What is Manta?

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Manta Network stands at the forefront of privacy-centric blockchain innovation, leveraging cutting-edge zero-knowledge (ZK) technology to redefine how users interact with decentralized applications. Originally rooted in privacy-focused solutions on the Polkadot ecosystem, Manta has evolved into a dual-chain architecture comprising Manta Atlantic and Manta Pacific, each serving distinct yet complementary roles in advancing ZK-powered blockchain usability, scalability, and interoperability.

At its core, Manta Network is designed to make privacy accessible, efficient, and developer-friendly—without compromising compliance or real-world utility. With growing momentum driven by strategic campaigns and technological upgrades, Manta is positioning itself as a leading modular Layer 2 (L2) platform for ZK applications on Ethereum.

The Evolution of Manta: From Atlantic to Pacific

Manta Atlantic – Pioneering Privacy on Polkadot

Launched in 2021, Manta Atlantic was the network’s first parachain on Polkadot, dedicated to enabling private transactions using zkSNARKs—a form of zero-knowledge proof that allows one party to prove knowledge of data without revealing the data itself. This foundational layer focused on compliant privacy, ensuring that users could transact anonymously while still meeting regulatory requirements when necessary.

Manta Atlantic laid the groundwork for ZK integration in DeFi, identity verification, and cross-chain use cases. Its emphasis on interoperability allowed seamless asset transfers between Polkadot-based chains and set the stage for broader adoption of privacy-preserving technologies.

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Manta Pacific – A Modular zkEVM Ecosystem

In July 2023, Manta launched Manta Pacific, an Ethereum Layer 2 built initially as an Optimistic Rollup on Optimism’s OP Stack. However, recognizing the superior security and efficiency of ZK-based scaling, the team quickly pivoted toward a zk-rollup architecture powered by Polygon’s Chain Development Kit (CDK). This shift positioned Manta Pacific as a high-performance, EVM-equivalent L2 designed specifically for ZK applications.

By leveraging Celestia for data availability, Manta Pacific achieves greater decentralization and scalability—hallmarks of modular blockchain design. This architecture separates execution, consensus, and data availability layers, allowing developers to build faster, cheaper, and more secure dApps.

The vision? To become the home for ZK-native applications across DeFi, gaming, identity, and beyond.

Universal Circuits: Democratizing Zero-Knowledge Development

One of Manta Pacific’s most impactful innovations is Universal Circuits, a plug-and-play library of pre-built ZK circuits that enable developers to integrate privacy and compliance features into their apps with minimal code.

With just a few lines, developers can implement:

This dramatically lowers the barrier to entry for building ZK applications—traditionally complex due to cryptographic overhead—and accelerates time-to-market for privacy-enhanced dApps.

As Universal Circuits evolves into version 2.0, the roadmap promises improved performance, reduced gas costs, and enhanced developer tooling—further solidifying Manta’s role as a catalyst for mass ZK adoption.

Manta New Paradigm Campaign: Igniting Ecosystem Growth

Despite its strong technical foundation, Manta Pacific remained under the radar until the launch of the Manta New Paradigm campaign in mid-December 2023. This strategic initiative mirrored successful engagement models like Blast’s stake-for-points system but introduced deeper composability and multi-layered incentives.

Users could deposit ETH or USDC via the official bridge to receive yield-generating tokens:

These liquid staking derivatives could then be used across DeFi protocols on Manta Pacific, creating a flywheel of capital efficiency and yield compounding.

Crucially, original deposits were locked for 69 days post-MANTA airdrop distribution—a mechanism designed to encourage long-term participation and discourage short-term farming.

Beyond Yield: Gamified Incentives with Lucky Boxes

To boost user engagement, the campaign introduced Box Pieces, earned through deposits and referrals. Accumulating 25 Box Pieces unlocked a Common Lucky Box, which granted one of six NFTs with varying rarity levels.

A seventh ultra-rare NFT—"The First Modular L2"—could be obtained by burning one of each of the six base NFTs.

Even more exciting were the Frenzy Growth Lucky Boxes, which had a chance to drop whenever a Common Lucky Box was opened. The probability started at 1% but increased by 5% after every non-successful open, resetting upon success. Team milestones (e.g., collective deposits of 5 ETH or 20 ETH) further boosted these odds.

This gamified approach not only increased user retention but also fostered community-driven growth through referral networks.

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Manta Network Airdrop: Rewarding Early Adoption

On January 5, 2024, Manta announced the first phase of its MANTA token airdrop, distributing 5% of the total supply to early contributors across both Manta Atlantic and Manta Pacific. Most recipients came from prior campaigns, emphasizing loyalty and sustained involvement.

A week later, allocations for the New Paradigm campaign were revealed:

These rewards validated user participation and helped bootstrap liquidity and activity across the ecosystem.

Tokenomics: Sustainable Distribution & Long-Term Vision

The MANTA token has a maximum supply of 1 billion tokens, distributed as follows:

At launch, the circulating supply was approximately 251 million tokens (~25%), with full vesting completed by January 2028. This gradual unlock schedule ensures long-term alignment between stakeholders and discourages market dumping.

As of now, Manta Pacific alone boasts over $465 million in Total Value Locked (TVL)** and a Fully Diluted Valuation (FDV) exceeding **$3.5 billion, reflecting strong market confidence and growing adoption.

Roadmap Ahead: Building the Future of ZK Apps

Manta’s roadmap outlines four key phases focused on continuous improvement:

  1. Completion of migration to Celestia for data availability
  2. Transition to zkEVM using Polygon CDK
  3. Launch of MANTA staking on Manta Atlantic
  4. Development of Universal Circuits 2.0 for lower costs and better UX

Each step reinforces Manta’s mission: making zero-knowledge technology accessible, scalable, and integral to mainstream blockchain usage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the difference between Manta Atlantic and Manta Pacific?
A: Manta Atlantic is a Polkadot parachain focused on privacy using zkSNARKs. Manta Pacific is an Ethereum L2 zk-rollup built for scalable ZK applications using Polygon CDK and Celestia.

Q: How do I earn MANTA tokens?
A: You can earn MANTA through participation in campaigns like New Paradigm, holding qualifying NFTs, or contributing to ecosystem projects. Some tokens were also distributed via airdrop to early users.

Q: Is Manta Network secure?
A: Yes. By using battle-tested ZK cryptography, modular architecture with Celestia for data availability, and gradual token vesting, Manta prioritizes security and decentralization.

Q: Can I use USDC on Manta Pacific?
A: Yes. Depositing USDC via the official bridge gives you wUSDM—a yield-bearing stablecoin backed by US Treasury Bill investments through Mountain Protocol.

Q: What are Universal Circuits?
A: They’re a developer toolkit that simplifies adding ZK features like private payments or identity verification into dApps with minimal coding effort.

Q: When did the MANTA token launch?
A: The first airdrop occurred on January 5, 2024, marking the official introduction of the MANTA token to the public.

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