Caldera is powering the next internet. Its architecture consists of two core components: the Rollup Engine and the Metalayer. The Rollup Engine, developed by the first contributor to the Caldera Protocol, Constellation Labs Inc. d/b/a Caldera, is a modular operating system used to launch high-performance, custom chains on leading chains and frameworks like Arbitrum, Optimism, Base, and ZKsync. The Metalayer then automatically connects every chain into one network. Through this interoperability protocol, all chains access shared liquidity and secure, intent-based bridging that transforms fragmented networks into a unified Internet of Chains.

Now, Caldera Foundation is proud to announce $ERA, the protocol’s native token designed to power this new, interconnected system. Pre-claims for the initial token airdrop are live now at https://claim.caldera.foundation.

$ERA Initial Claim

An initial 7.0% of the total token supply will be allocated as a direct reward for the community and ecosystem members who have been instrumental in Caldera’s journey. Details of the pre-claim process including Snapshot Date, Eligibility and a step-by-step guide of how to claim your $ERA tokens can be found in the Caldera Foundation documentation here.

NOTE: you must register for the airdrop via the claims site prior to the token launch in order to receive your tokens.

What is $ERA?

$ERA is the native token that powers the Caldera Ecosystem. It is designed to serve two primary functions: to act as the economic engine for the network’s operations, and to grant direct impact to the ecosystem for the Metalayer protocol.

Core Utilities of $ERA

• Omnichain Gas: $ERA is used as the standard gas token for operations on the Metalayer. Transactions that initiate cross-chain interactions on the Metalayer, as well as data propagations across chains, will incur a fee denominated in $ERA.

• Staking and Security: Validators stake $ERA to secure the network and verify cross-chain messages. A node's participation and influence in the decentralized validator network are proportional to their stake. This same security model will extend to power future utility-specific subnetworks, such as those for ZK proof generation.

Governing the Internet of Chains

The $ERA token empowers its holders with control over the Metalayer protocol and its ecosystem through the ability to propose and vote on Caldera Improvement Proposals (CIPs). $ERA holders can participate directly in on-chain governance to influence major decisions, as well as make decisions around leadership at the Caldera Foundation. This includes:

• Protocol Upgrades: Changes and upgrades to the Caldera Metalayer protocol will be governed by onchain votes of the Caldera DAO.

• Ecosystem Grants: Holders may vote on grants to third-party developers and other ecosystem participants to build and innovate in the Caldera ecosystem.

• Foundation and Council Elections: The community will hold power over the foundation’s leadership structure. Holders may elect members to specialized sub-councils, such as a security council of technical experts responsible for reviewing proposals. The first members of the security council will be appointed by the directors of the Caldera Foundation.

Vesting & Token Unlock Schedule

The $ERA token release schedule is designed to support the long-term health and growth of the ecosystem.

To ensure long-term alignment with the project's success, tokens allocated to the Core Team and Early Investors are subject to a one-year cliff and a subsequent 24-month linear unlock period. A detailed breakdown of the unlock schedule for all allocations will be available in the official Caldera Foundation documentation here.

The Caldera Foundation

The Caldera ecosystem is supported by the Caldera Foundation, an independent, Cayman Islands-based organization. The Foundation's mission is to foster the growth, development, and progressive decentralization of the Caldera network.

It provides a legal and operational framework to engage with ecosystem partners and helps execute the decisions made by the Caldera DAO, ensuring the community's vision is brought to life effectively. The Foundation will receive a significant grant of $ERA (see $ERA Token Distribution above) to aid in its mission of promoting the Caldera ecosystem and the ongoing growth and development of the Metalayer protocol.

What's Next?

The launch of $ERA marks a pivotal moment in our mission towards building a scalable, interconnected future. This is the beginning of a new era, and the community is invited to help build it.

• Start Building: Explore the Metalayer and Rollup Engine by diving into the official Docs or Caldera.xyz to learn how to build in the Caldera ecosystem.

• Stay Informed: Follow @Calderaxyz and @CalderaFDN on X/Twitter for the latest announcements and updates.

• Join the Conversation: Engage with developers and other community members on Discord and Telegram.

About Constellation Labs Inc. d/b/a Caldera

The mission to enable blockchains to achieve true web scale and solve fragmentation has been central to Caldera since its founding in 2022. Today, the platform powers over 50 live rollups with a combined TVL of over $400 Million, processing more than 750 million cumulative transactions for 27 million unique wallet addresses. Constellation Labs has become a leading rollup platform by providing teams like Manta Pacific, ApeChain and B3 with the modular infrastructure they need to build and scale vibrant onchain ecosystems.

Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only. The $ERA token is a utility token designed to be used within the Caldera ecosystem. The information provided is subject to change. Please conduct your own research and consult with a qualified professional before making any financial decisions.