Lunar Digital Assets will launch the testnet for LitVM, the first EVM-compatible Layer 2 on Litecoin (LTC), on Apr. 15, opening smart contracts to the network.
LitVM Testnet Launch
The two-month testnet will let developers deploy early applications and stress-test performance, with results guiding the path to mainnet, Lunar Digital Assets said.
LitVM is advised by Litecoin creator Charlie Lee and backed by the Litecoin Foundation. The project adapts Bitcoin-based technology for Litecoin to support programmable smart contracts.
Strategic partners include the Litecoin Foundation, BitcoinOS, Arbitrum, QuickSwap, Espresso and Caldera.
More than 50 teams have already committed to building dApps on the network, according to Lunar Digital Assets.
Participants will receive technical support, business introductions, eligibility for audit credits and consideration for LitVM grants. Top contributors may enter the first Tesseract accelerator cohort after mainnet.
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Charlie Lee Endorsement
Lee said LitVM extends Litecoin's founding values into the programmable era without compromising security principles.
"We're hopeful it opens doors for developers to build DeFi applications, tokenize real-world assets, and create cultural experiences directly on Litecoin," Lee said. Advisers include Ripple CTO David Schwartz, cryptographer David Chaum, Mario Nawfal and Michael Terpin.
Litecoin launched in 2011 as a lighter alternative to Bitcoin, long marketed for everyday payments. The network has historically lacked native smart-contract support, a gap LitVM now aims to close through its EVM-compatible design.
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