AVAX is the native token in the Avalanche ecosystem. Avalanche is a blockchain platform that allows users to create decentralized applications on the blockchain, which also allows them to take advantage of the benefits Avalanche has to offer. The open source blockchain focuses on increasing transaction speed, lowering transaction fees, and protecting the environment with an eco-friendly blockchain.
Avalanche has smart contract functionality which means users can run smart contracts on the blockchain. This allows them to create decentralized applications running on the network. Smart contracts on Avalanche are written in Solidity, the same language that is used to write Ethereum smart contracts. This promotes interoperably between blockchains. The platform has also incorporated well-known decentralized finance (DeFi) projects, like Aave and Curve.
The main goal of the Avalanche platform is to scale without losing security or forfeiting the benefits of decentralization. It does this by using a new Proof of Stake (PoS) mechanism. AVAX is the utility token that powers the Avalanche ecosystem and is used to pay transaction fees. It is also used to reward stakers and vote on changes to the network.
Within the Avalanche ecosystem, AVAX is the "common unit of account". This means that AVAX is the default currency on the Avalanche platform. AVAX is used to pay transaction fees and is accepted across all subnets. The subnets are custom blockchain networks that run on the AVAX blockchain.
When AVAX is used across the subnets it achieves interoperability between them, allowing the subnets to interact. If the subnets did not accept AVAX, each subnet would have to use its own currency which would prevent interoperability.
A group of developers published a paper that explained the Avalanche network in May 2018. After the paper was published, the founder of AVA Labs Emin Gün Sirer took an interest in the project. And he decided to develop the Avalanche blockchain. Avalanche was launched in 2020 and in the same year, the project raised $42 million through a July initial coin offering. A year later, Avalanche Foundation, the company behind the project conducted a token sale that raised $230 million. Notable venture capitalists that participated in the sale include Polychain and Three Arrows Capital.
Sirer has an impressive background in the tech industry. He is a professor at Cornell University and was formerly a member of the Initiative for Cryptocurrencies and Contracts (IC3), a Cornell Tech-based blockchain research project.
Siren is also the creator of Karma, one of the earliest cryptos in the industry. The virtual coin was launched before even Bitcoin and is used for peer-to-peer systems. In addition, it runs on a proof of work consensus mechanism.
Avalanche is operated by three key aspects which are its consensus mechanism, its inclusion of subnets, and its use of several blockchains that are built into the network.
Avalanche uses a consensus mechanism that utilizes the basics of proof of stake with added features to achieve scalability.
When a user wants to make a transaction on the Avalanche network, the transaction request is sent to a validator node. This node checks with a small, randomly selected group of validators receives to achieve consensus. The validators repeat this process until every validator is in agreement.
The network uses two mechanisms to reward validators. Proof of Uptime which refers to how long a validator has staked their tokens, and Proof of Correctness which shows the history of a validator's authenticity.
The subnets on Avalanche are other unique blockchains that run on the network. The transactions on these blockchains are validated by a group of nodes that validate the Avalanche network as well as its subnetworks.
Avalanche has three blockchains that are built into its network. They are:
Avalanche has a max supply of 720 million AVAX tokens. This is common with most cryptocurrencies and only a few of them have an unlimited supply. 50% of the Total supply of AVAX tokens was issued out in 2020 when Avalanche launched.
Minting is used to generate more tokens which are then paid out as staking rewards. Staking on the AVAX network is motivated by the mechanisms that are used to reward validators. These mechanisms are Proof of Uptime and Proof of Correctness. As a result, the amount of AVAX tokens in circulation is kept low even when the token demand is high.
Another unique Avalanche feature is that the network does not pay transaction fees to validators as most blockchains do. Instead, the network burns all the transaction fees and this promotes scarcity. As more tokens are burnt off, new ones are created during the minting process, creating a balance.
Avalanche offers users and developers several benefits. Its technology is designed to solve the problem of slow transaction speed and high transaction fees while remaining an eco-friendly blockchain. In addition, because of its smart contract functionality, Avalanche can be used to create decentralized applications (DApps). It can also be used to create subnets, which are other blockchain networks. These new blockchain networks can communicate with each other thanks to Avalanche.
The two primary use cases for Avalanche are developing tokens and blockchain networks. Avalanche allows developers to launch DeFi protocols, NFTs, and games. It also supports several other blockchain networks.
However, AVAX payments are required for most use cases on the network. It is required when building subnets, deploying C-Chain smart contracts, or developing unique tokens with the X-Chain. While some use cases only require one-time payments, subnets require ongoing AVAX payments because they are subscription-based.
However, even with the fees on the Avalanche platform, the benefits greatly outweigh the cost. Avalanche is a blockchain platform that is interoperable with Ethereum. This allows ERC-20 token holders to transfer their tokens by using the Avalanche Bridge. A large number of tokens are ERC-20 tokens and their lack of interoperability has been a problem for a long time. This makes the Avalanche Bridge a very wise decision that will attract several users.
Avalanche has provided a bridge for ERC-20 token holders who want to explore the Avalanche blockchain without leaving their existing tokens. This gives Avalanche direct exposure to a huge amount of token liquidity
Every level of the network, which includes the Primary Network, needs AVAX token holders who serve as validators. Users are required to stake their tokens as collateral before they can become validators. Validators are rewarded with the AVAX token for validating transactions and running the network.
However, becoming a validator is not the only way to get staking rewards. Another way to earn staking rewards is by assigning your stake to a validator. You can assign your stake to a validator to receive a portion of the AVAX staking rewards.
There are currently about 64% of AVAX tokens staked on the network. Validators earn a little under 11 percent annual percentage yield while people who assign their stake to validators earn about 9.53% of the staking reward.
The Avalanche platform continues to acquire new users due to its unique use cases. Users who want to buy, sell, or swap AVAX tokens can do so on a cryptocurrency exchange. Several exchanges list the AVAX token.
Avalanche focuses on scalability, security, and decentralization. These three key features help it to stand out when compared to other blockchains. The platform allows users to enjoy the benefits of scalability without having to sacrifice security or lose the autonomy of decentralization. The AVAX token is used on the AVAX network to pay for transactions. You can swap your AVAX tokens on JansWap by following the steps below (using the ETH to AVAX example):