The highly anticipated Ethereum-based rollup, Taiko, has officially launched its mainnet after a meticulous development process that began in 2022 and spanned seven successful testnets. This milestone marks a significant step forward in the quest to enhance the scalability and security of the Ethereum network.

The inaugural block on Taiko's mainnet was proposed by none other than Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, with the metadata containing the names of all Taiko core contributors, a symbolic gesture that underscores the collaborative effort behind this project.

Taiko operates as a based rollup, relying on Ethereum block validators to sequence transactions and leveraging the liveness and security assurances provided by the underlying layer. Initially, Taiko's rollup protocol contracts on Ethereum will be managed through a multisig setup, ensuring a secure and controlled environment during the early stages of the network's operation.

As part of Taiko's long-term scaling and security strategy, the protocol will start with SGX proofs and gradually transition to requiring 50% of blocks to use ZK proofs. This multi-pronged approach to proof systems aims to enhance the overall security and resilience of the network.

Taiko Co-founder and CEO Daniel Wang expressed his excitement about the mainnet launch, highlighting it as the culmination of a significant development effort focused on providing top-notch security for scaling Ethereum. The project's commitment to security and gradual decentralization is further reinforced by its incorporation of a type-1 zero-knowledge virtual machine that mirrors Ethereum's architecture and a multi-proof proving system for enhanced security through diverse proof submissions and contests.

In the coming weeks, Taiko will debut its native token, alongside the introduction of the Trailblazers points incentive program, designed to engage the community through rewards for network interaction. Prior to the mainnet launch, Taiko had already announced a "genesis airdrop," distributing 5% of its 1 billion token supply to its community members.

Looking ahead, Taiko intends to introduce a DAO later in the year, gradually transferring protocol control to the community through phased governance transitions. Initially, Taiko will manage block proposing and proving for the first two weeks post-launch to ensure network stability, before transitioning to decentralized and permissionless processes.

Since its inception in 2022, Taiko has secured a remarkable $37 million in funding across two fundraising rounds, further solidifying its position as a promising solution for scaling Ethereum. As the network embarks on its mainnet journey, the crypto community eagerly awaits the unfolding of Taiko's vision for enhanced security, scalability, and gradual decentralization, which could have far-reaching implications for the future of the Ethereum ecosystem.