STEEM EVM Update: Public Testnet Live with 4 Validators & New SVM App

Following yesterday's announcement regarding the migration to a public network, I am happy to confirm that the Steem Virtual Machine (SVM) Public Testnet is now fully operational.

I have successfully shut down the previous private instance and pointed all infrastructure—including the SherpaSwap interface and the BlockScout explorer—to the new public network RPC. This marks a major step toward a decentralized and community-driven ecosystem.

Previous Updates

• Migrating to Public Testnet
• SherpaSwap: Join the Testing Phase
• PancakeSwap V3 Deployment

Expanded Validator Set

Decentralization is key to a robust Layer-2 solution. I am pleased to announce that our validator set has expanded to include @upex, bringing us to a total of four active validators securing the network:

1. @cur8
2. @blaze.apps
3. @upex
4. @blazed007

Additionally, I can confirm that @steem-agora is also connected as a peer, further strengthening the network's connectivity. You can view the current validator status and interact with staking features on the new SVM App.

Network Peer Status

Current P2P connections include nodes from @cur8, @upex, @steem-agora, and @blaze.apps, ensuring healthy block propagation and consensus across different geographic locations.

Introducing the SVM App

To provide a more user-friendly experience, I have launched a dedicated web application for the SVM ecosystem:

https://svmapp.blazeapps.org

This app serves as a central hub for interacting with the Steem Virtual Machine. Current features include:

• Wallet Integration: Log in directly via MetaMask.
• Validator Management: Stake, unstake, and manage delegations to validators.
• Rewards: Claim staking rewards directly from the interface.
• Network Stats: View real-time gas prices and Transactions Per Second (TPS).
• Name Services: Confirm and manage name registrations on the SVM.

Future Plans: I plan to integrate the SherpaSwap trading interface directly into this app, allowing users to swap tokens without leaving the dashboard.

Infrastructure Updates

• Block Explorer: The explorer at https://evmscan.steemscanner.com is now fully synced with the new Public Testnet.
• SherpaSwap: The DEX interface at https://sherpaswap.blazeapps.org has been repointed to the new network RPC.
• Faucet Bot: I am currently developing a Discord bot to automate test token distribution, making it easier for new users to get started.

How to Connect

To start using the Public Testnet, add the following details to your wallet:

• Network Name: Steem Virtual Machine (SVM)
• RPC URL: https://evm.blazeapps.org
• Chain ID: 8163
• Currency Symbol: STEEM
• Block Explorer: https://evmscan.steemscanner.com

Community Engagement

As we settle into the Public Testnet phase, your feedback on the SVM App and the DEX is invaluable.

1. Try the App: Visit https://svmapp.blazeapps.org to stake and manage your test assets.
2. Run a Node: If you are interested in contributing to network security, check the GitHub instructions.
3. Witness Support: Your vote supports the ongoing development and infrastructure costs of the SVM.

(html comment removed: @steemchiller @h4lab @avle @steem-agora @steemcurator01 @steemcurator02 @steemcurator03 @justyy @ety001 @ooops @hungry-griffin @rme @bangla.witness @xpilar.witness )