Web3 Development

Native EvmosOpen-Source EVM Blockchain for Windows

Open-source EVM-compatible Proof-of-Stake blockchain software for Windows developers. Learn what it does, how to install it, and how it compares.

Free Open source Windows: Yes v20.0.0-rc3 Updated 20 Jan 2025
7 min read Last update 20 Jan 2025 github.com/tharsis/evmos

Native Evmos for Windows is open-source software from the Evmos project, built for developers who want an Ethereum-compatible blockchain inside the Cosmos ecosystem. Evmos describes itself as a scalable Proof-of-Stake EVM chain that is compatible with Ethereum and designed to interact with other Cosmos networks.

The software is free and licensed under LGPL. The latest published build is v20.0.0-rc3, a release candidate, so it fits testing and experimentation better than production work. The source code is available on GitHub, and a Windows build is offered as a standard installer. Developers who already know Ethereum tooling and Solidity will find the most familiar ground here.

02

What Does EVM Compatibility Mean for Developers?

The Ethereum Virtual Machine is the runtime that executes smart contracts on Ethereum. When a chain is EVM-compatible, the same compiled contract code can run there, which is why Solidity developers often choose such networks.

For a developer, compatibility means existing tests, deployment scripts and mental models still apply. A team that has already built and audited a contract on Ethereum can try the same logic on a different chain without starting from scratch.

Compatibility is not the same as identical behavior. Gas accounting, block timing and network parameters can differ, so it is worth testing each contract on the target chain before relying on its results.

03

Who Is Native Evmos For?

Native Evmos is best suited to blockchain developers who want to experiment with Ethereum-style applications connected to Cosmos networks. Smart contract engineers, protocol researchers and teams evaluating Cosmos-based infrastructure are the most likely readers to get value from it.

It is less suited to people who simply want to hold or send tokens. Those tasks are better served by a wallet designed for end users. Native Evmos assumes you are comfortable reading configuration files, running a local environment and interpreting command output.

Students and hobbyists can also use it to learn how a Proof-of-Stake chain with EVM support is structured, provided they treat it as a learning environment rather than a place for valuable assets.

04

Real-World Scenarios for Cross-Chain Development

Imagine a small team building a lending contract that accepts ETH and ERC-20 tokens. They want to see how the logic behaves when the same assets are used alongside Cosmos-based tokens. A local or test setup on Evmos lets them check those interactions without risking real funds.

Another common scenario is prototyping an application that needs to move value between ecosystems. The team can test message flows, confirm balances and identify edge cases before committing to a production design.

In both cases, the value lies in repeatable testing. Keeping notes on each run, including the version used and the results observed, makes it easier to explain decisions to colleagues and reviewers later.

05

Key features

EVM Compatibility

Evmos runs the Ethereum Virtual Machine, so smart contracts written for Ethereum can be carried over with little change. Developers keep familiar Ethereum-style workflows and do not need to learn an entirely new contract model to get started.

Proof-of-Stake Consensus

Blocks are produced through Proof-of-Stake, where validators secure the network by staking tokens instead of running mining hardware. The consensus layer is CometBFT, which coordinates agreement among the nodes in the network.

Cosmos Interoperability

Because it is built on the Cosmos SDK, Evmos is meant to connect with other networks in the Cosmos ecosystem. The aim is composability, so Ethereum-style applications can work alongside interchain assets.

Open Source and Free

The code is released under the LGPL license and costs nothing to obtain. Anyone can read the Go source, review how the network works, or build a custom variant within the terms of the license.
06

Supported coins

The project documentation references Ethereum (ETH), Cosmos (ATOM) and ERC-20 tokens as the coins and networks it works with. These points show the asset types the network is built around, namely Ethereum-style tokens and assets from the Cosmos ecosystem.

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How to install Native Evmos on Windows

  1. 1

    Get the Installer

    Download the Windows build from the official website or from the project's GitHub Releases page. Pick the build that matches the release you intend to test, and avoid mirrors or links shared in chats or forums.

  2. 2

    Verify the File

    Compare the SHA-256 checksum of the downloaded file with the value published alongside the release, or check the signature if one is provided. Do not run an installer whose checksum does not match.

  3. 3

    Run the Installer

    Open the file and follow the on-screen prompts. Choose an install folder you can find easily later, and keep the default options unless you have a specific reason to change them.

  4. Confirm the Installation

    Launch the program and check that it reports the version you expected. Since the current build is a release candidate, note the version number so you can track updates later.

08

How to use Native Evmos

Native Evmos is used through its command-line tooling and configuration files, so the workflow is closer to developer tooling than a point-and-click app. The steps below outline a sensible first session.

  1. Read the documentation for the release you installed, so you know which commands and configuration files it expects.
  2. Create a local configuration in a dedicated folder, separate from your everyday documents.
  3. Start the node or client in a test setup before connecting it to any live network.
  4. Check the network status and block progress in the output before sending any transactions.
  5. Deploy a simple Ethereum-style contract to see how it behaves on Evmos.
  6. Record the version, settings and results of each session so you can repeat or troubleshoot later.
09

Pros & cons

Pros
  • Free to use and open source under the LGPL license
  • EVM compatibility lets Ethereum-style contracts carry over
  • Built on the Cosmos SDK with CometBFT consensus
  • Designed for interoperability with Cosmos networks
  • Windows build available as a standard installer
Cons
  • The latest build is a release candidate, not a final stable release
  • Aimed at developers, so beginners face a steep learning curve
  • The most recent code update dates to January 2025, so check current activity
  • Working with it requires understanding of staking, validators and smart contracts
10

Is Native Evmos safe?

Download Native Evmos only from the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page, not from ads or file-sharing sites. After downloading, compare the SHA-256 checksum with the published value or verify the release signature before running the installer. If the checksum does not match, delete the file.

Because the newest build is a release candidate and the last code update dates to January 2025, check the latest version on the official website before installing. Test with non-essential funds first. Never enter a seed phrase, private key or wallet password on third-party websites, including sites promising a faster or bonus version of the software.

  • Official source only. Download from github.com/tharsis/evmos. Ignore ads and lookalike domains.
  • Check the SHA-256. Compare the installer hash with the value the developer publishes before running it.
  • Never share your seed phrase. No developer, support agent or website — including CryptApps — will ever ask for it.
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Alternatives

Evmos sits at a different layer than most tools in this catalog. Ethermint is listed as an Ethereum Virtual Machine implementation for Cosmos chains, so the two are closely related, but Evmos is a full blockchain network with its own consensus and staking model. The Cosmos SDK is a Go framework for building blockchains, which is what Evmos is built on, so it suits teams creating their own chain.

Foundry and Solidity focus on writing, compiling and testing contracts, while EthereumStudio is a standalone IDE. If you need a network to deploy on, Evmos or Ethermint fit. If you need tools for writing contracts, Foundry or Solidity are the better starting point.

12

Specifications

Price
Free
Type
Open source
License
LGPL
Latest version
v20.0.0-rc3
Last update
20 Jan 2025
Windows support
Yes (Windows build or installer)
Source code
github.com/tharsis/evmos
13

Frequently asked questions

Yes. The program is free to download and is released under the LGPL license, which allows you to read, modify and redistribute the source code under its terms. Review the license text before distributing a modified version, since it sets out the obligations you accept.

It can be, if you download it from the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page and verify the SHA-256 checksum or signature before running the installer. Never enter a seed phrase or private key on third-party websites, and test with non-essential funds first.

Evmos runs the Ethereum Virtual Machine and supports Ethereum-style smart contracts, but it is a separate Proof-of-Stake blockchain built with the Cosmos SDK. It is designed to interoperate with Cosmos networks, so assets can move between the two ecosystems.

The project documentation mentions Ethereum (ETH), Cosmos (ATOM) and ERC-20 tokens among the coins and networks it works with. Check the documentation for the release you install to confirm which features apply to that version.

The latest published build is v20.0.0-rc3, a release candidate. It works well for testing and learning, but for production-style use it is wiser to wait for a final stable release listed on the GitHub Releases page.

No. Go is the language the project is written in and is needed only if you build the program from source. The ready-made Windows build installs like any other program, so you can skip the compiler setup entirely.

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Verdict

Native Evmos for Windows suits developers who want an Ethereum-compatible Proof-of-Stake chain connected to the Cosmos ecosystem and who are comfortable working with a pre-release build. It is free, open source and well suited to learning, testing and experimenting with EVM contracts across networks. It is less suitable for beginners, for anyone expecting a polished consumer app, or for anyone planning to handle significant funds without thorough testing. Review recent code activity and release notes before committing to it.

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