IOTA’s ShimmerEVM Network recently encountered a temporary setback on its testnet, as users were unable to access the protocol due to heavy congestion that challenged its chain limits. Although the exact number of visitors that overwhelmed the protocol was not disclosed, the ShimmerEVM team confirmed that it is working relentlessly to resolve the issues.
Meanwhile, the IOTA community has rallied around in support. ShimmerEVM is a spinoff of IOTA, designed to introduce smart contracts to the latter, and its testnet is a necessary phase to test the limits of the protocol before the mainnet launch. However, the protocol is lagging behind other core protocols like EOS and Filecoin, both of whom recently launched smart contract support.
Heavy Congestion Challenges ShimmerEVM Chain Limits
According to a recent tweet by the ShimmerEVM Network, it is currently experiencing heavy congestion on its testnet, which is challenging the chain limits and allowing the team to improve performance in the long run. Despite the setback, the team is working diligently to resolve the issues as soon as possible.
While the exact number of visitors that overwhelmed the protocol was not revealed, it is clear that the congestion was significant enough to disrupt users’ access to the protocol. Nevertheless, the IOTA community has been supportive, as the setback is seen as a necessary phase in the development process, and it is better to encounter such challenges at this time than when the mainnet is live.
ShimmerEVM Testnet A Necessary Phase Before Mainnet Launch
The ShimmerEVM is a spinoff of IOTA that has been under development to introduce smart contracts to the latter. With the increasing need for non-smart contract-focused layer-1 protocols to follow the bandwagon, the ShimmerEVM was designed to bridge this gap. Its testnet has been deemed a very necessary phase to stretch and test the limits of the protocol before the mainnet launch.
As such, the setback encountered on the testnet is not unexpected, and it is much better to encounter such challenges during the development phase than after the mainnet launch. With the team working relentlessly to resolve the issues, the protocol is expected to come out stronger and more reliable.
ShimmerEVM Lags Behind Other Core Protocols in Smart Contract Support
While the ShimmerEVM is designed to introduce smart contracts to IOTA, it is lagging behind other core protocols just like EOS and Filecoin, both of whom recently launched smart contract support.
EOS launched its WebAssembly (WASM) protocol, while Filecoin launched its Filecoin Virtual Machine (FVM). The FVM launch was pivotal, and the protocol received support from the Binance exchange at the time. With the number of high-profile protocols launching their smart contract compatibility, the ShimmerEVM appears to be coming late to the party overall. However, solid protocol development and accompanying utility can help it compete with its peers around now.
Conclusion
The ShimmerEVM Network’s recent setback on its testnet due to heavy congestion challenging its chain limits is a necessary phase in the development process. The protocol is designed to introduce smart contracts to IOTA and bridge the gap between non-smart contract-focused layer-1 protocols that are jumping on the bandwagon. Although the protocol is lagging behind other core protocols like EOS and Filecoin in smart contract support, solid protocol development, and accompanying utility can help it compete with its peers.
