Taiko is a fully permissionless, decentralized Ethereum-equivalent
ZK-Rollup Layer-2 blockchain, designed to scale Ethereum's ecosystem with high throughput, low fees, and full compatibility while inheriting its security. It leverages
Zero-Knowledge Ethereum Virtual Machine (ZK-EVM) technology via a Based Contestable Rollup (BCR) architecture, bundling thousands of transactions off-chain into validity proofs submitted to Ethereum for finality, achieving sub-second confirmations and ~30% gas cost reductions without centralized sequencers or provers, all operations are community-driven. At its core, Taiko supports every EVM opcode and full JSON-RPC API, allowing seamless migration of Ethereum
dApps, while permissionless proposing/proving lets anyone run nodes or act as validators. The network uses Ethereum block builders for sequencing, ensuring censorship resistance, and integrates tools like oracles and bridges for cross-chain functionality. Governed by the Taiko DAO, it emphasizes open-source code and community veto power on upgrades, enabling scalable DeFi, NFTs,
gaming, and
RWAs anchored to Ethereum's base layer.
When Did Taiko Launch?
Taiko's development began in 2018 with ZKP research by founders Daniel Wang (ex-Loopring) and team, focusing on Ethereum scaling. It raised $22 million in June 2023 across rounds led by Sequoia China and Generative Ventures, followed by a $15 million Series A in March 2024 from Lightspeed Faction and Hashed. The Alpha Testnet launched in December 2022, with Alpha-3 in June 2023 emphasizing decentralization. The mainnet (Alethia) went live in May 2024, coinciding with a major TAIKO
airdrop to over 300,000 community members. The token ticker TAIKO (formerly TKO) fully activated post-airdrop, with key 2025 milestones including Alchemy Pay integration for fiat ramps, Ankr RPC support, and over 100 dApps deployed, solidifying its role in ZK-rollup adoption.
What Are the Key Features of Taiko?
Taiko shines with Type-1 ZK-EVM equivalence for 100% Ethereum compatibility, processing thousands of TPS at ~$0.01 fees via ZK proofs and BCR for contestability. Its permissionless model decentralizes sequencers/provers/validators, inheriting Ethereum's security without central points of failure. Additional features include booster rollups for data compression, native bridges (e.g., Chainlink for RWAs), developer tools/explorers/oracles, staking rewards of 5-10% APY via DAO incentives, and a thriving ecosystem of DeFi (CrossCurve liquidity), NFTs/gaming, and institutional tools. Governance via Taiko DAO allows token holder vetoes, while integrations like fiat on/off-ramps enhance accessibility.
What Is TAIKO Used For?
TAIKO is used for
staking to secure the network and earn rewards as provers/validators, paying gas fees for transactions and dApp interactions (with burns for deflation), governance voting in the Taiko DAO on upgrades and funding, posting bonds for contestation/proving to ensure validity, providing liquidity and farming on
DEXs like CrossCurve, bridging assets cross-chain, participating in incentives like airdrops and node running rewards, and fueling ecosystem growth via treasury grants for dApps and tools.
What Is the TAIKO Token Utility?
TAIKO secures the rollup through staking/bonds for provers and contesters, powers DAO governance with veto rights on proposals, covers transaction fees (with burns mirroring EIP-1559), incentivizes community participation in nodes/operations, enables liquidity mining and yield farming, supports cross-chain messaging via signal services, and funds development through treasury allocations for grants and reserves.
What Blockchain Does Taiko Operate On?
Taiko is a sovereign Layer-2 ZK-Rollup deriving all security from the Ethereum mainnet via validity proofs and sequencer reliance on Ethereum builders. It is fully EVM-equivalent and uses bridges (e.g., to Ethereum,
L1s) for interoperability, while its own data availability layer handles off-chain batches. Taiko operates independently as a based rollup but anchors to Ethereum for final settlement and liveness.
What Are TAIKO Tokenomics?
TAIKO has a fixed maximum supply of 1 billion tokens. As of
November 2025, circulating supply is ~500 million post-airdrop. Allocation prioritizes community: 37.45% to ecosystem/incentives (airdrops, grants), 20% to Taiko Labs/core team (vested 4 years), 20% to DAO treasury, 16.88% to foundation reserves, and 11.62% to investors (locked). The model is deflationary via fee burns, with emissions from block rewards distributed 50% to stakers/provers, 30% to community funds, and 20% to treasury, ensuring sustainable growth without inflation.
How To Securely Store TAIKO
TAIKO works with the most popular crypto wallets that support EVM-based assets. The easiest way to engage with TAIKO is through
BingX Spot Market where users can buy, sell, and hold tokens securely without managing private keys or additional wallet setups. This approach offers exchange-level security, a custodial wallet service, and instant trading access, making it convenient for new and experienced users alike. This token is also compatible with leading self-custody wallets such as
MetaMask and
Trust Wallet along with other major
EVM-compatible wallets and hardware options like
Ledger. These wallets give users full control over their private keys and allow direct participation in decentralized applications, platform features, staking, governance, and cross-network transactions within the Taiko ecosystem. By adding the Taiko network and importing the TAIKO token using its contract address, users can enjoy secure and seamless access to all platform utilities and rewards.
Is TAIKO a Good Investment?
TAIKO is one of the most developer-friendly ZK L2s out there: it feels just like Ethereum but scales like a dream, with fees that won't break the bank and no gatekeepers holding the keys. In 2025, adoption is surging, over 100 dApps live, TVL topping $500M, and partnerships like Chainlink unlocking RWAs, while the team delivers on decentralization promises. Staking yields sit at 5-10%, and the fixed supply with burns keeps scarcity in check. It's competing in a crowded L2 space against Optimism and Arbitrum, and ZK tech can be volatile with proof delays, but if Ethereum's the king, TAIKO's the scalable crown prince making DeFi/gaming accessible. As always, only invest what you can afford to lose and do your own research.