ErgoScript is Ergo's smart contract language. It's declarative (you describe conditions, not steps), based on Scala syntax, and has native support for Sigma Protocols enabling privacy features.

Is ErgoScript Turing-complete?

ErgoScript is Turing-complete within bounded resources. Every operation has a known cost, and total script cost is limited. This prevents infinite loops and makes execution costs predictable - no gas surprises.

How hard is it to learn ErgoScript?

If you know Scala, JavaScript, or functional programming, ErgoScript feels familiar. The main shift is thinking declaratively about spending conditions rather than imperative execution steps.

Smart Contracts

Intermediate

Updated 11/26/2025

What is

ErgoScript?

Ergo's smart contract language - a declarative, Scala-based language for defining spending conditions on boxes.

ErgoScript is Ergo's native smart contract language. It's a declarative, non-Turing-complete (within bounds) language based on Scala that defines the conditions under which a box can be spent. ErgoScript supports Sigma Protocols natively, enabling privacy-preserving contracts impossible on other platforms.

Key Points

Declarative: describes WHAT conditions, not HOW to execute
Based on Scala - familiar syntax for developers
Native Sigma Protocol support for ZK proofs
Bounded execution - predictable costs, no gas surprises
Access to box registers, context, and headers
Compile to efficient ErgoTree bytecode

Use Cases

Custom token issuance and management

DEX order matching logic

Stablecoin minting/burning rules

Multi-signature and time-locked wallets

Privacy-preserving DeFi contracts

Technical Details

ErgoScript compiles to ErgoTree, a typed abstract syntax tree evaluated by nodes. Key constructs include: `SELF` (current box), `INPUTS`/`OUTPUTS` (transaction boxes), `CONTEXT` (block info), and Sigma propositions (`proveDlog`, `proveDHTuple`). Scripts return Boolean or SigmaProp values.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about ErgoScript

Common questions about this topic

How to provide liquidity on Ergo?

Providing liquidity on Ergo depends on the current active DEX or AMM venue. In general, you deposit equal value of two assets into a pool, receive LP tokens representing your share, and earn a portion of trading fees. Spectrum Finance is historical/frozen since February 2024, so verify the active venue, contracts, liquidity depth, and withdrawal process before depositing funds.

How-to

DeFi

What is ErgoScript and how does it work?

ErgoScript is Ergo's smart contract language - a Scala-based, functional language that compiles to ErgoTree for on-chain execution. Unlike Solidity, ErgoScript is not Turing-complete by design, ensuring predictable execution costs and easier formal verification. It's powerful enough for complex DeFi yet safe enough to audit.

Explainer

Technology

Is Ergo a good investment?

This is not financial advice. Ergo has strong fundamentals: fair launch (no VC dump risk), innovative technology (eUTXO, Sigma Protocols, NiPoPoWs), active development, and a cypherpunk ethos. It's a smaller market cap project with higher risk/reward than established chains. Research thoroughly, understand the technology, and never invest more than you can afford to lose.

Comparison

Getting Started

What can I do with Ergo?

Ergo supports a broad ecosystem: use SigmaUSD, explore historical and current DeFi references, mix transactions with ErgoMixer where lawful, collect NFTs, mine with GPUs, bridge to other chains via Rosen, and build dApps with ErgoScript. Always verify current project status before sending funds to a third-party app.

Explainer

Getting Started

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Key Points

Use Cases

Technical Details