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Monad

High-performance Layer 1 blockchain.

About Monad​

Monad is an ultra-high-performance Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)-compatible Layer 1 blockchain designed to solve scalability challenges while maintaining decentralization and security. It combines full EVM bytecode compatibility with groundbreaking throughput of 10,000 transactions per second (TPS), 1-second block times, and near-zero gas fees. Monad’s mission is to enable seamless portability for Ethereum developers while providing a scalable infrastructure for decentralized applications (dApps), DeFi protocols, and high-frequency use cases.

Main Products/Services:

  • EVM-compatible smart contract platform
  • Developer tools for Ethereum-native migrations
  • High-performance consensus mechanism (MonadBFT)
  • MonadDB, a state storage system optimized for parallel processing

Significance:
Monad addresses the blockchain trilemma by offering a single-shard architecture that supports Ethereum’s ecosystem while outperforming competitors in speed and cost. Its EVM compatibility positions it as a natural successor for Ethereum developers seeking scalability without code changes.

Technology​

Monad’s architecture introduces four core innovations:

  1. Parallel Execution:

    • Processes transactions concurrently using optimistic parallelization, assuming independence unless dependencies are detected.
    • Resolves conflicts through re-execution of dependent transactions.

  2. MonadBFT:

    • A Byzantine Fault-Tolerant consensus protocol derived from HotStuff, enabling 1-second single-slot finality.
    • Separates consensus and execution phases (asynchronous execution) to maximize efficiency.

  3. MonadDB:

    • A custom database storing blockchain state on SSDs (not RAM), reducing node hardware costs.
    • Enables parallel read/write operations for faster transaction processing.

  4. Superscalar Pipelining:

    • Splits transaction processing into stages (fetching, decoding, executing) that run in parallel, akin to CPU optimizations.

Problems Solved:

  • Eliminates Ethereum’s 15-30 TPS bottleneck.
  • Reduces node operation costs, promoting decentralization.
  • Maintains full Ethereum tooling compatibility (MetaMask, Etherscan) while scaling performance.

Key Features​

  • 10,000 TPS: Processes transactions 1,000x faster than Ethereum.
  • 1-Second Finality: Instant confirmation for high-frequency applications.
  • EVM Bytecode Compatibility: No code changes needed for Ethereum dApps.
  • Near-Zero Fees: Sub-$0.01 transaction costs at scale.
  • Low Hardware Requirements: Nodes run on consumer-grade SSDs.
  • Deferred Execution: Decouples consensus and execution for reduced latency.
  • Ethereum RPC Compatibility: Supports existing wallets, oracles, and analytics tools.

Integration with Eliza​

Monad’s partnership with ElizaOS focuses on interoperability and user experience:

  • Direct Service Access: ElizaOS users interact with Monad’s blockchain for transactions, smart contracts, and dApps natively.
  • High-Throughput Use Cases: Enables ElizaOS to support demanding applications like real-time gaming or DeFi arbitrage.
  • Unified Tooling: Developers use Monad’s EVM-compatible environment within ElizaOS workflows.
  • Plugin Ecosystem: While no official ElizaOS plugin is publicly documented, Monad’s RPC compatibility suggests seamless integration potential for wallet connectors, node interfaces, or cross-chain tools.

Recent Developments​

  • Chainlink Scale Partnership (April 2025): Integrated decentralized oracle services for low-cost, secure data feeds.
  • Mainnet Launch Preparation: On track for 2025 deployment, with testnet achieving 8,000+ TPS in stress tests.
  • Ecosystem Grants: $50M allocated to developers building DeFi, NFT, and gaming projects.
  • Team Expansion: Added 20+ engineers specializing in distributed systems and low-latency optimizations.

Roadmap:

  • Expand validator set to 150+ nodes by EOY 2025.
  • Introduce zk-SNARK-based privacy features.
  • Enhance MonadDB’s compression algorithms for larger state storage.

Market Position​

Competitors:

  • Outperforms Solana in EVM compatibility and Ethereum in speed.
  • Competes with Avalanche and Polygon in scalability but offers superior finality and lower fees.

Key Partnerships:

  • Chainlink: Oracle integration for DeFi.
  • Pyth Network: Real-time price feeds.
  • Ether.fi: Liquid staking solutions.

Adoption:

  • 200+ dApps migrated from Ethereum during testnet phase.
  • 40,000+ developer accounts active inMonad’s sandbox environment.