Celo L2 Mainnet Announcement

Celo L2 Mainnet Announcement


Dear Celo Community,

Introduction

The transition to an L2 is almost here. Today, cLabs announces the next two major milestones in Celo’s migration to a Layer 2 with: (1) the Baklava Testnet upgrade, expected on Thursday, December 12, and (2) the anticipated Mainnet launch in mid-January. These milestones will take place once the comprehensive code audit currently underway is complete.

This migration has been a significant project that wouldn’t be possible without the continued support, input, and enthusiasm from our community, so thank you all for being part of this journey with us.

Overview of the Migration Process

The journey to Layer 2 has been an exciting one, with several key milestones that have set the stage for the upcoming Baklava testnet upgrade and Mainnet launch. Since launching the Dango testnet and moving through the Alfajores L2 testnet, we’ve made steady progress, incorporating feedback from each phase and completing essential updates and fixes. We’re now in the final stage of the migration process, and each step will play a crucial role in securing a seamless transition from L1 to L2.

Milestone 1: Baklava Testnet Upgrade

Expected Timing: Mid-December

The Baklava testnet upgrade is the final dry run for our migration to Layer 2. This is the first stage in the migration process that involves coordination with validators, ensuring everyone is prepared for the changes required on the new Layer 2 network.

The Baklava upgrade will follow the same coordination process as a typical hardfork. This involves announcing the specific block number at which the upgrade will take place. An updated Celo Layer 1 client will also be released, stopping block production at the designated block number. Validators will need to upgrade to this client version, ensuring all nodes stop at the right moment and are ready for the transition to Layer 2. This coordination process typically takes 10-15 days on the Baklava testnet.

The primary focus of this upgrade is coordinating with Celo validators to ensure they’re prepared to support the network changes smoothly. This step is crucial, as it allows us to fully simulate the Mainnet launch in a controlled environment. For mainnet, this coordination will extend roughly one month. This milestone is essential for securing a seamless Mainnet transition and building confidence among developers, validators, and the broader community as we move toward the Layer 2 launch.

Milestone 2: Mainnet Launch

Assuming a Successful Baklava upgrade, cLabs will pick a block height for the mainnet upgrade and release an updated L1 client and the final L2 client codebase. If everything goes according to plan, this hardfork block height will be in Mid-January.

The Mainnet launch represents a monumental achievement, marking the full transition from Layer 1 to Layer 2 for Celo. After extensive testing and preparation, this launch is a significant step forward, bringing enhanced scalability, performance, and interoperability to the Celo ecosystem. The transition is targeted for mid-January, following a successful Baklava testnet upgrade.

The Mainnet launch will complete the move to an Ethereum Layer 2, unlocking powerful new features that enhance the overall user and developer experience. Many of the advancements tested on Alfajores L2, such as fee abstraction, one-block finality, EigenDA, and enhanced CELO token interoperability, will be available on Mainnet. These updates will optimize Celo’s functionality and pave the way for a more decentralized and scalable blockchain.

For a deeper dive into these features and benefits, please refer to the [previous post] for detailed information.

The Mainnet launch is a major accomplishment for the entire Celo community, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter. This milestone will open up new possibilities for development and innovation within Celo’s Layer 2 ecosystem.

Current Code Audit and Final Preparations

As we approach these milestones, a key focus for cLabs is ensuring the security, stability, and reliability of our new Layer 2 infrastructure. To achieve this, we have entered the audit phase of the Celo L2 codebase, as previously announced [here]. This audit is being conducted by Trail of Bits, a respected third-party firm with extensive experience in blockchain security and a deep understanding of our unique requirements.

This thorough audit is critical to achieving a smooth and secure transition to mainnet. By identifying and addressing potential vulnerabilities, we aim to ensure that the L2 environment is robust and resilient for all users and developers.

Upon completing the audit and implementing any necessary changes, we’ll proceed with the next phases: upgrading the Baklava testnet in mid-December, followed by the anticipated Mainnet launch in mid-January. cLabs is committed to transparency and will keep the community updated on our progress. Once finalized, we’ll share the audit results with the community to maintain full transparency.

Community Involvement & What to Expect Next

As we move closer to launching Celo Layer 2 on Mainnet, we encourage the community to stay actively engaged in this exciting phase. Your participation is essential in making this transition as smooth and effective as possible.

If you haven’t already, we invite you to continue testing on the Alfajores L2 Testnet, where your feedback has already helped shape critical improvements. Testing on Alfajores provides valuable insights that directly impact the final preparations for mainnet. We encourage developers, validators, and users to explore the L2 environment, identify any areas for improvement, and share their experiences.

In the lead-up to the Mainnet launch, we recommend that all community members and partners prepare for upgrading to the new Layer 2. This will ensure a seamless experience once we go live. Stay tuned for additional resources, guides, and best practices that will be shared as we approach the mainnet upgrade.

Closing & Call to Action

Thank you to the community for your unwavering support, collaboration, and enthusiasm throughout this Layer 2 migration journey. Your active participation and feedback have been invaluable in getting us to this pivotal moment.

As we approach the final stages, we encourage you to remain engaged—continue testing on the Alfajores Testnet, share your feedback, and start preparing for the upgrade to mainnet. Your insights are critical in helping us refine and strengthen the platform as we get ready for the Baklava upgrade and ultimately the mainnet launch.

The cLabs team looks forward to continuing this journey with you as we bring Celo Layer 2 to Mainnet!

The cLabs Team

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