{"id":10357,"date":"2023-07-07T16:47:55","date_gmt":"2023-07-07T16:47:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/?p=10357"},"modified":"2026-01-23T12:35:53","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T12:35:53","slug":"what-is-the-mainnet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/en\/what-is-the-mainnet","title":{"rendered":"Mainnet: what it is, how it works and how it differs from a testnet"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-transparent ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Alternar tabla de contenidos\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #ffffff;color:#ffffff\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #ffffff;color:#ffffff\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/en\/what-is-the-mainnet\/#mainnet_in_30_seconds_the_%c2%abreal%c2%bb_network\" >Mainnet in 30 seconds: The \u00abreal\u00bb network<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/en\/what-is-the-mainnet\/#what_happens_when_you_make_a_transaction_on_the_mainnet\" >What happens when you make a transaction on the mainnet?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/en\/what-is-the-mainnet\/#validators_and_gas_the_pillars_of_security_and_processing\" >Validators and Gas: The pillars of security and processing<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/en\/what-is-the-mainnet\/#the_golden_rule_irreversibility_and_confirmations\" >The golden rule: Irreversibility and confirmations<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/en\/what-is-the-mainnet\/#mainnet_vs_testnet_the_training_ground\" >Mainnet vs. Testnet: The training ground<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/en\/what-is-the-mainnet\/#other_networks_devnetsignet\" >Other networks (Devnet\/Signet)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/en\/what-is-the-mainnet\/#the_milestone_of_having_your_own_mainnet\" >The milestone of having your own Mainnet<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/en\/what-is-the-mainnet\/#from_token_to_coin_the_process_of_technical_%c2%abindependence%c2%bb\" >From Token to Coin: The process of technical \u00abindependence\u00bb<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/en\/what-is-the-mainnet\/#swaps_and_migrations_security_risks_and_how_to_avoid_them\" >Swaps and migrations: Security risks and how to avoid them<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/en\/what-is-the-mainnet\/#layers_2_rollups_and_bridges\" >Layers 2, Rollups and Bridges<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/en\/what-is-the-mainnet\/#how_to_select_the_correct_network\" >How to select the correct network<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/en\/what-is-the-mainnet\/#what_happens_in_case_of_a_network_error\" >What happens in case of a network error?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/en\/what-is-the-mainnet\/#frequently_asked_questions\" >Frequently asked questions<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Tiempo de lectura:<\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 9<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutos<\/span><\/span><p>When assessing a cryptocurrency project, there are numerous factors to consider, among them the technology used in it. Other factors that determine the type of project can be the testnet and the <a href=\"https:\/\/coinmarketcap.com\/academy\/glossary\/mainnet\">mainnet<\/a>. Perhaps you don&#8217;t understand the latter concept now, but don&#8217;t worry, in this article we will tell you all about what mainnets are.<\/p>\n<p>The\u00a0<strong>Mainnet is the final and functional version of a blockchain network<\/strong>\u00a0where your transactions have\u00a0<strong>real value<\/strong>. After reading this guide, you will know how to choose the right network when sending your crypto to avoid the\u00a0<strong>irreversible loss<\/strong>\u00a0of your assets.<\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-29211 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/1-compressed-1-1.jpg\" alt=\"bitnovo_testnet_blockchain\" width=\"768\" height=\"526\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/1-compressed-1-1.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/1-compressed-1-1-300x205.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"mainnet_in_30_seconds_the_%c2%abreal%c2%bb_network\"><\/span><strong>Mainnet in 30 seconds: The \u00abreal\u00bb network<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Every <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Blockchain\">blockchain<\/a> project has a\u00a0<strong>mainnet<\/strong>. This is a\u00a0<strong>blockchain<\/strong>\u00a0that handles the operation of the cryptocurrency, that is, transferring the coins from the sender to the receiver and that works with its own means and under the responsibility of the startup that issues the tokens.<\/p>\n<p>In fact, to better understand it, we can use the flight simulator analogy.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Testnet (The Simulator):<\/strong>It is an\u00a0<strong>experimental environment<\/strong>\u00a0where stress tests are run, Smart Contracts are deployed and code errors are identified. As in a flight simulator, any failure has\u00a0<strong>no real economic consequences<\/strong>; the assets are fictitious and serve exclusively for learning and optimization.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Mainnet (The Real Flight):<\/strong>It is the\u00a0<strong>production implementation<\/strong>. Here, every transaction is\u00a0<strong>definitive<\/strong>, the \u00abfuel\u00bb (gas) has a\u00a0<strong>market cost<\/strong>\u00a0and any operational error can lead to a\u00a0<strong>capital loss<\/strong>. It is the scenario where technical theory meets the real conditions of the market.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Now, it is imperative to emphasize that the deployment of a\u00a0<strong>Mainnet is a milestone of technical development<\/strong>, not a guarantee of financial viability. That a project operates on its\u00a0<strong>main network<\/strong>\u00a0confirms its\u00a0<strong>execution capacity<\/strong>, but does not validate its economic security or the absence of market risks.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-29212 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/2-compressed-1-1.jpg\" alt=\"bitnovo_mainnet_vs_testnet\" width=\"768\" height=\"526\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/2-compressed-1-1.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/2-compressed-1-1-300x205.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what_happens_when_you_make_a_transaction_on_the_mainnet\"><\/span><strong>What happens when you make a transaction on the mainnet?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>When you make a transaction on a mainnet, you are interacting with the\u00a0<strong>main blockchain network<\/strong>\u00a0to perform a\u00a0<strong>definitive transfer of value<\/strong>. Your transaction is broadcast, is\u00a0<strong>validated by decentralized nodes<\/strong>\u00a0(miners or validators), is grouped into a block, is\u00a0<strong>added immutably<\/strong>\u00a0to the public ledger and a fee (gas) is paid for the service, all with\u00a0<strong>authentic crypto assets<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"validators_and_gas_the_pillars_of_security_and_processing\"><\/span><strong>Validators and Gas: The pillars of security and processing<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The operation of the main network depends on two critical factors that ensure the system is reliable and sustainable:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Verification (Nodes and validators):<\/strong>Instead of a centralized entity,\u00a0<strong>thousands of distributed nodes<\/strong>\u00a0review your transaction. Their function is to audit that you have the funds and that the digital signature is legitimate. This\u00a0<strong>collective vigilance<\/strong>\u00a0is what makes the network\u00a0<strong>resistant to attacks and fraud<\/strong>, providing security without the need for banking intermediaries.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The cost structure (Gas):<\/strong><strong>\u00abGas\u00bb is the fee<\/strong>\u00a0that remunerates the computational effort of the validators. It has three main functions:\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Sustainability:<\/strong>Incentivizes validators to keep the network active.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Spam prevention:<\/strong>Prevents malicious actors from saturating the network with infinite transactions.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Demand regulation:<\/strong>The cost fluctuates according to\u00a0<strong>network congestion<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Very importantly, before confirming any send, check the <strong>network status<\/strong>. Operating during periods of low demand can\u00a0<strong>significantly optimize your transaction costs<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-29213 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/3-compressed-1-1.jpg\" alt=\"bitnovo_mainnet_transaction\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/3-compressed-1-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/3-compressed-1-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/3-compressed-1-1-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"the_golden_rule_irreversibility_and_confirmations\"><\/span><strong>The golden rule: Irreversibility and confirmations<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Once your transaction is validated and grouped into a block, the confirmation process begins. Each new block added on top of yours acts as an\u00a0<strong>additional layer of security<\/strong>, making it\u00a0<strong>mathematically impossible<\/strong>\u00a0to reverse the operation.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Immutability:<\/strong>In mainnet, the concept of a \u00abchargeback\u00bb does not exist. Once the network reaches\u00a0<strong>consensus<\/strong>\u00a0on your transaction, the record is\u00a0<strong>permanent<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Security criterion:<\/strong>Verify the\u00a0<strong>destination address<\/strong>\u00a0and the\u00a0<strong>selected network<\/strong>\u00a0before proceeding. In the production environment,\u00a0<strong>technical precision<\/strong>\u00a0is the only guarantee of success; an error in the sending data will result in an\u00a0<strong>irrecoverable loss of assets<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"mainnet_vs_testnet_the_training_ground\"><\/span><strong>Mainnet vs. Testnet: The training ground<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>While a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/en\/what-is-testnet-and-how-does-it-work\">testnet<\/a> is the\u00a0<strong>prototype<\/strong>\u00a0of the capabilities presented by a new project, the mainnet is the\u00a0<strong>network available to all users<\/strong>, error and failure proof. Mainnets can also change. This happens when a project&#8217;s team or an open-source cryptocurrency community decides to update the project.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-29215 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/4-compressed-1-1.jpg\" alt=\"bitnovo_blockchain_validators\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/4-compressed-1-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/4-compressed-1-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/4-compressed-1-1-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<table style=\"height: 222px;\" width=\"1120\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Characteristic<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Mainnet (Main network)<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Testnet (Test network)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Token Value<\/td>\n<td>Real (Real money)<\/td>\n<td>Zero (They are free)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Risk<\/td>\n<td>High (Irreversible losses)<\/td>\n<td>Null (Ideal for learning)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Objective<\/td>\n<td>Transact and use Apps<\/td>\n<td>Test errors and developments<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>How to get funds<\/td>\n<td>Buying on exchanges<\/td>\n<td>Through \u00abFaucets\u00bb<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Stability<\/td>\n<td>Very stable, well maintained<\/td>\n<td>Less stable, frequent restarts and updates<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Participation<\/td>\n<td>Open to users and businesses<\/td>\n<td>Open to developers and testers<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>In essence, testnets and mainnets are\u00a0<strong>complementary<\/strong>: testnets allow for\u00a0<strong>rapid iteration and safe experimentation<\/strong>, while mainnets are the foundation for\u00a0<strong>reliable real-world operations<\/strong>. Innovations and updates are rigorously tested on testnets before being implemented on the mainnet, reducing the risk of\u00a0<strong>critical errors or exploits<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"other_networks_devnetsignet\"><\/span><strong>Other networks (Devnet\/Signet)<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Beyond conventional test networks, there are environments designed for specific technical purposes. While a\u00a0<strong>Devnet<\/strong>\u00a0is an\u00a0<strong>isolated and customized network<\/strong>\u00a0where developers test application integration in very early stages,\u00a0<strong>Signet<\/strong>\u00a0(specific to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/en\">Bitcoin<\/a>) is a\u00a0<strong>more stable and controlled test network<\/strong>\u00a0that avoids mining irregularities that sometimes occur on the traditional Testnet.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-29262\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Bitcoin-Illustration.jpg\" alt=\"bitnovo_blockchain_gas\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Bitcoin-Illustration.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Bitcoin-Illustration-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Both environments function as\u00a0<strong>high-precision laboratories<\/strong>\u00a0where protocols are refined before any line of code interacts with\u00a0<strong>assets of value<\/strong>\u00a0on the Mainnet.<\/p>\n<table style=\"height: 425px;\" width=\"1138\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Criterion<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>SIGNET<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>DEVNET<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>TESTNET<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>MAINNET<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Description<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Distributed public network environment that uses digital signatures instead of mining to validate blocks.<\/td>\n<td>Local development environment with simulated nodes, miners and blocks.<\/td>\n<td>Public access testing environment.<\/td>\n<td>Real, live production environment.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Tokens \/ Assets<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Test tokens (sBTC) with no intrinsic economic value.<\/td>\n<td>Test tokens with no economic value.<\/td>\n<td>Test tokens with no economic value.<\/td>\n<td><strong>Real tokens with intrinsic economic value.<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Network Users<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Protocol developers and companies requiring high reliability in their testing.<\/td>\n<td>Developers.<\/td>\n<td>Developers and beta-testers.<\/td>\n<td><strong>End users.<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Network Function<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Testing software and protocols requiring a predictable and stable environment.<\/td>\n<td>Comprehensive (end-to-end) testing, from contracts to the front-end.<\/td>\n<td>Final testing phase before deployment.<\/td>\n<td><strong>Code deployment and production operations.<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Availability (Uptime)<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>High and constant.<\/td>\n<td>Temporary.<\/td>\n<td>Constant (rarely shut down or restarted).<\/td>\n<td><strong>Constant.<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Transaction Frequency<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Low.<\/td>\n<td>Low.<\/td>\n<td>Low.<\/td>\n<td><strong>High.<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Fees (Fees)<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Yes (paid with free test tokens obtained from faucets).<\/td>\n<td>Yes (paid with free simulated tokens).<\/td>\n<td>Yes (paid with free test tokens).<\/td>\n<td><strong>Yes (paid with real assets).<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Access<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Public.<\/td>\n<td>Private.<\/td>\n<td>Public.<\/td>\n<td><strong>Public.<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"the_milestone_of_having_your_own_mainnet\"><\/span><strong>The milestone of having your own Mainnet<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The launch of a mainnet represents the\u00a0<strong>definitive step<\/strong>\u00a0between the design phase and the real world. A mainnet represents the\u00a0<strong>implementation of an idea<\/strong>\u00a0and the fruit of the work of an entire team, becoming a\u00a0<strong>fundamental pillar<\/strong>\u00a0of the decentralized financial ecosystem.<\/p>\n<p>In reality, before launching a mainnet, a cryptocurrency development team will frequently seek to\u00a0<strong>raise funds<\/strong>. This is normally achieved through an\u00a0<strong>Initial Coin Offering (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/en\/what-is-an-ico-initial-coin-offering\">ICO<\/a>)<\/strong>\u00a0or an Initial Exchange Offering (<a href=\"https:\/\/cryptomus.com\/blog\/what-is-an-initial-exchange-offering-ieo\">IEO<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-29216 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/5-compressed-1-1.jpg\" alt=\"bitnovo_blockchain_confirmations\" width=\"768\" height=\"526\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/5-compressed-1-1.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/5-compressed-1-1-300x205.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>During an ICO, cryptocurrency developers sell tokens based on the blockchain to early investors, who then exchange the tokens among themselves.<\/p>\n<p>For example,\u00a0<strong>Satoshi Nakamoto<\/strong>\u00a0gave the starting shot in mid-2009 with the launch of the\u00a0<strong>Bitcoin mainnet<\/strong>. The launch occurred exactly one year after Nakamoto published the first cryptocurrency \u00abwhite paper\u00bb explaining how Bitcoin worked. Subsequently, the\u00a0<strong>Litecoin mainnet<\/strong>\u00a0was launched in 2011 and that of\u00a0<strong>Dogecoin<\/strong>\u00a0in 2013. In 2015, the\u00a0<strong>Ethereum mainnet<\/strong>\u00a0was the first to support\u00a0<strong>Smart Contracts<\/strong>, and others followed.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"from_token_to_coin_the_process_of_technical_%c2%abindependence%c2%bb\"><\/span><strong>From Token to Coin: The process of technical \u00abindependence\u00bb<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Many people confuse these <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/en\/difference-between-token-and-cryptocurrency-what-you-need-to-know-to-enter-crypto-without-doubts\">terms<\/a>, but their difference lies in the infrastructure:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Token:<\/strong>It is an asset that \u00ablives\u00bb on a foreign network. For example, many projects are born as\u00a0<strong>ERC-20 tokens<\/strong>\u00a0within the Ethereum network while developing their own technology.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Coin (Native currency):<\/strong>It is the\u00a0<strong>main asset of its own mainnet<\/strong>. When a project finishes its network and becomes independent, its asset ceases to be a token and becomes the\u00a0<strong>native currency (Coin)<\/strong>\u00a0that powers that ecosystem.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"swaps_and_migrations_security_risks_and_how_to_avoid_them\"><\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-29217 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/6-compressed-1-1.jpg\" alt=\"bitnovo_mainnet_production\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/6-compressed-1-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/6-compressed-1-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/6-compressed-1-1-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><br \/>\n<strong>Swaps and migrations: Security risks and how to avoid them<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A\u00a0<strong>Mainnet Swap<\/strong>\u00a0is the technical procedure of moving assets from one blockchain to another. This process is done to migrate from a third-party network to one&#8217;s own network or to take advantage of\u00a0<strong>substantial improvements in security and scalability<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Exchange protocols:<\/strong>The process usually involves sending the old tokens to a\u00a0<strong>\u00abburn\u00bb address<\/strong>\u00a0to receive the new assets on the updated network.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Execution risks:<\/strong>The main danger lies in\u00a0<strong>phishing scams and expiry deadlines<\/strong>. If the swap is not performed within the period established by the official team, the old assets could\u00a0<strong>lose their value and liquidity<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Error mitigation:<\/strong>It is imperative to verify the\u00a0<strong>migration addresses solely through the project&#8217;s official channels<\/strong>. Never trust links provided by third parties or direct messages on social networks;\u00a0<strong>verifying the source<\/strong>\u00a0is your only protection against fraud.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"layers_2_rollups_and_bridges\"><\/span><strong>Layers 2, Rollups and Bridges<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In the current landscape, the mainnet has evolved to establish itself as the\u00a0<strong>\u00absettlement layer\u00bb and security<\/strong>, while daily operations have moved towards more agile solutions.<\/p>\n<table style=\"height: 262px;\" width=\"1124\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Technology<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Strategic function<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Why it is used in 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Mainnet (Layer 1)<\/td>\n<td><strong>Security Base:<\/strong>\u00a0Acts as the definitive ledger and the\u00a0<strong>immutable source of truth<\/strong>.<\/td>\n<td>Reserved for\u00a0<strong>high-volume settlements<\/strong>\u00a0and for providing final security to upper layers.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Layers 2 (L2)<\/td>\n<td><strong>Scalability:<\/strong>\u00a0Networks built on the mainnet to process transactions massively.<\/td>\n<td>Enable daily use thanks to\u00a0<strong>drastically reduced fees<\/strong>\u00a0and higher speed.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Rollups<\/td>\n<td><strong>Technical Efficiency:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00abPackages\u00bb hundreds of transactions into one to send to the mainnet.<\/td>\n<td>Inherit the security of the mainnet but operate with the agility of a private network.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Bridges (Bridges)<\/td>\n<td><strong>Interoperability:<\/strong>\u00a0Protocols that allow the transfer of assets between different blockchains.<\/td>\n<td>Essential for moving\u00a0<strong>liquidity between the mainnet and the various Layers 2<\/strong>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-29263\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Analytics-Stock-Illustration.jpg\" alt=\"bitnovo_devnet_signet_testnet\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Analytics-Stock-Illustration.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Analytics-Stock-Illustration-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>In short, while the mainnet guarantees that your asset\u00a0<strong>exists and is secure<\/strong>,\u00a0<strong>Layers 2<\/strong>\u00a0allow you to use it economically. Bridges are the\u00a0<strong>road connecting both worlds<\/strong>, and their security depends directly on the user&#8217;s prudence in choosing the route.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"how_to_select_the_correct_network\"><\/span><strong>How to select the correct network<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The correct selection of infrastructure is the\u00a0<strong>determining factor<\/strong>\u00a0to guarantee the integrity of your funds. A discrepancy in this step results in an\u00a0<strong>irreversible loss<\/strong>, as in the Mainnet there are\u00a0<strong>no transaction revocation mechanisms<\/strong>. Follow this 3-step Check-list before executing any movement:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Identify the network\/standard you are using:<\/strong>Before initiating the send, verify under which protocol your asset operates in the source wallet or platform. It is not enough to identify the cryptocurrency (e.g., USDT), you must identify its technical \u00abwrapper\u00bb or standard (e.g.,\u00a0<strong>ERC-20 for Ethereum, TRC-20 for Tron or BEP-20 for BNB Chain<\/strong>).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Confirm that the destination supports that same network:<\/strong>Access the \u00abReceive\u00bb or \u00abDeposit\u00bb option on the destination platform and confirm that it supports exactly the same network identified in the previous step. Important:\u00a0<strong>Same cryptocurrency does not imply same network<\/strong>. If you send USDT via the Polygon network to an address that only accepts USDT via the Ethereum network, the funds will become\u00a0<strong>inaccessible<\/strong>\u00a0in most cases.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Send a small amount first:<\/strong>To mitigate operational risks, never mobilize your entire capital on the first attempt, especially if it is a new address you have not interacted with before.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-29218 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/7-compressed-1-1.jpg\" alt=\"bitnovo_mainnet_launch\" width=\"768\" height=\"526\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/7-compressed-1-1.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/7-compressed-1-1-300x205.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what_happens_in_case_of_a_network_error\"><\/span><strong>What happens in case of a network error?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>If due to an operational failure you have sent funds through an incorrect network, consider the following recovery variables (with no guarantee of success):<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Self-custody:<\/strong>If you own the\u00a0<strong>private keys<\/strong>\u00a0to the destination address, it is possible to recover the assets by configuring the correct network in a compatible wallet.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Third-party platforms (Exchanges):<\/strong>If the error occurred towards an exchange, you must contact their technical support. Keep in mind that many platforms do not offer recovery services for network errors or may apply high management fees.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Total incompatibility:<\/strong>In cases where the source and destination networks are architecturally incompatible, the assets are usually considered\u00a0<strong>permanently lost<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<table style=\"height: 235px;\" width=\"1118\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Action<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Protocol and recommendation<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Network Identification<\/td>\n<td>Verify the technical standard of the asset (e.g., ERC-20, TRC-20) at the source. Do not rely solely on the asset name.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Destination Validation<\/td>\n<td>Confirm that the receiving platform supports the selected network. Same coin does not guarantee network compatibility.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Test Send<\/td>\n<td>Perform a\u00a0<strong>minimum test transfer<\/strong>\u00a0before mobilizing the total capital to validate the sending route.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Error in Self-Custody<\/td>\n<td>If you own the\u00a0<strong>private keys<\/strong>, import your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/en\/what-is-the-seed-phrase-and-why-is-it-so-important\">seed phrase<\/a> into a compatible wallet and configure the correct network to recover the funds.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Error to Exchange<\/td>\n<td>Contact technical support immediately. Recovery is subject to their internal policies and may involve\u00a0<strong>high fees<\/strong>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Total Incompatibility<\/td>\n<td>In transfers between networks without compatible technical bridges, the assets are considered\u00a0<strong>permanently irrecoverable<\/strong>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"frequently_asked_questions\"><\/span><strong>Frequently asked questions<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Why are mainnets important?<\/strong>The successful launch of a mainnet is the fruit of a long work process. It indicates that the project has achieved its objectives, offering tools, products and applications that function through the mainnet.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Are Mainnet and Blockchain the same?<\/strong><strong>Blockchain is the technology<\/strong>, the\u00a0<strong>Mainnet is the specific network<\/strong>\u00a0that uses that technology to operate with real value.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Can I transfer tokens from Testnet to Mainnet?<\/strong>Absolutely not. Test tokens have\u00a0<strong>no value nor technical connection<\/strong>\u00a0with real ones.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Why doesn&#8217;t my crypto have its own mainnet?<\/strong>Because many projects prefer to be \u00abtokens\u00bb and\u00a0<strong>take advantage of the security<\/strong>\u00a0of already established networks like Ethereum or Polygon instead of spending resources on creating their own.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In summary, the importance of a mainnet stems from its\u00a0<strong>ability to test or disprove<\/strong>\u00a0the potential of a project from its creation to its final implementation. I hope you have been able to understand what a Mainnet is and what functions it performs.\u00a0<strong>Take control of your finances<\/strong>\u00a0with the security of understanding where you are operating. Ready to start?\u00a0<strong>Download the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/en\">Bitnovo<\/a> App<\/strong>\u00a0and operate on Mainnet in just 3 minutes. Your crypto, your rules.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-29219 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/8-compressed-1-1.jpg\" alt=\"bitnovo_token_vs_coin\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/8-compressed-1-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/8-compressed-1-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/8-compressed-1-1-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>As a key figure in the birth of Bitcoin,\u00a0<strong>Nick Szabo<\/strong>, rightly pointed out:\u00a0<strong>\u00abBlockchains don&#8217;t just replace banks; they replace blind trust with mathematical and immutable trust.\u00bb<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Tiempo de lectura:<\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 9<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutos<\/span><\/span>Discover what a mainnet is, how it validates transactions with real value and how it differs from a testnet. Learn how to choose the correct network when sending crypto and avoid mistakes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":7916,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[185],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10357","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blockchain-en"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10357","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10357"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10357\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29261,"href":"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10357\/revisions\/29261"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7916"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10357"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10357"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bitnovo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10357"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}