Learn drivechains by watching one run.
The Drivechain Observatory watches eCash Betanet, the network where eCash tests drivechains (BIP300 and BIP301) before its mainnet. It runs its own node and the official enforcer, records every sidechain, deposit, withdrawal vote and merged-mining commitment, and explains what each one means, with the proof behind every number.
eCash Betanet right now
Loading live data…
What happened recently
Real events from Betanet, each with its own proof. See all live activity →
One real deposit, step by step
Loading live data…
The last 24 hours on Betanet
Loading live data…
How a drivechain works, in 4 steps
Follow one coin through a sidechain, with real numbers from eCash Betanet.
1 · Lock coins on L1
You send coins to a sidechain's treasury: a single locked output on the main chain. It is an ordinary L1 transaction, so no vote is needed.
Learn it: Deposits and the treasuryThe learning path
Each concept builds on the one before. Start at the beginning, or jump to what you are curious about.
- Concept 1What is a drivechain?
One main chain, many sidechains, and coins that move between them.
4 min - Concept 2Blocks: the heartbeat
Everything in a drivechain happens one L1 block at a time.
3 min - Concept 3Slots and sidechains
256 numbered places, each able to hold one sidechain.
3 min - Concept 4Creating a sidechain
Someone proposes it; miners vote block by block.
5 min - Concept 5Deposits and the treasury
Moving coins in: every sidechain keeps them in one output on L1.
4 min - Concept 6Withdrawals by miner vote
Moving coins out is slow on purpose: a long, public miner vote.
6 min - Concept 7Blind merged mining
How sidechain blocks get made, and how L1 miners get paid for them.
5 min - Concept 8How we know
Where every number on this site comes from, and how sure we are.
4 min
Latest deposits
Newest block first, with each treasury before and after when the monitor read it.
Loading activity…