Over the past decade, blockchains have focused on building faster and cheaper networks. But in the next decade, the focus will shift to connecting those networks together. Caldera is betting its future on this trend – and believes that modular blockchains will not only operate individually but will be interwoven into a vibrant, seamless liquidity network.
Launched in 2022 as a 'Rollup-as-a-Service' toolkit – similar to AWS but for initializing Layer 2 on Ethereum – Caldera initially served as a 'transit hub' for new projects. Now, they are transforming into the 'Internet of Rollups' with Metalayer at the center – an intermediary layer connecting multiple independent chains into a unified economic and communication system.
🚀 Metalayer – More Than Just a Data Pipeline System
Each chain deployed on Caldera will automatically connect to Metalayer. From day one, that chain can swap, bridge, and send messages to every other chain in the Caldera network without worrying about exchanging gas tokens or performing multiple complex steps.
Metalayer is not just a simple 'router', but an 'intent engine' – a machine for processing intentions. Users simply describe their goals ('Send 10 USDC to Chain B'), and the system will automatically find the optimal route through integrated partners like Across, Eco, Relay, Hyperlane. The cross-chain experience becomes as smooth as using a single network.
Notably, ERA – the common gas token for the entire system. A single currency for all chains, a common economic model, and also a place to create buying pressure as network activity expands.
🛠 Advantages for Developers
Launching a chain on Caldera is akin to turning on a cloud server: sequencer, RPC, data layer, explorer, bridge – all deployed in just a few minutes. For projects requiring high control, Caldera allows multi-sequencer, fraud proof plugins, or valid proof.
In particular, Caldera supports OP Stack, Arbitrum Nitro, zkSync ZK Stack, Polygon CDK and many other technologies, preventing the project from being locked into a specific ecosystem. This makes choosing Caldera easier, avoiding 'carrying the politics and limitations of another network.'
📊 Data Power (until mid-2025)
400M+ transactions processed
$390M TVL (peaking over $1B in early 2025)
11M+ unique wallet addresses interacted
Notable chains: Manta Pacific, ApeChain, Injective’s inEVM, Kinto, RARI Chain – each chain serves a unique purpose but shares liquidity through Metalayer.
💠 ERA – Common Energy Source
Launching in July 2025 via community airdrop and campaign with Binance HODLer, ERA has three main functions:
Gas – fee token for all Caldera chains
Staking – in the near future, validators stake ERA to secure Metalayer, validate cross-rollup transactions, and earn fee shares
Governance – participate in adjusting upgrades, fee parameters, and treasury allocations through a decentralized roadmap
Tokenomics designed more for utility than speculation, but the real challenge will come in mid-2026 when a large amount of tokens from the team and investors unlock – Caldera expects the demand for staking and network activity to absorb this supply.
🧭 Roadmap
Q3 2025 – Mainnet Metalayer with high-speed cross-rollup swap & messaging
End of 2025 – Q1 2026 – ERA staking, opening validator, transferring sequencer & bridge authentication to the community
Beginning of 2026 – DAO governing the treasury & funding for new chain development, tools, and liquidity
Future – Experimenting with ZK security subnet, supporting non-EVM VM, connecting to Cosmos and ecosystems outside of Ethereum
⚔ Competitive Arena
Main competitors: Conduit (tied to Arbitrum) and AltLayer (leveraging EigenLayer & flexible VM). Caldera stands out for its ecosystem neutrality, deployment speed, and the existing network effect from Metalayer.
Potential risks:
Lack of adoption from developers will disrupt the network effect
Unlocking pressure in 2026 could impact prices if usage does not increase in time
Cross-chain infrastructure security incidents could undermine trust
🔮 Personal Perspective
Caldera's greatest strength lies not in 'one-click rollup deployment' but in the gravitational pull of Metalayer. If they make launching a chain as easy as deploying a contract, and connecting chains as easy as opening a wallet, Caldera will not just be an infrastructure provider – but the lifeblood of a multi-chain Ethereum future.
If the 'Internet of Rollups' is inevitable, the only question is: On whose platform will we weave that network? With ERA, Caldera wants to be both the thread and the needle.
#Caldera @Caldera Official $ERA