The Render Network Foundation is guiding the transition from Ethereum (RNDR) to Solana (RENDER), marking a pivotal evolution in the network’s infrastructure. This upgrade reflects community-driven progress, with Solana chosen for its speed, scalability, and cost-efficiency. Below is a comprehensive, SEO-optimized guide to help users navigate the upgrade process with clarity and confidence.
Understanding RNDR vs. RENDER
The key distinction lies in blockchain architecture: $RNDR** is the original ERC-20 token built on Ethereum, while **$RENDER is the new SPL token native to Solana. Following community governance vote RNP-002, the Render Network is transitioning to Solana to better support high-performance 3D rendering and AI workloads.
While $RNDR will continue to exist, it will no longer be actively maintained or used within the Render Network ecosystem. Going forward, all network activity—including payments, rewards, and governance—will center around $RENDER.
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Why Is Render Moving to Solana?
Solana was selected due to its superior performance metrics:
- Faster transaction finality (400ms average block time)
- Lower gas fees, enabling microtransactions
- Higher throughput, supporting thousands of concurrent jobs
This shift aligns with Render’s vision of creating a scalable, globally accessible decentralized GPU network for creative and AI-driven applications.
Upgrade Process: Step-by-Step Guide
Upgrading from $RNDR to $RENDER is straightforward but requires attention to detail.
Step 1: Prepare Your Wallets
- Ethereum Wallet: Must hold $RNDR (e.g., MetaMask).
- Solana Wallet: Compatible wallets include Phantom, Solflare, or Glow.
Step 2: Access the Official Upgrade Portal
Visit the secure portal at https://upgrade.rendernetwork.com. Always verify the URL to avoid phishing scams.
Step 3: Connect Both Wallets
Link your Ethereum and Solana wallets through the interface.
Step 4: Initiate the Transfer
Enter the amount of $RNDR to upgrade. The swap ratio is 1:1 — 1 RNDR = 1 RENDER.
Step 5: Approve & Transfer
Two transactions are required:
- Approve: Grants permission for the bridge contract to access your tokens.
- TransferTokensWithPayload: Executes the cross-chain transfer via Wormhole.
After confirmation, wait 15–30 minutes for Ethereum finality. Tokens will appear in your Solana wallet shortly after.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to my $RNDR tokens during the upgrade?
Your $RNDR tokens are **burned** on Ethereum as part of the 1:1 upgrade process. Once confirmed, you receive an equivalent amount of $RENDER on Solana.
Do I need a Solana wallet to upgrade?
Yes. You must have a compatible Solana wallet (Phantom, Solflare, Glow) to receive $RENDER.
Can I reverse the upgrade and move $RENDER back to Ethereum?
No. The upgrade is one-way only—from Ethereum (ERC-20) to Solana (SPL). There is no reverse migration path.
Are gas fees covered by the Render Foundation?
Gas fee reimbursement ended on January 31, 2024. Users are now responsible for their own Ethereum gas costs during the upgrade.
What if I encounter high gas fee estimates?
A known bug may display inflated gas estimates (e.g., $50+). Try entering whole numbers (like 22 instead of 22.23) to bypass miscalculations.
How can I verify my $RENDER token is legitimate?
Use Solscan to confirm the official SPL address: rndrizKT3MK1iimdxRdWabcF7Zg7AR5T4nud4EkHBof
Security & Best Practices
Security is paramount during cross-chain transfers. The Render Foundation has partnered with Otter Security, a leading blockchain auditor, to review the bridge code. To protect yourself:
- Always use the official upgrade URL.
- Double-check wallet addresses before confirming transactions.
- Clear browser cache or disable ad blockers if encountering UI issues.
- Enable JavaScript in your browser.
Hardware wallet users can safely store $RENDER using Ledger via Phantom or Solflare.
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Incentives & Rewards
Users who upgrade during the incentive period (October 2023 – October 2024) qualify for monthly reward distributions. These are sent directly to the Solana wallet used in the upgrade.
Even if you sell your $RENDER after upgrading, you’ll still receive rewards at the original destination address—provided you completed the upgrade within the eligibility window.
Incentive details are outlined in RNP-006. All community members—including advisors and VCs—are eligible unless they opt out.
Governance and Network Participation
Is upgrading mandatory for voting?
Yes. Only $RENDER holders will participate in future governance decisions. $RNDR voting rights will be phased out over time.
Can liquidity providers stay on Ethereum?
No. Only $RENDER can be staked in liquidity pools moving forward. Upgrading is necessary to earn protocol incentives.
What about Node Operators?
Node Operators have received direct communication from the Render Network with instructions for wallet updates and integration with the new chain.
Exchange Support & Token Availability
Can I still trade $RNDR?
Yes. $RNDR remains listed on major centralized exchanges and can be freely traded.
Will exchanges support the upgrade?
Each exchange decides independently whether to support direct swaps. Some may offer native bridging; others require manual upgrades via the official portal.
As of now, platforms like Binance, Coinbase, and OKX have not announced official plans—but updates will be shared through Render’s social channels when available.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
“I connected both wallets but see no transfer button.”
Try:
- Refreshing the page
- Clearing browser cache
- Disabling browser extensions (e.g., AdBlock)
- Ensuring JavaScript is enabled
A video walkthrough is available for visual guidance.
“My tokens haven’t arrived after hours.”
Delays beyond 5 hours may indicate a stuck transaction. Verify:
- The correct Solana address was selected
- The Ethereum transaction succeeded (check Etherscan)
If unresolved, contact support at renderfoundation.com/support with your ETH address or transaction hash.
“I accidentally sent $RNDR to the contract address.”
Unfortunately, tokens sent directly to the ERC-20 contract cannot be recovered, as the upgrade authority has been burned. Always triple-check recipient addresses.
Final Notes
The upgrade portal will remain open indefinitely, but incentive eligibility ends in October 2024. Whether you're a creator, node operator, or investor, migrating to $RENDER ensures full participation in Render’s next-generation decentralized compute network.
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