{"id":"moonriver-network","hidden":false,"ipfs":"QmSJbzeiH8DatqyMhbftJRtnZCv7fMs9c3SNLtx8P6s5f4","language":"en","transactionHash":"0x176421bcd2954097b7cdac334e5fb094593473a4b857976a032c74e458db4237","created":"2022-08-23T08:59:31.523Z","updated":"2022-08-23T14:29:21.865Z","title":"Moonriver Network","summary":"Moonriver Network was a Kusama-based, Ethereum-compatible canary network for Moonbeam that launched in 2021, used MOVR for gas, staking, governance, and fees, and later entered maintenance mode in August 2026.","content":"**Moonriver Network** was an [Ethereum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum)-compatible [smart contract](https://iq.wiki/wiki/smart-contract) parachain on the [Kusama](https://iq.wiki/wiki/kusama) network that served as a permanently incentivized canary network for Moonbeam on [Polkadot](https://iq.wiki/wiki/polkadot), launched in 2021 on [Kusama](https://iq.wiki/wiki/kusama) as part of the Moonbeam ecosystem supported by the Moonbeam [Foundation](https://iq.wiki/wiki/foundation). New code was deployed and tested on Moonriver under real economic conditions before being shipped to Moonbeam.[[8]](#cite-id-hrgue7tnwcm)​[[9]](#cite-id-nmf4w0jjss) The network’s native [utility token](https://iq.wiki/wiki/utility-token), MOVR, powered [gas](https://iq.wiki/wiki/gas) fees, [staking](https://iq.wiki/wiki/staking) incentives for collators, on-chain governance, and other transaction fees on Moonriver.[[8]](#cite-id-hrgue7tnwcm)​[[9]](#cite-id-nmf4w0jjss) As part of a planned transition, MOVR migrated from the Moonriver parachain to an ERC‑20 token on [Base](https://iq.wiki/wiki/base) via a 1:1 bridge that operated until July 31, 2026, after which Moonriver entered maintenance mode on August 1, 2026.[[14]](#cite-id-e9mt0bad97)​[[2]](#cite-id-n04qf7o34hh)​\n\n## Overview\n\nMoonriver was an [Ethereum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum) Virtual Machine (EVM)-compatible, developer-focused parachain built on [Kusama](https://iq.wiki/wiki/kusama) that mirrored Moonbeam’s functionality in a higher-velocity, experimental environment.[[8]](#cite-id-hrgue7tnwcm)​[[9]](#cite-id-nmf4w0jjss) It provided a canary network where new runtime upgrades, features, and [smart contracts](https://iq.wiki/wiki/smart-contract) were deployed first and exercised under real economic conditions before being rolled out to Moonbeam on [Polkadot](https://iq.wiki/wiki/polkadot).[[8]](#cite-id-hrgue7tnwcm)​[[9]](#cite-id-nmf4w0jjss) To support this role, Moonriver offered a full EVM implementation, Web3-compatible RPC endpoints, and bridges to [Ethereum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum) networks, which allowed Solidity-based decentralized applications (DApps) and tooling such as [MetaMask](https://iq.wiki/wiki/metamask), Hardhat, and Remix to be used with minimal changes.[[8]](#cite-id-hrgue7tnwcm)​[[9]](#cite-id-nmf4w0jjss)​\n\nThe MOVR token underpinned Moonriver’s economic and governance model by metering [gas](https://iq.wiki/wiki/gas) for [smart contract](https://iq.wiki/wiki/smart-contract) execution, incentivizing collators that produced [blocks](https://iq.wiki/wiki/block), paying transaction and transfer fees, and enabling on-chain governance participation, including proposing referenda and voting.[[8]](#cite-id-hrgue7tnwcm)​[[9]](#cite-id-nmf4w0jjss) In a strategic shift, the Moonbeam [Foundation](https://iq.wiki/wiki/foundation) announced a migration of MOVR from its native form on Moonriver to a [Base](https://iq.wiki/wiki/base) ERC‑20 token via a custom bridge with a fixed 1:1 conversion rate, which was followed by Moonriver and Moonbeam entering maintenance-mode wind-down on August 1, 2026.[[14]](#cite-id-e9mt0bad97)​\n\n## History\n\nMoonriver secured the second parachain slot on [Kusama](https://iq.wiki/wiki/kusama) through a community-focused crowdloan that concluded on June 29, 2021, raising 205,935.0111 KSM from contributors in exchange for future MOVR rewards tied to the initial lease period.[[1]](#cite-id-vt7teee9zzm)[[10]](#cite-id-qxp3giz30z)[[13]](#cite-id-kegsov18bp) The crowdloan structure followed the standard [Kusama](https://iq.wiki/wiki/kusama) and [Polkadot](https://iq.wiki/wiki/polkadot) model, where contributors locked KSM to back Moonriver’s slot bid and received MOVR rewards, with the locked KSM returned after the parachain lease expired.[[10]](#cite-id-qxp3giz30z)[[12]](#cite-id-30hm1g9c8pq) In total, 30% of MOVR’s network tokens were allocated to reward crowdloan participants, aligning Moonriver’s early token distribution with the community that funded its deployment.[[11]](#cite-id-z18l2tm7tlj) \n \nFollowing the slot acquisition, the network’s launch process on [Kusama](https://iq.wiki/wiki/kusama) proceeded as a multi-phase rollout that began with the minting of the [genesis block](https://iq.wiki/wiki/genesis-block) on June 29, 2021 and culminated in the full launch and activation of EVM [smart contract](https://iq.wiki/wiki/smart-contract) functionality, [staking](https://iq.wiki/wiki/staking), and unrestricted token transfers on August 26, 2021.[[1]](#cite-id-vt7teee9zzm)[[6]](#cite-id-0i9l68tsa6wu) Throughout these phases, control of the network transitioned from a team-managed sudo key to MOVR token holders via on-chain governance, establishing Moonriver as a community-governed canary network for Moonbeam.[[5]](#cite-id-jf28627wg8l)[[4]](#cite-id-967tygmz2kp) \n \nIn a later strategic update, the Moonbeam [Foundation](https://iq.wiki/wiki/foundation) announced that MOVR would migrate off the Moonriver parachain to [Base](https://iq.wiki/wiki/base) as an ERC‑20 token using a dedicated migration bridge.[[14]](#cite-id-e9mt0bad97) The migration bridge offered a 1:1 conversion from native MOVR to [Base](https://iq.wiki/wiki/base) MOVR and was available until July 31, 2026, after which users who had not bridged may be unable to move remaining tokens.[[14]](#cite-id-e9mt0bad97) As part of the same transition, Moonriver and Moonbeam entered maintenance mode at 00:00 UTC on August 1, 2026, at which point user-initiated transactions, including transfers and cross-chain messages, were no longer processed while [block](https://iq.wiki/wiki/block) production continued for a limited wind‑down period.[[14]](#cite-id-e9mt0bad97)[[2]](#cite-id-n04qf7o34hh)\n\n### Phase 0\nPhase 0 began on June 29, 2021, when the [genesis block](https://iq.wiki/wiki/genesis-block) was minted and the Moonriver network operated in a centralized configuration.[[1]](#cite-id-vt7teee9zzm) During this initial phase, the Moonbeam team controlled governance and infrastructure while the network’s core functionality and stability were validated.[[1]](#cite-id-vt7teee9zzm)\n\n### Phase 1\nPhase 1 began on July 9, 2021, starting the decentralization process.[[3]](#cite-id-zxtiav9xj1k) In this phase, the team added third-party collators from outside of the Moonbeam organization to expand the collator set.[[3]](#cite-id-zxtiav9xj1k) The goal was to ensure that a decentralized group of collators could reliably produce [blocks](https://iq.wiki/wiki/block) and interact correctly with the [Kusama](https://iq.wiki/wiki/kusama) Relay Chain [validators](https://iq.wiki/wiki/validator) while maintaining network stability.[[3]](#cite-id-zxtiav9xj1k)\n\n### Phase 2\nPhase 2 began on July 23, 2021, and focused on enabling and testing Moonriver’s on-chain governance.[[4]](#cite-id-967tygmz2kp) During this phase, token holders gained the ability to participate directly in governing the network, allowing the community-led governance model to be exercised under live conditions.[[4]](#cite-id-967tygmz2kp) The phase ensured that all governance systems, including referenda and council mechanics, worked as expected before the network transitioned to full community control.[[4]](#cite-id-967tygmz2kp)\n\n### Phase 3\nPhase 3 started on August 5, 2021, when the sudo (superuser) key was removed and control of the Moonriver network was handed over to MOVR token holders.[[5]](#cite-id-jf28627wg8l) During this phase, crowdloan rewards functionality was introduced, performance improvements were applied, and bug fixes were implemented as the network transitioned fully to community governance.[[5]](#cite-id-jf28627wg8l)\n\n### Phase 4\nPhase 4 marked the full launch of the Moonriver network on the [Kusama](https://iq.wiki/wiki/kusama) relay chain and was announced on August 26, 2021.[[6]](#cite-id-0i9l68tsa6wu)[[7]](#cite-id-4pk373pmm73) During this phase, MOVR token transfers and reward claiming were enabled, [staking](https://iq.wiki/wiki/staking) services for MOVR were activated, and full EVM functionality and [smart contract](https://iq.wiki/wiki/smart-contract) deployment were opened to users, making Moonriver the first fully functioning EVM deployment on [Kusama](https://iq.wiki/wiki/kusama).[[6]](#cite-id-0i9l68tsa6wu) Crowdloan rewards were distributed to participants, and the chain moved to being governed by token holders through its on-chain governance system.[[6]](#cite-id-0i9l68tsa6wu)\n\n## Design and Mechanism\n\nMoonriver was built on Substrate as a parachain connected to the [Kusama](https://iq.wiki/wiki/kusama) relay chain, inheriting shared security and consensus from [Kusama](https://iq.wiki/wiki/kusama) while focusing on [Ethereum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum) compatibility and [smart contract](https://iq.wiki/wiki/smart-contract) execution.[[9]](#cite-id-nmf4w0jjss) Its design included a full [Ethereum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum) Virtual Machine implementation and a Web3-compatible API, which enabled developers to deploy existing [Solidity](https://iq.wiki/wiki/solidity) contracts and DApp frontends with minimal changes and to use familiar [Ethereum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum) tooling such as [MetaMask](https://iq.wiki/wiki/metamask), Remix, Hardhat, Truffle, and [web3.js](https://iq.wiki/wiki/web3).[[9]](#cite-id-nmf4w0jjss)[[8]](#cite-id-hrgue7tnwcm) [Bridges](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bridge) connected Moonriver to [Ethereum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum) and other networks, allowing assets and liquidity to move between ecosystems and supporting use cases in DeFi, NFTs, and other application categories.[[9]](#cite-id-nmf4w0jjss) \n \n[Block](https://iq.wiki/wiki/block) production on Moonriver was performed by collators, which gathered transactions and produced [blocks](https://iq.wiki/wiki/block) that were finalized by [Kusama](https://iq.wiki/wiki/kusama)’s [validators](https://iq.wiki/wiki/validator) as part of the parachain architecture.[[9]](#cite-id-nmf4w0jjss) MOVR was used to incentivize these collators, aligning their economic interests with network performance and availability.[[8]](#cite-id-hrgue7tnwcm) The network used an on-chain governance system in which MOVR holders participated directly in protocol upgrades and parameter changes, with referenda and council elections executed through the chain’s governance modules.[[9]](#cite-id-nmf4w0jjss) This combination of [Kusama](https://iq.wiki/wiki/kusama)’s shared security, a collator-based parachain architecture, and Ethereum-compatible execution was intended to provide a practical environment for experimenting with features that might later be promoted to Moonbeam.\n\n## Tokenomics and Distribution\n\nMOVR is the native [utility token](https://iq.wiki/wiki/utility-token) of the Moonriver network and was used to support [gas](https://iq.wiki/wiki/gas) metering for [smart contract](https://iq.wiki/wiki/smart-contract) execution, pay transaction and transfer fees, incentivize collators that maintained the network’s [block](https://iq.wiki/wiki/block) production, and power Moonriver’s on-chain governance processes such as proposing referenda, electing council members, and voting.[[8]](#cite-id-hrgue7tnwcm)[[9]](#cite-id-nmf4w0jjss) Moonriver’s economic model was designed around an initial total supply of 10 million MOVR and a target annual inflation rate of 5% to support ongoing network incentives.[[9]](#cite-id-nmf4w0jjss) Over time, this inflation has increased the circulating and total supply beyond the initial 10 million MOVR.[[2]](#cite-id-n04qf7o34hh)\n \nA significant portion of MOVR was allocated to community participants through a [Kusama](https://iq.wiki/wiki/kusama) crowdloan that supported Moonriver’s initial parachain slot lease, with those contributors receiving rewards in MOVR for locking KSM during the lease period.[[10]](#cite-id-qxp3giz30z)[[11]](#cite-id-z18l2tm7tlj) Additional allocations were made to the treasury and the Moonbeam ecosystem to fund development, grants, and long-term ecosystem growth.[[8]](#cite-id-hrgue7tnwcm) MOVR’s role was evolving as the token migrated from the Moonriver parachain to [Base](https://iq.wiki/wiki/base) via a 1:1 bridge, after which the ERC‑20 MOVR on [Base](https://iq.wiki/wiki/base) became the primary representation managed by foundation-controlled [smart contracts](https://iq.wiki/wiki/smart-contract).[[14]](#cite-id-e9mt0bad97)\n\n## Governance\n\nMoonriver used an on-chain governance system in which MOVR token holders played a central role in managing the network.[[9]](#cite-id-nmf4w0jjss) Holders could propose referenda, vote on protocol changes, and participate in electing council members, giving the community direct influence over upgrades and key parameters.[[8]](#cite-id-hrgue7tnwcm)[[9]](#cite-id-nmf4w0jjss) The removal of the sudo key during the launch process completed the transition from a team-controlled network to one governed by MOVR holders through these on-chain mechanisms.[[5]](#cite-id-jf28627wg8l) \n \nAs part of the announced wind‑down, Moonriver entered maintenance mode on August 1, 2026, after which user-initiated transactions, including governance extrinsics, were no longer processed while [block](https://iq.wiki/wiki/block) production continued in a limited, read‑only state.[[14]](#cite-id-e9mt0bad97)[[2]](#cite-id-n04qf7o34hh) Governance of MOVR’s future utility and integrations is expected to shift primarily to the ERC‑20 representation on [Base](https://iq.wiki/wiki/base), managed through foundation-controlled contracts and any governance processes defined for that environment.[[14]](#cite-id-e9mt0bad97)\n\n## Partnerships\n\nMoonriver integrated with a broad set of [Ethereum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum) developer tools, including [MetaMask](https://iq.wiki/wiki/metamask), Remix, Truffle, [web3](https://iq.wiki/wiki/web3).js, and ethers.js, to provide a familiar environment for developers moving applications from [Ethereum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum).[[9]](#cite-id-nmf4w0jjss) It supported oracle providers such as [Chainlink](https://iq.wiki/wiki/chainlink), [Band Protocol](https://iq.wiki/wiki/band-protocol), Razor, and [DIA](https://iq.wiki/wiki/dia), as well as infrastructure and analytics services like OnFinality and [Covalent](https://iq.wiki/wiki/covalent).[[9]](#cite-id-nmf4w0jjss) In addition, Moonriver interacted with other parachains and projects in the [Polkadot](https://iq.wiki/wiki/polkadot) and [Kusama](https://iq.wiki/wiki/kusama) ecosystems, including networks focused on DeFi and asset issuance, and offered bridges via third-party protocols such as ChainBridge, Ren, Interlay, Snowfork, and [Axelar](https://iq.wiki/wiki/axelar) to connect with external chains.[[9]](#cite-id-nmf4w0jjss) These integrations supported a range of applications, including automated market makers, lending platforms, and NFT marketplaces, that [leveraged](https://iq.wiki/wiki/leverage) Moonriver’s EVM compatibility and [Kusama](https://iq.wiki/wiki/kusama) connectivity.[[9]](#cite-id-nmf4w0jjss)\n\n## Network Wind-Down and Maintenance Mode\n\nMoonbeam and Moonriver entered maintenance mode at 00:00 UTC on August 1, 2026, as part of the planned wind-down of the Moonriver parachain.[[14]](#cite-id-e9mt0bad97)[[2]](#cite-id-n04qf7o34hh) From that time, user-initiated transactions on Moonriver, including transfers, [staking](https://iq.wiki/wiki/staking) operations, cross-chain XCM messages, governance actions, and other extrinsics, were no longer processed, while [block](https://iq.wiki/wiki/block) production continued to preserve read-only access during the final operational wind-down.[[14]](#cite-id-e9mt0bad97)[[2]](#cite-id-n04qf7o34hh) The duration of this maintenance period is described as dependent on technical and operational considerations and subject to future updates.[[14]](#cite-id-e9mt0bad97)\n\nIn parallel with the network wind-down, the MOVR token migrated from its native representation on the Moonriver parachain to an ERC‑20 MOVR token on the [Base](https://iq.wiki/wiki/base) network via an official 1:1 migration bridge operated by the Moonbeam [Foundation](https://iq.wiki/wiki/foundation).[[14]](#cite-id-e9mt0bad97) The migration bridge operated through July 31, 2026, after which the Moonriver chain entered maintenance mode the following day.[[14]](#cite-id-e9mt0bad97) The Moonbeam [Foundation](https://iq.wiki/wiki/foundation)’s strategic update warns that funds left in on-chain protocols on Moonriver during the wind-down, including liquidity positions, lending markets, [staking](https://iq.wiki/wiki/staking) contracts, and other DeFi applications, may become permanently inaccessible once maintenance mode begins.[[14]](#cite-id-e9mt0bad97) The Moonriver team later communicated that the migration period would officially end on September 30, 2026, and that valid claims submitted within the migration window would continue to be processed.[[15]](#cite-id-9803ef52d3)","recentActivity":null,"operator":{"id":"0x1E23b34d3106F0C1c74D17f2Cd0F65cdb039b138"},"categories":[{"id":"cryptoassets","title":"cryptoassets"}],"tags":[{"id":"Ethereum"},{"id":"Polkadot"},{"id":"DeFi"}],"images":[{"id":"QmRymiDNC3ZTBMqUa7iNcgu8TiYn5pzyjFf9S3HKjfhx8z","type":"image/jpeg, 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Network\",\"timestamp\":1661264504517},{\"id\":\"jf28627wg8l\",\"url\":\"https://moonbeam.network/announcements/moonriver-launch-kusama-phase-three/\",\"description\":\"Moonriver Begins Phase Three of the Parachain Launch Process\",\"timestamp\":1661264525277},{\"id\":\"0i9l68tsa6wu\",\"url\":\"https://coinquora.com/moonbeam-announces-moonriver-network-launch-completion/\",\"description\":\"Moonriver Smart Contract Platform Completes Launch\",\"timestamp\":1661264566876},{\"id\":\"4pk373pmm73\",\"url\":\"https://twitter.com/MoonriverNW/status/1430935786141138951\",\"description\":\"Moonriver Network Tweet\",\"timestamp\":1661264611283},{\"id\":\"hrgue7tnwcm\",\"url\":\"https://moonbeam.foundation/moonriver-token/\",\"description\":\"Moonriver (MOVR) Token\",\"timestamp\":1661264704204},{\"id\":\"nmf4w0jjss\",\"url\":\"https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/moonriver/\",\"description\":\"Moonriver on Coinmarketcap\",\"timestamp\":1661264723972},{\"id\":\"qxp3giz30z\",\"url\":\"https://moonbeam.foundation/moonriver-crowdloan/\",\"description\":\"Moonriver Crowdloan Rewards Initial Distribution\",\"timestamp\":1661264806322},{\"id\":\"z18l2tm7tlj\",\"url\":\"https://moonbeam.foundation/moonriver-crowdloan/rewards/\",\"description\":\"Moonriver rewards\",\"timestamp\":1661264868203},{\"id\":\"30hm1g9c8pq\",\"url\":\"https://moonbeam.network/education/what-is-a-crowdloan/\",\"description\":\"What is a Crowdloan? Its Benefits and How to participate\",\"timestamp\":1661264890074},{\"id\":\"kegsov18bp\",\"url\":\"https://blog.kraken.com/post/9802/moonriver-wins-the-second-kusama-parachain-slot-auction/\",\"description\":\"Moonriver Wins The Second Kusama Parachain Slot Auction\",\"timestamp\":1661264908779},{\"id\":\"e9mt0bad97\",\"url\":\"https://moonbeam.network/news/moonriver-strategic-update-movr-is-migrating-to-base\",\"description\":\"Moonriver Strategic Update: MOVR is Migrating to Base\",\"timestamp\":1790907906684},{\"id\":\"9803ef52d3\",\"url\":\"https://x.com/MoonriverNW/status/2104919024819695902\",\"description\":\"Moonriver Network tweet on migration period ending September 30, 2026\",\"timestamp\":1790908493620}]"},{"id":"previous_cid","value":"QmSJbzeiH8DatqyMhbftJRtnZCv7fMs9c3SNLtx8P6s5f4"},{"id":"commit-message","value":"Update Moonriver Network wiki: expand summary, add tags and media"},{"id":"previous_cid","value":"QmSJbzeiH8DatqyMhbftJRtnZCv7fMs9c3SNLtx8P6s5f4"}],"user":{"id":"0x8af7a19a26d8fbc48defb35aefb15ec8c407f889"},"author":{"id":"0x1E23b34d3106F0C1c74D17f2Cd0F65cdb039b138"},"views":915}