The Fantom Foundation has unveiled Fantom Sonic, preceding the launch of its mainnet expected in Spring 2024. This testnet environment aims to address issues like limited throughput and slow finality, offering three key upgrades for community review and feedback.

These upgrades encompass the Fantom Virtual Machine (FVM), Carmen database storage, and the Optimized Lachesis consensus mechanism. FVM notably reduces smart contract execution time, while Carmen database storage introduces a more efficient data structure, potentially reducing storage requirements by up to 90%.

Additionally, the Optimized Lachesis consensus mechanism enhances the transaction pool for improved efficiency. The testnet targets significant outcomes such as over 2,000 transactions per second, ultra-short finality, reduced storage needs, increased network consensus participation, and enhanced affordability and accessibility for launching validators.

The Fantom Foundation envisions a comprehensive ecosystem catering to diverse sectors like DeFi and blockchain gaming, with applications benefiting from the speed and scalability of Sonic. Community responses vary, with some praising the advancements while others question the transaction volume compared to industry standards.

Although the announcement has yet to significantly impact the native token price, Fantom prediction suggests optimistic growth potential. The testnet is live for review on the official website, with the mainnet launch slated for Spring 2024, inviting ongoing feedback for further enhancements.