Metis
An Ethereum optimistic rollup that pioneered a decentralized sequencer among L2s.
Metis Andromeda is an EVM-equivalent optimistic rollup originally forked from Optimism's OVM, running a decentralized sequencer pool that uses Tendermint consensus and MPC for batch signing. Since 2024 the project has expanded into Hyperion, a parallel-execution chain aimed at AI workloads, both governed under MetisDAO with METIS as gas and staking token. It is a smaller L2 by TVL, with usage concentrated in DeFi natives and DAC-style applications.
- L2BEAT-tracked optimistic rollup, EVM-equivalent, forked from OVM; TVL in the low hundreds of millions in 2026.
- First rollup to launch a Proof-of-Stake decentralized sequencer pool (March 2024), staked in METIS.
- Native gas token is METIS (not ETH), with ~2s block times and typical fees of $0.01–0.05.
- MetisDAO expanded into Hyperion, a parallel-execution chain targeting AI and high-throughput workloads alongside Andromeda.
- Sequencer decentralization is real but early: L2BEAT still flags trust assumptions in the batcher and state proposer roles.
Frequently asked questions
Is Metis's decentralized sequencer really decentralized?
Metis was the first L2 to ship a Proof-of-Stake sequencer pool with Tendermint consensus and MPC-signed batches, which is a real step beyond a single-operator sequencer. L2BEAT still classifies parts of the system as permissioned (the batcher's L1 EOA and the state proposer), so the honest framing is 'more decentralized than most L2 sequencers, but not fully trustless yet.'
Why is METIS the gas token instead of ETH?
Metis launched with METIS as gas, which lets the DAO route sequencer revenue back into staking rewards and ecosystem funding rather than into ETH. Practically, it means users need to hold METIS to transact, which is unusual among Ethereum L2s and adds a small onboarding step.
What DeFi is live on Metis?
The active DeFi surface is smaller than the major L2s but includes Netswap and Hercules DEXs, Aave V3, and various native lending markets. Given the smaller TVL, users should size positions relative to protocol depth and monitor whether Metis's push into Hyperion and AI workloads translates into new DeFi flows.