Multi-chain platform with custom sovereign networks.
A proof-of-stake Layer 1 featuring sub-second finality and the ability to spawn custom interoperable subnets for application-specific blockchains.
- Founded
- September 2020 (mainnet)
- Team
- Founded by Emin Gün Sirer (Cornell professor); developed by Ava Labs
- Category
- Layer 1 · Subnets · Smart Contracts
Avalanche launched its mainnet in 2020 with a novel consensus mechanism — the Avalanche Protocol — that uses repeated random subsampling of validators to achieve probabilistic finality in under two seconds. The platform comprises three built-in chains (X, P, and C) handling assets, validation, and smart contracts respectively.
The C-Chain runs the Ethereum Virtual Machine, making Avalanche fully compatible with the broader EVM ecosystem and allowing Solidity contracts to deploy with minimal modification. The C-Chain hosts the majority of DeFi activity on the network, including Trader Joe, Benqi, and Aave’s Avalanche market.
The platform’s signature feature is Subnets — independent, validator-defined blockchains that can run custom virtual machines, set their own validators, and define their own economic rules. Subnets have been used for enterprise deployments, GameFi platforms, and institutional-only chains.
Avalanche is a high throughput smart contract blockchain platform. Validators secure the network through a proof-of-stake consensus protocol. It is said to be fast, low cost, and environmental friendly.