What is Avalanche and Why It’s Different From Other Layer 1 Blockchains

Photo by Shubham Dhage on Unsplash

Avalanche is a Layer 1 blockchain, which means that it is a competitor to Ethereum. Like Ethereum, Avalanche enables smart contracts to run decentralized applications (dApps) on its network.

Avalanche’s big selling point is that it boasts high transaction speeds of up to 6,500 per second, dwarfing Ethereum’s current throughput. This speed, coupled with its low transaction fees and eco-friendly Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism, positions it as a strong contender in the scalability race.

Avalanche’s native token is AVAX, which serves several purposes. First, it’s used to pay for services on the blockchain such as transferring funds,interacting with smart contracts, and minting NFTs, as well as fees and subscriptions within decentralized applications (dApps) built on Avalanche. It’s also used for staking, which helps to validate transactions and secure the network.

Finally, AVAX enables its holders to participate in Avalanche’s governance system i.e. vote on proposed changes and upgrades to the network. This decentralized decision-making process ensures that the platform evolves according to community consensus.

As of December 2023, Avalanche is priced at US$47.37 and ranks as one of the top 10 largest cryptocurrencies with a market cap of US$17.3 billion.

How Avalanche Works

Avalanche (AVAX), which launched its mainnet in September 2020, was founded in 2018 by Emin Gün Sirer, a Cornell University professor. Since then, it has gained considerable traction in the DeFi space.

Its secret sauce lies in its multi-chain architecture. Unlike other blockchains’ single-chain approach, Avalanche utilizes three interconnected blockchains i.e. subnets, dedicated blockchains tailored for specific applications. This allows for parallel transaction processing, dramatically increasing overall throughput and scalability. The subnets are:

• Exchange Chain (X-Chain): Processes transactions for the native AVAX token and smart contracts.
• Contract Chain (C-Chain): Compatible with Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), allowing seamless migration of Ethereum-based dApps.
• Platform Chain (P-Chain): Coordinates validators and governs network upgrades.

These subnetworks (or subnets) enable near-instantaneous transaction finality with high security, surpassing the speeds of many other chains without compromising too much in terms of decentralization. Developers can create their own customized subnets, tailored blockchains with specific features for unique use cases.

In turn, AVAX acts as a common currency across the multiple subnets created on Avalanche, facilitating seamless value transfer and interoperability between different blockchains within the ecosystem.

Today, Avalanche hosts a burgeoning ecosystem of DeFi applications, from decentralized exchanges (DEXs) like Aave and Pangolin to yield farming protocols like Benqi. Additionally, NFT platforms like Art Blocks and blockchain gaming projects like DeFi Kingdoms have found a home on Avalanche.

Projects Built on AVAX

Avalanche boasts a diverse, rapidly growing ecosystem with projects across various sectors. Here’s a glimpse into some prominent ones:

DeFi:

• Aave: A leading lending and borrowing protocol, offering users fixed and variable rate options for various assets.
• Trader Joe: A top DEX on Avalanche known for its user-friendly interface and competitive fees.
• Benqi: A DeFi platform offering lending, borrowing, staking, and yield farming functionalities.
• Platypus Finance: A stablecoin-focused DeFi platform specializing in optimizing returns for stablecoin deposits.

NFTs:

• Joepegs: The NFT marketplace launched by the Trader Joe team, featuring curated collections and low fees.
• Kalao: An NFT marketplace with metaverse integration, allowing users to showcase their NFTs in virtual environments.
• Art Blocks: A generative art platform where artists can create dynamic and evolving NFTs.

Gaming:

• Defi Kingdoms: A popular turn-based strategy game with on-chain gameplay mechanics and token rewards.
• Crabada: A card battle game featuring adorable hermit crabs represented as NFTs.
• Pangea Land: A virtual world where players can own land, build structures, and participate in quests.

Latest Development on AVAX

In June 2023, Avalanche crossed a major milestone of 1 million monthly active users for the first time, thanks to the launch of AvaCloud. Here’s how:

• No-code, fully managed deployments: AvaCloud allows anyone to launch custom, fully managed blockchains in minutes, even without a Web3 background. This removes the complex technical barriers and steep learning curve previously associated with blockchain development, making it accessible to a wider audience.
• Cost-effectiveness and speed: AvaCloud boasts significant cost savings compared to traditional blockchain development. Its SaaS model eliminates the need for expensive infrastructure and development teams, and rapid deployment speeds lead to faster time-to-market for businesses.
• Customization and scalability: AvaCloud offers pre-built templates and a user-friendly interface for customizing subnets with specific features and functionalities. This empowers businesses to tailor blockchain solutions to their unique needs and scale seamlessly as their requirements grow.
• Enterprise focus: AvaCloud targets enterprises as a key user base, enabling them to leverage the advantages of blockchain technology without the hassle of technical complexities. Key developments include a partnership with Deloitte to to pilot AvaCloud for supply chain management and other enterprise applications, in addition to working with startups to utilize AvaCloud to build custom blockchains for loyalty programs, identity management, and other use cases.

Is Avalanche A Good Investment?

Avalanche price history (Source: CoinMarketCap)

Avalanche is a promising platform with strong technology and a growing ecosystem, but like all cryptocurrencies, it’s also highly volatile and carries significant risks.

Here’s a quick historical overview of Avalanche’s price performance:

• September 2020: AVAX launched at ~$5.
• March 2021: Price reached its first all-time high of ~$61.
• September 2021: Avalanche entered the top 10 cryptocurrencies by market cap.
• November 2021: Reached its all-time high of $144.96.
• Late 2021 — July 2023: Price experienced a significant correction, dipping as low as under $9 in September 2023.
• Current (December 2023): Trading around ~$48, marking a 67% reduction from its all-time high.

Factors to consider:

• Strengths: Fast transaction speeds, low fees, eco-friendly PoS, growing DeFi and NFT ecosystem, ongoing developments, institutional interest.
• Weaknesses: Centralization concerns, security vulnerabilities, potential for regulation, volatile market.

Conclusion

Avalanche is a dynamic project with ambitious goals. Its unique technology, fast-growing ecosystem, and focus on developer experience make it a strong contender in the blockchain space. As with every other investment, do your own research, understand the risks involved, and never invest more than you can afford to lose.