Metis L2 aims to revolutionize the Web3 space by offering accessible, scalable, and decentralized infrastructure that empowers developers, users, and communities while promoting inclusivity and collaboration. As a Layer 2 blockchain built on Ethereum, Metis L2 ensures robust security and low-cost transactions while fostering innovation and governance-driven decisions. This guide is designed to help you navigate Metis L2 safely and effectively, understand the role of Metis L2, your responsibilities as a user, and how to stay safe in this decentralized ecosystem.

‍The Role of Metis L2 and Metis Foundation‍

Metis L2 and the Metis Foundation work together to build the future of Web3, but their roles are distinct. Metis L2 is a decentralized Layer 2 platform on Ethereum, offering scalable and secure infrastructure for decentralized applications (dApps) and driving innovation within the Ethereum ecosystem. On the other hand, the Metis Foundation is a non-profit organization focused on fostering a decentralized economy by incubating projects like Metis L2 and supporting other portfolio companies such as Project ZKM, GOAT Network, P1X, Koris, and Nuvo. While Metis L2 powers part of the technical backbone of the ecosystem, the Metis Foundation provides strategic support and resources, ensuring a collaborative and inclusive approach to advancing Web3 initiatives. This approach enables a thriving, decentralized ecosystem where projects operate independently, contributing to a shared vision.‍

What Metis L2 is Responsible For

As a blockchain platform, Metis L2 provides the infrastructure for developers to build decentralized applications (dApps) and for users to interact with them. Here’s what we take responsibility for:

• Secure Infrastructure: Metis L2 ensures that its scaling solution is robust, secure, and free of downtime.
• Network Reliability: We provide fast, low-cost transactions in our network.
• Ecosystem Support: Metis L2 actively supports projects through the Community Ecosystem Governance (CEG) program, education initiatives, and grants with support from Metis Foundation for entrepreneurs and developers.

‍The Role of Governance and the CEG Framework

Governance is a cornerstone of the Metis L2 ecosystem. Through the Community Ecosystem Governance (CEG) framework, community members can propose, discuss, and vote on initiatives that shape the network and our ecosystem.

What It Means to Become a CVP Project

Projects that become Community Verified Projects (CVPs) have passed the CEG process. This status provides:

• Community Trust: Indicates community support for the project’s mission and plans.
• Access to Ecosystem Benefits: CVPs may apply to receive funding, certain co-marketing activities and additional support based on their specific needs.

However, CVP approval does not guarantee success or immunity from risks such as poor resource management or potential malicious intentions of the teams behind these projects.

What Metis L2 Cannot Control

While Metis L2 provides the foundation for projects to build dApps, the decentralized nature of Web3 means certain elements are beyond our control:

• Individual Projects: Projects built on Metis L2 are autonomous and governed by their teams and communities. Metis L2 does not control their operations, financial models, or smart contracts in any way.
• Community Decisions: The CEG framework allows the community to vet and approve projects. This decentralization empowers users but also introduces risks if governance processes are incomplete.
• User Actions: We cannot recover funds lost due to user errors, such as sending tokens to the wrong address or falling victim to scams.

Addressing Incidents, Security and Communications with Projects in our Ecosystem

Decentralization means that we cannot prevent all malicious actions. When a project fails in some way or engages in suspicious activity despite community approval, this is how Metis L2 responds:

• Transparency: We share detailed post-mortems to help the community understand what happened after we perform our own research.
• Education: We reinforce best practices for due diligence in the governance process and provide resources for users to get informed.
• Communication: We strive for establishing direct lines of communication with builders in our ecosystem, but always knowing we cannot enforce actions upon their operations. 

Navigating Safely in our Decentralized Ecosystem

Staying safe in a decentralized environment requires both awareness and proactive measures. Whether you are a user exploring dApps or a builder creating them, here are some recommendations to protect yourself and contribute responsibly within the Metis L2 ecosystem.

For Users

• Choose Secure Wallets: Use secure and battle tested self-custodial or hardware wallets Always download them from official sources to avoid malicious duplicates.
• Protect Your Keys: Store private keys and seed phrases offline in a secure location, or use a dedicated crypto password manager. Never store them on unsecured devices or cloud services, and never share them with anyone.
• Be Cautious with Permissions: Before interacting with any dApp, double-check permissions to ensure you aren’t granting excessive access. Periodically review and revoke unnecessary permissions.
• Validate Projects: Research the legitimacy of projects by reviewing audits, team information, and community feedback. Engage with discussions in forums and during CEG votes such as the ones taking place in our Snapshot portal, and gain insight into the credibility of the project and team. 

For Builders

1. Prioritize Security: Implement rigorous smart contract security practices and perform thorough audits before deploying anything on the mainnet, especially when handling user funds.
2. Engage Transparently: Keep your community informed through regular updates and proactive communication about risks or changes. Transparency builds trust and accountability.
3. Leverage Metis Resources: Stay informed by following official Metis L2 communication channels for updates on ecosystem safety, security best practices, and verified projects (visit Metis L2 page to explore all channels, and CEG as main forum). Engage with the Metis team and community to discuss potential risks or challenges and seek guidance on maintaining security standards in your project.

Communicating the Role of Metis L2

To ensure transparency and professionalism, projects referencing Metis L2 in their communications can follow these guidelines to maintain accuracy and trust:

Use clear and precise language (see the Metis L2 content guide ) to describe your relationship with Metis L2. Avoid exaggerating or misrepresenting the level of collaboration or involvement.

For example:

• If you’ve received technical advice, state: “We’re working collaboratively with Metis on technical solutions.”
• If you’ve partnered on a specific initiative, use: “We’re partnering with Metis L2 on [specific initiative].”

Metis L2 and the Metis Foundation do not own, control, or exercise authority over independent projects building on the platform. Our goal is to foster a decentralized and open environment where projects can operate independently while benefiting from shared resources and guidance. By following these best safety practices and communication standards, projects can help maintain transparency and build trust with their audiences and users can remain safer and more aware of potential risks involved.

Decentralization is both powerful and challenging. At Metis L2, we’re committed to providing secure infrastructure, fostering innovation, and empowering our community to navigate Web3 confidently. By recognizing the limits of our control and responsibility, we can collaborate to build a safer and more transparent decentralized future.

Let’s innovate responsibly—together!‍

Q&A

1. Why does the Community Ecosystem Governance (CEG) matter?

CEG is crucial because it empowers the Metis community to propose, discuss, and vote on initiatives, ensuring a decentralized and transparent decision-making process. It also helps identify trustworthy projects through community vetting, fostering a safer ecosystem for everyone while maintaining the spirit of decentralization.

2. What should I do if I fall victim to a scam?

If you suspect you’ve been scammed:

• Act quickly: Revoke any permissions you’ve granted to the suspicious dApp using tools like Revoke.cash.
• Report it: Share the details with the Metis community via official channels such as Telegram, Discord and the CEG forum to raise awareness.

We recommend reviewing safety tips shared in this article to strengthen your security practices and prevent future incidents.

3. I think a project on the Metis ecosystem is suspicious. What should I do?

If you believe a project is suspicious:

• Research: Gather evidence such as unusual activity, lack of transparency, or unverified claims. Be sure to add any onchain activity such as transactions to verify the facts where possible.
• Report it: Share your concerns with the Metis community through official channels and the CEG forum for discussions and offboarding proposals. This allows the community to collectively evaluate the project and take appropriate action.