Eclipse Airdrop

Problem Solved

Traditional blockchains often face the trilemma of balancing decentralization, security, and scalability. Monolithic architectures burden a single set of nodes with all tasks, leading to bottlenecks and limited throughput. Layer 2 solutions have attempted to address scalability but often introduce complexities and potential security risks.

Eclipse tackles these challenges by adopting a modular blockchain approach, separating execution, consensus, and data availability. This modular design allows for more efficient resource allocation, reducing congestion and improving overall network performance. By leveraging the Solana Virtual Machine (SVM) for high-speed execution while settling transactions on Ethereum, Eclipse ensures low fees and high throughput without compromising security. 

Another major issue Eclipse addresses is fragmentation between ecosystems. Many developers and users are locked into either Ethereum or Solana, limiting interoperability. Eclipse enables Solana-based applications to operate on Ethereum, expanding liquidity and user base without requiring developers to abandon their existing frameworks.

Additionally, high gas fees on Ethereum have been a persistent issue, deterring smaller transactions and broader adoption. Eclipse mitigates this by processing transactions off-chain before finalizing them on Ethereum, significantly reducing costs. This makes Eclipse particularly suited for DeFi applications, gaming, and NFT projects that require high-speed, low-cost transactions.

Tokenomics

Eclipse’s tokenomics are centered around Turbo ETH (tETH), which serves as a unified restaking token rather than a traditional native token. Unlike most Layer 2 projects that pre-mint a token and distribute it among the team, investors, and community, tETH is minted by users depositing an equivalent amount of ETH. This design means the total supply of tETH is directly tied to user participation rather than a fixed allocation model.

The absence of a pre-minted token raises questions about governance. While nothing prevents Eclipse from introducing a separate governance asset in the future, there have been no clear indications of such a plan. This leaves open the question of how long-term decision-making within the ecosystem will be handled.

Perspectives

Eclipse has quickly transitioned from a testnet to a growing ecosystem of DeFi applications, NFTs, and gaming, signaling strong early adoption. Its community-driven approach, with a focus on fostering Eclipse Key Opinion Leaders (eKOLs) and native builders, suggests a strategy aimed at long-term engagement rather than short-term hype.

Technologically, Eclipse's modular design—combining Solana-like execution speeds with Ethereum’s security—positions it as a serious competitor in the Layer 2 space. By focusing on efficient state access through local fee markets, Eclipse aims to create a more scalable blockchain economy. If executed well, this approach could enhance transaction efficiency and encourage broader adoption.

The "Eclipse Economy" vision introduces an ambitious narrative, with potential global economic implications. However, whether Eclipse can redefine blockchain-driven economic models remains to be seen. Its reliance on tETH for liquidity and staking rewards creates a unique dynamic, but the lack of an explicitly stated governance structure raises concerns about long-term decentralization.

With $65 million in funding, Eclipse has the financial backing to continue expanding, but execution risks remain. The blockchain space is highly competitive, and adoption will depend on the successful deployment of dApps, partnerships, and ongoing technical improvements. Whether Eclipse emerges as a dominant player or remains an underdog will largely depend on its ability to sustain developer interest and user engagement over time.

Founders and Team

Eclipse Labs underwent a leadership transition in May 2024, appointing Vijay Chetty as CEO after founder Neel Somani resigned following allegations of sexual misconduct. Chetty, formerly the company’s Chief Growth Officer, brings over a decade of experience in crypto and finance, having held leadership roles at Uniswap Labs, dYdX, and Ripple, as well as investment positions at BlackRock. Before his departure, Somani, a former Citadel quantitative researcher and Airbnb software engineer, led Eclipse to raise $65 million, positioning it as a leading modular Layer-2 solution. 

The allegations against Somani were denied, with no legal charges filed, but investor pressure, including from Hack VC, led to his resignation. Chetty’s appointment is seen as a stabilizing move for Eclipse, leveraging his expertise in business development and ecosystem growth.

Funding

Eclipse has raised a total of $65 million across multiple funding rounds to develop its modular rollup infrastructure. The company secured $15 million in pre-seed and seed rounds, with Tribe Capital, Tabiya, and Polychain among key investors. This early funding supported the development of Eclipse’s customizable rollups using the Solana Virtual Machine (SVM). 

In its latest Series A round, Eclipse raised $50 million, co-led by Placeholder and Hack VC, with participation from Polychain Capital, Delphi Digital, and others. The funding aims to expand Eclipse’s Ethereum Layer-2 solution, integrating Solana’s high-performance execution with Ethereum’s liquidity and Celestia’s data availability. Investors see Eclipse as a groundbreaking modular rollup that could redefine blockchain scalability, attracting major protocols like Rarible, Pyth Network, and Solend. The capital was used to grow the Eclipse ecosystem through developer grants, engineering support, and marketing initiatives, in preparation for the mainnet which launched in Q3, 2024.

Community

Eclipse has fostered a strong community even before launching a token, suggesting a focus on genuine engagement rather than chasing short-term hype. This indicates that the project is seen as having real potential and not just another fleeting Web3 initiative. Several posts on X highlight significant organic interest, suggesting that the project's social media strategy is effective in fostering natural growth without relying heavily on paid promotions. Users have also praised Eclipse's smooth user experience, comparing it favorably to established blockchain platforms. 

While the project enjoys broad support, some skepticism remains regarding the perceived mercenary attitudes of community members, called "Tappers", who are farming Eclipse's Turbo Tap game. Nonetheless, Eclipse’s emphasis on organic interest and community-building rather than aggressive marketing has positioned it as a promising player in the Web3 space.

Competitors

Eclipse operates within a highly competitive Layer 2 and modular blockchain landscape. One ongoing debate is whether SVM implementations on Ethereum, such as Eclipse, are competitive or complementary to Solana’s mainnet. While Eclipse enables Ethereum-based developers to leverage Solana’s high-performance execution model, some argue that it could divert fees and MEV opportunities away from Solana’s validators, making it an indirect competitor.

Eclipse’s modular approach—utilizing Celestia for data availability and settling on Ethereum—distinguishes it from direct rollup-based solutions like Arbitrum and Optimism. However, competition for developer mindshare remains a key challenge, as multiple blockchain ecosystems attempt to attract the next wave of decentralized applications. The success of Eclipse will likely depend on its ability to demonstrate clear advantages over existing Layer 2 solutions while maintaining strong integrations with both Solana and Ethereum.

Other Details

Eclipse has not officially confirmed an airdrop, but speculation suggests that early users who interact with the ecosystem may qualify for future token rewards. To maximize eligibility, participants should bridge ETH to Eclipse, mint turboETH, and engage with various dApps. While no official details exist, Eclipse’s modular Layer-2 design, combining Solana’s Virtual Machine with Ethereum’s security, makes it a high-potential project.