What is Blast? How It Works & Where to Use It

Overview

Blast at a glance.

Blast is an Ethereum Layer 2 built on the OP Stack that launched its mainnet in February 2024. It was created by the team behind the Blur NFT marketplace, and its defining feature is native yield on bridged assets rather than a new execution model. Here is how it works and what it is used for, not the price.

Total value locked (DeFi)

$32.0M

Value locked in DeFi protocols on Blast. Updated Sep 19, 2026. Source: DefiLlama.

Native token

BLAST

Used for fees and securing the network. See the live BLAST price.

How it works

How Blast works.

Blast runs the standard OP Stack architecture, executing EVM transactions off Ethereum and posting transaction data back to Ethereum (using blobs since May 2024) for data availability. A sequencer orders transactions before they are settled to the base layer. As with other OP Stack chains at this stage, Blast does not yet have a fully functional, permissionless fraud-proof system, so users currently rely on the block proposer rather than an open challenge process.

Consensus: OP Stack Optimistic Rollup

Blast runs the standard OP Stack architecture, executing EVM transactions off Ethereum and posting transaction data back to Ethereum (using blobs since May 2024) for data availability. A sequencer orders transactions before they are settled to the base layer. As with other OP Stack chains at this stage, Blast does not yet have a fully functional, permissionless fraud-proof system, so users currently rely on the block proposer rather than an open challenge process.

Native yield

ETH bridged to Blast is automatically deployed into established Ethereum staking sources, and the yield is rebased back to holders on the L2, rather than sitting idle as it would on most rollups.

USDB, a rebasing stablecoin

Blast’s native stablecoin, USDB, also rebases automatically, with its yield sourced from a Treasury-bill-backed protocol on Ethereum.

OP Stack rollup

Blast uses the open-source OP Stack framework, the same base technology as Optimism, Base and other Superchain-style rollups.

EVM compatibility

Blast is EVM compatible, so existing Solidity contracts and Ethereum developer tooling work on it without changes.

Ecosystem & usage

What Blast is used for.

Blast’s ecosystem grew quickly around its yield and incentive-points model, drawing DeFi and NFT projects that build on top of automatically-yielding ETH and USDB.

DefiLlama

Yield-bearing DeFi

Protocols on Blast build on top of ETH and USDB balances that are already earning yield, rather than requiring users to stake separately.

NFT marketplaces

Given its origin with the Blur team, Blast hosts NFT-focused applications alongside general DeFi activity.

EVM contract deployment

Developers can deploy standard EVM contracts and use familiar Ethereum tooling on Blast.

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In Zypto App

Hold, swap and spend BLAST.

Be the reason Blast ships next.

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FAQ

Common questions.

What is Blast?

Blast is an Ethereum Layer 2 built on the OP Stack. It launched its mainnet in February 2024 and is best known for native yield: ETH and USDB bridged to the network automatically earn a return.

What is USDB?

USDB is Blast’s native, auto-rebasing stablecoin. Its yield comes from a Treasury-bill-backed protocol on Ethereum.

What is the BLAST token used for?

BLAST is Blast’s network token. It was distributed via an airdrop to early users in mid-2024 and is used for governance.

Is Blast fully decentralized?

Not yet. Like many OP Stack chains at this stage, Blast’s fraud-proof system is not fully functional, so the network currently relies on its block proposer rather than a permissionless challenge process.

Can I hold BLAST in Zypto App?

Not yet. BLAST isn't in Zypto App at the moment. You can hold it in any self-custodial wallet, and you can ask us to add Blast using the "Request Blast" button above.

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