What is a Mainnet?
Mainnet is the primary network of a blockchain functioning for real economic usage.
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What is a mainnet?
A mainnet is the primary network of a blockchain operating for actual use. Transactions on this network can affect assets with real economic value, and users pay transaction fees. It is distinguished from a testnet, which is used for development and testing purposes.
When a project announces that its “mainnet is live,” it means its primary network has begun accepting transactions. However, a launch alone does not indicate that the network is perfect, fully decentralized, or ready for heavy traffic. In the early stages, the number of validators may be limited, certain features might be enabled gradually, or the management team may retain special permissions.
Differences from a testnet
When you switch to a test network in a wallet, you may see a similar address and balance display. Nevertheless, test tokens are not the same as assets on the main network. For example, test ETH cannot be used to pay transaction fees on the Ethereum mainnet. Having the same symbol and a similar interface does not merge two separate ledger systems.
Developers first test contract behavior on a testnet and can later perform a separate deployment on the mainnet. It should not be assumed that an application running on a test network will exist at the same contract address on the mainnet. It is essential to verify official network and address information.
What happens to tokens during network migrations?
Some projects first issue tokens on another blockchain and later migrate to their own mainnet. In such cases, a migration process may be announced to convert the old tokens into assets on the new network. Automatic conversion is not available for every project, and exchanges may not provide support on the same date.
Stay away from websites that ask for your recovery phrase under the pretext of a “mainnet migration.” A legitimate migration never requires you to provide your private key to a support representative. If an action is required, you must verify the method, supported platforms, and any deadlines mentioned in official announcements. The launch of a mainnet is not a guarantee of a price increase.