Mainnet is a term used to refer to the date on which a blockchain protocol was developed and ready for use. The mainnet involves the active publication, verification, and recording of transactions with cryptocurrencies on a distributed ledger.
The mainnet is an independent blockchain with its own network and its own protocol. Developers use a testnet to test a new feature in a blockchain network against a potential problem. The main difference between testnets and mainnets is that testnets are an ongoing blockchain project, while mainnets contain the fully developed blockchain.
Some steps are taken before the transition to the Mainnet. This may involve selling a token, adding product features, or raising funds. Once these steps are implemented, the transition to the mainnet is initiated. The mainnet phase indicates that the blockchain is fully operational. After all the necessary trials on the testnet, the project is migrated to the mainnet.
Why Is Mainnet Important in Cryptocurrencies?
With Mainnet, projects that transition to their own blockchain network can make their own rules independent from the other networks, increasing the prestige of the project. Projects that migrate to Mainnet may be more attractive to users. If cryptocurrency projects that migrate to Mainnet build a real community, they can be listed on the relevant trading platforms. The listing of a cryptocurrency on a trading platform may have a positive impact on the value of the asset.
Mainnets are independent blockchains. As an example, Shiba Inu (SHIB) is a project with its own blockchain, but Aave (AAVE) is an ERC-20 based project running on the Ethereum blockchain.
What Are the Advantages of Mainnet?
Some advantages of Mainnets are as follow:
- Suitable for building decentralized applications (dApps).
- They are considered secure.
- Transactions cannot be modified or irrecoverable.
- They are projects ready to be used by users.
Some disadvantages of Mainnet are as follows:
- Transactions are immutable, so any bugs or issues that arise can be held until the next update.
- Transactions can be slow or costly due to the density of the network.
What Is Testnet?
Testnet is a network used to run and test blockchain networks or blockchain projects before migrating them to the mainnet. According to Ledger.com, Testnet is a simple way for developers to test and debug a project before making it publicly available. Developers use this method to fix identified deficiencies or bugs. During the Testnet process, multiple tests are performed repeatedly. Testnets, which work independently from the mainnet, also allow testing of the project without interrupting the processes on the mainnet. Non-real cryptocurrencies can be used in testnets to test transactions such as transfers. Project developers can switch the project to the mainnet when nothing is missing.
What Are the Differences Between Mainnet and Testnet?
Mainnet means that a project is ready for use, while testnet is the network used for testing a project.
Some of the differences between Mainnet and Testnet can be listed as follows:
- Target
- Cost
- Network ID
- Genesis Block
- Node
- Transaction Frequency
Target: Testnet is a trial phase, while the mainnet is a functional blockchain network that is ready.
Cost: The cryptocurrencies used in the testnet phase have no value, but the assets in the mainnet process are completely real. Therefore, the costs in the mainnet are higher.
Network ID: Testnet and mainnet have different Network IDs that help project owners identify the blockchain.
Genesis Block (Starting Block): Testnet and mainnet have different and independent Genesis blocks.
Node: A testnet has less data to verify and therefore fewer nodes than a mainnet.
Transaction Frequency: Mainnets have a large pool of users and accordingly testnets have a lower transaction frequency.
