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Blockchain & Crypto vocabulary · Networks, Forks & Scaling

Mainnet

Meaning in blockchain & crypto, with examples

/ˈmeɪn.net/nounCommon term

In blockchain & crypto, mainnet means: The live, public version of a blockchain network where transactions are real and tokens have real value, as opposed to a test network.

In Turkish: ana ağ

How it is used

Projects announce a mainnet launch after testing. Developers deploy to mainnet, and users are reminded to check whether their wallet is on mainnet or testnet. For Ethereum, mainnet usually means the layer 1 chain itself.

Example sentences

  1. After six months on testnet, the protocol finally launched on mainnet.

  2. Double-check that your wallet is on mainnet before sending real funds.

Common collocations

  • mainnet launch
  • deploy to mainnet
  • go live on mainnet
  • Ethereum mainnet
  • testnetA copy of a blockchain network used for testing, where the tokens have no real value. Developers try out contracts and upgrades there before using them on mainnet.
  • deployTo publish a smart contract to a blockchain so that it gets its own address and can be used. Deploying costs gas, and the code usually cannot be changed afterwards.
  • layer 1A base blockchain that processes and finalizes transactions on its own network, such as Bitcoin or Ethereum. Other systems can be built on top of it.
  • hard forkA change to a blockchain's rules that is not compatible with older software, so every node must upgrade. If part of the community refuses, the chain can split into two separate networks.

More terms: Networks, Forks & Scaling

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