The Dango Layer-2 testnet, a major achievement in cLabs’ mission to integrate Celo’s blockchain with Ethereum, has been successfully launched, much to the delight of the Celo Foundation. Developers are now invited to begin testing the updated code on this new version of the Alfajores testnet.
In exciting news, the Dango Layer-2 testnet is now live! This launch, spearheaded by cLabs, comes just in time for EthCC 2024. Developers can now start testing the updated code on the fork of the Alfajores testnet. Keep reading for more details on the benefits of this new development!
Dango Layer-2: A Revolutionary Step for Celo
The Dango testnet, initially proposed during EthCC 2023, allows developers to transition their projects to this enhanced blockchain iteration, specifically designed for fast and cost-effective global payments. All historical data from the Alfajores testnet, including smart contracts, accounts, and balances, is preserved in this launch. Dango is built on Optimism’s OP Stack and combines the advantages of Celo’s Layer 1 with a highly scalable and interoperable blockchain framework.
Thanks to the support of the Eigen Foundation and the backing of the community, Dango utilizes EigenDA as a data availability layer to keep transaction fees at a minimum. The Layer-2 architecture aims to maintain low transaction costs while improving throughput by 50% and decreasing block time from 5 seconds to 2 seconds.
Key Features of Dango Layer-2
Dango Layer-2 offers several notable features, including the bridging of WETH and ERC-20 tokens, enabling seamless transfers between Ethereum and Celo. It also ensures swift and secure transactions with 1-block finality. Dango supports the duality of CELO tokens, allowing interaction with CELO natively or through the ERC20 interface. Additionally, it introduces fee abstraction, enabling multiple ERC-20 tokens as gas currencies, including Celo-native $USDT and $USDC. The SocialConnect feature allows users to send money to phone numbers, email addresses, or other social identifiers. Low gas fees further enhance accessibility and global adoption of cryptocurrencies.
Infrastructure Upgrades and Future Plans for Celo Layer-2 Mainnet Launch
With the launch of Dango, infrastructure providers are now updating their Layer-2 node code. Once all key providers have implemented the new design, Alfajores will be upgraded without creating a new fork. This seamless transition allows developers to test their end-user decentralized applications (dApps) without impacting user-facing applications.
The successful completion of this milestone ahead of schedule sets the stage for the highly anticipated Celo Layer-2 mainnet launch in early winter 2024. The Celo Foundation and cLabs are fully committed to driving innovation and enhancing the blockchain ecosystem, ensuring a smooth transition and robust growth for developers and users alike.