Decades of proven software
Use Python, Rust, C++, Go, and mature libraries for workloads that do not fit inside a smart-contract runtime.
Ethereum L2Linux execution
Any code.
Ethereum’s
security.
Dedicated Linux execution for applications that need more than a smart-contract VM. Results verified and settled on Ethereum.
Full LinuxMature software
Dedicated executionApp-specific computation
Ethereum arbitrationPermissionless challenges
Linux for execution.
Ethereum for settlement.
Applications use mature software through a full Linux OS on a reproducible RISC-V machine, while Ethereum handles value settlement and dispute resolution. Cartesi PRT Honeypot v2 is classified as a Stage 2 appchain by L2BEAT.
PythonRustC++GoSQLiteNumPyOpen source
Cartesi / execution architecture
01 / Execute
Your own Linux.
A larger design space.
Run familiar languages and mature libraries inside a reproducible RISC-V machine.
PythonRustC++SQLite
02 / Verify
Same computation.
Reproducible result.
Validators replay execution independently. Anyone can challenge an incorrect result through the fraud-proof system.
ReproduciblePermissionless
03 / Settle
Ethereum has
the final word.
Value settles and disputes are arbitrated on Ethereum. Native finality follows the fraud-proof dispute window.
Ethereum settlementFraud proofs
Dedicated execution · Common trust model
Cartesi changes what Ethereum applications can do.
Not just how they can be coded.
Dedicated execution
Every application has its own computational space, isolated from unrelated activity.
One honest validator
Anyone can reproduce execution and challenge an incorrect result on Ethereum.
Our focus in practice.
The stack is being tested under real conditions and hardened for applications that handle real money.
In development
Commercial focus
Knoss
An independent derivatives exchange being built on Cartesi Rollups. The Cartesi Foundation is directing more of its engineering and business development efforts toward supporting its development.
Follow Knoss on X
Live · Real funds
Security testing
Honeypot
A permissionless bug bounty secured by Cartesi’s fraud-proof system and holding real funds.
Review Honeypot
Coming soon
Execution demonstration
DOOM Arena
Verifiable speedruns built as an end-to-end demonstration of Cartesi Rollups and fraud proofs.
About the free DOOM engineAn honest comparison
Cartesi expands what can be executed while keeping its architectural trade-offs explicit.
+ Advantage
± Depends
− Trade-off
| Dimension | Cartesi | General-purpose rollup | Purpose-built chain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution | Advantage: Dedicated full Linux | Trade-off: Shared smart-contract VM | Advantage: Fully custom stack |
| Security | Advantage: Ethereum and fraud proofs | Advantage: Rollup and Ethereum | Trade-off: Own validator set |
| Blockspace | Advantage: Application-specific | Trade-off: Shared | Advantage: Application-specific |
| Liquidity | Depends: Ethereum via trust-minimized bridge | Advantage: Deep and composable | Trade-off: Often isolated |
| Native finality | Trade-off: Several-day dispute window | Depends: Varies by design | Advantage: Lower latency possible |
What Cartesi offers
Custom execution under a common, robust trust model.
Full Linux and dedicated computation, with settlement and disputes kept on Ethereum.
What Cartesi does not offer
Instant native finality.
Final settlement takes several days today. Liquidity providers can offer fast withdrawals, while future ZK proofs could remove the dispute-window delay.
How this could evolve
Cartesi’s fraud-proof model requires a dispute window. Purpose-built chains can offer lower latency. In the future, cost-efficient ZK proofs may remove the need for this delay. Until then, liquidity providers can make the waiting period largely invisible to DeFi users through fast withdrawals, without changing when final settlement occurs.
Check it yourself.
The machine, rollup framework, and fraud-proof research are public.
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Open specifications and implementations.Cartesi Machine and Cartesi Rollups
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Fraud proofs are live.Securing real funds
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The stack is advancing.Faster emulation and better tooling