Glossary
Mainnet
The live production blockchain, where transactions cost real money.
Mainnet is the live network where transactions cost real money and carry real consequences. Everything you do with actual funds happens here.
It is the opposite of testnet, where tokens are worthless and mistakes are free. The distinction matters because behaviour that is fine on testnet — sloppy key handling, blind approvals — is dangerous on mainnet.
Related terms
Airdrop
Free tokens distributed to wallet addresses, usually to reward early users of a protocol.
AMM
Automated Market Maker — a protocol that prices assets with a formula instead of an order book.
APR vs APY
APR is the yearly rate without compounding; APY includes compounding and is always higher.
ATH
All-Time High — the highest price an asset has ever traded at.
Bear Market
A prolonged decline, conventionally 20% or more from recent highs.
Bull Market
A prolonged rise driven by new demand, easy credit and rising confidence.