Understanding Mainchain
The mainchain refers to the primary layer of a blockchain architecture where all transactions are processed and permanently recorded.
It serves as the foundational backbone of the entire blockchain network.
Other applications and sublayers are built on top of the mainchain, enhancing security, privacy, and decentralization within the ecosystem.
How Does a Mainchain Work?
The mainchain, the parent blockchain, connects all the blocks within the network and maintains a record of all transactions.
Once data is stored on the mainchain, it becomes immutable and cannot be altered. However, main chains can face congestion and slow down as a result of increased network traffic.
Utilizing Secondary Layers
To address scalability issues and improve transaction throughput, secondary layers were introduced.
These layers act as intermediaries between the mainchain and decentralized applications (DApps), allowing users to carry out transactions more efficiently.
However, the final settlement of all transactions still occurs on the mainchain.
Mainchain vs Sidechains
- Mainchains have limitations such as block size limits, low throughput, and efficiency. To overcome these challenges, sidechains were introduced.
- Sidechains help improve scaling, efficiency and expand the capabilities of a blockchain network. They are connected to the mainchain through a two-way peg, enabling assets to be transferred between the mainchain and sidechains.
Limitations of the Mainchain
While the mainchain provides security, it can face limitations in terms of speed and efficiency. Developers have proposed various solutions to address these limitations.
Here are a couple of common challenges:
- Power Intensive: Mainchains often require significant energy consumption and computational resources, which can be difficult to sustain.
- Scalability and Congestion: Scalability is a major challenge for blockchains, as they struggle to scale without compromising security or decentralization (known as the blockchain trilemma). Limited scalability can result in congestion, higher transaction fees, and slower validation times.