Term
Testnet
A testnet is a version of a blockchain running the same software as the main network but with valueless tokens — used for development, testing, and integration work before deploying to mainnet with real value.
A testnet is a full copy of a blockchain's software running in parallel to the main network, but with tokens that carry no monetary value. Developers use testnets to deploy and test smart contracts, wallets, and integrations without risking real funds. Testnet tokens are handed out for free by "faucets" — services that drip small amounts to any address that asks.
Every major chain has one or more testnets. Bitcoin has testnet3 and signet. Ethereum has Sepolia (the active general-purpose testnet as of 2026) and Holesky (for staking-related testing). BNB Smart Chain, Polygon, Arbitrum, Base and others each run their own.
For an end user, testnets almost never matter — you don't interact with them unless you're building. For a developer, testnet is where new integrations go through their first real network calls, before flipping the switch to mainnet where every transaction costs real money.
Want to put this to work?