Mainnet Launch: When a Blockchain Project Moves from Theory to Reality

Community-Generated Content - Author: Obasi Ifegwu

What Does It Mean for a Blockchain to Reach Its Mainnet?

The transition to mainnet is the critical moment when a blockchain protocol ceases to be a concept in development and becomes a functional platform where real users can send, receive, and record cryptocurrency transactions on a distributed ledger. While in the previous phases developers work in controlled environments, launching the mainnet represents the culmination of years of research, testing, and technical refinement.

The Path Before Mainnet: Testnet and Development

Before any blockchain reaches the mainnet, the development team must go through rigorous validation phases. On the testnet, programmers simulate real-world scenarios, identify vulnerabilities, and adjust every system parameter. This is the space where experiments happen, errors are corrected without financial consequences, and it is ensured that the architecture will be solid once fully operational.

The fundamental difference is that while a testnet functions as an experimental prototype, a mainnet is the finished product ready for real transactions and mass adoption.

The ICOs: How the Path to Mainnet Was Funded

In early 2017, numerous blockchain startups revolutionized the way capital was raised. Instead of seeking traditional investors, these companies launched Initial Coin Offerings (ICO), allowing anyone to contribute funds. To simplify this process, most opted to issue tokens under the ERC-20 standard on the Ethereum network.

These tokens were distributed to investors’ wallets proportionally to their contribution. The funds raised financed ongoing development, enabling teams to build the complete infrastructure of their blockchain. Thus, the ICO served as a financial bridge between an idea and the realization of the mainnet.

From ERC-20 Token to Mainnet: The Swap Process

Once the blockchain was fully developed and implemented, the crucial moment arrived: the launch of the mainnet. At this point, the platform had its own native currency, operating on its own infrastructure instead of the previously used ERC-20 token.

To make the transition without losing value, teams executed what is known as a mainnet swap. Here, each ERC-20 token was converted 1:1 into the new native currency of the blockchain. Users had to exchange their old tokens for the new cryptocurrencies circulating on the newly launched mainnet.

Once this process was completed, remaining ERC-20 tokens were burned or removed from circulation, ensuring that only the mainnet’s native currency retained value and practical use.

Beyond Ethereum: Diversity in Blockchain Platforms

Although Ethereum and its ERC-20 standard gained considerable popularity, they were not the only options. Alternative blockchains like Stellar, NEM, NEO, TRON, and Waves also offered capabilities to issue digital tokens, providing projects with different options based on their technical and community needs.

Conclusion: The Mainnet as a Maturity Milestone

The launch of the mainnet represents much more than a technical update: it is proof that a project has reached operational viability. It is the moment when a blockchain vision materializes into a functional platform where thousands or millions of users can participate. For investors and developers, the mainnet is the definitive indicator that the project has surpassed the experimental phase and is ready for the real world.