CoinYQ Dossier

CELO and Celo's Transition from L1 to Ethereum L2

CELO's current design reflects Celo's March 26, 2025 migration from a standalone layer 1 to an OP Stack Ethereum layer 2, combining a native balance with an ERC-20-compatible interface.

From standalone layer 1 to OP Stack layer 2

Celo mainnet migrated from layer 1 at block 31,056,500 on March 26, 2025. The current network is an Ethereum layer 2 built with OP Stack.

How CELO token duality works

CELO remains a native asset whose native balance is the source of truth, while an ERC-20 interface/precompile provides token-compatible access through CeloToken at 0x471EcE3750Da237f93B8E339c536989b8978a438.

Sequencing and retained validator roles

A centralized sequencer temporarily replaced the former BFT consensus for transaction ordering. Validator roles were retained, but validators do not currently order consensus; the cited evidence does not establish an exact bridge address or migration decentralization timeline. Official protocol documentation describes CELO as fixed-supply and says the CeloUnreleasedTreasury releases 400 million CELO through epoch rewards. Core contracts can be upgraded through on-chain governance, whose execution path includes approver review.

How the project changed

  1. Before 2025-03-26
    Celo operated as a layer 1

    Before the migration, Celo operated as a standalone layer 1 using BFT consensus.

  2. 2025-03-26
    Migration activated at block 31,056,500

    Celo mainnet migrated from layer 1 to an Ethereum layer 2 at block 31,056,500.

  3. 2025-03-26
    OP Stack became the L2 framework

    The migrated Celo network began operating as an Ethereum layer 2 using OP Stack.

  4. Since 2025-03-26
    Dual token and sequencer model in operation

    Native CELO remained the balance source of truth with an ERC-20 interface/precompile, while a centralized sequencer handled transaction ordering and retained validators did not order consensus.

Evidence and primary sources

Last evidence review: 2026-08-25

What is Celo?

CELO is the native/ERC-20 dual asset of the current Celo Ethereum layer 2. Its CeloToken address is 0x471EcE3750Da237f93B8E339c536989b8978a438.

What problem does Celo solve?

CELO's dual form lets applications use an ERC-20 interface while the native balance remains the source of truth. This distinction matters for integrations because Celo's move from a layer 1 with BFT consensus to an OP Stack layer 2 changed transaction ordering and the current role of validators.

How does Celo work?

Celo mainnet migrated from layer 1 at block 31,056,500 on March 26, 2025, using OP Stack. CELO's native balance is the source of truth, with access through an ERC-20 interface/precompile at 0x471EcE3750Da237f93B8E339c536989b8978a438. A centralized sequencer temporarily replaces the former BFT consensus for transaction ordering. Validator roles remain, but validators do not currently order consensus. The evidence does not establish an exact bridge address or a decentralization timeline for the migration. Official protocol documentation describes CELO as fixed-supply and says the CeloUnreleasedTreasury releases 400 million CELO through epoch rewards. Core contracts can be upgraded through on-chain governance, whose execution path includes approver review.

Key facts

  • CELO is a native/ERC-20 dual asset on the current Celo Ethereum layer 2.
  • CeloToken is at 0x471EcE3750Da237f93B8E339c536989b8978a438.
  • The native CELO balance is the source of truth; an ERC-20 interface/precompile exposes token-compatible access.
  • Celo mainnet migrated from layer 1 at block 31,056,500 on March 26, 2025.
  • The layer 2 uses OP Stack.
  • A centralized sequencer temporarily replaced BFT consensus for transaction ordering.
  • Validator roles were retained, but validators do not currently order consensus.
  • The supplied evidence does not establish an exact bridge address or migration decentralization timeline.
  • Official protocol documentation describes CELO as fixed-supply and says 400 million CELO are released through the CeloUnreleasedTreasury epoch-reward mechanism.
  • Core contracts can be upgraded through on-chain governance, whose execution path includes approver review.

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Frequently asked questions

What is CELO now?

CELO is the native/ERC-20 dual asset of the current Celo Ethereum layer 2.

What is the CeloToken address?

The CeloToken address is 0x471EcE3750Da237f93B8E339c536989b8978a438.

When did Celo migrate from layer 1 to layer 2?

Celo mainnet migrated at block 31,056,500 on March 26, 2025, using OP Stack.

What controls CELO supply and protocol upgrades?

Official documentation describes CELO as fixed-supply, with 400 million CELO released through the CeloUnreleasedTreasury epoch-reward mechanism. Core-contract upgrades use on-chain governance and approver review.

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