Mainnet Explained: The Live Network for Your Crypto Project
A mainnet is the live, operational blockchain network where real cryptocurrency transactions occur. It's the final stage where your token moves from testing to public trading. Understanding mainnet is required for any creator launching a token, especially on high-performance networks like Solana.
Key Points
- 1A mainnet is the final, public blockchain where real crypto transactions are processed.
- 2Tokens launch on mainnet after testing is complete on a separate testnet.
- 3Mainnet launches involve real value, irreversible transactions, and network fees.
- 4Solana's mainnet handles over 2,000 transactions per second with fees under $0.001.
- 5Moving to mainnet is a key graduation step for tokens launched on platforms like Spawned.
Mainnet Verdict for Token Creators
The definitive take on why mainnet matters for your launch.
For crypto creators, launching on a mainnet is non-negotiable. It's the point where your project becomes publicly tradable and holds real monetary value. The choice of which mainnet to use (like Solana vs. Ethereum) directly impacts your token's transaction costs, speed, and accessibility for holders.
Recommendation: Launch on a high-performance mainnet like Solana if you prioritize low fees and fast transactions for your community. The Solana mainnet consistently processes transactions for under $0.001, which is essential for micro-transactions and rewarding a large holder base. Platforms that help you graduate to mainnet, like Spawned's launchpad, provide a structured path from initial creation to a fully functional mainnet token.
Mainnet vs. Testnet: The Critical Difference
Understanding the distinction between mainnet and testnet is foundational for safe development.
Testnet:
- A separate, parallel blockchain for testing only.
- Uses fake, valueless cryptocurrency (e.g., 'test SOL').
- Transactions and smart contracts have no real-world consequence.
- Allows developers to experiment, find bugs, and simulate launches without financial risk.
Mainnet:
- The live, production blockchain network.
- Uses real, valuable cryptocurrency (e.g., SOL, ETH).
- Every transaction is permanent, costs real network fees, and involves actual value transfer.
- This is where your token gains liquidity, gets listed on trackers, and enters public markets.
Key Takeaway: Never deploy untested code directly to a mainnet. Always use a testnet first. A failed transaction on mainnet can result in the permanent loss of funds.
The Journey to a Mainnet Launch: A Creator's Path
Follow the step-by-step process that turns an idea into a live, trading asset.
The path from idea to a live mainnet token involves clear stages. Here’s how it typically unfolds for a Solana creator using a launchpad like Spawned:
- Concept & Token Creation: The creator defines the token's purpose, supply, and distribution. On Spawned, this is done via an intuitive interface, with the AI website builder creating a project hub simultaneously.
- Testnet Deployment (Crucial): The token's smart contract is deployed to the Solana Devnet or Testnet. The creator and early community simulate buys, sells, and any custom functions to ensure everything works perfectly.
- Initial Liquidity Pool Creation: Once testing is complete, the creator launches the token on the mainnet launchpad phase. On Spawned, this requires a 0.1 SOL launch fee (~$20) to create the initial liquidity pool. Trading begins immediately in a controlled environment.
- Mainnet Graduation: After the token reaches a predefined market cap or community goal (e.g., $69,000 on Spawned), it "graduates." Its liquidity is migrated from the launchpad's bonding curve to a traditional decentralized exchange (DEX) like Raydium on the Solana mainnet.
- Life on Mainnet: The token is now fully independent on the Solana mainnet. It accrues fees for the creator (0.30% per trade on Spawned-graduated tokens) and distributes rewards to holders (0.30%), powered by the Token-2022 program for perpetual functionality.
5 Reasons the Solana Mainnet is Ideal for Creators
Choosing the right mainnet is a strategic decision. The Solana mainnet offers distinct benefits for token creators and their communities.
- Extremely Low Fees: Average transaction fees are $0.00025. This makes small trades and frequent holder rewards economically feasible, unlike networks where a $10 fee would eat small profits.
- High Transaction Speed: Solana's mainnet finalizes transactions in about 400 milliseconds and handles over 2,000 transactions per second (TPS). This prevents network congestion during high-volume trading for your token.
- Robust Ecosystem: The Solana mainnet hosts major DEXs (Raydium, Orca), wallets (Phantom), and tools. This gives your token immediate access to liquidity and users.
- Token-2022 Standard: This upgrade on the Solana mainnet enables advanced features like permanent transfer fees. This is how Spawned ensures 0.30% creator revenue and 0.30% holder rewards continue indefinitely after graduation.
- Proven Scale: The network stress-tests daily with high-volume NFTs and memecoins, proving its capacity for viral token launches without collapsing under demand.
Critical First Steps After Your Mainnet Launch
Launching is just the beginning. Protect and grow your project with these actions.
Your token is live on mainnet. Now what? Follow this checklist to build stability and growth.
Common Mainnet Risks & How to Mitigate Them
Operating on mainnet carries real financial risk. Being aware is your first defense.
| Risk | Description | Mitigation Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Smart Contract Bugs | A flaw in your token's code deployed to mainnet can be exploited, draining funds. | Extensive testnet simulation. Audit if possible. Use battle-tested, standard code from reputable launchpads. |
| Rug Pulls / LP Removal | The creator removes all liquidity, making the token untradable and worthless. | Lock or burn LP tokens at launch. Use platforms that facilitate this. Transparency builds trust. |
| Network Congestion | During peak times, a network (not Solana) may slow down, delaying your transactions. | Choose a high-TPS mainnet like Solana. Schedule large actions during lower-activity periods. |
| Fee Miscalculation | Underestimating the cost of interactions (mints, distributions) can drain your project SOL. | Always test transactions on testnet first to gauge real mainnet cost. Budget for ongoing fees. |
| Holder Confusion | New buyers may not understand mainnet vs. testnet, sending real funds to testnet addresses. | Clearly label all mainnet links and addresses. Educate your community in simple terms. |
Launch and Graduate to Solana Mainnet with Spawned
Take the guesswork out of your mainnet launch.
Navigating the transition from idea to a secure, functional mainnet token is complex. Spawned simplifies this entire journey.
We provide the tools to create your token, build its website with AI, and launch it in an initial phase—all for a 0.1 SOL fee. Most importantly, we provide a clear, secure path to graduation on the Solana mainnet.
Upon graduation, your token activates a sustainable model on the mainnet: 0.30% of every trade goes to you as the creator, and 0.30% is distributed to your token holders as ongoing rewards, enforced permanently via Solana's Token-2022 program.
Ready to build on the live network? Start your project on Spawned and execute a professional mainnet launch with built-in creator revenue and holder rewards.
Related Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
Mainnet is short for 'main network.' It's the primary, live version of a blockchain where real cryptocurrency transactions are broadcast, verified, and recorded permanently. When people buy, sell, or trade SOL, ETH, or your token, they are interacting with a mainnet. It contrasts with 'testnet,' which is a testing environment that uses worthless currency.
Technically, yes, but it is strongly discouraged. Launching directly on mainnet without testing on a testnet first is extremely risky. Any bug in your token's code will involve real financial loss. Best practice is to always deploy and test thoroughly on a testnet, then proceed to mainnet launch. Platforms like Spawned guide you through this safe process.
Costs vary. The bare network fee to deploy a standard token contract on Solana mainnet is minimal, often under $0.01. However, you need SOL to fund the initial liquidity pool (LP). On Spawned, the launch fee is 0.1 SOL (approx. $20), which covers creating your token, its initial LP, and the AI-generated website. You'll also need a small amount of SOL in your wallet for transaction fees.
Graduation is when a token moves from a launchpad's initial launch phase (often using a bonding curve) to a traditional decentralized exchange (DEX) on the mainnet. For example, on Spawned, a token launches with a small LP. Once it hits a $69,000 market cap, its liquidity is automatically migrated to a DEX like Raydium on the Solana mainnet, making it more accessible and establishing permanent fee structures for creators and holders.
The main risks involve permanent financial loss due to smart contract bugs, liquidity removal (rug pulls), user error (sending to wrong addresses), and high transaction fees on congested networks. Mitigate these by using audited code, locking liquidity, educating your community, and choosing a high-throughput, low-fee mainnet like Solana.
Solana's mainnet is popular due to its low cost and high speed. With average fees under $0.001 and the ability to process thousands of transactions per second, it allows for micro-transactions and frequent tokenomics functions (like holder rewards) that are cost-prohibitive on other networks. This makes it ideal for community-driven tokens.
After your token is live on mainnet, your focus shifts to growth, communication, and utility. You should list it on market tracking sites, engage your community through your project hub, consider additional centralized exchange (CEX) listings, and potentially develop further use cases for your token. Platforms like Spawned automate ongoing creator revenue (0.30%) from this point forward.
No, you do not need coding expertise. User-friendly launchpads like Spawned provide a guided interface to create, configure, and deploy a standard token to the Solana mainnet. They handle the smart contract deployment, initial website creation, and set up the fee structure automatically, making mainnet launch accessible to all creators.
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