Monad
Monad is a high-performance, 100% EVM-compatible layer 1 blockchain designed for extreme scalability and low hardware requirements.
Overview
Monad is a layer 1 blockchain rebuilt from the ground up to deliver extreme scalability and performance while maintaining full Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatibility. It supports up to 10,000 transactions per second (TPS), with 0.4-second block times and 800ms finality, enabling developers to build highly scalable decentralized applications without changing existing Solidity codebases. Monad achieves this through a novel architecture that includes optimistic parallel execution, asynchronous execution, and a custom state database called MonadDB, which significantly reduces hardware requirements by storing most blockchain state on SSD rather than RAM.
Designed for developers and enterprises seeking a performant and decentralized base layer, Monad preserves Ethereum’s RPC API and smart contract compatibility, allowing seamless migration of existing Ethereum applications. Its modular client architecture separates consensus and execution, using Rust for consensus and C/C++ for execution, optimizing for security and performance. Monad’s low hardware requirements enable consumer-grade hardware to run nodes, promoting scalable decentralization and reducing barriers to network participation.
Monad supports a rich developer ecosystem with extensive documentation, SDKs, and starter templates for popular tools like Hardhat, Foundry, and Remix. The Monad Foundation actively fosters ecosystem growth through programs such as the Monad Founder Residency, Monad Madness pitch competition, and Mach Accelerator, providing mentorship, funding, and community support. Developers can quickly get started by deploying contracts on the Monad testnet using familiar Ethereum tools and accessing a growing suite of infrastructure and indexing services. Comprehensive guides and community channels facilitate onboarding and collaboration.
The Problem
Existing layer 1 blockchains often face trade-offs between scalability, decentralization, and security, limiting throughput and increasing costs. High hardware requirements restrict node participation, hindering decentralization. Many EVM-compatible chains require code changes or compromise on performance, creating friction for developers migrating from Ethereum.
The Solution
Key Features
Optimistic Parallel Execution
Executes transactions in parallel before prior ones complete, committing results in order with state checks.
Asynchronous Execution
Decouples execution from consensus to scale a single-shard blockchain to millions of users.
MonadDB Custom State Database
Purpose-built database using Patricia Trie structure optimized for blockchain state storage and verification.
Developer Ecosystem and Tooling
Supports Hardhat, Foundry, Remix, and provides starter templates, indexing guides, and wallet integrations.
Key Strengths
How Developers Use Monad
High-Performance DeFi Platforms
DeFi developers build scalable, low-latency applications with high throughput and near-zero gas fees on Monad.
Enterprise Blockchain Solutions
Enterprises deploy secure, performant smart contracts with Ethereum compatibility and reduced infrastructure costs.
DAO Tooling and Tokenization
DAO developers leverage Monad’s scalability and composability to create complex governance and tokenization systems.
Works Well WithEthereumEVM ChainsAvalancheArbitrum One
Optimism
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Pricing
Free | |
|---|---|
| Price (Monthly) | Free |
| Price (Annual) | Free |
| Messaging | N/A |
| Support | Community support via Discord and GitHub |
| Analytics |
Resources
Monad provides extensive developer resources including detailed documentation, quick start guides, smart contract deployment tutorials, indexing solutions, and community support channels. The ecosystem also offers accelerator programs, hackathons, and pitch competitions to support builders.