Sophon to Shut Down Mainnet on November 25
The zero-knowledge layer-2 network will cease operations as its developers pivot to focus on applications on Base.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence
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Sophon will officially shut down its mainnet on November 25, 2026, forcing users to withdraw their assets by the deadline. The network's development team previously announced plans in June to migrate operations to the Base chain.
Why it matters
The decision to sunset the standalone blockchain follows a conclusion that the costs of maintaining the network no longer justified its operational benefits. The move marks a strategic shift for the organization toward consumer finance and AI applications on the Base platform.
Sophon originally launched as a zero-knowledge-powered layer-2 network to support decentralized applications. The project previously secured $60 million through a node sale in 2024 and an additional $10 million in separate funding.
The players
Sophon
Sophon is a zero-knowledge-powered layer-2 network that is transitioning its focus to consumer finance and AI applications.
Base
Base is an Ethereum layer-2 blockchain platform that will serve as the new operational home for the migrating team.
Abstract
Abstract is a blockchain network that announced it would cease operations shortly after the Sophon shutdown announcement.
The details
Users must act to withdraw assets and claim any outstanding staking or Guardian rewards before the November 25 cutoff to avoid permanent inaccessibility. This shutdown, alongside the closure of the Abstract network, represents a contraction in standalone blockchain projects.
Timeline
Sophon raised $60 million through a node sale in 2024.
Developers announced plans to migrate operations to Base in June 2026.
The Sophon mainnet will shut down on November 25, 2026.
The Abstract network is scheduled to close on December 15, 2026.
The Tech Race
The migration of Sophon to Base follows the broader trend of consolidating decentralized application infrastructure onto high-liquidity layer-2 networks. This transition underscores the difficulty of maintaining independent mainnets in a crowded landscape where established platforms offer superior resource access.
Users currently holding assets on the Sophon network must manually withdraw them before the November 25 deadline to prevent permanent loss of funds. Failure to claim staking or Guardian rewards before this date will result in these assets becoming inaccessible once the infrastructure is decommissioned.
The takeaway
Blockchain projects are increasingly pivoting away from building and maintaining expensive, independent infrastructure. Investors and users should prioritize liquidating or migrating assets well before any announced shutdown deadlines to avoid permanent capital loss.
What happens next
Users must complete asset withdrawals and claim staking or Guardian rewards before the November 25, 2026, shutdown date to ensure funds remain accessible.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest industry shifts in Artificial Intelligence.
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