What is Whitechain?

Whitechain is an EVM-compatible Layer 2 blockchain built on the OP Stack, developed in strategic ecosystem alignment with WhiteBIT, which builds and operates Whitechain. WhiteBIT runs the network infrastructure (the sequencer at launch) and is the canonical issuer of WBT, the token used to pay gas on Whitechain. Whitechain is the on-chain layer of the WhiteBIT ecosystem: the exchange brings users, liquidity, and a listing pathway, and the chain is where on-chain activity happens.

Whitechain's own products include WhiteSwap, the Portal and canonical bridge, and the Blockscout block explorer.

What makes Whitechain different from other Layer 2s?

It's tied to the WhiteBIT ecosystem. Four things are uncommon among L2s:

  • A listing and co-marketing pathway built into the product. Projects that meet the criteria have a defined route to a WhiteBIT listing and to joint announcements across WhiteBIT and Whitechain channels.
  • The gas token is the exchange token. WBT pays fees on the chain and carries utility on WhiteBIT, so a single asset has two demand loops.
  • Direct exchange-to-L2 withdrawal. After Mainnet launch, WhiteBIT users withdraw WBT straight to Whitechain L2 from the exchange UI, with no third-party bridge in the middle.
  • European focus. WhiteBIT is one of the largest exchanges in Europe, and Whitechain inherits that distribution.

Was Whitechain an L1 network before?

Today there are two chains, and this is a common source of confusion:

The legacy Layer 1 (L1) is the original Whitechain, a standalone EVM chain operated by WhiteBIT. It is live and producing blocks right now.

The new Layer 2 (L2) is the OP Stack chain that Whitechain is moving to. It is live on Testnet today as Whitechain Sepolia (chain ID 1874); however, its Mainnet is not yet live. At the L2 Mainnet launch, the L1 state migrates into the L2 and the L1 is retired. From then on, "Whitechain" means the L2. 

How Whitechain L2 Works and How Its Security Is Ensured

The legacy L1 uses Proof of Authority (PoA), operated by WhiteBIT with a single validator. Blocks arrive every 2 seconds, and the gas price is a fixed 10 gwei. Proof of Authority is a consensus method where a small, known set of approved validators (the "authorities") take turns producing blocks, instead of miners competing (Proof of Work) or stakers being selected by stake (Proof of Stake). It is fast and cheap but centralized, because you must trust the authorities.

The new L2 does not use PoA. It uses the OP Stack model: a single sequencer (operated by WhiteBIT at launch) orders transactions and produces blocks, while security comes from Ethereum. Transaction data is posted to Ethereum, and state roots can be challenged through an on-chain fault-proof game. Blocks arrive every 1 second. 

The OP Stack separates a blockchain into distinct layers: execution, data availability, and settlement. Whitechain runs execution, but publishes and settles every transaction on Ethereum, so it inherits Ethereum's security and data-durability guarantees instead of providing its own. It keeps full EVM compatibility, so any Ethereum contract or tool works unchanged. The OP Stack also powers Base and Optimism, which gives Whitechain shared tooling and a path toward decentralized sequencing.

If the L2 has one sequencer, how is it decentralized or safe?

Liveness (whether new blocks get produced) does depend on the single sequencer today. Safety (whether your funds and state are correct) rests on Ethereum, through these mechanisms:

  • Data availability. Every transaction's data is posted to Ethereum. Anyone can download it and recompute the L2 state, so the sequencer cannot hide or alter a transaction.
  • Fault proofs. A proposed state root can be disputed on Ethereum through an on-chain game that replays the disputed step in Cannon, a MIPS virtual machine; the losing side forfeits its bond. The challenge role is permissioned today and is designed to move toward permissionless over time.
  • Censorship resistance. If the sequencer refuses your transaction, you can force it in through the OptimismPortal contract on Ethereum; the protocol must include it within the sequencing window (about 12 hours) or the chain is invalid.
  • Guardian backstop. A Guardian role can pause withdrawals or blacklist a dispute game that resolves incorrectly, while fault proofs are still permissioned.

Whitechain official links

Where to get help?

Listing and co-marketing pathway

Projects on Whitechain have a defined path to:

  • WhiteBIT exchange listing. Tokens that meet the listing criteria can be considered for the WhiteBIT order books, opening centralized-exchange liquidity to your users.
  • Joint announcements. Significant integrations and product launches on Whitechain are eligible for joint communication across WhiteBIT and Whitechain channels, including the Whitechain blog and social channels.

The exact criteria, scope, and process are agreed per partnership. The path is not automatic; it is a structured engagement.

Examples of partners are projects that want exposure to a large existing crypto user base without rebuilding distribution, that need a low-cost EVM-compatible L2 for high-volume logic, and that want a clear path to a centralized-exchange listing. Common profiles include DEXs, lending protocols, prediction markets, games, and consumer dapps with payment flows. Whitechain is also considering AI-native projects.

How to engage

  1. Review the docs. Start with the Introduction and Network reference to confirm Whitechain fits your technical requirements.
  2. Apply to the Builders Program if your project qualifies. Whitechain Builders Program.
  3. Reach out via the Discord community for general partnership inquiries.
  4. Build and launch. Deploy on Whitechain Sepolia and migrate to Mainnet at launch.

FAQ

Is Whitechain a fork of Ethereum?

Not a fork in the sense of copying Ethereum mainnet. Whitechain L2 is built on the OP Stack, the same open-source stack that powers Base, Optimism, and the wider Superchain. It is EVM-compatible, so it behaves like Ethereum for contracts and tooling, and it settles on Ethereum for security. 

What is W Group, and how does it fit in?

W Group is the fintech group behind Whitechain. WhiteBIT (the exchange) sits inside that group. When Whitechain talks about built-in distribution for projects, this is the reach it refers to.

Is there grant funding for projects?

Yes. The Whitechain Foundation runs a Grants Program with financial, marketing, and technical support for projects building on Whitechain. Grants are distributed via vesting rather than lump sums, which aligns funding with delivery milestones. For more details, please visit https://whitechain.io/grants.

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