A Guide to Five Early-Stage Protocols with Open Testnets: Fuel, Celestia, Taiko, EigenLayer, and Linea
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A Guide to Five Early-Stage Protocols with Open Testnets: Fuel, Celestia, Taiko, EigenLayer, and Linea
This article will introduce five projects currently in the testnet phase, as well as share perspectives on participating in testnets.
Navigating Web3 tides with focused insightsProduced by: TechFlow Research
Author: Yu Zhong Kuangshui
Blockchain testnets are a crucial component of blockchain systems. Simply put, a testnet simulates the operational environment of the mainnet. Before deploying on the mainnet, developers and users can test new applications and protocols on the testnet to ensure their stability and reliability, and optimize them based on data generated during testing.
A negative example is Gemholic, which only tested on the BNB Chain testnet before deploying on zkSync, resulting in a contract locking up 921 ETH in raised funds. The BNB Chain testnet and zkSync mainnet are not equivalent, leading to the contract issue. This incident underscores the importance of testnets—although transactions and data on testnets are not recorded on the actual blockchain, testnets play a vital role in blockchain development.
Next, I will introduce several projects currently in the testnet phase and share my thoughts on participating in testnets, using actions from the Sui team as a reference.
Fuel
Fuel is an Ethereum-based scaling solution positioned as a modular execution layer. On March 20, Fuel launched its third public testnet, aiming to test its P2P network and full node synchronization capabilities.
Like other scaling solutions, it aims to build a high-speed, low-cost decentralized network.
However, unlike other rollups, Fuel has built a completely new virtual machine architecture called FuelVM. Based on Solidity and Move languages, FuelVM introduced Sway, a language specifically designed for executing smart contracts with parallel transaction processing—this is the key to its high throughput.
Another notable point is that Fuel is designed as a fraud-resistant Layer 2 that can serve as the execution layer for Optimistic Rollups. In the future, it could also act as an execution layer for other Layer 1 blockchains, such as the modular data availability layer Celestia.
Participation link: https://fuel-labs.ghost.io/announcing-beta-3-testnet/
Celestia
Celestia is a modular data availability layer built using the Cosmos SDK, responsible only for verifying data availability and transaction ordering. It is currently in the testnet phase.
Unlike Fuel, Celestia plays the role of handling data availability and transaction ordering for Layer 1 blockchains.
The modular design gives Celestia great flexibility and composability: it can serve solely as a data availability layer or handle both data availability and transaction ordering. Rollups can either use Celestia for both functions or integrate Celestia into Layer 1 blockchains like Ethereum, where it would only provide data availability. Put more vividly, developers can integrate Celestia into Ethereum, effectively expanding Ethereum's capacity.
Participation link: https://docs.celestia.org/
Taiko
Taiko is a ZkRollup solution built on Ethereum, founded by Loopring’s Wang Dong. On March 23, Taiko launched its ZK-EVM alpha-2 testnet "Askja." On April 17, Taiko deprecated the alpha-2 testnet and simultaneously launched the alpha-3 testnet to implement fixes, improvements, and new components.
Using ZKP technology, Taiko focuses on EVM equivalence and prioritizes decentralization in its architectural design. Like other Layer 2 solutions, Taiko aims to scale Ethereum’s performance by executing, aggregating, and proving transactions off-chain.
Participation link: https://taiko.xyz/docs/guides
EigenLayer
EigenLayer is an Ethereum restaking protocol. On April 7, EigenLayer launched its first-stage testnet on Ethereum’s Goerli network. Note that, according to official statements, this is an early non-incentivized testnet.
EigenLayer allows stakers to re-stake their ETH into new smart contracts, using ETH to secure other networks—such as sidechains, cross-chain bridges, and middleware.
The advantages of the EigenLayer model include:
1. Expanding revenue channels for ETH stakers, thereby increasing capital efficiency;
2. Enhancing Ethereum’s network bandwidth through its data availability product, EigenDA;
3. Providing new utility to the ETH token itself;
4. Lowering operational barriers for Ethereum ecosystem protocols, promoting further ecosystem growth.
Participation link: https://goerli.eigenlayer.xyz/
Linea
Linea is a zkEVM extension launched by ConsenSys, which has already released its testnet.
Linea emphasizes EVM equivalence, meaning developers can seamlessly migrate their applications to the Linea network. Similar to other zkRollup solutions, Linea bundles multiple contract transactions into one, improving transaction throughput and reducing fees. Another notable advantage is MetaMask’s support and integration with Linea.
Participation link: https://goerli.linea.build/
Finally
Why are crypto users so enthusiastic about participating in testnets?
The fundamental reason is their expectation of future token airdrops from these projects. Sui’s decision not to offer token airdrops to early supporters has significantly discouraged early testnet participants.
We should not dismiss the influx of airdrop hunters as toxic to the industry. While participating, they generate rich and valuable data—playing a positive role in optimizing protocol products. Sui’s approach, however, risks discouraging broader participation in future testnets.
Therefore, going forward, to attract more participants, protocol teams may need to clearly communicate the incentive aspects of their testnets.
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