> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.espressosys.com/network/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.espressosys.com/network/readme.md). # Espresso Espresso provides **real-time settlement** for enterprise-scale applications without forcing them to sacrifice sovereignty, give up connectivity, or modify their architecture to fit monolithic systems. Unlike legacy blockchains competing to become the sole execution environment for all onchain activity, Espresso was built for a far more likely outcome: onchain finance and the broader digital economy will span many independent systems and ledgers, as it already does. Espresso is the **neutral foundation** the multichain future needs, offering decentralized security, **fast finality**, and the ability to scale to millions of transactions per second. Espresso is a blockchain, but not like other blockchains. Unlike legacy blockchains, Espresso was purpose-built to serve as a foundation for other chains and applications. [Learn more →](/network/learn/what-is-espresso.md) Espresso Systems is the lead developer of the [Espresso](/network/learn/what-is-espresso.md). Espresso is built around three core principles: * **Performance**: real-time settlement and fast finality; the ability to scale to millions of transactions per second * **Control**: configurable execution environments for compliance, fees, ordering, asset support, and application logic * **Secure interoperability**: decentralized security that reduces reliance on trusted intermediaries {% hint style="info" %} **Ready to connect with Espresso?** [Talk to the team →](mailto:hello@espressosys.com?subject=Connect%20with%20Espresso) {% endhint %} *** ## Digitizing Financial Infrastructure Institutions moving financial assets onchain often face a tradeoff. Public blockchains offer liquidity and interoperability, but limit control and predictability. Private blockchains preserve control, but create fragmentation and reduce access to the broader ecosystem. Espresso resolves this. [Espresso for Enterprise →](#espresso-for-enterprise) *** ## Espresso for Enterprise For institutions digitizing assets, payments, and financial infrastructure. Run sovereign execution environments on your own rules, settled through Espresso and connected to broader onchain markets. Companies and blockchains like Celo, ApeChain, Gate, Litecoin Foundation, and others have already chosen Espresso for the architectural freedom and native interoperability no monolithic chain can match. Enterprise deployments on Espresso get: * **Sovereign environments**: dedicated execution with custom rules for fees, ordering, compliance, and asset support * **Shared finality**: a common finality layer that coordinates state across systems with fast finality * **Liquidity access**: designed to connect dedicated environments to onchain markets through secure interoperability * **Security by consensus**: reduced reliance on trusted intermediaries through decentralized Proof of Stake finality This matters for use cases like real-time collateral management and margin monitoring, where reliable decisions require a unified view of positions across systems. That view must come from strong shared finality, not offchain aggregation alone - Espresso provides this foundation. {% hint style="info" %} See institutional deployments in action → [Example Solutions](#example-solutions). {% endhint %} *** ## Example Solutions Espresso is designed to support institutional applications such as stablecoins, tokenized assets, and payment networks. ### Stablecoin Issuance **A stablecoin that behaves like a traditional fintech payment platform, with blockchain settlement underneath.** * **Dedicated execution environment**: an application-specific environment with custom rules and settlement through Espresso. * **Integrated routing**: spend across DeFi on any chain without managing gas on Ethereum or bridge mechanics * **Gas abstraction**: end users never interact with blockchain fees Modern stablecoins are more than IOUs, they operate as full applications, similar to fintech platforms like PayPal. USDC, for example, combines fast cross-chain movement, unified balance views (USDC Gateway), and seamless DeFi interaction. Espresso provides the full infrastructure stack to deliver this experience as a dedicated product. ### Asset Tokenization & RWA **Tokenized assets on a high-performance, customizable chain with full compliance controls, interoperable with the broader blockchain ecosystem.** * **Dedicated infrastructure**: institutions retain control over issuance rules and compliance requirements * **DeFi-compatible**: tokenized assets can be listed, traded, and used as collateral across DeFi * **End-to-end stack**: chain deployment, custody integration, cross-chain connectivity, and distribution to trading venues ### Payment Service Provider Chains **A turnkey chain for enterprises building onchain payment networks: neobanks, payment processors, and fintech platforms.** * **Unified settlement**: users see a single balance and express simple intents like "send $50 to Alice" or "deposit $50,000 into Aave for yield" * **Custom fee models**: flat, percentage-based, or zero, aligned with existing pricing structures * **Production UX**: gas abstraction and spam filtering for end users, cross-chain connectivity for the platform This mirrors what Stripe is building with Tempo - but as an open platform institutions can customize and run on their own infrastructure. *** ## Espresso for Chains For teams building dedicated chains across payments, consumer apps, DeFi, and app-specific deployments. Get settlement, security, and cross-chain connectivity out of the box. Chains built on Espresso get: * **Control**: a dedicated environment built around your own requirements * **Configurability**: design the system around the product, not the other way around * **Connectivity**: native interoperability with every other chain on Espresso * **Performance**: fast finality on Mainnet today; the ability to scale to millions of transactions per second {% hint style="info" %} Learn how chains build on Espresso → [Custom Chain Infrastructure](https://github.com/EspressoSystems/gitbook/blob/main/concepts/custom-chain-infrastructure.md). {% endhint %} *** ## How to Work With Espresso Each environment is fully customizable - fees, transaction ordering, VM extensions, compliance controls - while benefiting from the security of Espresso's validator network and connectivity to the broader blockchain ecosystem. Organizations can build directly on Espresso or have systems deployed and managed by Espresso Systems. The network offers fast finality on Mainnet today, with the ability to scale to millions of transactions per second. Use cases like cross-chain collateral management have been [demoed live at Digital Assets Summit 2026](https://www.espressosys.com/collateral-mgmt-demo). {% hint style="info" %} **Exploring asset digitization, digital payments, or tokenized financial products?** [Talk to the team →](mailto:hello@espressosys.com?subject=Connect%20with%20Espresso) {% endhint %} *** ## About Espresso Systems builds digital asset infrastructure for enterprises that demand speed and customizability without sacrificing architectural control. We believe the future of finance is multichain, and build with that thesis in mind. We design and operate production-grade applications on Espresso, a high-performance blockchain providing real-time settlement, fast finality, and the ability to scale to millions of transactions per second. Espresso Systems was founded in 2021 by [Ben Fisch](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-fisch-2b20055b), [Benedikt Bünz](https://www.linkedin.com/in/buenz), [Charles Lu](https://www.linkedin.com/in/charleslu1), and [Jill Gunter](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillrgunter), and is backed by more than $50 million from Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia Capital, Greylock Partners, Paxos, Gemini, and Coinbase Ventures. The network is used by Offchain Labs (Arbitrum), Celo (Valora, MiniPay), Yuga Labs (ApeChain), Bitget (Morph Chain), Rarible (Rari Chain), and Litecoin (LitVM). --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. 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