Manta Network

Modular Ethereum Layer 2 using Celestia for data availability, launched in 2023

Blockchain Founded 2020 United States
Visit manta.network
Our score
Good
Layer Layer 2
Consensus / design ZK rollup
Native token MANTA
EVM compatible Yes

What is Manta Network?

Manta Network is a blockchain project built around Manta Pacific, a modular Ethereum Layer 2 for zero-knowledge applications. Pacific launched in 2023 and uses Celestia for data availability. Manta also built Manta Atlantic, a Polkadot parachain, but is consolidating development on Pacific after Atlantic’s slot expired on August 1, 2026.

Team and funding

Manta Network was founded in 2020. Its listed co-founders are Kenny Li, Shumo Chu and Victor Ji. The project is headquartered in Boston, United States. Its backers include Polychain Capital and Qiming Venture Partners, which led a $25 million Series A announced in July 2023 at a reported $500 million valuation. Total funding is listed at $26.1 million, with Binance Labs and YZi Labs also named as strategic investors.

How the network works

Manta Pacific is EVM-compatible and supports Solidity smart contracts, so developers can use Ethereum-oriented tools and deploy decentralized applications. Its design separates execution from data availability: Pacific processes applications as an Ethereum Layer 2 while Celestia provides data availability. The network is intended for ZK applications and offers an Ethereum ecosystem entry point for decentralized finance and other smart-contract products.

MANTA is the network’s native token. The wider project has also offered staking, community governance and ecosystem grants. The website lists more than 200 ecosystem projects as of October 2026. Manta Bridge connects the project’s networks, while the Atlantic migration system supported transfers to Pacific, Polkadot and other parachains during the 2026 deprecation process.

Costs and availability

Manta describes Pacific as having lower gas costs than Ethereum. Gas payments, fee levels and supported assets can vary by application and network conditions. The project lists global availability, and Incognitive, its separate on-device AI application, is available through Apple’s App Store.

Track record and risks

Manta built a zero-knowledge stack on Polkadot in 2020, launched Pacific in 2023 and announced Atlantic’s deprecation on March 11, 2026. Atlantic stopped accepting new staking on March 18, closed inbound bridge transfers on March 20, entered read-only mode in June and stopped producing blocks after its parachain slot expired. The migration added reliance on bridge and migration infrastructure, while Pacific’s modular design adds a dependency on Celestia for data availability. Users and developers also face Layer 2 risks, including sequencer or upgrade-control concentration, smart-contract failures and asset-bridge exposure.

Founders

Kenny LiCo-founder
Shumo ChuCo-founder
Victor JiCo-founder
Best for:Solidity developers building ZK applicationsEthereum Layer 2 usersTeams needing modular data availabilityMANTA ecosystem participants

Pros and cons

Pros

  • EVM compatibility supports Solidity-based Ethereum applications
  • Celestia provides dedicated data availability for Pacific
  • More than 200 ecosystem projects listed in October 2026
  • Backed by Polychain Capital and Qiming Venture Partners
  • Pacific consolidates development after Atlantic's 2026 shutdown

Cons

  • Pacific depends on Celestia for data availability
  • Bridge infrastructure adds cross-chain asset risk
  • Atlantic's 2026 shutdown required users to migrate assets
  • MANTA-related staking and reward programs depend on token exposure

Our review

3.5/5
Good

Manta Network delivers low execution fees by coupling EVM compatibility with modular Celestia data availability, but it relies on centralized rollup infrastructure and is deprecating its Polkadot chain.

Performance4.0
Fees4.5
Ecosystem3.0
Decentralization2.5
Developer experience4.0

Manta Network centers its blockchain ecosystem around Manta Pacific, a modular Ethereum Layer 2 rollup built for zero-knowledge applications. Launched in 2023, Pacific uses Celestia for external data availability instead of posting complete call data to Ethereum Layer 1, which reduces settlement costs. Because Pacific offers full EVM compatibility, developers can deploy existing Solidity smart contracts with standard Ethereum tooling without learning specialized zero-knowledge programming languages.

The network's primary strength lies in its low gas overhead and straightforward developer environment. By outsourcing data availability to Celestia, transaction fees remain a fraction of standard Ethereum rollup costs while maintaining EVM interoperability. The ecosystem has cataloged more than 200 integrated projects, including cross-chain bridges like Orbiter Finance and oracle networks like Pyth. The core organization has also expanded into private consumer applications, releasing Incognitive, an on-device AI assistant that operates offline without transmitting chat records to remote servers.

However, users and developers face several structural trade-offs. The network's DeFi footprint has compressed, registering approximately $2.93M in total value locked across its protocols in October 2026. Architectural decentralization remains constrained by typical Layer 2 dependencies, including centralized sequencing and upgrade authorities. Manta Network also underwent a major architectural pivot by initiating the deprecation of Manta Atlantic, its original Polkadot parachain layer. Atlantic's parachain slot was scheduled to expire in August 2026, so token holders had to migrate native assets to Manta Pacific via specialized bridge applications.

Manta Network was founded in 2020 by Kenny Li, Shumo Chu, and Victor Ji, and raised $26.1M in total capital from investors including Polychain Capital, Binance Labs, and Qiming Venture Partners. The platform suits developers building cost-sensitive EVM decentralized applications that benefit from modular data availability.

Listings are researched and drafted with AI assistance from public sources, then checked for accuracy and readability. Spot an error? Tell us. Editorial policy.
Sources (3)

Specs

Layer Layer 2 · unverified
Consensus / design ZK rollup · unverified
Native token MANTA
EVM compatible Yes
Smart contract languages Solidity · unverified
Mainnet since 2,023 · unverified
Data availability Celestia · unverified

Not disclosed by the provider: Block time, Typical transaction fee, Finality, Validators / sequencer, Throughput (TPS), Sequencer, Gas paid in.

Data from the provider's website and public sources. Fees and availability change; confirm on the official site before you sign up.

Key features

Ethereum Layer 2

Manta Pacific is an Ethereum Layer 2 launched in 2023 for zero-knowledge applications.

EVM compatibility

Pacific supports EVM-compatible applications and Solidity smart contracts.

Celestia data availability

The modular design uses Celestia for data availability while Pacific handles Layer 2 execution.

Manta Bridge

Manta Bridge connects the project's networks and supported migration routes.

MANTA token

MANTA is the native token used across the Manta ecosystem, including staking and governance programs.

Ecosystem grants

Manta offers builder funding, mentorship and community support through its ecosystem program.

ZK application support

The network is designed for applications that use zero-knowledge technology.

Inside Manta Network

Manta Pacific

The primary modular Ethereum Layer 2 network designed for EVM and zero-knowledge decentralized applications using Celestia for data availability.

Incognitive

An on-device mobile AI assistant that operates offline to analyze documents, translate text, and process conversations without transmitting private data.

Manta Bridge

The cross-chain bridge interface enabling users to transfer assets and liquidity between Ethereum, Polkadot, and Manta Pacific.

CeDeFi

An ecosystem yield initiative combining centralized and decentralized financial strategies to provide returns for Manta network participants.

Manta Network screenshots

Manta Network homepage featuring Incognitive, developer documentation, and Manta Pacific links
Manta Network homepage featuring Incognitive, developer documentation, and Manta Pacific links · Oct 21, 2026
FAQ: The Manta Network Migration FAQ explains the shutdown of Manta Atlantic and migration to Manta Pacific
FAQ: The Manta Network Migration FAQ explains the shutdown of Manta Atlantic and migration to Manta Pacific · Oct 21, 2026
Docs: Manta Network documentation page explaining Manta and Manta Pacific
Docs: Manta Network documentation page explaining Manta and Manta Pacific · Oct 21, 2026

What users say about Manta Network

User feedback is entirely positive, focusing heavily on the application's strong commitment to user privacy and smooth offline performance. There are currently no notable complaints reported.

Top goods

  1. Strong focus on data privacy 3 people 123
  2. Smooth performance and user experience 2 people 12
  3. No account required 2 people 12

In their own words

“Privacy-first is good Love how hassle-free and smooth the whole experience is! I really appreciate the strong focus on privacy, and the sleek design is a huge plus too.”
App Store · Sep 19, 2026 · View post
“Airplane mode compatible—a true offline AI assistant Surpassed my expectations! No account setup required, and all data stays strictly on the phone, so I never have to worry about privacy leaks.”
App Store · Sep 19, 2026 · View post
“Privacy matters Love the privacy-first approach. Local Al, no account, no cloud - simp useful, and exactly how a private assistant should work.”
App Store · Sep 19, 2026 · View post

Based on 3 App Store reviews from the last 12 months, checked Oct 21, 2026. These are posts by users on other sites, not reviews submitted on CryptoReview.

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Funding and investors

$26.1MTotal raised
2Rounds
3Investors
  1. Series A Jul 2023 $25M
  2. Strategic Feb 2022 Amount undisclosed

FAQ

Who founded Manta Network?

Manta Network was founded in 2020 by Kenny Li, Shumo Chu, and Victor Ji. The team is based in the United States and raised over $26M in funding from investors including Polychain Capital, Qiming Venture Partners, and Binance Labs.

What is Manta Pacific?

Manta Pacific is an EVM-compatible Ethereum Layer 2 rollup built for zero-knowledge applications. It uses Celestia for modular data availability to keep transaction fees low.

Does Manta Network have a native token?

Yes, Manta Network uses MANTA as its native token. It is the primary asset for network utility, staking, and ecosystem governance.

What happened to Manta Atlantic?

Manta Atlantic was Manta's original Polkadot parachain layer, which was scheduled to sunset in 2026 as its parachain slot expired. All ecosystem development and assets were consolidated onto the Manta Pacific Layer 2 network.

What is Incognitive by Manta Network?

Incognitive is an on-device private AI assistant developed by Manta Network that runs directly on mobile phones. It processes text analysis, translations, and conversations locally without requiring accounts or cloud data transfer.

Latest from Manta Network on X

Manta Network (🔱,🔱)
@mantanetwork · 701.3K followers
Follow
Four predictions published. All four right, according to @Yarrow_ai 🎯
A strong result for Yarrow’s approach to forecasting.

See the predictions and how they played out below👇
https://t.co/suC4EpzDxy https://t.co/F614p41bh1
3 2 30 7.7K View on X
Meet Incognitive Pro ✨
Work with your documents, capture ideas by voice and polish your writing - all on your phone, even offline.

📄 Get answers from documents and saved web pages, with source citations.
🎙️ Dictate privately. Your audio is transcribed on your phone, never uploaded.
✍️ Proofread, shorten, translate or rewrite in a different tone.
🔊 Listen to replies while you get on with your day.

Plus assistant personalities, Face ID protection, disappearing chats, conversation exports and more.

Your files, voice and chats stay on your device.
Download a model beforehand and keep using these features offline.

Get 1, 6 or 12 months of Pro access through the App Store.

Download Incognitive and explore Pro:
https://t.co/4kyJ3P4tWC
Image attached to the post
5 2 41 7.1K View on X
Bad Wi-Fi 🛜 Same deadline⏰

The café Wi-Fi keeps dropping. The train hits another tunnel. Your mobile data runs out just when you need to finish something.

With a model downloaded, Incognitive runs directly on your phone, so you can keep drafting, asking questions and working through ideas offline.

Your connection can take a break. Your ideas don’t have to 😉

Download Incognitive on the App Store: https://t.co/4kyJ3P4tWC
Image attached to the post
12 3 53 8.8K View on X
Regarding the reported Binance security incident, our review found no MANTA tokens in the affected addresses. Manta Network is operating normally.

We stand with the @binance team as they work to resolve the situation.
https://t.co/AoprCRnAB1
5 3 43 10.1K View on X
Planning a trip? Give @LifeClaw_AI your budget, dates and what matters to you. Let it compare the options. Just like that ✈️
https://t.co/1jQaYwyidZ
2 2 25 6.4K View on X

Recent public posts from @mantanetwork, shown as published. Not reviewed or endorsed by CryptoReview.

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