IncentedUnderstanding Chains
EVM chains, Solana, and how blockchains differ
Different blockchains have different characteristics. This guide explains the two types Incented supports and what that means for you.
EVM Chains
EVM stands for Ethereum Virtual Machine. It's the technology that powers Ethereum, and many other chains have adopted it. This means:
- Same wallet works everywhere. Your MetaMask wallet (and address) works on Ethereum, Base, Optimism, Arbitrum, Polygon, and hundreds of other EVM chains.
- Same address format. All EVM addresses start with
0xfollowed by 40 hex characters. - Same token standards. ERC-20 tokens work the same way across all EVM chains.
Popular EVM chains include Ethereum (the original), Base (built by Coinbase), Optimism, Arbitrum, and Polygon. Each has different tradeoffs for speed, cost, and ecosystem.
Layer 1 vs Layer 2
Ethereum is a Layer 1: the main chain where everything is settled.
Layer 2s (Base, Optimism, Arbitrum) are chains built on top of Ethereum. They process transactions faster and cheaper, then periodically settle back to Ethereum for security. For most users, L2s feel the same but cost less.
Solana
Solana is a completely different blockchain, not EVM-compatible:
- Different wallet. You need a Solana wallet like Phantom, not MetaMask.
- Different address format. Solana addresses are base58 encoded strings.
- Different token standard. Solana uses SPL tokens, not ERC-20.
Solana is known for very fast transactions (sub-second) and very low fees (fractions of a cent).
Which Chains Does Incented Support?
Incented supports any EVM chain and Solana.
Currently active chains include Ethereum, Base, Optimism, and Solana. But the architecture supports any EVM-compatible chain. If your community uses a different chain, contact us and we can enable it.
Each program runs on a single chain. Check the program details to see which chain it uses, then make sure your wallet is compatible.
Choosing the Right Wallet
| If the program is on... | Use a wallet like... |
|---|---|
| Any EVM chain (Base, Optimism, Ethereum, etc.) | MetaMask, Coinbase Wallet, Rainbow |
| Solana | Phantom, Backpack, Solflare |
You cannot use an EVM wallet on a Solana program or vice versa. The address formats are incompatible.
Transaction Fees (Gas)
Every blockchain charges fees to process transactions. You pay these in the chain's native token:
- EVM chains: Pay gas in ETH (even on L2s like Base and Optimism)
- Solana: Pay fees in SOL
If you don't have the native token, you can't send transactions, even if you have other tokens. Always keep a small balance for gas.
How much do fees cost? It varies:
- Ethereum L1: Can be expensive ($1-50+ depending on congestion)
- L2s (Base, Optimism): Very cheap (usually under $0.10)
- Solana: Extremely cheap (fractions of a cent)
Moving Tokens Between Chains
Tokens on one chain can't directly move to another chain. To move them, you use a bridge: a service that locks tokens on one chain and releases equivalent tokens on another.
Popular bridges:
- EVM to EVM: Across, Stargate, official chain bridges
- Solana to EVM: Wormhole, Allbridge
Bridging requires care. Use reputable bridges, double-check addresses, and start with a small test amount. Mistakes can result in lost funds.
Block Explorers
Block explorers are websites that let you look up transactions, addresses, and tokens on a blockchain. Useful for verifying that transactions went through.
Some popular ones:
- Ethereum: etherscan.io
- Base: basescan.org
- Optimism: optimistic.etherscan.io
- Solana: solscan.io