Moonriver Launch

Network Launch Status

Moonriver will follow a similar launch process as Kusama and Polkadot to ensure the stability of the network while it is deployed. This process began after the crowdloan campaign run by the Moonbeam Foundation was completed, and a parachain slot had been secured. This page will continue to be updated as each launch phase is completed.

Phase Description Purpose/Goal Date Technology Upgrades What Users Can Do

0

Centralized

The Genesis block is launched, and the network is in Centralized mode, with governance and infrastructure run by the Moonbeam Team.
  • To launch Moonriver with minimum viable functionality.
  • To ensure basic parachain functionality is working as expected including block production and block finalization.ย This includes how our parachain and collators interact with the Kusama Relay Chain and its validators.
  • Once we have been running in a stable way for at least 1 week we will proceed to the next launch phase.
 June 29, 2021
announcement
  • Minimal requirement for centralized Block production
  • 8 collators hosted by PureStake on behalf of the Moonbeam Team
  • Sudo (a superuser account controlled by PureStake on behalf of the Moonbeam Foundation) is enabled
  • Balance transfers disabled
  • Staking pallet enabled but controlled by the Moonbeam Foundation only
  • Governance disabled
  • EVM disabled
  • Authorship eligibility set to 30% (3 nodes)
 Moonriver end users will have limited functionality available in this phase. They will not be able to claim rewards, stake, execute balance transfers, or deploy smart contracts. Users will be able to observe block production and finalization via explorers. And perform other read-only inspections of the chainstate.

1

Delegated Proof of Stake

Once weโ€™re confident in the stability of the network, we begin decentralizing and add third-party collators to the active set.
  • To expand the collator set to parties outside of the Moonbeam team.
  • To continue to ensure basic parachain functionality continues to work as expected.
  • To ensure the decentralized collator set is performing well with the Kusama Relay Chain and its validators.
  • Once we have been running in a stable way for at least 1 week we will proceed to the next launch phase.
 July 9, 2021
announcement
  • Initiate a collator election
  • Increase active collator set to 32. Registration done by Sudo
  • Staking managed by the Foundation
  • No balance transfer
  • Authorship eligibility set to 5% (2 nodes)
 Collators will be able to perform actions necessary for block production. Otherwise end users will have the same limitations as phase 0.

2

Governance

Once weโ€™re confident in the stability, we will use the Sudo key to issue a runtime upgrade and enable governance.
  • To ensure all onchain governance systems are working as expected.
  • Once we have been running in a stable way for at least 1 week we will proceed to the next launch phase
 July 23, 2021
announcement
  • 32 (or more) collators, decentralized
  • Governance is enabled
  • Staking managed by the Moonbeam Foundation
  • Authorship eligibility set to 1% (1 node)
 Genesis token holders can participate in governance.
End users will have the same restrictions as phase 0.

3

Removal of Sudo

At this point, we remove Sudo (the super user key) and hand over control of the network to token holders.
  • Removing Sudo means we are 100% confident in all systems.
  • Once the Sudo key is removed, an upgrade motion to enable balance transfers and the EVM will be put forth to governance.
  • This motion will be subject to normal governance timing.
 August 5, 2021 announcement
  • 32 (or more collators, decentralized)
  • Remove Sudo
  • Set rewards contributors list in crowdloan rewards pallet
 End users will have the same restrictions as phase 0.

4

Full Launch (Balance Transfers and EVM)

This is the most important milestone for users. This upgrade will add balance transfers (which also allows users to stake and start claiming any rewards from the crowdloan) and add the EVM. With transfers enabled the chain will be governed by token holders using the onchain governance system.
  • When the governance motion to enable balance transfers and EVM is passed and enacted, end users and developers will have access to the full functionality of Moonriver.
  • The team will continue to monitor things closely to ensure stability and security.
 August 26, 2021 announcement
  • Staking restriction removed
  • EVM activation
  • Balance transfer activation
 Developers and end users will have access to the full functionality of Moonriver including the ability to transfer funds, participate in the Moonriver staking system, deploy smart contracts, and claiming crowdloan participation rewards.