Name the Next Testnet: Help Us Usher in the Age of Autonomys
As we prepare to sunset Taurus, our current testnet, we’re also preparing to launch its successor - and we want you, our community, to help name it.
In the past, our testnets drew from the astrological theme of our former identity as Subspace: Aries, Gemini, Taurus. But with the launch of Mainnet Phase-2, and our rebrand to Autonomys, we’re embracing a new direction.
It’s time for our testnets to evolve - just like the network itself.
Why We’re Retiring Taurus
Taurus has served us well as the staging ground for everything from operator onboarding to cross-domain messaging during Game of Domains and Crossing the Narrow Sea. But it’s time to move on.
Here’s why:
- Over time, Taurus has accumulated technical debt from experiments and early features that won’t be carried forward to mainnet.
- One example is bundle and execution receipt versioning compatibility code needed to support both legacy and new types. Given that mainnet has never processed legacy bundles, the compatibility code won’t be necessary on mainnet.
- For a testnet to be useful, it must reflect the actual conditions of mainnet. Taurus will no longer be equivalent when we activate domains on mainnet.
- On top of that, initiatives like Crossing the Narrow Sea were hugely successful - but generated a flood of transactions that have become a pain point for indexing and developer workflows.
We’re sunsetting Taurus so we can start fresh with a streamlined, production-aligned testnet. And it needs a name - one that reflects who we are now, not who we used to be.
A New Naming Era
Autonomys is now the foundation layer for AI3.0: a decentralized infrastructure stack for secure storage, autonomous agents, on-chain intelligence, and scalable execution.
We’re looking for a new testnet name that reflects our mission, values, and vision for the future - something that encapsulates autonomy, intelligence, emergence, or evolution.
This is your opportunity to help define a small but meaningful part of our journey.
How It Works
- Submit your testnet name idea using the form here.
- The Autonomys team will review submissions and create a shortlist of finalists.
- The community will vote to pick the winner.
- The winning submission will receive 100 USDC and the honor of naming the next Autonomys testnet.
- The contest has our standard terms and conditions.
What Makes a Great Name?
- Memorable and original
- Easy to spell and pronounce
- Reflects Autonomys’ mission and AI3.0 vision
- Moves beyond zodiac or astrology themes
Timeline
- Submission Deadline: 2025-08-04
- Finalist Selection: 2025-08-05
- Community Voting Opens: 2025-08-06
- Winner Announced: 2025-08-11
Let’s make this a meaningful transition into the next phase of Autonomys.
Submit your idea now.
The Taurus era is ending - but the Dawn of Autonomy continues.