Giwa is Upbit’s new Ethereum layer‑2 built on Optimism’s OP Stack, live on Sepolia testnet and aiming for one‑second block times to cut fees and speed transactions while retaining Ethereum settlement security and full EVM compatibility.
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One‑second blocks: Giwa targets near real‑time transaction finality for cheaper, faster Ethereum activity.
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Full EVM compatibility lets developers migrate Solidity contracts without major changes.
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Giwa is testnet‑live on Sepolia and built with Optimism’s OP Stack, joining other exchange‑backed chains like Base and BNB Chain.
Giwa: Upbit’s Ethereum layer‑2 with one‑second blocks and full EVM compatibility. Discover how Giwa reduces fees, speeds transactions, and helps developers migrate Solidity contracts.
Upbit launches Giwa, an Ethereum layer‑2 blockchain with one‑second block times, aiming to cut costs and boost transaction speed.
- Giwa, built on Optimism’s OP Stack, targets faster, cheaper Ethereum transactions with one‑second block times.
- The chain offers full EVM compatibility, allowing developers to migrate Solidity contracts seamlessly.
- Upbit’s Giwa joins Coinbase’s Base and Binance’s BNB Chain in the trend of exchange backed blockchains.
South Korea’s largest crypto exchange, Upbit, has introduced Giwa, an Ethereum layer‑2 blockchain designed to reduce costs and improve transaction speeds. The announcement at the Upbit D Conference 2025 positions the exchange as an infrastructure provider as well as a marketplace.
Giwa — short for Global Infrastructure for Web3 Access — is live on the Sepolia testnet. According to Giwa documentation, the chain is built on Optimism’s OP Stack and targets one‑second block production while relying on Ethereum for settlement security.
What is Giwa and why does it matter?
Giwa is a layer‑2 rollup solution from Upbit that uses the OP Stack to process transactions off‑chain and settle on Ethereum, reducing fees and increasing throughput. The project matters because it offers exchanges and developers an option for near real‑time transaction processing with full EVM support.
How does Giwa achieve one‑second block times?
Giwa processes transactions in a layer‑2 environment, producing blocks every second and batching settlements to Ethereum. The implementation leverages the Optimism OP Stack’s modular architecture to optimize sequencing and state commitments while using Ethereum as the final settlement layer.
Early testnet telemetry shows a block explorer tracking over 4 million blocks on Sepolia, indicating active development and stress testing of the one‑second cadence.
Can developers deploy existing Solidity contracts on Giwa?
Yes. Giwa is fully EVM compatible, which allows developers to migrate Solidity contracts with minimal changes. Documentation and developer tooling in English and Korean are available to streamline migration and testing prior to any mainnet launch.
How does Giwa compare to other exchange‑backed chains?
Giwa joins a wave of exchange and corporate‑backed chains aimed at expanding web3 infrastructure. Coinbase’s Base and Binance’s BNB Chain are established examples. Upbit positions Giwa by emphasizing one‑second block times and deep integration with Ethereum settlement.
| Chain | Backing | EVM | Notable feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Giwa | Upbit | Yes | One‑second blocks, OP Stack |
| Base | Coinbase | Yes | Developer ecosystem |
| BNB Chain | Binance | Yes | Large dApp ecosystem |
When did Giwa go live and what is its current status?
Giwa is currently in Sepolia testnet deployment following the Upbit D Conference 2025 announcement. Documentation and a Sepolia block explorer are live for developers to test contracts and tooling. No mainnet launch date has been announced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Giwa secure if it relies on Ethereum for settlement?
Yes. Giwa uses Ethereum as its settlement layer for finality, meaning transaction roots or proofs are posted to Ethereum, preserving settlement security while improving layer‑2 throughput.
How can developers begin testing on Giwa?
Developers can use the Sepolia testnet, the provided block explorer, and migration tools included in Giwa’s documentation to deploy and test Solidity contracts before any mainnet release.
Key Takeaways
- Giwa reduces latency: One‑second blocks aim to deliver near real‑time transactions.
- Developer friendly: Full EVM compatibility and English/Korean tooling ease Solidity migration.
- Testnet live: Sepolia deployment and a public block explorer enable early testing and validation.
Conclusion
Giwa represents Upbit’s step into blockchain infrastructure, offering a layer‑2 environment built on the OP Stack with one‑second blocks and full EVM compatibility. With Sepolia testnet activity and developer resources available, Giwa could accelerate dApp deployment and lower costs while depending on Ethereum for settlement security. Watch for official mainnet timelines and developer updates from Upbit and Giwa documentation.
Published: 2025-06-02. Updated: 2025-06-02. Author: COINOTAG.
