Like a litter of teething young dogs, Shibarium’s PuppyNet is gathering serious momentum. The number of transactions and crypto wallets on the network is climbing rapidly, indicating that excitement is building within SHIB Army.
It’s easy to see why. The Shiba Inu (SHIB) community is getting closer to the launch of its very own blockchain network. Like the next Bitcoin (BTC) halving, Shibarium has been a long time coming, and the SHIB Army is eagerly awaiting their new home.
With a hotly anticipated metaverse and DeFi and NFT ecosystem just around the corner, Shibarium promises to breathe new life into the iconic cryptocurrency meme coin. But before that happens, PuppyNet must find and resolve any lingering vulnerabilities and issues.
Sponsored
What are the benefits of using PuppyNet? Is Shytoshi Kusama’s network handling the strain of millions of transactions?
More importantly, how can I get testnet BONE tokens and join the fun?
Table of Contents
What Is the Shibarium PuppyNet?
PuppyNet is the valueless, testnet version of Shibarium Beta, a Layer-2 blockchain platform created by and for the Shiba Inu community. Like all blockchain testnets, PuppyNet is a sandbox environment where developers can experiment, build, and deploy their own decentralized applications (dApps).
But PuppyNet isn’t just a playground for blockchain developers. It’s also a beacon of innovation, showcasing the potential of the Shibarium network. The testnet is built on top of the Ethereum (ETH) network, leveraging a dual-layer design similar to Polygon, with Heimdall validator nodes and Bor block producer nodes.
Sponsored
The result? A decentralized network that addresses Ethereum’s scalability and performance issues while remain EVM (Ethereum Virtual Machine) compatible. PuppyNet is a glimpse into the future of the Shiba Inu ecosystem.
During the initial PuppyNet announcement, Shytoshi Kusama playfully addressed rumors that Ryoshi was secretly Sam Bankman-Fried and dispelled any lingering FUD.
Why Should the SHIB Army Use Puppynet?
‘Testnet SHIB tokens have no value. What’s the point in using PuppyNet?’ – I hear you.
But the Shiba Inu community should be excited about PuppyNet for a multitude of reasons. First and foremost, PuppyNet represents a significant stride towards a truly decentralized, community-led Layer-2 network.
Other trending Layer-2 blockchains like Arbitrum (ARB) and Optimism (OP) were backed, built, and incubated by venture capitalists since day one. Shibarium gives everyone an equal opportunity to help build and grow the network organically.
PuppyNet allows anyone to build and deploy their own dApps in a valueless Shibarium environment, letting them test smart contracts without financial risk. Think of it like a community service that helps benefit the entire Shiba Inu ecosystem.
The best part? Validators can earn BONE rewards for securing the network. Since the launch of PuppyNet in March 2023, over 160,000 BONE tokens have already been distributed to validators through staking rewards.
How to Connect to the Shibarium Test Network
If you’re familiar with basic Web3 wallet functions, connecting to PuppyNet is straightforward. The easiest way to configure a crypto wallet, like MetaMask, is to simply visit shibRPC and click ‘Add to MetaMask.’
A pop-up in your crypto wallet extension will ask if you want to add the network. Simply accept the connection, and you’re good to go!
From there, you’ll need to pick up some testnet BONE tokens. The easiest way to do this is to head to the PuppyNet crypto faucet, where you can claim up to 0.2 BONE per day. Quick disclaimer: It’s always best to do your own research a use a fresh wallet when interacting with these kinds of sites to protect yourself from malicious contracts.
What Can I Do on the PuppyNet?
Admittedly, there’s not a lot that the average crypto enthusiast can do on PuppyNet right now. The testnet is still in its early stages, so most of the network’s activity comes from builders and developers testing applications. Here’s what’s currently possible on PuppyNet:
- Build and Deploy dApps – If you’re a developer, you can use PuppyNet to create your own dApps, test them, and prepare them for deployment on the main Shibarium network once it’s live.
- Test Real-World Business Integrations – Businesses can use PuppyNet as a feeless environment trial integrating blockchain technology into their operations. This could include setting up a decentralized backend, establishing a crypto payments gateway, or implementing a decentralized governance module.
- Participate in Testing and Development – As an early beta version of Shibarium, PuppyNet is open to all members of the Shiba Inu community. This means you can participate in the testing and development process, helping to identify bugs and suggest improvements.
- Prepare for the Launch of Shibarium – By using PuppyNet, you’re not just participating in a beta test but also preparing for the launch of Shibarium. The experience and knowledge you gain from PuppyNet will be invaluable when the main Shibarium network goes live.
It’s important to remember that PuppyNet is still a test network. No real tokens are involved, and you should always be on the lookout for potential scams or impersonators. Spoiler alert: If you have Ryoshi in your DMs, block him.
PuppyNet: By the Numbers
To the uninitiated, it can be hard to get a handle on just how much activity is happening on PuppyNet. I’ve run a quick comparison against other top networks to give you a better idea.
Since PuppyNet launched in March 2023, the test network has executed over 25 million transactions. According to PuppyScan, the test network has been processing over 300,000 txs per day since June 13th. Compare that to Cardano (ADA), which has averaged around 79,000 txs per day over the same period.
This massive surge of transactions has come from over 17 million unique wallet addresses. Crypto news outlets have touted this as a massive success. While this seems like a considerable amount, it’s worth noting that one person can use unlimited wallets, so this is an easily manipulated metric.
Finally, the average transaction time on PuppyNet is a mere five seconds. This is a good sign for a Layer-2 network dedicated to scalability and speed.
These numbers paint a promising picture of PuppyNet’s performance and the potential of the upcoming Shibarium mainnet. As the testing continues and more users join the network, these numbers are expected to grow, signaling a bright future for Shibarium.
Pros and Cons of Using PuppyNet
In the competitive field of meme coins, PuppyNet gives the SHIB Army hope that the Shiba Inu Ecosystem will outperform altcoin rivals like DogeCoin (DOGE) and PEPE Coin (PEPE). Of course, not all that glitters is gold.
Pros
- Innovation and Creativity – PuppyNet provides a platform for developers to build, deploy and test their own Shibarium dApps.
- Real-World Business Integration – Businesses can leverage PuppyNet to see if they integrate blockchain technology into their operations, potentially enhancing efficiency and security.
- Community Involvement – As an open beta, PuppyNet invites all members of the Shiba Inu community to participate in the testing and development process.
- Preparation for Shibarium – Using PuppyNet helps the SHIB Army familiarize themselves with the Shibarium network before it goes live.
Cons
- Test Network Limitations – PuppyNet doesn’t involve real crypto assets. While this is necessary for testing purposes, it also means that users can’t yet use the network for real transactions or investments.
- Potential for Scams – With the launch of any new blockchain project, there’s always a risk of scams or impersonators.
- Technical Knowledge Required – While PuppyNet is open to all, using it effectively requires certain technical knowledge.
On the Flipside
- At the end of the day, Shibarium is just another Layer-2 blockchain. Anything possible on Shibarium can already be created on alternative networks like Arbitrum or Optimism.
Why This Matters
Shiba Inu is one of the largest cryptocurrencies in the industry. Given that the launch of Shibarium is arguably the biggest event in the crypto project’s history, it’s important for any SHIB fan to stay updated on PuppyNet developments.
FAQs
BONE is not currently trading on top crypto exchanges like Binance. To buy BONE, you must visit a DEX like Uniswap or ShibaSwap.
While the Shibarium network will automatically contribute to ongoing SHIB burns, no documentation suggests PuppyNet burns SHIB tokens.
If BONE reached $100 USD, its market cap would be over $20B. This would make BONE’s market capitalization twice as large as its greatest rival, DOGE.
