Celo, the mobile-first Layer 1 blockchain, has launched its Dango Layer 2 testnet in a first major step towards its plan to join the Ethereum ecosystem. 

Celo, which is EVM-compatible, voted last July to convert its Layer 1 network into an Ethereum Layer 2 chain. Following eight months of evaluation, the Celo community decided to build the Layer 2 network using Optimism's OP Stack, joining Optimism's so-called "Superchain" ecosystem alongside Base, Zora, Mode, and other Ethereum Layer 2 networks. 

While Celo users can continue to use native USDT and USDC stablecoins for gas costs on the new network, bridging tokens between Ethereum and Celo will soon be easier. Transactions will also be faster, with a 50% increase in throughput and a decrease in block time from 5 seconds to 2 …