Monad Blockchain Set to Disrupt Layer-1 Space with 10,000 TPS and Full EVM Support

Monad, a next-generation Layer-1 blockchain founded by ex-high-frequency trading executives, is drawing attention for its ability to process 10,000 transactions per second with 1-second block times, while remaining 100% Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatible. Backed by over $244 million in venture funding and valued at $3 billion, Monad’s upcoming mainnet (expected Q3 2025) could redefine the scalability landscape for DeFi, gaming, NFTs, and enterprise blockchain applications.

• Performance Edge: Parallel execution, MonadBFT consensus, and superscalar pipelining allow 10,000 TPS with near-zero gas fees, far faster than Ethereum (~15 TPS).
• EVM Compatibility: Developers can port Ethereum-based smart contracts without modification, unlike Solana or Sui which require bridging or new code.
• Ecosystem Momentum: 240+ projects and 57+ validators are active on testnet; expected to reach 150–200 projects by mainnet launch.
• Funding & Team: Backed by Paradigm, Coinbase Ventures, and others, with leadership from former Jump Trading and Merrill Lynch executives.
• Token Utility: $MON (not yet tradeable) will power gas fees, staking, and governance, with speculation around a testnet airdrop ahead of launch (Monad.xyz).

Monad, a next-generation Layer-1 blockchain developed by Monad Labs, is rapidly gaining attention in the crypto space for its promise to resolve Ethereum’s scalability limitations without sacrificing EVM compatibility. Armed with advanced technical innovations, institutional backing, and a growing developer ecosystem, Monad is positioning itself as a major contender in the blockchain arena.

What is the Monad Blockchain?

Monad is a high-throughput, fully EVM-compatible Layer-1 blockchain capable of processing 10,000 transactions per second (TPS) with 1-second block times and single-slot finality. Unlike Ethereum’s sequential transaction processing model, Monad introduces parallel execution and other performance-enhancing technologies to maximize scalability and speed.

In terms of its disrupter potential, Monad’s EVM compatibility means that Monad can run the same smart contracts and applications that were originally built for Ethereum without requiring any modifications. This is a very different marketing positioning to other layer 1 blockchains like Solana and Sui, which have only limited compatibility with Ethereum via bridging applications.

Monad’s Key Technical Innovations

• Parallel Execution: Enables simultaneous transaction processing, boosting throughput.

• MonadDB: SSD-based database architecture that minimizes reliance on RAM and cuts hardware costs.

• MonadBFT: A high-efficiency proof-of-stake consensus protocol.

• Superscalar Pipelining: Uses deep execution pipeline optimization for maximum speed.

What Is Monad Used For?

Based on Monad’s technical specifications, its most obvious use cases will likely center around applications that could benefit from its 10,000 transactions per second, near-zero gas fees, and 100% EVM compatibility. For example, the DeFi space, its rapid transaction processing could enable high-frequency trading, real-time order matching, and complex derivatives trading that require instant settlements.

Gaming platforms and NFT marketplaces could also leverage the high transaction volumes and minimal latency for seamless in-game transactions, play-to-earn mechanics, and large-scale NFT drops. Enterprise and Internet of Things (IoT) applications represent another major use case, where Monad’s parallel processing architecture could handle large-scale data processing for supply chain tracking, industrial monitoring, and smart city infrastructure

Founders and Team Background

Monad Labs was founded in 2022 by three veterans of the high-frequency trading sector. Keone Hon (CEO): Former executive at Jump Trading, with experience in high-frequency crypto trading. James Hunsaker (CTO): Built low-latency infrastructure at Jump Trading and Eunice Giarta (COO): Ex-trading executive at BofA Merrill Lynch and product lead at Broadway Technology. Their expertise in latency-sensitive systems has directly shaped Monad’s performance-centric blockchain design.

Funding and Valuation

Monad Labs has so far raised over $244 million, securing one of the largest crypto funding rounds of 2024: A $19M seed round  in February of 2023, led by Dragonfly Capital, followed by $225M Series A (April 2024), led by Paradigm with participation from Coinbase Ventures, Castle Island Ventures, Greenoaks Capital and Electric Capital. Monad’s valuation now stands at $3 billion, affirming its unicorn status.

Token Utility: $MON

The native token $MON will serve several core functions within the Monad ecosystem:

• Transaction Fees: Used to pay for network gas.

• Staking: Required for validator roles in the MonadBFT protocol.

• Governance: Will likely be used for protocol-level decision-making.

Although tokenomics remain partially undisclosed, early data suggests a 100 billion MON total supply. $MON is currently not tradeable, as the mainnet has yet to launch.

Testnet Progress and Ecosystem Development

Monad’s public testnet went live on February 19, 2025, marking a major development milestone.

Testnet Highlights

• 57+ active validators

• 240+ projects currently building

• Wallet support from:

  • Phantom Wallet

  • Backpack

  • OKX Wallet

The upcoming Testnet-2, scheduled for late May 2025, will run for 10 weeks, setting the stage for a possible Q3 mainnet launch. Listings suggest a tentative date of September 30, 2025.

Key Partnerships

Monad has formed critical alliances to support network functionality and interoperability:

• LayerZero: Enables cross-chain communication with 50+ blockchains.

• Pyth Network: Delivers low-latency price data optimized for low-gas networks.

• Wormhole: Bridges digital assets across chains with secure transfer protocols.

Ecosystem Overview

With 80+ active projects, Monad’s ecosystem is rapidly expanding across multiple verticals:

• DeFi: DEXs, lending platforms, and yield farming apps

• Infrastructure: Wallets, oracles, developer toolkits

• Gaming: Web3-native games and NFT marketplaces

• Cross-Chain: Bridges and interoperability layers

Expected project count by mainnet launch: 150–200

Developer Support and Community Growth

Monad Labs has launched several programs to fuel ecosystem development:

• Monad Madness: Global builder competition with $1 million in prizes and $60 million in ecosystem grants

• Monad Founder Residency: Startup accelerator for early-stage Web3 teams

• Hackathons & Education: Developer onboarding events and technical bootcamps

More info: Monad GitHub and Docs Portal

Trading Outlook and Airdrop Speculation

$MON is currently not listed on exchanges, but the groundwork for trading is underway:

• Exchange Readiness: Bitget and other platforms are integrating testnet support

• Wallet Compatibility: Key wallets already support Monad testnet

• Airdrop Buzz: Community speculation points to a potential airdrop for testnet participants (unconfirmed)

Technical Capabilities at a Glance

Monad achieves these specs while fully supporting Ethereum bytecode, enabling seamless migration of dApps.

Competitive Positioning

Monad differentiates itself from other Layer-1 blockchains like Solana and Avalanche through:

• True EVM Compatibility: No new language required for smart contract development

• Performance: Orders-of-magnitude higher throughput than existing EVM chains

• Developer Incentives: Aggressive funding for early adopters

• Institutional Confidence: Backed by crypto-native and traditional VCs

Final Thoughts

As Layer-1 blockchain competition heats up, Monad offers a compelling proposition: Ethereum compatibility, blazing-fast speeds, and a mature developer-first ecosystem. With over $3.3 billion in prediction market activity already recorded during testing, Monad is demonstrating serious potential. The upcoming mainnet launch in late 2025 will be the true test. If Monad can convert its promise into production-grade performance and adoption, it could mark the beginning of a new era in scalable, EVM-native blockchain design.