Glossary · E
EVM (Ethereum Virtual Machine)
The runtime environment that executes smart contracts on Ethereum and all EVM-compatible chains. The EVM defines the instruction set and execution model for Ethereum smart contracts written in Solidity or Vyper. 'EVM-compatible' chains (Arbitrum, Optimism, Base, BNB Chain, Polygon, Avalanche, Sonic) can run unmodified Ethereum smart contracts, enabling protocol deployment across multiple chains without rewriting code.
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How EVM works in practice
The EVM is the runtime that executes smart contracts. Because many chains implement it, a contract written for one EVM chain generally runs on any other, which is why the EVM became the sector's default compatibility layer.
Worked example
A protocol deploys the same contracts to several EVM chains with only configuration changes. Users get the same interface everywhere; the developers maintain one codebase.
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The mistake that costs people money
EVM-compatible does not mean identical. Gas costs, block times, precompiles and finality differ between chains, and a contract that is safe under one set of assumptions may not be under another.
EVM: common questions
- What is EVM?
- The runtime environment that executes smart contracts on Ethereum and all EVM-compatible chains. The EVM defines the instruction set and execution model for Ethereum smart contracts written in Solidity or Vyper. 'EVM-compatible' chains (Arbitrum, Optimism, Base, BNB Chain, Polygon, Avalanche, Sonic) can run unmodified Ethereum smart contracts, enabling protocol deployment across multiple chains without rewriting code.
- How does EVM work in practice?
- The EVM is the runtime that executes smart contracts. Because many chains implement it, a contract written for one EVM chain generally runs on any other, which is why the EVM became the sector's default compatibility layer.
- Can you give an example of EVM?
- A protocol deploys the same contracts to several EVM chains with only configuration changes. Users get the same interface everywhere; the developers maintain one codebase.
- What do people get wrong about EVM?
- EVM-compatible does not mean identical. Gas costs, block times, precompiles and finality differ between chains, and a contract that is safe under one set of assumptions may not be under another.