What is Monad?
Monad is an Ethereum-compatible Layer 1 blockchain that leverages parallel execution and pipelined consensus to achieve high throughput. It processes transactions concurrently while ensuring deterministic results, aligning with Ethereum’s execution model.
Key Features:
- 1-second finality and 10,000+ TPS for real-time applications like DeFi, gaming, and social platforms.
- Full EVM compatibility, supporting existing Ethereum wallets, contracts, and tools.
- Decoupled consensus and execution, maximizing block time efficiency.
The public testnet launched on February 19, 2025, with the mainnet expected in Q2 2025 (date unconfirmed).
How Does Monad Work?
Monad’s architecture redefines blockchain scalability through its tech stack:
Asynchronous Execution:
- Consensus orders transactions first; execution follows separately.
Parallel Processing:
- Transactions run optimistically across threads, re-executed if needed.
MonadBFT Consensus:
- Overlapping stages (proposals, votes, finalization) enable 0.5-second blocks and 1-second finality.
MonadDb Storage:
- SSD-optimized Merkle trie with concurrent access for fast state management.
RaptorCast Propagation:
- Erasure-coded block chunks reduce latency and bandwidth.
👉 Explore Monad’s testnet guide to start experimenting.
MON Tokenomics
Official MON token details (supply, allocation, vesting) remain undisclosed ahead of the mainnet launch.
Testnet MON tokens:
- Claimable via official faucet.
- No real-world value; used for simulating transactions and staking.
How to Qualify for the Monad Airdrop
Boost eligibility by engaging with the 220+ projects in Monad’s ecosystem:
Acquire Testnet Tokens:
- Daily claims from Monad Faucet, Owlto, and Mozi.
Interact with dApps:
- Trade on Kuro/Bean, mint NFTs (Monadzw, Monshape), play Monanimal Mayhem.
Stake MON:
- Use aPriori to simulate validator behavior.
Complete Quests:
- Track progress via Layer3.
Community Contributions:
- Earn Discord roles (Monvangelist, Quant) by creating content or assisting users.
Monad vs Ethereum vs Solana
| Feature | Monad | Ethereum | Solana |
|-----------------|--------------------|--------------------|--------------------|
| Throughput | 10,000+ TPS | ~15 TPS | 2,000–50,000 TPS |
| Finality | 1 second | ~12 minutes | ~400 ms |
| EVM Support | Full compatibility | Native | None (SVM) |
| Consensus | MonadBFT | PoS (Gasper) | PoH + Tower BFT |
Monad balances Ethereum’s developer familiarity with Solana’s speed, avoiding compromises on decentralization.
Funding & Backers
$244M raised total, including:
- **$225M (April 2024)**: Led by Paradigm at ~$3B valuation.
- $19M seed (2023): Dragonfly Capital, Naval Ravikant.
- OKX Ventures invested strategically in May 2024.
Founders
- Keone Hon: Ex-Jump Trading, HFT systems expert.
- James Hunsaker: Architect of Monad’s core protocol.
- Eunice Giarta: Leads Monad Foundation’s decentralization efforts.
FAQ
Q: When will Monad’s mainnet launch?
A: Expected Q2 2025 (no confirmed date).
Q: Is MON tradable now?
A: Only testnet tokens exist; mainnet tokens will launch with the network.
Q: How does Monad achieve 10,000 TPS?
A: Parallel execution + pipelined consensus reduce bottlenecks.
👉 Dive deeper into Monad’s roadmap for updates.
Final Thoughts
Monad reimagines blockchain scalability without sacrificing EVM compatibility. With a live testnet and strong backing, it’s poised to compete with Solana and Ethereum. Developers and users should explore its ecosystem ahead of the mainnet.
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