Shardeum EVM Rollout: Let’s Build India’s Dapp Ecosystem

Since 2022, Shardeum’s mission has been clear – to unlock Web3 adoption at massive scale and make decentralization truly accessible. In May 2025, we launched our token-only mainnet with a first-of-its-kind sharding architecture. That milestone validated our vision by delivering low fees and unprecedented validator accessibility. You asked for EVM smart contract support on Shardeum – and we heard you. We’re providing an EVM path you can build on today, while continuing to invest in our long-term vision of a truly scalable EVM. This ensures developers get what they need immediately, while we remain true to our mission of making decentralization accessible to everyone.

Battle-Tested EVM to Fast-Track Adoption

To accelerate adoption, Shardeum is integrating proven, open-source EVM software into its Layer 1 network. Our current sharded token-only mainnet will transition into an unsharded EVM mainnet built on this foundation. A scalable EVM becomes essential once usage reaches the limits of non-scalable chains, and our goal is to have it ready by the time we get there.

By leveraging proven EVM infrastructure, Shardeum provides:

• Full EVM compatibility from day one, allowing developers to seamlessly port Ethereum apps or launch popular dApps on Shardeum
• Proof-of-Stake consensus with fast finality
• Low fees and high throughput for developers and end-users
• Modular architecture that allows us to add new features without disruption later.

With this foundation, Shardeum will accelerate user growth in the near term, prioritizing India, to lead in the world’s largest untapped on-chain market. Today, there are 500M+ crypto users worldwide, and about 80M are active on-chain. In India, over 50M use centralized exchanges, yet only a few million are on-chain. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to convert millions of people into true on-chain users.

Driving adoption in a market like India takes two parts: a reliable network and a token people can actually use with ease. The EVM delivers the first; the SHM token split delivers the second.

Token Split for Mass Use

Shardeum is preparing a token split (redenomination) to make SHM more accessible for everyday users. Similar to a stock split, it improves divisibility and usability without changing the market cap or diluting existing holders.

The goal is simple: make transactions decentralized, affordable, and participation easier – especially in fast-growing markets like India, where hundreds of millions of people are coming online.

Here’s how it works:

• SHM Supply expands from 250 million to 60 billion.
• Every holder receives tokens proportionally at a 1:240 split – there is no dilution
• Price per SHM adjusts accordingly, while market cap and ownership remain unchanged.

Example: If you hold 100 SHM today, after token split you’ll hold 24,000 SHM

Note: The redenomination will be fully automatic. Centralized exchanges will update user balances at the 1:240 ratio, while on-chain balances will adjust accordingly at a designated snapshot block. The EVM mainnet will launch with all accounts reflecting the updated balances from the outset. Deposits and withdrawals may be temporarily paused during the snapshot, and the exact timing will be announced. No manual swap or action will be required from users.

Developing India’s On-chain Ecosystem

India’s Demographic Edge

With blockchain adoption set to reach billions of users and trillions of assets, India’s demographic scale and digital-first population make it the logical springboard. But beyond all the opportunities, a cutting-edge Layer 1 blockchain like Shardeum can act as the nucleus for India inspiring new startups, creating jobs, training developers, attracting capital and powering trust-driven utilities that improve efficiency across sectors. A ripple effect – much like how railroads and airports transform connectivity, sparking regional development.

Why India Needs Its Own Blockchain Foundation

A decentralized Layer 1 with an India-first policy delivers the fundamentals users actually care about: 

• Verifiable trust: You can audit the ledger and source code, not just believe a platform
• Resilience: Always-on, 24/7/365
• Independence: No single institution controlling user sovereignty
• Accessibility: Low fees so anyone can participate

While low fees are necessary, they are not sufficient in itself for adoption. Someone has to do the heavy lifting: building awareness, creating the market for on-chain products, attracting dApps that serve Indian consumers, localizing UX for UPI-native users, supporting founders with grants and GTM, and working closely with regulators to align compliance with Indian laws. That is the gap Shardeum will fill. WazirX is a clear example of rising to the occasion when crypto penetration was shallow, becoming India’s largest crypto exchange. That experience now informs Shardeum’s mission to drive true on-chain adoption in India.

Roadmap in Two Phases

The roadmap is divided into two phases, and it will be metrics-driven.

• Phase 1 begins now with the goal of reaching 10 million users.
• Phase 2 will focus on scaling Shardeum through sharding and other innovations to enable global adoption while maintaining performance and seamless user experiences.

EVM Testnet Launch

We’re kicking things off with EVM testnet, paving the way for the smart contract launch on mainnet shortly after. You’ll find the EVM testnet endpoint details below. Our team is also exploring whether the current mainnet RPC endpoints can be retained for the EVM mainnet. Stay tuned to our official channels for further updates on both mainnet and testnet.

You’ll just need a wallet such as MetaMask configured with the RPC details given below to start interacting with the network immediately:

• Network Name: Shardeum EVM Testnet
• RPC Endpoint: https://api-mezame.shardeum.org/
• Chain ID: 8119
• Explorer URL: https://explorer-mezame.shardeum.org/
• Test SHM: During this phase, test tokens will not be distributed via faucet, Discord, or other usual channels. After adding the EVM testnet endpoints in your wallet, accounts that held SHM on mainnet as of the snapshot taken on September 26 have been allocated corresponding testnet balances at the 1:240 ratio. Since many existing users will already have sufficient test tokens, we encourage them to share test SHM tokens with new users to help them get started.

Decentralization wins when it quietly delivers value. We are focused on the utility you can feel today and a future that keeps getting better. Our community sits at the center of Shardeum, and this move is about earning your trust and building the Web3 ecosystem in India through education, execution and innovation.

FAQ

1. How will I receive the additional tokens from the token split (re-denomination)?

Your wallet will automatically reflect the higher token count after the split – you don’t need to take any action. Exchanges and wallets that support SHM will update balances seamlessly, and if any platform requires action from your side, detailed instructions will be shared in advance through Shardeum’s official channels.

2. How will SHM trading and exchange support be managed during this transition?

SHM will continue to be supported on exchanges as usual, and holders do not need to take any action. Our team is working closely with exchange partners to ensure a smooth transition, including handling the upcoming token split automatically on supported platforms. Note, the community will be notified in advance through Shardeum’s official channels on account of temporary pauses in trading or withdrawals on exchanges.

3. How does Shardeum’s latest roadmap impact validators?

Validators will continue to be an integral part of Shardeum. Until the EVM goes live on mainnet, you can continue running your node, and we’ll communicate any changes well in advance. After the EVM testnet launch and thorough testing, the team will provide detailed instructions and timelines for running a node on the EVM mainnet.

EVM mainnet will remain permissionless – anyone can participate in validation by staking SHM, with active validator slots determined by the amount staked. Validation will follow a block-based architecture with fast finality, block production, and slashing mechanics similar to other proof-of-stake blockchains. For a broader participation, delegation will also be supported, allowing SHM holders to back validators of their choice, share in rewards, and still contribute to network security.

We will share detailed technical documentation, including hardware requirements, in due course.

4. What does this progress mean for Shardeum’s scalable technology?

The updated roadmap is divided into two phases. Phase 1 begins now, with the goal of reaching 10 million users. Once there, Phase 2 will be about bringing Shardeum’s innovative technology to market, enabling the network to scale for global adoption while maintaining performance, and delivering seamless user experiences.

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