TL;DR
- Katana’s public mainnet debut, backed by Polygon Labs and GSR, leverages AggLayer’s Vault Bridge to channel cross-chain returns into Morpho- and Sushi-powered yield strategies.
- Built on a custom OP Stack with Conduit sequencing, Katana consolidates fragmented liquidity on a DeFi-first Layer 2, reinvesting sequencer fees via its Chain-Owned Liquidity model.
- Boasting over $240 million in productive TVL at launch, instant KAT token rewards, plus 15% of supply earmarked for Polygon stakers and randomized NFT “Krates” incentives.
Katana, incubated by Polygon Labs and GSR, has officially opened its public mainnet, unveiling a next-gen yield engine for DeFi users. At its backbone is AggLayer’s Vault Bridge, a cross-chain protocol channeling returns from bridged assets, such as ETH, USDC, USDT, and wBTC, back into on-chain pools. Far from idle, tokens flow into curated strategies powered by Morpho and Sushi.
Built on a custom OP Stack and Conduit sequencing, Katana transforms passive capital into predictable, productive returns. By layering Ethereum-native yields with tailored incentives across lending and DEX apps, the network delivers a unified framework for sustainable, high-velocity returns.
Unleashing Deep Cross-Chain Liquidity
Fragmented liquidity and price slippage have long held back institutional and retail participants. Katana directly addresses this by merging assets onto a specially designed Layer 2 that focuses on DeFi activities. Built with Polygon’s custom OP Stack (cdk-opgeth) and powered by Conduit sequencing, it becomes the first AggLayer CDK chain to kick off a multi-stack era.
The network’s Chain-Owned Liquidity model reinvests sequencer fees and app-level revenue into robust reserves, amplifying depth across Morpho, Sushi, and Vertex. Beyond Ethereum assets, Katana partners with Universal to facilitate on-chain trading of cross-chain tokens like SOL, XRP, and SUI.
Universal’s integration with Coinbase Prime provides institutional-grade custody and minting without needing pre-seeded liquidity on decentralized exchanges, streamlining access and security.
Strong Early Momentum and Productive TVL
Ahead of its public debut, Katana’s private campaign amassed over $240 million in “productive TVL,” a metric tracking capital actively deployed into yield strategies. Pre-deposit users received KAT tokens instantly, marking one of the most capital-efficient Layer 2 launches this year.
Productive TVL underscores a self-sustaining engine that recycles returns into vaults and pools. Collaborations with Agora’s AUSD, Lombard’s LBTC, and EtherFi’s weETH enhance revenue streams and bolster the network’s yield profile.
Incentives Aligning Community and Ecosystem Growth
Katana has earmarked 15 percent of its 10 billion KAT supply for Polygon (POL) stakers, including liquid staking derivatives, to reward early supporters and reinforce ecosystem ties. Randomized NFT “Krates” and boosted yield packages encourage engagement across core apps.
