Mainnets

A mainnet is the live blockchain network where real-value transactions occur and where the network’s native tokens have actual market value. It is the production environment that processes and records user transactions, executes smart contracts, and secures the system through its chosen consensus mechanism. Mainnets differ from testnets and development networks, which are used for experimentation and do not involve real assets.

On a mainnet, consensus protocols, such as proof of work or proof of stake, determine how blocks are created and validated, how consensus is reached, and how security and finality are maintained. Upgrades to mainnets, including protocol changes and feature implementations, are typically governed by a combination of core developers, node operators, and sometimes on-chain voting mechanisms, and may require hard forks or soft forks to activate.

Mainnets face real-world security and reliability considerations, including node operation incentives, network latency, and potential economic risks for users. They host live ecosystems of users, developers, exchanges, and protocols, including decentralized finance, non-fungible tokens, and governance mechanisms. To scale, mainnets often deploy layer-2 solutions, sharding, or cross-chain interoperability, each with its own risk profile, particularly around bridges and messaging.

Common examples include Bitcoin and Ethereum, along with other ecosystems such as Solana, Cardano, Polkadot, and Cosmos. Each mainnet presents unique design choices, security models, and governance processes, shaping its performance, decentralization, and ecosystem development.