Caldera Launches ERA Token With Community Airdrop to Power Rollup Ecosystem

Caldera, a rollup-as-a-service platform backed by Founders Fund, is launching its native token ERA, marking a major step in the company’s mission to decentralize infrastructure across Ethereum Layer 2 ecosystems.

The ERA token will serve as the backbone of Caldera’s growing network, playing a key role in gas payments, staking, and governance. Out of a total supply of 1 billion tokens, 7% will be distributed through a community airdrop, with users invited to register via Caldera’s official claim site ahead of the launch.

Introducing $ERA: Pre-claims are now open

Caldera is powering the next internet. Its architecture consists of two core components: the Rollup Engine and the Metalayer. The Rollup Engine, developed by the first contributor to the Caldera Protocol, Constellation Labs Inc. d/b/a Caldera, is a modular operating system used to launch high-performance, custom chains on leading chains and frameworks like Arbitrum, Optimism, Base, and ZKsync. The Metalayer then automatically connects every chain into one network. Through this interoperability protocol, all chains access shared liquidity and secure, intent-based bridging that transforms fragmented networks into a unified Internet of Chains.

What ERA Will Power

The ERA token has three main functions:

1. Gas Token – It will act as a standard omnichain gas asset across Caldera-powered networks.
2. Staking Utility – Used to secure cross-chain message validation within Caldera’s modular architecture.
3. Governance Tool – ERA will enable token holders to vote on key protocol changes and participate in electing decentralized sub-councils, including a proposed technical security council.

The token’s rollout will be managed by the Caldera Foundation, a nonprofit entity based in the Cayman Islands, tasked with guiding the protocol’s decentralization and ecosystem growth.

A Growing Network of Rollups

Caldera allows developers to launch custom, high-performance rollups tailored to applications on Ethereum Layer 2 solutions such as Arbitrum, Optimism, Base, and ZKsync. The platform currently powers more than 50 rollups, with a combined TVL (total value locked) exceeding $400 million.

These rollups are connected through Metalayer, an interoperability protocol designed by Caldera. Metalayer links independent chains into a shared network, enabling intent-based bridging and unified liquidity—key innovations aimed at solving fragmentation in the modular blockchain ecosystem.

Backed by Major Investors

Founded in 2022, Caldera has raised $25 million to date, including a $15 million Series A round led by Founders Fund, the venture capital firm co-founded by Peter Thiel. The funding has helped the team scale its modular infrastructure while deepening its integrations across Ethereum’s Layer 2 ecosystem.

Announcing our $15M Series A to build the Metalayer, a unified rollup ecosystem - Caldera - The Internet of Rollups

Caldera is a network of interconnected, purpose-built blockchains, settling on Ethereum.

The Internet of Rollups

The launch of the ERA token signals Caldera’s transition from infrastructure provider to decentralized ecosystem. With backing from top investors, a thriving rollup network, and an ambitious governance roadmap, Caldera is positioning ERA at the heart of its modular blockchain vision. For developers and users looking to engage with next-gen Web3 infrastructure, this is one launch to watch closely.