A Mainnet is the main network of a cryptocurrency.
When a new token or ICO appears on the market, it usually does not have its own blockchain yet. Many new tokens run as ERC-20 tokens because they run on the Ethereum network of the same name. These coins eventually want to switch to their own blockchain. When a currency switches to its own blockchain, we call it the mainnet, the currency's main network.
Before a currency switches to its own mainnet, all functionalities are tested. The functionalities are tested on a so-called “testnet”. The Ethereum testnet is Goerli. When a new coin or token is created on the Ethereum network, it is first tested on the Goerli network. The testing takes place behind closed doors and, unlike the mainnet, is not open to the public. When everything works as it should, the testnet is transferred to a mainnet.
When a currency switches to its own mainnet, the use of the blockchain changes. This means that the currency needs to be modified to fit the new blockchain. This often also results in a name change. For example, Vechain (VEN) switched to Vechain Thor (VET) after the token swap. A token swap usually takes place automatically in the wallet of an exchange or a broker. For example, 10 VEN is then converted to 1000 VET. So tokenomics sometimes also change when switching from a testnet to a mainnet.
