Mainnet

The primary, public blockchain network where real-world transactions and digital assets are processed.

What is Mainnet?

Mainnet, short for “main network,” refers to the primary, fully operational blockchain network where actual transactions involving real digital assets occur, as opposed to test networks (testnets) used for experimentation. In the context of Ethereum, the mainnet is the public Ethereum blockchain, launched on July 30, 2015, where ETH and other tokens have real economic value, and all transactions are permanently recorded on a decentralized ledger. It is the live environment where smart contracts, decentralized applications (dApps), and user activities like trading or staking take place.

The Ethereum mainnet operates under the network’s consensus rules, currently proof-of-stake since the Merge in September 2022, and is maintained by a global network of validators. It supports critical activities like DeFi, NFT minting, and token transfers, with its state secured by billions of dollars in staked ETH. Unlike testnets (e.g., Sepolia or Goerli), which use valueless tokens for development and testing, the mainnet is the production environment where actions have financial and operational consequences.

The Ethereum mainnet is identified by its chain ID (1) and is accessible via nodes running software like Geth or Besu. It is the backbone of Ethereum’s ecosystem, hosting major protocols like Uniswap, Aave, and the Ethereum Name Service (ENS). Its permanence and security make it distinct from testnets or sidechains, ensuring trust and reliability for users and developers interacting with real digital assets.