> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.celo.org/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Our History

export const YouTube = ({videoId}) => {
  return <div className="relative w-full flex justify-center">
      <iframe src={`https://www.youtube.com/embed/${videoId}`} title="YouTube video player" className="w-full h-[65vh] max-h-[440px] rounded-lg shadow-lg" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen />
    </div>;
};

export const ColoredText = ({color = "#329F3B", darkColor = "#fcff52", children}) => {
  const isTWLight = typeof color === "string" && color.startsWith("text-");
  const isTWDark = typeof darkColor === "string" && darkColor.startsWith("text-");
  const Wrap = ({useColor, kids}) => typeof kids === "string" ? kids : <span style={{
    color: `${useColor} !important`
  }} className="!text-inherit">
        {kids}
      </span>;
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      {}
      <span className={`colored_text font-bold dark:hidden ${isTWLight ? `!${color}` : ""}`} style={!isTWLight ? {
    color,
    fontWeight: "bold"
  } : {
    fontWeight: "bold"
  }}>
        <Wrap useColor={isTWLight ? undefined : color} kids={children} />
      </span>

      {}
      <span className={`colored_text font-bold hidden dark:inline ${isTWDark ? `!${darkColor}` : ""}`} style={!isTWDark ? {
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        <Wrap useColor={isTWDark ? undefined : darkColor} kids={children} />
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    </>;
};

Celo launched on Earth Day 2020 as an energy-efficient and low-cost Layer 1 blockchain. Since its inception, Celo has continually evolved to adapt to the changing landscape of blockchain technology and needs of its users in the broader crypto ecosystem.

***

## The Evolution of Celo: From Layer 1 to Layer 2

This timeline highlights the key milestones in Celo's development, from its launch as a Layer 1 blockchain to its transition to an Ethereum Layer 2 solution.

### Celo's Journey from L1 to L2

Watch this video to learn about Celo's transition from Layer 1 to Layer 2, exploring the reasons behind this strategic move and what it means for the future of the ecosystem:

<YouTube videoId={'SGjjFpoBMfI'} />

## Timeline of Celo's Journey

<Update description="March 2025" label="Celo L2 Mainnet Launch">
  Celo officially completes its transition to Layer 2 on Ethereum, marking a new era of enhanced security, scalability, and interoperability.\
  <ColoredText>[Read More](https://forum.celo.org/t/returning-home-to-ethereum-the-launch-of-celo-l2-mainnet/10466)</ColoredText>
</Update>

<Update description="February 2025" label="Baklava Upgrade">
  The Baklava testnet transitions to Layer 2 as a final preparation before mainnet deployment.\
  <ColoredText>[Read More](https://forum.celo.org/t/baklava-testnet-is-upgrading-to-l2/10238/8)</ColoredText>
</Update>

<Update description="November 2024" label="Celo L2 Mainnet Announcement">
  cLabs officially announces plans for the Celo Layer 2 mainnet launch, outlining final steps and timelines.\
  <ColoredText>[Read More](https://forum.celo.org/t/celo-l2-mainnet-announcement/9442)</ColoredText>
</Update>

<Update description="October 2024" label="L2 Testnet Update & Code Audit">
  cLabs provides an update on testnet progress and announces an upcoming code audit to ensure security and stability before mainnet deployment.\
  <ColoredText>[Read More](https://forum.celo.org/t/l2-testnet-update-and-upcoming-code-audit/9322)</ColoredText>
</Update>

<Update description="September 2024" label="Alfajores Goes L2">
  The Alfajores testnet successfully transitions to a Layer 2, allowing developers to start testing under the new architecture.\
  <ColoredText>[Read More](https://forum.celo.org/t/alfajores-goes-l2/9052)</ColoredText>
</Update>

<Update description="August 2024" label="Preparing for Alfajores L2">
  The Celo ecosystem begins preparations to upgrade the Alfajores testnet to a Layer 2 environment, marking another step towards mainnet migration.\
  <ColoredText>[Read More](https://forum.celo.org/t/preparing-for-alfajores-l2/8645)</ColoredText>
</Update>

<Update description="July 2024" label="Dango L2 Celo Testnet Launch">
  Dango, the first Celo Layer 2 testnet, is launched, allowing developers and infrastructure providers to familiarize themselves with the new environment.\
  <ColoredText>[Read More](https://forum.celo.org/t/introducing-dango-l2-celo-testnet/8313)</ColoredText>
</Update>

<Update description="June 2024" label="Off-Chain Data Availability Proposal">
  cLabs proposes integrating an off-chain data availability layer, powered by EigenLayer and EigenDA, to enhance scalability and reduce costs.\
  <ColoredText>[Read More](https://forum.celo.org/t/clabs-proposes-off-chain-data-availability-layer-powered-by-eigenlayer-and-eigenda/8236)</ColoredText>
</Update>

<Update description="April 2024" label="Celo Joins Optimism OP Stack">
  cLabs proposes adopting the OP Stack for Celo's Layer 2 migration to align more closely with Ethereum, reduce production time, enhance security, and maintain its unique features with minimal migration risk.\
  <ColoredText>[Read More](https://forum.celo.org/t/clabs-proposes-migrating-celo-to-an-ethereum-l2-leveraging-the-op-stack/7902)</ColoredText>
</Update>

<Update description="April 2024" label="Quick Update on L2 Stack Selection">
  An update is provided on refinements in the Layer 2 stack selection process, addressing key technical considerations.\
  <ColoredText>[Read More](https://forum.celo.org/t/quick-update-on-l2-stack-selection/7838)</ColoredText>
</Update>

<Update description="January 2024" label="L2 Stack Selection Update">
  cLabs announces the latest developments in selecting the technology stack for Celo's Layer 2 transition.\
  <ColoredText>[Read More](https://forum.celo.org/t/l2-stack-selection-update/7314)</ColoredText>
</Update>

<Update description="November 2023" label="Framework for Selecting an L2 Stack">
  cLabs provides a framework for evaluating different Layer 2 technology stacks, guiding the decision-making process for Celo's migration.\
  <ColoredText>[Read More](https://forum.celo.org/t/framework-for-selecting-an-l2-stack/6992)</ColoredText>
</Update>

<Update description="October 2023" label="CEL2 Roadmap Update">
  cLabs releases an update on the roadmap for Celo's transition to Layer 2, outlining expected phases and milestones.\
  <ColoredText>[Read More](https://forum.celo.org/t/cel2-roadmap-update/6815)</ColoredText>
</Update>

<Update description="September 2023" label="Gingerbread Hard Fork">
  The Gingerbread hardfork is implemented to prepare for Celo L2 with a focus on improving Celo's compatibility with Ethereum by streamlining code and introducing <ColoredText>[Ultragreen Money](https://blog.celo.org/ultragreen-money-c677e7508abb)</ColoredText>, on-chain carbon offsetting through transaction fees, enhancing both performance and sustainability.\
  <ColoredText>[Read More](https://forum.celo.org/t/introducing-celo-s-gingerbread-hard-fork-join-for-q-a-on-june-21/5918)</ColoredText>
</Update>

<Update description="July 2023" label="Layer 2 Transition Proposal">
  In a strategic move, cLabs proposes transitioning Celo from an independent Layer 1 blockchain to an Ethereum Layer 2 to leverage Ethereum's security and expand its reach within the Ethereum ecosystem.\
  <ColoredText>[Read More](https://forum.celo.org/t/clabs-proposal-for-celo-to-transition-to-an-ethereum-l2/6109)</ColoredText>
</Update>

<Update description="January 2023" label="Celo 2.0 Announcement">
  cLabs announces Celo 2.0 with improved Ethereum compatibility, better performance, and enhanced tokenomics.\
  <ColoredText>[Read More](https://forum.celo.org/t/the-next-chapter-introducing-celo-2-0/5124)</ColoredText>
</Update>

<Update description="September 2022" label="Ethereum Proof of Stake Transition">
  Ethereum completes its transition from Proof of Work to Proof of Stake, significantly reducing its energy consumption and addressing some of the sustainability concerns that Celo originally set out to solve.\
  <ColoredText>[Read More](https://ethereum.org/en/roadmap/merge/)</ColoredText>
</Update>

<Update description="May 2021" label="Celo Donut Hard Fork">
  The Donut hard fork is implemented on Celo, enhancing its EVM (Ethereum Virtual Machine) compatibility and introducing cross-chain interoperability with other blockchain networks.\
  <ColoredText>[Read More](https://blog.celo.org/donut-hardfork-is-live-on-celo-585e2e294dcb)</ColoredText>
</Update>

<Update description="April 2020" label="Celo Mainnet Launch">
  Celo officially launches its Mainnet on Earth Day, marking its debut as a Layer 1 blockchain network. Designed with a focus on energy efficiency and low transaction costs, Celo sets out to provide a more sustainable and accessible blockchain solution.\
  <ColoredText>[Read More](https://blog.celo.org/its-official-celo-mainnet-is-here-6a3a71763f68)</ColoredText>
</Update>

<Update description="July 2015" label="Ethereum Launch">
  Ethereum debuts as a Proof-of-Work blockchain, introducing smart contracts but facing high fees and energy consumption.
</Update>

## White Papers

For a deeper understanding of Celo's evolution and the technical foundations behind it, check out our <ColoredText>[white papers](https://celo.org/papers)</ColoredText>. These documents cover the innovations and decisions that have shaped Celo.

<ColoredText>[Read our White Papers](https://celo.org/papers)</ColoredText>