoing 2% annual emission.

Arbitrum is another popular Layer 2 solution that uses optimistic rollups to batch transactions off Ethereum. Its governance token, ARB, has a total supply capped at 10 billion, with roughly 66% unlocked as of August 2026. Arbitrum's vesting schedule runs into 2027, adding steady supply pressure throughout 2026.

Stacks takes a different approach by using Bitcoin as its base layer and bringing smart contracts to the network without changing Bitcoin's own base layer. Its native token, STX, has been trading far below its all-time high of $3.84 in April 2024.