mainnet

Mainnet is the production blockchain network where live transactions occur and the native cryptocurrency has real value. It is the primary public network for a blockchain project, after development has moved beyond private chains and public testnets. On mainnet, users, businesses, and services interact in a live environment with real economic incentives and risk.

In a mainnet, participant nodes validate transactions and add blocks according to the network’s consensus mechanism, such as proof of work or proof of stake. The system relies on token economics—rewards, fees, and staking incentives—to secure the network, process transactions, and maintain reliability. Since mainnet assets carry real value, security, governance, and upgrade processes are central to its functioning.

Testnets and other alternative networks exist to develop, test, and simulate new features without risking real value. Testnets use tokens that have no real-world value and allow developers to experiment and diagnose issues before changes are deployed on mainnet.

Examples of mainnets include Bitcoin mainnet, Ethereum mainnet, and other blockchain projects that operate a live, production network with a native cryptocurrency. Upgrades to a mainnet are typically planned and coordinated, often through formal proposals and coordinated hard forks or soft forks. Governance models vary by project, ranging from on-chain proposals to off-chain developer decision-making.

Mainnet distinguishes from testnet, devnet, or sandbox environments by hosting real economic activity and circulating value, making security and reliability paramount.