Shardeum has officially launched its Mainnet, introducing an autoscaling Layer 1 blockchain that claims to solve the blockchain trilemma—scalability, security, and decentralization—without compromise.
Following a testnet that drew over 1.4 million participants and more than 171,000 validator nodes, Shardeum is now live with 256 validators across two shards and plans for rapid expansion. Key features include EVM compatibility, affordable transaction fees (as low as $0.01), and a permissionless validator network with easy, one-minute node setup and no heavy hardware or large stake requirements, encouraging wide community participation.
The network debuts with its token generation event for the native SHM token and a circulating supply of 249 million tokens. Shardeum utilizes a unique Proof-of-Quorum Optimistic (PoQo) consensus mechanism, aiming for near-infinite scalability as new nodes join, and replaces traditional slashing penalties with an automatic underperforming node rotation system. Major investors backing the project include Struck Crypto, Amber Group, and Balaji Srinivasan, among others.
At launch, Shardeum integrates tools for developers, supports MetaMask and other major EVM wallets, and maintains over 60 open-source repositories. The team expects to roll out stable decentralized application deployments and enhanced smart-contract functionality in the latter half of 2025. Community events and a clear roadmap for future upgrades have also been announced.