Rangers Protocol launches Ethereum Virtual Machine-compatible testnet

The Rangers Protocol has opened its testnet to users aiming to provide an Ethereum Virtual Machine-compatible solution that supports cross-chain contract interoperability.

In a Friday announcement, the Rangers Protocol said it had successfully migrated its first Dapp to the testnet which went live on July 19. The project migrated an Ethereum-based lending protocol, BlueStone, to the testnet, a move the protocol described as “smooth and developer-friendly” given Rangers’ Ethereum Virtual Machine, or EVM, compatibility.

Though there are seemingly alternative solutions utilizing blockchain technology friendly to Solidity developers, Rangers Protocol is branding its testnet as useful to “new developers without blockchain background knowledge.” Individuals interested in building using the protocol will reportedly have an easier time creating nonfungible tokens, or NFTs, as well as gaming applications in a permissionless environment.

Rangers Protocol co-founder Mary Ma announced in June that it would be launching its testnet in July following $3.7 million seed and private equity funding rounds. Ma claimed the protocol would have decentralized apps on its network, and include a cross-chain protocol, NFT protocol, and EVM compatible system. The project is reportedly the work of three years of development.

Crypto.com also recently launched its chain testnet allowing projects built on EVM-compatible chains to transfer over to its ecosystem. The open source testnet, Cronos, runs on a proof-of-authority consensus algorithm and is powered by proof-of-stake chain Ethermint.

Related: Asia-based Rangers Protocol valued at $63M following private equity round

Originally branded as the Rocket Protocol, Rangers is a China-based crypto company with an estimated valuation of $63 million. Venture funds backing the project include Pantera Capital, Huobi Ventures Blockchain Fund, Framework Ventures, Alameda Research, AU21 Capital, Hashkey Capital, SevenX Ventures, SNZ, Spark Digital Capital, and others.