The launch of COTI V2 marks a major shift not just from a technical upgrade, but a redefinition of what COTI stands for. With the V2 mainnet now live, many holders and community members are wondering: What happens to the original COTI V1? Will my tokens still work? How do I access the new features?
This article aims to clear the air and walk you through the transition from COTI V1 to V2, what’s changing, what stays the same, and how you can bridge your tokens.
What Is COTI V1?
COTI V1 was designed as a specialized payments infrastructure, using a DAG-based protocol known as Trustchain. It powered merchant tools, remittance platforms, and fast, low-cost transactions.
While it achieved considerable success in the fintech and payment services world, V1 wasn’t optimized for broader Web3 programmability or privacy use cases.
What Is COTI V2?
COTI V2 is a complete evolution built as a privacy-focused Layer 2 on Ethereum. It introduces encrypted smart contracts using Garbled Circuits, enabling developers to build fully private and compliant decentralized applications.
Key features of COTI V2:
- Privacy-On-Demand: Choose what data is public or private per transaction
- Encrypted Computation: Via Garbled Circuits and MPC
- Full EVM Compatibility: Easily port over Ethereum-based dApps
- Cross-Chain Ready: Privacy that spans across multiple chains
This new infrastructure is designed to bring secure, scalable, and regulatory-friendly privacy to the broader Web3 ecosystem.
So… What Happens to the Old COTI?
COTI initiates comprehensive token migration as the platform evolves to V2. The legacy tokens will be phased out through a structured swap process, with the company covering all network fees during the transition.
This strategic upgrade represents not merely a token replacement but a fundamental enhancement of the underlying infrastructure, designed to support advanced privacy features and expanded ecosystem functionality.
If you want to access the advanced privacy and programmability of V2, you’ll need to bridge your tokens using the official COTI Bridge.
Can I Use My V1 Tokens on V2?
Yes but not directly. V1 tokens (VIPER or ERC-20) must be bridged to the new COTI V2 format in order to interact with the V2 network and its dApps. This process is safe, user-friendly, and now fully live. Once bridged, your tokens can be used on the new COTI L2 and show up in your MetaMask or compatible wallets.
How to Bridge COTI V1 to V2
There are two supported pathways to bridge your tokens depending on what type of V1 token you hold:
a) ERC-20 $COTI holders
If you hold $COTI as an ERC-20 token on Ethereum:
1. Visit the COTI Bridge.
2. Connect your MetaMask wallet
Source: COTI DOCS
3. Follow the guided steps to convert ERC-20 $COTI into COTI V2 tokens on the new network.
Source: COTI DOCS
B. VIPER Wallet Users
If your COTI is on the native Trustchain (VIPER wallet):
1. Login Pay.COTI
Source: COTI DOCS
2. Select “Send/Receive/Swap.”
Source: COTI DOCS
3. Click on “ Swap to COTI v2 “
Source: COTI DOCS
4. If the COTI network is not yet added to MetaMask, you will be prompted to add it first.
Tip: You can also follow COTI’s walkthroughs for a step-by-step guide for both VIPER and ERC-20 users.
Once bridged, make sure to add the COTI V2 network to MetaMask to view your tokens.
Final Thoughts: The Path Forward
COTI is becoming something far more powerful than it was in its V1 days: a decentralized, privacy-preserving computation layer built for the future of Web3.
As a holder, you’re early. The network is expanding rapidly with live dApps, new developer tooling, and growing institutional interest. While V1’s legacy continues, V2 is where the future lies for developers, users, and the broader ecosystem.
Keep watching, start experimenting, and don’t miss your chance to be part of the privacy-first movement.
ALSO READ: Top 5 COTI DApps You Can Use Right Now and How to Try Them
