What is Metis? How It Works & Where to Use It

Overview

Metis at a glance.

Metis is an EVM-equivalent optimistic rollup that batches transactions off-chain and posts them to Ethereum for settlement, lowering fees compared with transacting directly on Ethereum. Its Andromeda mainnet went live in 2021, and it later moved to a decentralized sequencer pool. Here is how it works and what it is used for, not the price.

Total value locked (DeFi)

$2.8M

Value locked in DeFi protocols on Metis. Updated Jun 8, 2026. Source: DefiLlama.

Native token

METIS

Used for fees and securing the network. See the live METIS price.

How it works

How Metis works.

Metis is an optimistic rollup. Transactions are executed off-chain and their results are posted to Ethereum, which provides the underlying settlement and security. Metis runs a decentralized sequencer pool that uses Tendermint-style Byzantine fault tolerant consensus to order transactions before batches are committed to Ethereum.

Consensus: Optimistic rollup

Metis is an optimistic rollup. Transactions are executed off-chain and their results are posted to Ethereum, which provides the underlying settlement and security. Metis runs a decentralized sequencer pool that uses Tendermint-style Byzantine fault tolerant consensus to order transactions before batches are committed to Ethereum.

Optimistic rollup

Transactions are assumed valid and posted to Ethereum in batches, with a challenge window during which invalid results can be disputed.

Decentralized sequencer

Metis distributes the sequencer role across a pool of operators running BFT consensus, rather than relying on a single sequencer.

EVM equivalence

Metis runs an EVM-equivalent environment, so Ethereum contracts and tooling can be used with little or no change.

Ethereum settlement

Batches of Metis transactions are committed to Ethereum, which anchors the rollup’s security.

Ecosystem & usage

What Metis is used for.

Metis hosts DeFi protocols, decentralized applications, and tooling that use its lower fees and Ethereum compatibility.

DefiLlama

DeFi applications

Protocols deploy lending, trading, and yield contracts on a lower-fee Ethereum rollup.

Scaling Ethereum apps

Ethereum projects port contracts to Metis to reduce transaction costs while keeping EVM compatibility.

Sequencer staking

Operators stake METIS to take part in the decentralized sequencer pool and process transactions.

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In Zypto App

Hold, swap and spend METIS.

Metis is integrated in Zypto App. Hold METIS in self-custody, swap it to any supported asset, and use it across Zypto’s features.

Hold METIS in Zypto How to buy METIS

Be the reason Metis ships next.

Metis isn’t in Zypto App yet. Post the request to your followers, chains with the most demand get prioritised.

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FAQ

Common questions.

What is Metis?

Metis is an Ethereum Layer 2 optimistic rollup. It executes transactions off-chain and posts them to Ethereum for settlement, which lowers fees compared with transacting directly on Ethereum.

How does Metis reach consensus?

Metis is an optimistic rollup that settles to Ethereum. It uses a decentralized sequencer pool running Byzantine fault tolerant consensus to order transactions before committing batches to Ethereum.

What is METIS used for?

METIS pays transaction fees on the network and is staked by operators who take part in the decentralized sequencer pool.

Is Metis compatible with Ethereum?

Yes. Metis is EVM-equivalent, so Ethereum smart contracts and developer tooling generally work on it without major changes.

Can I hold METIS in Zypto App?

Not yet. METIS isn't in Zypto App at the moment. You can hold it in any self-custodial wallet, and you can ask us to add Metis using the "Request Metis" button above.

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