Caldera Foundation Launches $ERA Token with 7% Community Airdrop to Enhance Ecosystem Governance

The Caldera Foundation, a prominent rollup-as-a-service platform, has officially launched its native token, $ERA, marking a significant step towards bolstering its ecosystem and decentralization. Announced on social media with the statement, "> Welcome to a new $ERA," the token's introduction is accompanied by a substantial community airdrop, allocating 7% of the total token supply to early supporters and contributors. Pre-claims for this airdrop commenced around July 10, with trading opportunities for the $ERA token becoming available on exchanges like Bitget on July 17, 2025.

The $ERA token is designed to serve as the economic engine and governance backbone for the entire Caldera ecosystem. Its core utilities include facilitating omnichain gas payments across the network, enabling validator staking to secure cross-chain messages, and empowering decentralized governance. Token holders will gain the ability to influence major decisions, including voting on protocol upgrades, approving ecosystem grants, and electing representatives to the foundation’s governance councils.

Caldera's infrastructure is built upon two key components: the Rollup Engine, which allows for the creation of high-performance, custom Layer 2 chains, and the Metalayer, an interoperability protocol that connects these rollups into a unified "Internet of Chains." This innovative architecture ensures shared liquidity and secure, intent-based bridging across a fragmented blockchain landscape. The platform currently powers over 50 live rollups, boasting a Total Value Locked (TVL) exceeding $400 million and processing over 750 million transactions for 27 million unique wallet addresses.

Founded in 2022 by Matt Katz and Parker Jou, Caldera has attracted significant venture capital, raising $25 million across two funding rounds, including a $15 million Series A led by Founders Fund. This financial backing underscores confidence in Caldera's vision to provide scalable and customizable blockchain solutions. High-profile partners such as Manta Pacific, ApeChain, and B3 utilize Caldera's robust modular infrastructure.

The community airdrop, distributing 70 million $ERA tokens, is a retroactive initiative aimed at rewarding those who have contributed to Caldera's growth. The Cayman Islands-based Caldera Foundation will oversee the token distribution and guide the project's progressive decentralization, ensuring the community plays a pivotal role in shaping its future. This strategic launch positions $ERA as a critical component in Caldera's mission to foster a more interconnected and user-driven blockchain environment.