Mainnet (Main Network)

Mainnet refers to the live, production network of a blockchain. It’s the real blockchain where actual transactions occur, and real tokens or cryptocurrencies (like ETH, BTC, SOL) are used. Any transaction or smart contract deployed on the Mainnet has real consequences, involving actual assets.

Purpose

• Used for real-world applications, such as transferring value (cryptocurrencies) or executing smart contracts.
• It is the network where users interact with blockchain apps (DeFi, NFTs) in a real economic environment.

Features

• Uses real, valuable cryptocurrencies.
• Transactions are irreversible and recorded on the blockchain.
• Security is of utmost importance since mistakes or bugs in smart contracts can lead to the loss of real funds.

Example

• The Ethereum Mainnet uses real ETH for transaction fees and smart contract execution.
• Bitcoin Mainnet is the live network where Bitcoin transactions are recorded and validated by miners.

Summary

Devnet is a test network used by developers to experiment with blockchain applications using test tokens, allowing them to refine their work before deploying to the Mainnet. Mainnet is the live production environment where real transactions happen, using actual cryptocurrencies, and interacting with real users in the ecosystem.