nonEVM

NonEVM describes blockchain platforms and execution environments that do not run the Ethereum Virtual Machine as their primary environment for smart contracts. Instead, these networks provide alternative execution environments, such as different virtual machines, domain-specific languages, or different account and state models. This distinction influences how developers write contracts, how code is verified, and how tooling and ecosystems develop.

Common nonEVM environments include Tezos, which uses the Michelson language for smart contracts; Cardano, which employs Plutus (a Haskell-based scripting layer) and the extended UTXO model; Algorand, which uses the TEAL language for smart contracts; Solana, which runs programs compiled to a custom runtime based on the Berkeley Packet Filter (BPF); and Cosmos, which supports WebAssembly-based smart contracts via CosmWasm. Each platform emphasizes different design goals, such as formal verification, throughput, or state management models, leading to a diverse set of programming paradigms and security considerations.

Interoperability and EVM compatibility are active design considerations in this space. Some nonEVM platforms offer EVM compatibility layers or bridges that allow Ethereum tooling and contracts to run on top of a nonEVM chain. Examples include Neon Labs, which provides an EVM on Solana, and Aurora on NEAR, which enables Ethereum-compatible deployments. These approaches aim to combine the strengths of nonEVM ecosystems with access to the broader Ethereum developer ecosystem, while preserving the native execution model of the underlying chain.

Overall, nonEVM ecosystems represent an alternative path for smart contract platforms, prioritizing different languages, verification strategies, and performance trade-offs than EVM-based networks.