The Dango Layer-2 testnet has been launched by the Celo Foundation, marking a major achievement in cLabs’ efforts to integrate Celo’s blockchain with Ethereum. This exciting development invites developers to begin testing the updated code on this new version of the Alfajores testnet.
The Dango testnet, which was first proposed during EthCC 2023, allows developers to migrate their projects to this enhanced blockchain iteration 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 benefits of Celo’s Layer 1 with a highly scalable and interoperable blockchain framework.
Thanks to strategic support from the Eigen Foundation and community backing, 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 and improve throughput by 50%, reducing block time from 5 seconds to 2 seconds.
Dango Layer-2 offers multiple key features, including the bridging of WETH and ERC-20 tokens for seamless transfers between Ethereum and Celo. It also ensures swift and secure transactions with 1-block finality. Dango supports the dual functionality of the CELO token, allowing interaction with CELO natively or through the ERC20 interface. Additionally, fee abstraction enables multiple ERC-20 tokens to be used as gas currencies, including Celo-native $USDT and $USDC. SocialConnect enables users to send money to phone numbers, email addresses, or other social identifiers, while low gas fees ensure greater accessibility and global adoption of cryptocurrencies.
Following 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 allows developers to test their end-user dApps without affecting user-facing applications.
The successful achievement 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 remain dedicated to driving innovation and enhancing the blockchain ecosystem, ensuring a seamless transition and strong growth for developers and users alike.
