Elena Sinelnikova, Kevin Liu, and Yuan Su established Metis in 2019, although the business did not officially launch until Nov. 17, 2021.
Prior to founding Metis, Sinelnikova created other crypto initiatives, such as the non-profit blockchain education center ‘Crypto Chicks’ in 2017. She holds a Master’s degree in computer science and possesses experience in blockchain, cybersecurity, software development, and full-stack programming.
Before launching Metis, Kevin Liu served as an investment manager and worked in strategic development. He earned an undergraduate degree in management and an MBA from the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Yuan Su completed an undergraduate degree in computer science followed by an MBA at the University of Toronto. After graduation, he worked as a software engineer and manager at IBM until 2019, when he co-founded Metis. He currently also leads development at CaseWare International.
MetisSDK OverviewMetisSDK: The Engine Behind the Modular Web3 Future The core of Metis is the innovative MetisSDK, a framework focused on developers that changes how blockchain networks are built and deployed. It provides unmatched scalability, versatility, and interoperability, serving as a complete solution for creating high-performance, real-time Web3 ecosystems.
The MetisSDK does not turn the Metis token itself into a programmable asset; instead, Metis offers developers programmable tools via the SDK. This enables developers to create novel applications, enhance decentralized infrastructure, and provide superior user experiences.
Metis acts as the base layer for a wider ecosystem, facilitating scalable decentralized infrastructure. Metis is dedicated to ongoing improvement and expanding its infrastructure, representing a transformative step in the evolution of decentralized infrastructure. It is more than just a scalability solution; it serves as a bridge to the future of Web3.
Hyperion is the first demonstration of what can be achieved with the MetisSDK, a developer framework allowing anyone to construct Metis-powered execution layers. The SDK grants the Metis token true programmable power, meaning it is no longer restricted to a single chain or use case.
With the SDK, Metis evolves beyond being just a Layer2 into a universal ecosystem for building a family of networks, eventually aiming for a decentralized infrastructure stack that could compete with L2s, L3s, and beyond.
Modular Architecture- Unrivaled Scalability with Optimistic Rollup & Parallel Execution MetisChain redefines Layer 2 scalability by combining Optimistic Rollup technology with highly parallelized transaction execution. This allows developers to build complex applications without concern for throughput bottlenecks.
- Instant Transaction Finality – Achieves near sub-second settlement via Optimistic Commitments.
- Parallel Execution Engine – Smart contracts and transactions execute concurrently, significantly boosting processing speed.
- Optimized Fraud-Proof Mechanisms – Ensures Ethereum-grade security while lowering costs and delays.
Why it matters: MetisChain surpasses traditional Layer 2s by removing sequential processing bottlenecks, enabling a seamless Web3 experience.
- MetisVM: A High-Performance Virtual Machine for Smart Contracts Central to MetisChain is MetisVM, an Ethereum-compatible virtual machine offering exceptional efficiency and performance for smart contract execution.
- Dynamic Opcode Optimization – Lowers execution costs and increases contract efficiency.
- Speculative & Parallel Execution – Enhances transaction throughput through optimized resource allocation.
- State-Aware Caching – Improves execution speed by minimizing redundant storage access.
- AI Infra Support – Optimizes and supports computationally heavy on-chain inference AI applications via inference engine optimization, VM precompile, and host functions. Additionally, MetisVM supports integration with zkVM to achieve more secure AI features.
Why it matters: Developers can create high-frequency trading, gaming, and AI-integrated DApps with enterprise-level speed and security.
MetisDB: Next-Gen State Management SystemBlockchain performance relies on efficient state management. MetisDB introduces a new approach to storage, allowing instant access to state data, optimized transaction processing, and cost-effective data management.
- Memory-Mapped Merkle Trees – Offers near nanosecond-level state access for real-time applications.
- Multi-Version Concurrency Control (MVCC) – Allows parallel state updates for high-speed execution.
- Asynchronous I/O Processing – Guarantees low-latency, high-throughput storage operations.
Why it matters: MetisDB removes storage bottlenecks, ensuring smooth execution of high-frequency blockchain transactions.
MetisChain maintains Ethereum security and interoperability with multiple blockchain ecosystems, ensuring seamless cross-chain liquidity and data flow.
- Optimized Ethereum Settlement – Periodic state commitments to Ethereum ensure long-term security.
- Shared Bridge & Cross-Chain Connectivity – Enables multi-chain liquidity and interoperability.
- Decentralized Data & Compute Aggregation – Connects AI-driven applications, compute providers, and data networks.
Why it matters: MetisChain creates a fluid Web3 infrastructure, enabling scalable decentralized applications that interact across blockchain networks.
4. The Future of Decentralized SequencingMetisChain introduces a Decentralized Sequencer Network, offering fault tolerance, censorship resistance, and fair transaction ordering—a significant advancement over centralized sequencer models. Leader Rotation Mechanism – Prevents centralization by dynamically assigning sequencers.
- Timeout Failover – Automatic failover ensures continuous transaction processing.
- MEV-Resistant Ordering – Encrypted mempools & Proposer-Builder Separation (PBS) eliminate front-running and unfair advantage. Why it matters: With decentralized sequencing, MetisChain ensures fair and transparent transaction execution, preventing manipulation and guaranteeing reliability.
Future Vision: Expanding the MetisSDK InfrastructureMetis is committed to continuous improvement and broader infrastructure expansion, with clear, tangible goals:
- Real-Time Execution – Transactions settle instantly, providing a Web2-like user experience for memory and compute-intensive applications like on-chain games, DEXs, AI inference, etc.
- Unmatched Throughput – Parallel execution removes congestion, scaling beyond traditional Layer 2 solutions.
- Decentralized Sequencing – Prevents censorship, ensures fairness, and eliminates MEV manipulation.
- Ethereum Security + Cross-Chain Compatibility – Seamlessly connects Ethereum, AI ecosystems, and next-gen Web3 applications.
Through these strategic expansions, Metis positions itself as the leading scalable, adaptable, and developer-focused Web3 infrastructure.
Beyond Layer 2: Redefining ScalableClearly separating Andromeda from the broader Metis ecosystem aligns with Metis' long-term strategy for scalable blockchain infrastructure. Metis is not a single Layer 2 solution—it is a multi-network ecosystem fostering interconnected blockchain networks. By supporting interconnected networks, each designed for specific use cases and communities, Metis redefines scalable blockchain infrastructure. With the innovative MetisSDK, this ecosystem gains a powerful platform to enable and thrive in a decentralized, multi-network future.
In this multi-network ecosystem:- Andromeda provides the decentralized, Ethereum-compatible foundational layer.
- Hyperion demonstrates the SDK’s capabilities through AI-native application support.
- LazAI shows versatility by addressing complex AI alignment challenges.
These networks serve as initial demonstrations of the expansive possibilities unlocked by the Metis SDK.
HyperHack: Earn rewards by building super AI apps on HyperionHyperHack is a 3-month program launched by the Hyperion team to allow developers to showcase next-generation on-chain AI integrations and test the Hyperion ecosystem's performance. The Metisian community invites developers, researchers, and application testers to generate app ideas through an ideathon and turn them into AI-optimized dApps, with hopes of becoming a billion-dollar project after the HackHack campaign. Developers will receive community support, resources, mentorship, Testnet incentives, and a total reward pool of $200,000 for outstanding submissions.
Successful projects require planning. Therefore, the Hyperion team, after proper consultations, has set phases for the HyperHack campaigns, starting from the pre-kickoff campaign, which has already begun, to the winner announcement on August 16, 2025.
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