what's Moonriver?
Moonriver is an Ethereum-compatible smart contract platform deployed as a parachain on the Kusama network. It serves as a canary network for Moonbeam, enabling developers to port Ethereum-based decentralized applications (dApps) seamlessly using familiar tools like Solidity, MetaMask, and Remix. The platform supports EVM execution, allowing for low-cost transactions and interoperability within the Polkadot/Kusama ecosystem. MOVR is the native utility token of Moonriver, used for transaction fees (gas), parachain slot auctions via crowdloans, staking for network security, and governance participation. As a community-driven project without VC funding or founder rewards, it emphasizes decentralized development and experimentation ahead of mainnet deployments on Polkadot via Moonbeam.
Moonriver deployment deprecated, markets winding down; governance attack exposed user funds.
Deployment on Moonriver deprecated on January 29, 2026, with oracle feeds discontinued and markets winding down.
Attacker attempted governance attack on March 26, 2026, purchasing 40.17M MFAM for 1,600 MOVR ($1,808) and filing proposal MIP-R39 in 11 minutes to gain admin control of 7 lending markets, comptroller, and oracle, exposing $1.08M in user funds.
Deployed Runtime 4100 upgrade with key runtime improvements and protocol refinements.
Deployed Runtime 4101 and 4102 as hotfixes to address bugs identified through the Moonbeam Foundation's bug bounty program.
OpenZeppelin UI Builder added support for auto-generating interfaces to interact with contracts deployed on Moonriver.
Moonbeam completes cross-chain bridge with MoonriverNW and Runtime upgrades 3800 and 3900 in Q3, with gaming transactions up 24.1% QoQ, $8.4M DeFi TVL, and 33.1% of circulating supply staked.
Moonbeam Governance Guild Term 3 applications open until Nov 17, with delegates earning up to 90% of staking rewards for participating in governance decisions that include MoonriverNW referenda review.
Treasury Council elections open Tuesday, Nov. 11th for community members to apply for positions overseeing 2026 funding decisions, with elected members earning 1,500 USDC per month.