What Is Espresso (ESP) and How Does It Work?
Espresso (ESP) is a decentralized shared sequencer and confirmation layer designed to improve coordination and composability across
Ethereum rollups. Built by the team behind the Espresso Foundation, Espresso aims to solve one of the biggest challenges in the
Layer-2 ecosystem: fragmented liquidity and delayed cross-rollup communication. Instead of each rollup operating in isolation with its own centralized sequencer, Espresso provides a shared, decentralized sequencing network that multiple rollups can plug into.
At its core, Espresso works by ordering transactions across different rollups in a neutral and cryptographically verifiable way. This shared sequencing model enables faster confirmations, reduces the risk of censorship or downtime from centralized sequencers, and improves cross-rollup composability. Developers can build applications that interact seamlessly across rollups without relying on slow bridging mechanisms or complex messaging systems.
The ESP token powers the Espresso network by securing the sequencer layer through staking and validator participation. Validators stake ESP to help order transactions and provide confirmations, earning rewards in return. This economic model aligns incentives between network participants while strengthening decentralization, security, and long-term scalability for the Ethereum rollup ecosystem.
When Did Espresso Network Launch?
The Espresso Network traces its roots back to 2020 when a group of blockchain researchers and cryptographers founded the project under Espresso Systems, aiming to solve fragmentation and centralization in the Ethereum Layer-2 landscape. Its core mission has been to build a decentralized sequencing and confirmation layer that enables faster finality and better interoperability across rollups, supported by significant institutional backing from firms like a16z, Greylock Partners, Sequoia Capital, and others. Founders and key leadership include prominent figures in cryptography and distributed systems research, bringing both academic credibility and deep technical expertise to the protocol.
The network’s first major public milestone came with Mainnet 0 going live on Ethereum mainnet in November 2024, marking Espresso’s transition from research and testnets to a production network offering global confirmations and shared sequencing services. Since then, development has progressed toward full proof-of-stake decentralization and broader integration with L2 rollups, while the ESP token ecosystem and airdrop initiatives unfolded into early 2026.
Espresso Roadmap Highlights
• 2020 – Project founded by cryptography and blockchain researchers.
• 2022–2024 – Funding rounds and protocol research, expanding team and technical scope.
• Oct 2024 – Espresso Mainnet 0 release (Early production launch).
• 2025 – Continued development of staking, validator onboarding, and expanded rollup integrations.
• Early 2026 – ESP token claim portal scheduled to open with ongoing ecosystem growth.
What Is the ESP Token Utility?
The ESP token serves multiple core functions within the Espresso ecosystem, anchoring the network’s economic and governance structure. It is used for staking by validators who help secure Espresso’s decentralized sequencer and confirmation layer, aligning incentives across participants and supporting network decentralization. ESP also plays a role in governance, allowing holders to vote on key protocol decisions and future upgrades, and it may be used to pay sequencing fees or participate in network activities as the ecosystem matures.
On BingX, you can trade ESP futures by selecting the
ESP/USDT perpetual contract in the
derivatives section, and then choosing whether to go long (profit if price rises) or short (profit if price falls) based on your market view. Simply transfer funds to your Futures Wallet, pick your leverage level, and place your entry and exit orders to manage positions on the BingX futures market.
What Is Espresso Tokenomics?
The initial total supply of ESP is 3,590,000,000 tokens (3.59 billion) at launch, with no fixed maximum supply due to dynamic staking rewards under its proof-of-stake model.
ESP Token Allocation
- Contributors — 27.36%: 4-year linear vesting with 1-year cliff (0% at TGE; 25% after 1 year; monthly unlocks thereafter).
- Investors — 14.32%: 4-year linear vesting with 1-year cliff (same unlock schedule as contributors).
- Airdrop — 10.00%: Retroactive community rewards; fully unlocked at TGE; unclaimed tokens reallocated to future incentives.
- Community Launchpad — 1.00%: 2-year vesting with 1-year cliff (50% unlocked after 1 year; monthly unlocks thereafter).
- Staking Bonuses and Network Decentralization — 3.01%: Extra staking incentives; locked at TGE with structured unlock over 2 years.
- Future Airdrops, Grants and Incentives — 24.81%: Locked at TGE; linear unlocking over 6 years to support ecosystem growth and validator decentralization.
- Foundation Operations — 15.00%: Locked at TGE; linear unlocking over 6 years for long-term sustainability and ecosystem support.
- Liquidity Provisioning and Activations — 4.50%: Fully unlocked at TGE to support exchange liquidity, market depth, and price discovery.
How to Claim Espresso Airdrop
The Espresso Foundation is distributing 10% of ESP’s 3.59B initial supply to over 1 million eligible addresses as part of its proof-of-stake launch.
1. Check Eligibility: Eligibility was based on participation in 30+ activities across the Espresso community and partner ecosystems, e.g.,
Arbitrum, ApeChain,
Celo,
RARI Chain. Allocations may include a Holder Score boost for long-term holders.
2. Complete Registration: Registration ran from Dec 21 – Feb 6, 2026 and required wallet connection plus proof-of-humanity verification.
3. Claim on Token Launch Day: Eligible wallets can claim ESP once the token goes live.
- Visit the official claim portal
- Connect your registered wallet
- Confirm the transaction
- Receive ESP directly to your address
Unclaimed tokens will be reallocated to future incentives.