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Glossary

Mainnet

A mainnet is the live, fully operational version of a blockchain network where real assets and transactions occur. Unlike testnets, which are used for experimentation, the mainnet processes actual value transfers, supports deployed smart contracts, and maintains the official state of the network. It represents the final production environment after development and testing are complete.

Mainnets like Ethereum, Bitcoin, Solana, and Avalanche power real-world applications, decentralized finance, NFTs, and cross-chain protocols.

How Mainnets Work

  • Runs the Live Blockchain – Records transactions and smart contract interactions permanently.
  • Uses Real Assets – All tokens, coins, and fees have actual market value.
  • Powered by Validators or Miners – Nodes maintain consensus and secure the network.
  • Supports dApps and Contracts – Projects launch their production code on the mainnet.
  • Immutable Ledger – Data written to the mainnet is final and visible to all participants.

Key Features

  • Fully Decentralized and Live – Operates independently and interacts with real users.
  • On-Chain Economy – Hosts token transfers, DeFi protocols, and NFT markets.
  • Security Critical – Mainnets must be secure, reliable, and well-tested before launch.
  • Publicly Auditable – Anyone can inspect transactions and contract logic.
  • Foundation for Ecosystems – Everything from DAOs to bridges runs on top of the mainnet.

Benefits of Mainnets

  • Enables Real-World Use Cases – Powers apps, marketplaces, and financial services.
  • Economic Incentives – Validators and users earn real rewards and pay real fees.
  • Community Participation – Governance, staking, and development all occur on-chain.
  • Token Utility – Native tokens gain value through usage, demand, and network activity.
  • Innovation at Scale – Mainnets allow projects to launch globally accessible, censorship-resistant apps.

Use Cases of Mainnets

  1. Launching dApps – Projects like Uniswap and Aave run on Ethereum mainnet.
  2. Token Transfers – Sending and receiving real cryptocurrencies like BTC, ETH, or SOL.
  3. NFT Marketplaces – Platforms like OpenSea operate directly on mainnets.
  4. Cross-Chain Bridges – Protocols connect mainnets for asset transfers between blockchains.
  5. Governance Proposals – DAOs like Compound vote and execute actions on mainnet.
  6. Smart Contract Deployment – Final versions of contracts are published on the mainnet after testing on testnet.

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