The mainnet is the primary public blockchain of a crypto where actual transactions take place on the distributed ledger. It is a fully developed platform for sending and receiving digital currencies and other transactions, with real-value tokens and penalties for misconduct enforced.
When a new blockchain project starts, it typically begins on a testnet. This sandbox environment allows developers to experiment and verify the project’s functionality without real-world consequences. Once the project is thoroughly tested and ready for deployment, it transitions from the testnet to the mainnet. This critical step signifies the project’s readiness for public use and is often associated with the digital currency’s Initial Coin Offering (ICO) or other forms of public release.
If a project launches a testnet on a third-party network and then migrates the transactions to its own network, a mainnet swap occurs.
A mainnet swap is a complex concept that involves moving from one blockchain network to another. During a mainnet swap, the crypto is gradually exchanged for newly mined tokens, and the entire blockchain network is transferred to the new chain.
