Network & security
Exchange-grade performance, without an exchange in the middle
The Somnia L1 is an EVM-compatible proof-of-stake network engineered so that order books, oracles and agents can live onchain. Here is how it performs, and how it is secured.
Architecture
Four innovations, one EVM
MultiStream consensus
Each validator publishes its own data chain. A separate consensus chain, built on a modified PBFT, orders the heads of every stream, so throughput scales with validators instead of with one leader.
Accelerated sequential execution
EVM bytecode is compiled to native code. Hot contracts, like an order book under load, execute at speeds close to hand-written C++.
IceDB
A purpose-built state engine with 15–100 ns reads and writes and deterministic performance reports, so gas reflects the real cost of each access.
Advanced compression
Streaming compression and BLS signature aggregation keep validator bandwidth manageable at a million transactions per second.
Security
Verified twice, finalised once
Cuthbert shadow execution
Every validator runs an independent, unoptimised implementation of the chain alongside the fast path. Any divergence halts the node rather than finalising a wrong state.
Independent audits
Hacken audited the Somnia L1 and its PBFT consensus before mainnet. Audit reports for the L1 and smart contracts are published in the docs.
Learn moreProof-of-stake BFT
A partially synchronous BFT design inspired by Autobahn gives deterministic finality: once a block is final, it is final.
Predictable gas
A 6 gwei base price with congestion pricing above it, and sustained-use discounts for high-volume senders such as market makers.
Learn moreOperators & custody
Run and held by institutions you already know
- Google CloudNetwork validator since mainnet genesis
- BitGoInstitutional custody provider
- FireblocksInstitutional custody, staking and node support
- LedgerHardware wallet support
- HackenAudits of the Somnia L1 and the order-book contracts
- LayerZeroOmnichain messaging; SOMI is a LayerZero OFT
- FraxIssuer and operator of USDso
Release history
Mainnet upgrades
- Sep 1, 2025GenesisSomnia mainnet launches with ~60 validators, including Google Cloud.
- Jan 13, 2026Storage updateState storage hotfix.
- Apr 15, 2026IngotOnchain Reactivity, session transactions, EIP-7702 and Somnia Agents.
- Aug 6, 2026JigSustained-use gas discounts and synchronous transaction submission.
Run a validator or integrate at scale
Talk to our team about infrastructure partnerships, validator operations and production integrations.