Cartesi (CTSI) is an application-specific rollup protocol that seeks to enhance the design space for DApp developers. It operates with a virtual machine that runs Linux distributions, providing a more extensive and diverse environment for development. Cartesi Rollups are a modular scaling solution that can be deployed as L2, L3, or sovereign rollups, while maintaining strong base layer security guarantees. The unique aspect of Cartesi is that it allows developers to move beyond shared computation and EVM design limitations. Each DApp gets a full CPU, and developers gain access to a full suite of open-source libraries, programming languages, and tooling they're accustomed to.

Cartesi operates by providing each DApp with a dedicated CPU and rollup, enhancing computational scalability while preserving decentralization, security, and censorship resistance. This approach allows DApps to avoid competing with each other for processing power, as they do on Ethereum and existing L2 scaling solutions. The Cartesi Virtual Machine enables developers to use familiar libraries, languages, and tooling, moving beyond the EVM. Cartesi Rollups can be used as a layer two, a layer three, or as sovereign rollups, providing flexibility and scalability for developers.

Cartesi seeks to provide a boundless design space for cutting-edge developers. It allows for the exploration of a rich new design space that supports decades of existing code libraries, programming languages, and open-source tooling. This opens up opportunities for the development of more intricate and computationally intensive DApps without having to reinvent new abstractions every time. Cartesi also enables developers to optimize specific DApp logic, freeing them from the intricacies of the blockchain itself and the design tradeoffs of the EVM. Furthermore, CTSI holders can stake their tokens to participate in the ecosystem’s community-driven governance mechanisms.

Cartesi is an open-source project built by an ecosystem of independent teams, companies, and individuals. The project has been developed transparently and in public, fostering a community of collaboration, experimentation, and risk-taking. Cartesi Rollups went live on Mainnet with the Honeypot dApp, marking a milestone in the project's history. The Cartesi Foundation, which commissioned the Cartesi Project, continues to oversee its development and growth. The project's history shows a commitment to developing Web3 technology and expanding the capabilities of the network.